Perfect Mommy Diary

上点吃的吧

2011-08-21T13:46:00.001-04:00

两周前带到party的猪肝，猪肚，猪耳朵。

对话小妹

2011-07-19T21:44:00.003-04:00

小妹三岁多了，从小就嘴甜，能说，有时候说的真有趣。

今天小妹在我的卧室玩捉迷藏，她藏到我的五斗橱旁边，姐姐找了半天才找到。
姐姐：小妹！你在哪？
小妹：我藏在妈妈抽屉里了。

洗完澡我给小妹那了一套紫色睡衣，上面绣了三个冰激凌，小妹死活不愿意穿。
我：穿吧，多漂亮！
小妹：我喜欢这个颜色，但是我不喜欢吃冰激凌。

我从菜园摘了棵黄瓜，
邻居：你种的真好，顶花带刺，真新鲜，一定好吃。
小妹：我最喜欢吃南瓜。（她管所有瓜都叫南瓜）

我带小妹去农场看动物，小妹最喜欢一只白色大公鸡。我就趁势启发一下她。
我：小妹，你知道小鸡爱吃什么吗？
小妹：鸡蛋！

2011 Summer to do list

2011-07-14T23:49:00.003-04:00

Summer here in US is much longer that summer in China when I was a kid.
Now we're almost half way done with summer, 4 out of 11 weeks. We've done lots of fun stuff but still have quite a few to do on the list.

Here is our summer to do list

1 Local zoo Done
2 Children museum (Dora show??)
3 Science center
4 Community park Festival Done
5 Fireworks on 4th Done
6 Fishing contest Done
7 Kids workshop at home improvement store Done, but we will do more
8 Beach at Erie went this weekend
9 Biking I need a bike
10 Library story time and reading club doing it everyweek now
11 Swimming in outdoor pool Done, but we will do more
12 Movies at park Will do this in two weeks
13 Local farmer's market Been there a couple times but thinking about doing some U pick there
14 Boating in lakes Done, will definitely do more because we paid a two-year registration fee
15 Idlewild park
16 road trip
17 explore different playground
18 BBQ in backyard Did once but want to do more

The zoo trip was a big success. We went there first week of summer and arrived at the gate when it was just open. There were very few people there that early. The weather was perfect to explore the zoo, lower 70s with not much sun. The baby elephants were every active playing in the water. We didn't have to fight the crowd to see penguins, that was girls' favorite party. We all ventured the stingray tunnel for the first time.

Community park Festival was a week before the 4th. It was not as big as last year, but it has all the things we like to play. The girls did the big jumping castles, climbing inflatables, trackless trains, cookie making, pony rides. Again the weather was perfect, lower 70s. But the grass was a bit muddy since it rained the day before. We watched the fireworks at our front porch afterward. As requested by Sophia we did our own fireworks on the 4th.

Fishing contest is a new thing we did this year. It was at the local sports club. With the help of dad and granddad, Sophia and Olivia both got a couple of blue crappies. It definitely makes Sophia proud when she got her first fish. We ate hot dog after the contest. It was great summer outdoor activity, we will do it again next year even we know we can't win.

We did a couple workshops at Lowe's this summer. Since Sophia started to read, she read instructions and does most of the building by herself now. Olivia needs quite a lot of help. But both of them enjoy going to Lowe's to build things and bring back fun toys. I still need to sew patches to their aprons.

We did picture book picnic at our local library last year, Sophia loved it. So we are doing it again this year. It's even better that they not only are doing stories and songs this year, they added a little show for kids to do themselves. Amazingly Lucas enjoys the stories, too. Olivia definitely eats better outside on a picnic blanket.

Olivia's another favorite thing is local farmer's market. She likes the fresh strawberries, she likes to look at flowers, she likes the little unique playground with wooden pirate ship and tractor, she likes the yummy fresh cookies. She always asks to look at the animals especially the big white rooster. She can never leave without looking at him.

Lucas must loves water. He is very active when we put him in the pool. We went to lake Erie over the weekend.

We did some boating at Lake Arther last weekend. Girls were a little neverous to be on a small boat in a huge lake. But they're getting used to it and started to have fun at the end. We'll watch the weather and go again if it's not too hot or too cold.

I still have lots of things on the list that we like to do in the rest of the summer. Sophia, for the first time asked me to take her to a movie. I think we'll start with movies in the park and see if she likes it. I will be sure to spray some OFF before we go. Museums and amusement parks are also on the list. I think I will pick a rainy day to go to museum, a not too hot weekday to go to amusement park. We will do zoo again if a nice day comes up before our membership expires at the end of July.

光阴荏苒，岁月如梭，流年似水

2011-05-18T12:20:00.003-04:00

看到这句话的时候，我突然觉得要更新博客了，不然转眼孩子就大了。

Sophia学会呼啦圈了.

Catching up

2010-12-28T17:08:00.001-05:00

I haven't been actively posting because I was trying to catch up in the house, cleaning. Wzg thinks that to clean the house is always a loosing game because kids can make a huge mess in seconds, cleaning could easily cost me whole night. But I just can't give up, I need a nice and clean house for the holiday.
Now I need to catch up here with my blog, there are so many exiting things happened in the last two months.

Halloween: Sophia was super girl, she looks very pretty in blue and red. I will definitely consider deep and rich blue when I shop her wardrobe next time. Olivia was fairy, she was the cutest fairy ever, she won the third place of cutest category in our community park costume contest. Lucas, his first Halloween, I put him in skeleton pjs, which is very practical for a baby, he was a chubby skeleton.

Thanksgiving: We went to New York city to see the Macy's parade. It was so much fun, especially when we have VIP window seats to watch parade inside. Sophia sat for the whole parade, loved the balloons, Olivia wasn't that patient and kept walking around and playing with boys. We also went to the American girl Place and the world biggest Toys R Us. Girls loved everything about the trip, even the subway and the crowd was a little overwhelming at the beginning of the trip, they were getting used to it at the end.

Christmas: We decided to stay home so that Santa could find our house (yes, Sophia and Olivia are both very into Santa now). When kids got to see Santa at my office Christmas party Sophia was very sure what wanted for Christmas, and her request was very reasonable. Olivia has been constantly changing, she asked for a boots doll at the beginning, then silly bands, then she asked for a party, I don't know how Santa could throw her a party but I will throw one for her. Since they have been good for the whole year, Santa brought exactly what they wanted. Sophia got a Fancy Nancy Christmas book and little calico critters. Olivia got a Boots doll and Zhuzhu pet playset. Lucas got a baby toy, well, he doesn't care. I love holidays, because kids are happy.

New Year: It's coming. I can't believe how time flies. Another year is coming, we will have a party to celebrate at our house (for Olivia).

Birthdays: Girls' birthdays are coming, still thinking if we're going to throw party for that.

2010 Halloween pictures

2010-10-30T08:39:00.007-04:00

一地鸡毛 - 记在家妈妈的一天

2010-10-08T15:11:00.001-04:00

我每周工作三天，既是工作妈妈又是在家妈妈。因此我能深切体会到在家妈妈的甘苦。
昨天我在家，一天是这样度过的。
早上7：10，老二起床，跑到我房间，说：“妈妈，我要拉屎”。老二每天都第一个起床，所以她醒了，我的一天就开始了。
我立马爬起来带她去厕所。老二快三岁了，还带尿布，只有一早一晚能知道上厕所。
我一边帮老二穿衣服，一边就叫老大起床，上厕所，穿衣服，老大可以自理了。把两个小姐都搞好了我就让娃他爹带她们下楼吃早饭。
7：20 我开始给老三换尿布，换衣服，喂奶。
7：50 洗衣机洗上衣服
8：00 老大，老二已经吃了面包，喝了牛奶。我把老三放在摇篮里玩，自己一边洗脸刷牙一边监督老大洗脸刷牙。
8：15 一边给老大老二梳小辨，一边让她们看动画片。
8：20 我和娃他爹吃早饭，吃昨天剩的鸡蛋汤。
8：30 我准备娃的书包，娃他爹收拾吃的碗筷，洗奶瓶。
8：40 娃他爹带老大上校车，顺路就上班去了。
8：50 我开车带着老二老三去邻居家接邻居的孩子上preschool，邻居的孩子和老二在一个班，我们就轮流接送，这个星期是轮到我负责接送。
9：00 到preschool，好在今天不下雨，容易多了。给三个孩子解carseat，然后报着老三，赶着老二和邻居小孩，虽然parking lot 到教室只有30米，弄这三孩子还是很慢，花了5分钟。到了教室，帮两个小朋友脱外套，洗手，还一边抱着老三，离开学校的时候我已经一身汗了。
9：20 回到家，老三睡了，我赶紧准备午饭，面包夹熏肉，洗了点葡萄，都装好。
9：30 把洗的衣服烘上。
9：40 上了一会儿网，真的是一会儿。
9：50 带着还在睡觉的老三奔老大的学校，今天book fair，老师要求家长去帮着买书。
10：00准时到学校图书馆，她们班正在抽奖，一个小孩得了$5 certificate。然后大家自由选书，我一边抱着老三一边帮老大选书。选了两本，我去付钱，她就去听故事了。我又和其他家长聊了一会儿就回家了。
10：45 到家，老三拉了一大泡屎，我赶紧给他换尿布换衣服。
10：55 去preschool接老二。老二的preschool是9点到11点。
11：05 到preschool，晚了一点，我是最后一个。
11：15 送邻居小孩回家，我们也回家，进门先给老三喂奶
11：40 带着老二老三去学校接老大，老大11：45放学。接了老大就直接去练Gymnastic
12：00 到练Gymnastic的地方，我们开始吃午饭。
12：00 - 1：20 老大练Gymnastic，老二吃零食，我给老三再喂点奶。
1：30 回家
2：00 老二到家就睡了，我给老大讲故事，帮她写作业。
3：00 给老三喂米粉
3：30 老二起来了，和老大一起玩玩具，我开始哄老三睡觉。
4：00 收拾屋子
5：00 老三醒了，一边看着他一边准备晚饭。老三喜欢旁边有人。
5：40 娃他爹到家，饭菜上桌，米饭，香干炒辣椒。我们开始吃，娃他爹又煎了一下昨天腌好的鱼片。
6：10 吃完饭。把给邻居的new baby礼物包好。
6：20 带老大老二去老大学校，参加 Girl Scouts Sign up night。娃他爹在家给老三喂奶，收拾厨房。
7：30 Girl Scouts 活动结束，带着两个小姐直接去邻居家看刚生的小baby，顺便送礼物。
8：00 到家，老大老儿吃水果和零食，我抱老三玩一会儿。
8：30 上楼洗澡刷牙
8：50 给老大老二讲故事。
9：00 老大老二睡觉了，我一边跟老三玩一边看电视。
10：00 给老三喂奶
10：30 我睡觉，娃他爹继续斗争不想睡觉的老三直到12点
幸运的是老三一夜没闹，今天早上7点半才醒。

Summer finale (2010 summer 5)

2010-09-09T22:30:00.006-04:00

As every year, we finished our summer on Labor day weekend at Kennywood amusement park. It was the best day ever, not too hot, not too cold, sunny bright blue shy with white clouds here and there. You can dress yourself with anything, long sleeves, short sleeves, dress, shorts, you can't go wrong.

Sophia and Olivia spent most of the time in Kiddie land, they enjoy each other's company so much, especially when they felt a little bit not sure about the ride but wanted to try. We didn't spend a long time there, a lot less than how much we spent at Idlewild.
I think it definitely worth the drive to Idlewild, kids had a lot of more fun. We will do it again when fall comes. I can't wait.

Lunch box

2010-08-30T13:59:00.006-04:00

Sophia started school last week, and started after school care this Monday. She will have to bring lunch to after school care.
It's always a tough job to prepare nutritional yet tasty lunch box for kids. I will try to write down what she brings and what she eats and see how lunch goes here.

Monday (8/30/2010)
Main: BBQ beef off bamboo skewers
Side: Potato salad
Fruit: green grapes
Snack: strawberry yogurt
drink: water (my kids love water, it's always the best drink for lunch)

Wednesday (9/1/2010)
Main: Pulled pork sandwich
Side: NA
Fruit: NA
Snack: vanilla yogurt
drink: Organic Mango punch

Friday (9/3/2010)
Main: Italian bread and Canadian bacon sandwich
Side: chocolate waffle snack
Fruit: NA
Snack: strawberry yogurt
drink: Organic Mellon punch

Friday (9/10/2010)
Main: Pork dumplings
Side: string cheese
Fruit: grapes
Snack: chocolate gram gold fish
drink: water

Monday (9/13/2010)
Main: Turkey sandwich with honey mustard sauce
Side: string cheese
Fruit: apples
Snack: Goldfish crackers, raisins
drink: water

Monday (9/15/2010)
Main: Chicken wings with white rice
Side: homemade cake roll
Fruit: mandarin oranges
Snack: Yogurt covered raisins
drink: water

Inspiration : Four Simple Goals

2010-08-27T13:54:00.003-04:00

This is inspired by blogger, Elsie's idea of creating Four Simple Goals for the remainder of 2010.

Here is mine

1. Balance life
People are always talking about balance personal life and work.
For me I've spent the whole summer at home with kids and my parents. It was the most wonderful time and I probably will never have a chance to do it again if I don't quit my job.
For the rest of the year I will spend more time at home than before I had Lucas, work only 3 days a week. I will try to be patient with all 3 of them, enjoy every minute with them. Thinking about every child will only spend 18 years with me, I feel like I soon will run out of time.
Work is still the same to me, but I will try to dress myself up on the three days that I work, and enjoy the 24 kids free hours a week, just like in the old no-kids days.

2. Eat healthy and live healthy
I still have 3o pounds to lose to get back to pre-3rd-baby weight, not even mention the pre-baby weight. I need to get back my pre-baby eating habit, and workout as much as I can to stay healthy and strong. At the same time I need to cook healthy for the family, encourage kids to excise to gradually establish their healthy life style. Don't wait until it's too late.
3. Keep pumping
Lucas is 4 months now, my goal is to nurse him at least until he's 6 months old, at most 1 year old.
4. Get organized
Our is too messy, crowded with junk every where. I need to clean up, throw away, donate, sell, and organize.

First day of school & 13 years to go

2010-08-27T13:22:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was the first day of school for Sophia. It was a big day for her, for me, for all of us. Because she is starting Kindergarten, which makes this truly the first day of 13 years of school.
Everything went very well because we were all prepared. Sophia attended student orientation last week, she spent half day at her school with her classmates and her teacher. She got to know the principal, test drove the classroom and even had quite a long ride on the school bus. As parents we had parent night two days before school. We get to meet her teacher (she is great, been teaching for 37 years), other parents and know more about school rules, curriculum.
Yesterday morning, Sophia got up early, dressed herself, had a good breakfast, and then walked to the bus stop, rode the bus with her favorite doll (previously named Cody, now named Victoria). The first day was a shortened day, a little over an hour. When I pulled up at the pick up spot after school, she was standing in line with other kids, with her name tag hang around her neck, holding her doll, carrying her brand new pink backpack, super cute. Yes, every parent thinks their own children are the cutest of the bunch.

This is no long preschool, this is real school, it goes on everyday. So she went up to the bus this morning, too. I can imagine myself seeing her off everyday at the bus stop in the next 13 years, and then she will fly away. I will try my very best to enjoy Sophia to be around me in the next 13 years.
It's a whole new journey for me as a parent because Sophia is our first child. When Olivia and Lucas start school things will be much easier.

A day at Idlewild (2010 Summer 4)

2010-08-09T15:25:00.006-04:00

We spent Sunday at Idlewild park. Sophia and Olivia had lots of fun, Sophia's favorite ride was the Mr Roger's neighborhood trolley ride, Olivia loves the turtle ride.

Ready for school?

2010-08-09T15:12:00.003-04:00

We went to Target today to get gift cards for our neighbor girls for their high school graduation party. There were lots of people doing back to school shopping. Sophia is going to kindergarten this fall. I can't wait to see her in school, she grows so fast, I still remember the days that she was a little baby in my arms.

The girl's room

2010-08-09T15:07:00.003-04:00

Olivia was moved to Sophia's room before Lucas was born. They both enjoy each other's company so much. I bet they can't sleep separately anymore. It saves me at the same time, because one bedtime story for two girls.

100 days

2010-08-09T15:02:00.003-04:00

Lucas was 100 days, he loves to smell at everyone, he cries out loud for milk, he's not able to roll over yet (he is too big), he loves to kick while there is music on. Sophia and Olivia loves to play with him, he is cute as a BIG button.

Summer Camps2 -Music camp

2010-08-02T14:48:00.002-04:00

Sophia spent another week at music camp, I can't tell if she really learned anything there, but she sure had fun.

Summer camps 1 -- Dance camp

2010-07-23T19:42:00.001-04:00

A typical summer day

2010-07-22T17:32:00.003-04:00

It's very nice to be able to stay at home with kids this summer. I try to make every day with lots of fun.
This is how we spent today,
am
8:09 I got up, dressed myself, Sophia and Olivia,
8:15 We ate breakfast
8:20 nursed Lucas
8:50 Sent Sophia to Dance camp
9:00 Went grocery shopping with Olivia
11:00 Got home and packed picnic lunch, bread with ham and cheese, strawberries, Yogurt, rabbit crackers and juicy pouches
11:30 picked up Sophia from summer camp
pm
12:00 Arrived Library for story picnic
12:30 Read stories and borrowed DVDs from Library
1:30 Bought Ice cream and cherries at local store on the way home from library
2:00 got home, Sophia and Olivia watched the DVDs they borrowed from Library, I nursed Lucas
3:00 I paid bills, Sophia had a snack and Olivia took a nap
4:15 Olivia woke up, we all played with Lucas
5:00 Everyone ate strawberries (except Lucas)
5:30 Read books with Sophia and Olivia

First Haircut

2010-07-09T14:43:00.002-04:00

Lucas was born with big head of black hair just like his sisters, and it grows so fast.
He enjoys bath time the most, but no matter how often we wash his hair, it always smells. He need a haircut right away.

Water and sand (2010 Summer 3)

2010-07-09T14:32:00.004-04:00

It's quite some drive for us to get to the coast. So we settled with Erie lake, which is only one and half hour away. The beach at Erie is just the same as any other ocean beach except the water is not as salty.
Sophia and Olivia enjoyed the water, sand and sun. They also love the neat cable playground. Even Lucas got some tan, too.

Pefect days in summer (2010 Summer 2)

2010-07-02T22:18:00.004-04:00

In this whole week it feels like early fall, everyday is sunny and cool, lower 70s. So we tried to enjoy every day as much as we can.
Monday, we went to the Carnegie Science center. The robot exhibit is on, there are some new buildings added to the train exhibit, everything else is still the same. The new sports center is very cool, but Sophia and Olivia are still too young for it. We spent the whole day there and had fun.
Tuesday, I brought girls to the mall. Sophia already shows interests in shopping.
Wednesday, we went to the zoo, it was the perfect day to be outside, animals are more active on a cool day. It was the first time ever we saw black bear not sleeping.

Kiddie land at zoo

Thursday, we had a story time picnic outside the library. It was the best story time ever, weather was perfect, stories were good, and best of all, we finished all the food we brought, will definitely do it again next week.
Thursday, we met Sophia's future classmates, who are attending kindergarten this fall. Sophia had fun and was proud to show her little sister her school.
Friday, nothing exiting as the weather started to warm up.
Now we are looking forward to the weekend which will be very very hot.

Jump into summer (2010 Summer 1)

2010-06-27T13:58:00.008-04:00

I'm very exited for this summer, because I can spend every minute with my kids, no work!
I have a big plan, lots of things to do with the girls. I also made a long list of things to do, inspired by Martha's summer activity list.

In the last two weeks we had done quite a lot on the list.
We went to Marine state park twice, did picnic there with friends.

We spent a good afternoon at cranberry community park playground, to my surprise, Olivia loved it. Girls spent a day with Sophia's friend Connie at our house. We visited Children's museum and saw George (the curious monkey), visited local library for the reading club party. Yesterday we spent a nice afternoon at the festival, had tons of fun, favorite was the trackless train ride, cookie making and pony ride.

balloons made by the clowns

Cookie made by Sophia

Mini golf

Water fun

Next week we're planning to visit the Science center on Monday, visit the library for story time and picnic on Thursday. Hopefully we can find a day to go to idle wild park next week.

+ play at the park check!

+ have a picnic at the park check!

+ plant vegetables check!

+ go to summer festival at blueberry park check!

+ go to the beach

+ ride bicycles

+ visit the zoo

+ play water in the backyard check!

+ picnic in our backyard with Sophia's friends

+ sign up for the summer reading program at our local library check!

+ go fishing and boating check!

+ play with water balloons

+ visit Children's museum check!

+ go to Idle Wild

+ go to Kennywood

+ go berry picking

+ visit our farmers market check!

+ go swimming check!

+ have play dates with Sophia's and Olivia's friends

+ make a scrapbook with girls

+ watch a movie at the park

+ watch a concert in the park

+ do craft Projects with girls

+ go school supply shopping

potty training 第一天

2010-05-20T11:31:00.000-04:00

婷婷加油！

婷婷--小神仙

2010-05-20T11:15:00.001-04:00

说婷婷是个小神仙是因为她精神实在太大了，一个俩岁的孩子，成天不睡觉。当然，宁宁小时候也类似，看来是家庭传统。
婷婷的口头禅是：我要吃呀！我要吃这个呀！我要吃那个呀！每天睁开眼第一句话肯定是“我要吃呀”。
婷婷喜欢吃金币巧克力，非常喜欢，以至于看到妈妈钱包里的硬币就要吃。
婷婷喜欢吃瓜子，但是她不知道瓜子叫瓜子，她叫“我要吃，吃剥剥皮”。
婷婷也会说点英语，她说“我要喝apple juice",然后还自作聪明地翻译成中文“就是屁股（苹果）”

Lucas

2010-04-28T20:19:00.003-04:00

was born on April 26th.

新发型

2010-04-17T10:08:00.001-04:00

Princesses at the princess party

2010-04-15T14:27:00.002-04:00

This year Sophia's preschool family fun party is Princess and Pirate party. Olivia had more fun than last year.

Olivia turned 2

2010-02-13T19:05:00.003-05:00

The cake

The balloon

The girls

Sweet sisters

2010-02-13T19:00:00.005-05:00

Sophia drew herself and Olivia.

bring on the show, girls!

Back from Disney

2010-02-03T08:31:00.013-05:00

Arrived GKTW, the most amazing place, home away from home.

There are tons of fun at GKTW village, we spent lots of time on Enchanted Carousel, girls rode a couple times everyday after breakfast and dinner.

Girls were rocking chairs at the front porch.

My favorite part of GKTW was ice cream palace.

Sophia's favorite thing in GKTW is the playground, it has the world largest candy land game.

Birthday at GKTW,

Olivia had her first pony ride,

Both Sophia and Olivia are little scared of the Castle, maybe it's made too real, even comes with draw bridge, knight and dragon. Sophia will not step in if Spongebob wasn't there.

Meeting Mary

Meeting Minnie, Pluto, Goofy,

Spent an afternoon at beach,

Sophia's favorite park was Magic Kingdom, favorite ride was "It's a small world". Olivia's favorite part was meeting princesses.

We spent a full day at Epcot, met all princesses there.

The treats at the park are so good.

Meeting sleeping beauty,

Girls love French pastry at Epcot, maybe it was because they were too hungry at the time.

Meeting Princesses at Storybook restaurant,

Minnie mouse's pink sweetheart house is so cute, Sophia and Olivia must dream of living next door.
This is Minnie's sun room.

Minnie's living room fireplace.

Dog house in Mickey's backyard.

After visiting Minnie and Mickey's house we met them in the tent, they're super nice and even wrote cards for the girls.

My favorite thing in Disney is their stroller rental. So easy to push two kids, it saved my life. Obvious girls enjoy the ride together side by side. Olivia had been spending most of the time fixing the seatbelt. I recommend everyone rent a stroller if you have a big kid, the usual home stroller is too small to handle a 5 year old.

一年又一年

2010-01-30T13:30:00.004-05:00

人们都感慨时光飞逝，我也不免俗。因为孩子的成长太快了，让我没有时间回忆过去，只想尽情享受现在的每一分每一秒。
2010年的第一个月眼看就要过去，宁宁已经过了五岁生日，这周就要报名上小学了。婷婷再过几天也要两岁了，她虽然还流口水，但已经不是baby了，会说很多话了。
今年宁宁的生日过得非常特别，虽然没有很多礼物，但是她更高兴，因为见到了向往已久的Disney princess and Minnie Mouse.
婷婷的生日我还在酝酿中，因为她长大了，喜欢所有姐姐喜欢的东西，所以绝不能怠慢。当然要有蛋糕，有蜡烛，有礼物，有生日歌，还有...

红糖酥饼

2010-01-30T13:00:00.002-05:00

小时候很喜欢吃妈妈做的红糖馒头，红糖揉在面里，甜甜的，却又不像糖三角会到处流，搞脏衣服。
于是今天我也尝试一下，希望我的孩子也喜欢。不过我是稍微做了改良的。
原料：
Self rising 面粉 2 cups
红糖 6 tbs
shortening 4 tsp
温水 2/3 cup

将原料揉成团，醒半个小时，分成6份，拍成薄薄的圆饼，平底锅，放少许油，煎到两面金黄即可。
味道有点象biscuit, 很酥软，又有红糖的香，早餐配鸡蛋很好。

A wonderful Christmas and new year

2010-01-03T08:52:00.006-05:00

Lots of presents, lots of good eats, lots of snow.

Best friends

2009-11-13T13:28:00.003-05:00

Sophia and Olivia are now best friends. They enjoy each other so much. They love to dress alike.

Princess and Eeyore

2009-11-13T13:07:00.003-05:00

Sophia said Halloween is her favorite holiday. I know she will say the same thing when Christmas coming.
I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween. She said she wanted to be a butterfly just like what she was last year. No way, that costume is too small. I try to convince her to be a princess because she has lots of princess dress up dresses to choose from. Eventually she chose the sleeping beauty for school costume parade and fairy princess for Halloween trick or treating.
This is the first year that Olivia is able to walk to trick or treat, she doesn't have much choice of costumes. She wore those that Sophia wore 3 years ago. She made the cutest Eeyore ever.

Fall is the best

2009-11-12T18:39:00.004-05:00

But too short.
Fall is beautiful with colorful leaves, fall is fun with lots of activities, especially Halloween, the best of all, lots of vegetables and fruits are best of this season, my favorite is chestnut.
We go to Hartwood Acres for their fall festive every year, the weather could be either very hot or very cold. This year it was windy and wet, but still fun.

上了中文学校以后

2009-10-05T17:45:00.001-04:00

宁宁给她最心爱的娃娃起了中文名字“星星”，她的小马中文名字叫“右手”。
她经常自言自语练中文。“我今年四岁，妹妹一岁，爸爸五岁，妈妈十岁，爷爷七岁，奶奶五岁"

A perfect day to play outside

2009-09-25T13:17:00.002-04:00

Being loved again

2009-09-25T13:14:00.002-04:00

This "Pat the bunny" book is Olivia's favorite book. It was Sophia's favorite when she was little, now Sophia loves to read this book to her sister. I think I will keep this book for their kids. It will be loved again.

Labor day weekend.

2009-09-09T14:53:00.004-04:00

Labor day weekend always marks the end of summer. It's sad that summer is over, but it's great that fall is coming, Fall is the most beautiful season of Pittsburgh.
We spent our weekend at the local amusement park Kenneywood. It was a perfect sunny day. Girls had loads of fun. Olivia enjoined quite a few rides this year.

Sophia ventured some new rides she had never tried before because she's taller this year. I felt a bit nervous about her growing because I'm not very good at riding roller coaster. I bet she will want mom to ride with her soon.

Look back

2009-08-28T12:35:00.002-04:00

Three years ago I wrote down this following wish list in my blog.

Here comes my wish list:
Local scrapbook store membership (may get this for birthday)
circle punch
Corner punch
black and brown pens
Bronze color box
mod podge
3D glue dots
Double sided tapes
Foam stamps
Acrylic paint and brushes
Sewing machine

and lots of ribbon, lots of paper!

Well, I got most of the things in the last three years. Probably it's because nothing on my wish list is super expensive. The sewing machine was the only big ticket item, it turned out well worth the price. Because I developed another new hobby, sewing.
The only thing I never got was the scrapbooking store membership. I guess I don't even want one now. It's not because I can't afford it or I can't justify the cost, it's more due to lack of time.
With two kids, many hobbies, I really couldn't splurge a big chunk of time on scrapbooking, it's too time consuming. But I will still do small scrapbooking projects here and there. I definitely need to whip up an album for Olivia. She grows too fast.

Now here comes my new wish list. I bet I will get most of the things in this list in the next three years.

Hobby room for sewing, scrapbooking and doll collecting (long shot, not expecting in the next 5 years)
American girl Kit doll and her bed, desk, chair, and a couple outfits (I know I want them all, but we'll see how many I can find)

American girl Felicity doll and her bed, her horse Penny, and a couple outfits (Same as Kit, but easier because I already have a couple)

American girl Chrissa's sewing machine.

I also like Samantha, Nellie, Josefina, but I can live without them.

A trip to American girl place, (I'm so looking forward to this).

I know this list will cost more than 100 times what I wished 3 years ago, but it's nothing wrong to wish. I don't have to have everything I wished for.

Mini Summer Vacation

2009-08-13T23:49:00.005-04:00

There are lots of kid's picture books talking about summer vacation. It always something good, something not so good but always with a happy ending.
Our mini summer vacation last weekend was all like the stories in kid's picture books.
Something good? The beach and food, beach at Baltimore wasn't very good for adults, very crowded but good enough for kids. Food was fantastic, great restaurants, seafood, ribs, and authentic Chinese food at Rockville.
Something fun? Fishing crabs, nothing is better than eating fresh blue crabs.
Happy ending? I had a haircut, very short one. Kids loved peach picking and eating at the end of the trip.

Preserving good stuff

2009-08-04T11:52:00.003-04:00

This weekend, cucumber came to the end of the season, we pulled them all out at the same time. It's about 30 pounds or more, based on my observation. I picked some good ones and save in the frige for the new two weeks. For the rest I cleaned and preserved them in jars. I was so proud of myself when I was done with 12 quart jars of pickles. They will last a full year for us, hopefully and we will do it again. I just love it, preserving. I now understand why all the women preserved tomatoes in 80's. It's not just about saving money, it also make you feel good when you're done.

Weekend sewing

2009-08-02T17:54:00.006-04:00

I have to say I love this book, even lots people gave it not-so-good reviews, I still love it. I think it might because I never follow a pattern without altering anything, I never shop fabric base on pattern, I usually use pattern as an inspiration.
So far I have used the summer blouse pattern, baby pants pattern, and flower girl dress pattern.
The summer blouse pattern is my favorite, I made it into a sleep dress with short sleeves, perfect for summer. The fabric I chose was bought by my mom for Sophia's bedding. It's very cheap, thin, small pink flower vague prints, but it's soft and very shabby chic look and 100% cotton. I figure Sophia doesn't need more bedding, and this big piece of fabric is enough for pajamas for our whole family. It turned out very cute with polka dots bias tape, and very comfortable. I just love it and can't wait to make more versions of this pattern.
The baby pants pattern is a little too big for my baby, my baby is a peanut. She's 18 months old, I used 12 month pattern, worked well. I also added a cargo pocket to make it cute. The fabric is my favorite among all I have used this summer. It's linen blend with pink and red flower print. It's thicker than cotton, but drapes well and so easy to work with.
I used the same linen blend print fabric for a flower dress for Sophia to match. I didn't follow the pattern at all, I just used one of her dresses as guide and made my own pattern, it was super good. Of course I added a little patch pocket on the dress for Sophia to carry small toys or tissue. This finished dress is very versatile, she can wear it along on a hot day, or wear a Tee shirt under on a not-so-hot day, or add legging on a chilly day. But right now she wears it as a pajama dress coz it's too comfortable to take off at night time.

A special summer

2009-07-24T16:06:00.002-04:00

This year we're having a very special summer so far. Everyone I met started conversation by commenting how weird this summer is. It doesn't feel summer at all, most of the days are between 50s to 70s, you never need AC but need a sweater when it's getting dark. I'm not complaining a cool summer, just feel a little disappointed that you can't do much of water play, no summer dresses, no even craving ice cream. I'm also worrying about a possible cold winter. I'm not ready for fall yet, just give us a couple hot days to set up sprinkler and cook and eat outside at backyard.
With this weird summer, our garden, however grows pretty well this year. So far we have steady supply of green onions, cilantro and leek, which I use almost everyday. We also are having lots cucumbers and zucchinis since late June. Beans are ready to eat, too. I'm looking forward to tomatoes and peppers soon.
With tons of cucumbers and zucchinis everyday, I must find some fun way consume them. I so far made 3 cans of cucumber pickles. These zucchini recipes look nice and worth a try.

讲讲最近的生活 (2)

2009-07-16T10:33:00.007-04:00

今天接着说。说完了吃喝说说玩乐吧。

最近上下班路上一直在听羽泉的歌，以前对这个组合一直不感冒，认真听了，喜欢羽凡的声音。不过不知道为什么，听他们的歌没有多少共鸣，没有陈楚生的歌能打动我啊。
今年的快女没有往年一样的大肆宣传，我也没有追着看，连前十的名字都不知道，也许是因为没有唱得好的，也许是因为我老了，也许是因为很久没看湖南卫视了，总之，我没有以前那么大兴趣了。如果再搞一次快男，可能我会再兴奋一次。想想陈楚生我还是很喜欢的。

最近看的书是：
1 Sew the essential wardrobe for 18-inch dolls / Joan Hinds & Jean
2 Ratio : the simple codes behind the craft of everyday cooking / Michael Ruhlman.
3 Weekend sewing : more than 40 projects and ideas for inspired stitching / Heather Ross ; photographs
很久很久没有碰过任何专业书了，至少三年了吧，我是没有追求了。也很久没买书了，几乎都是靠图书馆借，可能因为还没找到值得我买的书吧，借来看看足以。现在很喜欢关于homade lifestyle的书。
已经照第一本书给Sophia的doll, Pair, 做了一身PJs和一个和Sophia match的dress。效果都比较满意，就是机器锁眼不是很熟练，所以买了新的梭子，准备再练练。给娃娃做衣服的优点是，１省材料，少浪费，如果做错了的话；２见效快，毕竟小很多吗；３娃娃要求低，不complain。
第二本书刚刚开始看，还没有什么尝试，不过准备试试pound cake。上星期公司potluck，同事做的pound cake很好吃，所以我也很想试试。
第三本书我是已经从头至尾细细研读了一遍了。这书可是我等了两个月才借到的。总的说还是喜欢书里的风格的，但是绝对不值得等两个月，新鲜的东西不多，都是东拼西凑的project。书里所用的fabric也不完全符合我的风格。但是这本书的illustration还是很独特的，这也是吸引我从头读到尾的原因。准备借鉴的project有一个拉链包，和一个flower dress。不过我可能不会用书里带的patterns。首先我要做的拉链包是给mini laptop的, 和书中的化妆包尺寸不同，其次我有些恐惧pattern，总是不信任别人的pattern，即使是的published, 也不相信，一定要亲手做自己的pattern。今天早上选好了一块粉和红花的亚麻，用来做dress，如果有剩余，就再给Olivia做个小水裤。
昨天去图书馆又去取来了一直在等的两本书，翻了一下还没有仔细看。
4 Printing by hand : a modern guide to printing with handmade stamps, stencils, and silk screens
5 Seams to me : 24 new reasons to love sewing / by Anna Maria Horner.

我的另一个最爱就是American Girl。因为Sophia, Olivia 还小，所以我还没有给她们买full size American girl doll。她们只有bitty twins。盼着她们长大，因为我是没有勇气给自己买个娃娃玩的，希望到时候和她们一起玩。希望年底可以给Sophia买一个Girl of the year，也希望我们可以一起去一次American girl place。我最喜欢doll的是Josefina。

还有我的新宠, Radley leather handbags。我是极其爱包包的人，即使不买新衣服，我也要买新包包。我喜欢大包，颜色鲜艳，样子简单，不喜欢过于繁琐的，不喜欢Coach,LV。 Radley 北美的店还没开，等待中, 等待Radley开店，等待去英国。

如果问我最近最有成就感的是什么，那就是减肥初见成效。重要的其实不仅是减肥，更是运动改变了我以前颓废的精神面貌，觉得自己有力量，有精神了，也快乐了，生活中的不如意都淡了。健康饮食形成习惯，也给家人很大影响, 一定要坚持下去，希望给孩子也做个好榜样。

现在我下一件要干的事情就是剪头发，长发都有七八年了，是时候改变一下了，现在就是想不好如何改变。

讲讲最近的生活 (1)

2009-07-15T16:37:00.002-04:00

总的来说还是很充实的，作了很多事情，一直都是忙忙碌碌的，唯一荒疏了的就是blog。所以现在补上。
公司里，六月份忙了一阵子，有时要加一会儿班，现在算是轻松了许多。没有什么抱怨的，一年也就忙一两次，平时都很清闲，已经是我求之不得的工作了。
家里的事情就不同了，没有不忙的时候，也永远没有做完的家务。同样的是，没有抱怨，因为我还是很善于寻找乐趣的人。
最近非常喜欢钻研做饭，我是没有门派的，中西兼收，重在尝试，相信什么事情都怕“用心”二字。在我尝试的菜里，成功失败各占一半吧，成功的将继续发扬，失败的就继续钻研尝试。
其中最成功的是北海道土司，经过三次失败，我终于试验成功了这个方子，刚出炉的北海道土司真是好吃，可以说胜过所有我吃过的其他面包，我是一做再做，现在为止还没吃腻。当然，我也觉得是时候该尝试些新的面包了。当了孟老师100种面包的书，准备一一试验。
另外尝试成功了法棒，很简单，味道和店里一样，从此再也不买面包了。用法棒和橄榄油烤面包块也是孩子喜欢的健康零食。本来想用法棒尝试French bread pizza，发现pepperoni放的太久已经坏了，只好作罢，以后再说吧。
前天做的blueberry muffin也是超级成功，在AllRecipes.com找到的方子，非常简单易做，是消耗蓝梅的最佳选择。
俗话说，失败是成功之母。关于失败我有更多要说的。最失败的是上个星期做的 Aunt Anie Prezel, 我没有买他家的kit,就在网上了google一个方子，照着做了,结果和真正Aunt Anie Prezel的没法比，非常硬，只吃了一个，剩下的都进了垃圾桶。看来没有review的方子不可靠阿.
尝试了蜜三刀的chocalate pine nuts muffin。谈不上成功，失败，但是我想我可能不会再做了，因为程序有些复杂，结果也没有我想象的那么好吃，而且过油，不健康。
还是戚风更令我喜欢。以前失败过一次，一直没有信心再做。自从买了kitchenaid stand mixer以后，打蛋白太容易了，做戚风想失败都难。做了几次戚风蛋糕卷，都很不错，很light，很软，大人孩子都喜欢，也可以变换花样，做过巧克力，草莓口味的，准备下次尝试橙子的。
记的小时候，家家都是自制豆沙的。因为这里买的豆沙都是罐头的，非常甜，又有防腐剂，所以我也在家尝试了几次。水和豆的比例我还是掌握的不是特别好，有时候太稀，有时候太干，好在有blender所以制作非常简单，远没有我想象的那么复杂。所以我还会再试下去的，尝试多了一定会找到合适的比例的。自制的豆沙味道真是非常好，尤其是放到北海道土司里面。
还有一个不得不提的就是两个星期前买的猪腿。以前从来没买过，因为一个猪腿十来斤，看了就望而生畏。可是真的买了来，没几天就吃光光了。还是讲讲我们是如何消化的吧。中间比较瘦的部分，我分了三份。一份做了叉烧肉，然后切薄片，炒菜，炒米粉，炒饭都不错，又简单，连孩子（我的孩子是肉食动物）都很爱吃的。一份绞成肉糜，烤了猪肉脯，做了三种口味，原味，孜然和辣味的。发扬和继承了毛毛妈的方子，这也是消耗猪肉最快的方法，因为一大碗的肉做成猪肉脯只有一点点，几口就吃光了。最后一份也打成肉糜，做了猪肉丸子和面筋塞肉。猪肉丸子我自认为还是很成功的，和小时候吃的一个味儿，可是有的同学反映太咸，太硬，我想他可能是拿炸丸子和狮子头作比较了。下次试试狮子头。面筋塞肉不是很成功，一方面是我太贪心，放肉太多，基本没什么面筋味儿了，完全象是肉丸子，而且汤汁不够多，其实是我做饭的习惯，不喜欢汤汤水水的，喜欢干爽的。最后我又把连着皮的部分切成小快，炒糖色，红烧了，烧烂了再切碎，拌上香菜碎，夹在小发面饼里。家常版的肉夹莫，非常美味，人人都会吃撑。带到July 4th party很受欢迎。中间的大腿骨头也没扔，煮了大锅骨头汤，下面正好。
说了这么多做饭的事儿，都饿了。明天接着说最近的生活。

Biking

2009-07-13T21:35:00.002-04:00

I was amazed that Sophia was able to hop on and play the bike without any practice. It looks like the training wheels are very very helpful. Thinking about how we learned biking years ago without training wheels.

Dance recital

2009-07-13T21:20:00.005-04:00

Sophia's 8 week dance class was finished wonderfully. Our whole family went to her dance recital. The show was consisted of three parts, Jazz, ballet and tap. It was a very cute show.

我们无处安放的青春

2009-06-19T22:37:00.003-04:00

今天又温习了一遍小说，虽然作者的文笔算不上成熟老练，却真的打动人，因为这样的故事也曾经发生在我们身边，我们都曾经有过不安躁动的青春，曾经有过少年轻狂，曾经有过年轻的美丽，可惜美好的东西是稍纵即逝的，相爱的人是不能终成眷属的。可幸的是平凡人过平凡的生活是幸福的。周蒙最终是幸福的，虽然没有得到她的最爱。
小说中的人物真实，情节安排也似曾相识。电视剧我也看了，拍的不错。不过更喜欢书的情节。
演员，喜欢周蒙，戴妍，葛俊的扮演者，形象气质都和人物非常贴切。不太喜欢佟大为的李然，觉得应该找个更帅的，比如邓超，刘烨，李光洁。

手把手教你做法棒

2009-05-19T19:05:00.002-04:00

法棒是一款简单易做，又好吃的面包。非常适合新手初学，很难不成功。

原料：
1, 1 1/4 cup warm water, 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons sugar
3, bread flour 3 1/2 cup
4, 1 tbsp Oliver oil

做法：
将 1 和 2 混合，放置 10分钟
1， 2，3， 4 和成面团，放温暖处发40分钟
将发好的面分成两份，每份擀成 10寸x8寸，
沿长边卷起来，封口朝下放入烤盘，盖好，二次发酵 20分钟，
烤箱375度，烤20分钟。

这款面包外皮香脆，内软，老人孩子都爱吃，可以抹果酱，也可加香肠。
如果吃不了剩下，还可以做french bread pizza, 烤面包块，都是又简单又好吃。

french bread pizza, 烤面包块，且听下次介绍。

Pigtails vs Ponytail

2009-05-09T14:34:00.004-04:00

Sophia wore pigtails to school and got lots of compliments. She was really happy until she told me about her friend at school has ponytail. "I want ponytail", Sophia said. I told her she has to wait until her hair is longer. Sophia can't wait, she pulled off one of her pigtails and claimed, "mom, I have ponytail now!"

手把手教你做北海道土司

2009-05-04T19:01:00.009-04:00

北海道土司虽然不是健康食品,但是因为非常香甜美味,是我最喜欢的面包方子.
刚开始做我也走过一些弯路,最后决定还是照波子的北海道牛奶土司直接法的原方做,因为原方是按照重量配料的,所以很多在北美的人嫌麻烦,不愿意投资买秤.我正好有一个不错的电子秤,所以做的过程就把原方转换成北美的计量单位,这样一来就不用每次都秤了.

原料:
高筋粉, 540g, (= 3 2/3 cup)
低筋粉, 60g, (= 1/3 cup + 1/8 cup)
奶粉, 30g (= 1/2 cup)
wheat gluten, 2 tea spoon (not in the original recipe)
糖, 80g, (= 1/3 cup + 1/8 cup)
盐,9g, (= 1 1/4 tea spoon)
发酵粉, 10g, (= 3 tea spoon)
鸡蛋,一个,
鲜奶,250g, (= 1 1/4 cup)
动物性奶油, heavy whipping cream, 150g, (= 2/3 cup)

原料

制作步骤:
1, 将鲜奶,250g, (= 1 1/4 cup),微波炉加热,高档,40秒,到比体温稍热即可.在温奶中加入,发酵粉, 10g, (= 3 tea spoon), 糖 (1 tea spoon),盐 (1/4 tea spoon).稍微搅拌,放室温发酵约十分钟,看到冒泡了即可.

鲜奶+发酵粉

冒泡前

冒泡后

2, 将高筋粉, 540g, (= 3 2/3 cup),低筋粉, 60g, (= 1/3 cup + 1/8 cup),奶粉, 30g (= 1/2 cup), wheat gluten, 2 tea spoon , 糖, (= 1/3 cup + 1/8 cup - 1 tea spoon),盐, 1 tea spoon, 放入大盆备用.

3,将动物性奶油, heavy whipping cream, 150g, (= 2/3 cup),一个鸡蛋清 (蛋黄备用),和发酵好的鲜奶混合物放入搅拌盆.搅拌均匀.

4,预热烤箱 170F, 在烤箱最下面放一大盆水,不加盖,防止烤出的面包发干.这一大盆水要一直放到面包烤好才取出。

烤箱最下面放一大盆水

5,将 2 和 3 混合,和成面团.如果手工和面,不要加干面粉,如果粘手可以用冷水把手沾湿再和,如果在面板上和面,可以擦一层油防粘.和好的面很软,很粘,不能象和包子面一样光光的.

和好的面

6,取一大瓷盆,盆内擦油,或用pam,防粘,把和好的面放入,再用保鲜纸封好,放入已经预热的烤箱,同时把烤箱关掉.

7,让面在烤箱内发酵约70分钟.

发之前的面

发之后的面

8,准备烤盘,在烤盘内擦油,或用pam,防粘.
9,从烤箱取出发好的面,手沾冷水后,将面内空气压出,整形,分成15份,加入想要的馅料,放入烤盘.
整形时尽量少加干面粉.因为面很软所以整形很容易.

分成15份

鱼松包

整好形的鱼松包

整好形的小熊面包

10, 将烤盘用保鲜纸封好,放入预热170F的烤箱,关掉烤箱,二次发酵45分钟.
11, 准备蛋黄液,在一个蛋黄内加1 tea spoon水, 1 tea spoon 蜂蜜,没有蜂蜜也可加 1 tea spoon 鲜奶,搅拌均匀.注意蛋黄打开后如果不马上刷要封好防止变干.

蛋液

12, 待烤盘中的面包二次发酵好,将蛋黄液用刷子轻轻刷在表面.一定要轻轻,二次发酵好的面包坯子非常软,尽量不要动它,刷子用力太大会使其变形,而且只要刷薄薄的一层就可,千万不要太厚.

二次发酵后刷好蛋液的鱼松包

13, 烤箱预热 345F,烤盘放入烤箱中间层,烤20分钟,降温至340F, 再烤10分钟.
14, 烤好后将面包取出烤盘,放案板或cooling rack晾至不烫手即可食用,如果不马上食用,用密封容器收好,防止水分散失而变硬.

烤好的鱼松包

烤好的小熊面包

Tips:
我用的是玻璃烤盘(一个9x12, 一个loaf),加热均匀,且慢,所以如果你用金属烤盘,温度时间都要酌减,这要自己试验.建议一直开着烤箱的灯,多注意观察. 烤盘越深，所需时间越长，烤出的面包水分越多，越软。

其实直接吃白面包，或者吃的时候擦果酱也不错.我们家最受欢迎的是鱼松口味的。我觉得豆沙，绿豆蓉的也不错。

我喜欢用的馅料

American girl dolls

2009-05-02T16:08:00.004-04:00

Sophia and Olivia got American girl bitty twin dolls for Christmas. Sophia named her doll Pear, Olivia's Chris.
Olivia is still too young to tell difference between the $10 doll and American girl doll, she loves them all the same.
However Sophia loves Pear very very much, especially loves her beautiful hair. She likes to have her hair down instead of in pigtails. She takes her to many places, to Florida for Christmas vacation, to restaurants, to Lowes to make wood crafts with her.
Sophia likes to dress Pear up, she said Pear still need Tinkerbell costume. We'll see if American girl will make one in the future.
Sophia loves to dress like her doll, likes to take pictures with her doll Pear, she even made matching bracelet with her doll.
But her favorite thing to do with Pear is having tea party.

Schleich Animals

2009-05-02T15:54:00.002-04:00

I never liked plastic animals until I found this adorable farm lunch bag. It will hold all of our Schleich Animals, girls love them very much.

A very nice weekend

2009-04-20T23:58:00.005-04:00

This weekend was so warm that I brought all of our summer clothing. I can't wait for the summer to come. Sophia and Olivia spent a long time outside playing sand together.

Rainy day

2009-04-19T10:04:00.004-04:00

What do you do on a rainy day? Sophia plays running puddles, with her Dora rain coat and strawberry rain boots. Even though she already grew out of Dora, but she was still so exited to wear that rain coat.

Egg Hunt

2009-04-19T09:40:00.003-04:00

This year, it's not too cold, not too hot, just perfect on egg hunt day. Sophia did great, got lots of eggs and two prizes, two chocolate bunnies.

Cooking Bee

2009-04-19T09:30:00.005-04:00

Since I got the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, I'm addicted. It's perfect together with the Williams-Sonoma Pasta machine. Even nicer, they're both in red, matches my kitchen color.

Whenever I take out my mixer to make something, Sophia takes out her toy version, it's very cute, too. The best part is it doesn't need battery.
After trying a couple batches, I finally figured out the tricks to make 北海道toast, it's the best bread I've ever have in my entire life. Nothing beats fresh bread just out of your home oven.

Spring is right around the corner

2009-04-18T13:15:00.004-04:00

So, we can do more activities outside.

What Sophia is reading now

2009-04-15T16:02:00.005-04:00

Really, she can't read. But she either asks me to read or pretends to read by herself.

Since the "Book it" program started, Sophia's been very into "Charlie and Lola" books. She reads Charlie and Lola books every day, has watched the TV shows and DVDs many times. Now her favorite drink is "Pink milk", because Lola loves it. She just named the paper gold fish she made "Charlie". She says her little sister is "small and funny", which Charlie used to call his little sister Lola.
As a mom, I love those little cute and funny stories, too. Here are a few Sophia's favorite.

You Can Be My Friend (Charlie and Lola)
But I Am an Alligator (Charlie and Lola)
I Can Do Anything That's Everything All On My Own (Charlie and Lola)
Charlie and Lola's I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed Pop-Up
This Is Actually My Party (Charlie and Lola)

I'm Really Ever So Not Well (Charlie and Lola)
Say Cheese (Charlie & Lola)

Another collection she's actively reading is books by Julia Donaldson. I originally ordered those books in Chinese from dangdang.com. (I ordered tons of books from dangdang, will write more reviews in a seperate post.) I like the stories and illustrations very much. So I got the original English version and found they're even better in English.

The Spiffiest Giant in Town
Room on the Broom
Charlie Cook's Favorite Book
The Snail and the Whale
the Gruffalo
The Gruffalo's Child
Where's My Mom?

Fun activities on budget (3) - found at www.utahbabyguide.com

2009-04-15T15:54:00.003-04:00

I found this article at www.utahbabyguide.com and I thought I would share it with you all. I thought there were some good ideas.

20 things to do with your baby that cost less than $2

1. Take her to the library for story time or singing time.
2. Treat her to a photo shoot in your living room
3. For boys: gel your baby’s hair to look like a Mohawk
For girls: paint her toenails bright red
4. Make his hand print into a greeting card and send it to the grandparents
5. Take your baby on a stroller ride using a new route on your walk
6. Let her finger paint with pudding –it washes out of clothes
7. Make a special mix soundtrack and dance to it together
8. Blow up a bag of balloons and throw them around together (make sure
she doesn’t eat any popped balloons- they are a major choking hazard)
9. Get a pet goldfish. The bright color of the fish will be mesmerizing to the child.
10. Make a tent in the living room using blankets and couch cushions
11. Get online and play baby games –try Googling “baby games”
12. let your baby “talk” on the phone to a relative that lives far away
13. Blow bubbles in the bath tub
14. Make your own play dough
15. Let her “help” you “cook” (Jell-o works well)
16. Play “roll the ball” back and forth
17. Paint or put stickers on rocks
18. Play in front of a mirror
19. record her voice and play it back for her.
20. Make sock puppets

So far we did 1, 2, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20.

Book IT Program

2009-03-08T23:25:00.003-04:00

Our preschool joined Book IT Program. It's very inspiring for me to read books to my kids.
Here are some very good tips from their website.

Tips for Reading Aloud

Before:
Preview the book and practice reading it. Introduce the title, author, and illustrator. Tell briefly what the story is about.
During:
Hold the book so your child can see the words and illustrations. Vary your tone, volume, and pitch as you read. Pause occasionally to explain, comment, or look at the illustrations.
After:
Discuss the characters and what happened in the story. Ask questions that provoke thought. Help your child relate the story to something personal or another story.

More Great Tips

Establish a regular time and place. Reading every day for 20 minutes is more beneficial than reading for a longer period of time on a less frequent schedule.
Encourage children to pick their own books to read together by placing them at eye level and making them easily accessible.
Cuddle up together and encourage "pre-readers" to repeat words and phrases as you read to them.
Read favorite books over and over again. Children love to do this, and it is important because it helps them remember words, phrases, and even the sequence of a story so that they can begin to "read" it on their own.
Be an expressive reader-- it takes practice! When you read every day, your skill as a storyteller will improve.
Keep reading aloud as your kids grow. Until junior high school, most children are better at listening than they are at reading.

She asked...

2009-03-08T22:59:00.005-04:00

I thought it was going to be a tough night tonight because of the time change. Things turned out better than I expected. Now kids are all in bed and I'm relaxed.

During the bedtime story Sophia asked quite a lot,
She asked me to read the book "The rain came down" by David Shannon, she thought David Shannon is very smart because lots of her favorite books were done by him, "Duck on bike", "Pirates don't change diapers", "Too many toys", "Alice the fairy", and "The rain came down". I know that lots of people think David Shannon's illustration scary, but Sophia truly loves his artwork, so do I.
She asked me to buy her playmobil toys when she saw the catalog in her book piles, I recommended her to ask Santa when Christmas comes.
She asked me to bring her to the library to borrow some Charlie and Lola story books tomorrow. She asks me to buy her toys and food but never asks me to buy books, because she thinks library has better books. That is where we should go when we need books.
She asked me to make a calendar for her to check when she brushes her teeth everyday, and asked me turn it in to her teacher on Tuesday. No problem, I'd love to do that to help her brushing.
She asked me to bring her goggles when we go swimming next week. I always forgot, I will remember next time.

With all the above requests, discussion, we read four books together tonight. It took us more than an hour in bed. That's quite normal length of Sophia's bedtime story. I can't imagine when Olivia is older how long I can make both girls to bed.

Fun activities on budget (2) - Build a Bear

2009-03-07T13:52:00.007-05:00

Everyone loves Build a Bear, no matter how old you are. To be honest I'd love to build a bear for myself, but never did.
Sophia and Olivia each built a bear on their birthdays. For less than $10 we had a whole day of fun and a new friend to love and have tea parties with.
The house box is Sophia's favorite thing to color. Then she used it as a house for her dolls. So don't throw away those boxes as garbage.

Kids Fun activities on budget (1) Face Painting

2009-03-07T13:33:00.005-05:00

I have always wanted to start this series, kids "fun activities on budget". It's not all my original ideas, it's something I was inspired by books, magazines or TV commercials, and tried myself and felt like to share with other active moms.

Ibought this book back in January for less than $20, not for my kids but for myself to paint. This craft book is best value ever. Easy to follow, great result, I even painted faces at Sophia's preschool Valentine's day party. It's also a great thing to do for playdate. We used more than 5 times, all the paint still looks like new and will last for a long time.

The trick is to paint hands for little kids, easier than painting on face. Baby wipes are great to clean if you makes any thing wrong.

I have to write another post

2009-03-06T23:06:00.004-05:00

There are so many things happening recently, I just need to spend more time writing down, otherwise I will never remember all the details when my girls are bigger.

Cruiser

Olivia now can cruise around the house and look for treasures in her sister's piles of toys, she's very good at peek boo game. She started to express her feelings with sign language. And she started to attach to me very much, I guess she figured out that I'm her mom.

Interview

We had a wonderful playdate came over last Thursday after school. Sophia and the playdate girl had a great time. She was still very exited after the girl left. She was in her sleeping beauty dress up outfit, holding a pen like holding a microphone and asked me, "mom, any questions?". I was a little confused, "what?" thinking "I'm the mom, you ought to ask me questions". She continueed "Mom, can you ask me questions?". I was getting clear that she wanted to do an interview. Here goes the questions:

Me: How old are you?
Sophia: 4.

Me: What's your name?
Sophia: Sophia.

Me: What's your favorite color?
Sophia: Red.

Me: What's your favorite food?
Sophia: Grapes.

Me: Who's your best friend?
Sophia: Sadie. (we just had playdate with her)

Me: What's your favorite game?
Sophia: ..(She said something but I can't remember)

(I ran out of questions, so I just asked her things about Olivia)

Me: What's your little sister's name?
Sophia: Olivia.

Me: What's Olivia's favorite color?
Sophia: Green. (Noway, she doesn't even know colors yet.)

Me: What's Olivia's favorite food?
Sophia: Rice. (I don't think so, Olivia likes fish)

Me: Who's Olivia's best friend?
Sophia: Me!! (She said it out loud)

Finally she asked me unwrap a lollipop (I think that's her favorite thing to eat)

Me: You can do it yourself.
Sophia: Mom, I can't open it on Thursday.

Favorites at this time

2009-03-06T22:56:00.003-05:00

Sophia's favorites could be different every minute, but there are it's always interesting to write them down.
Favorite color: hard to say now, she likes many colors, maybe rainbow is her favorite
Favorite sports: running, swimming (just started to like being in water)
Favorite food: flounder fish fillet soup, she can eat more than a pound a time (ETA, pork tongue, she just ate a ton of it the other night)
Favorite song: the one she made up
Favorite game: she will say Elmo game, but I try to limit her computer time, she likes to play diu shoujuan with the whole family, we played Monopoly tonight
Favorite book: Richard Scarry's big word book, David Shannon's books
Favorite outfit: dress+ tigthts+ boots
Favorite toy: she loves dolls and have tea parties with them
Favorite thing to do on a rainy day: arts and crafts

(eta, she's into American girl now, especially dressed the same as her American girl doll, Pair and Chris)

She's 1

2009-02-12T18:48:00.004-05:00

This is the birthday girl, she turned one.

First haircut

2009-01-28T10:35:00.001-05:00

She's such a good girl, stayed still for the whole time.

She's 4

2009-01-28T10:13:00.003-05:00

Sophia is very into birthday party at this stage. So we threw a big party at Children's museum, we all love it.

Birthday girl

Cupcakes for friends

Treat bags for friends

Self Portrait

Cold and snowy winter

2009-01-28T10:06:00.003-05:00

It was so cold last week, and snowy this week, icy today. We're stuck inside the house.

Christmas on the beach (2)

2009-01-28T09:38:00.005-05:00

We have to go to beach again this summer because Sophia and Olivia love beach so much.

Boardwalk

Fishing

Beach playground

Sweet pose

Mall at the beach

Sisters

Christmas on the beach (1)

2009-01-18T00:30:00.002-05:00

This year, we had a very special Christmas. We're just so tired of cold Pittsburgh, so bored in winter time. We want to go somewhere that not so cold. South Florida is the best destination in December.
Girls loved the beach! I love it, too.

Turtle

2009-01-18T00:19:00.003-05:00

I've never thought turtles could look like this, it even made me to learn how to knit.

But it only took a few minutes to find out that I'm too old to learn a new trick. So I bought this.

My new addiction --Calico critters

2009-01-18T00:10:00.003-05:00

So cute. Furniture, made by Melissa and Doug, finished by me.

We're back!

2009-01-17T23:52:00.005-05:00

I took a long break blogging. There are so much to catch up. We've been through so much fun in the last few months.

The biggest thing is Sophia's school. She started preschool in September, and she loves it so much. She's very exited for every school day, she takes her teacher's words as golden rules. The best of all, school parties!

Here is a few pictures from Halloween. Sophia wanted to be a bird at the beginning, but we couldn't find a bird costume. At last we settled with a cozy butterfly costume with shiny bright wings. However, on the day before her school Halloween party, Sophia told me she said she wanted to be Cinderella when her teacher asked her what she was going to be for Halloween. I said no because she didn't have Cinderella costume. She said, "mom, just go buy one." I said "OK, but next year."

Sophia went "trick or treat" with her friend and friend's twin sisters. Big sisters were so sweet, they treated these two little girls like princess. They rode a wagon trick-or-treating, got tons of stuff, mostly healthy treats, like juice, crackers. Here is the crew.

Olivia was still too little to enjoy the fun of Halloween but she got perfect costume, too. Even though she worn less than 2 hours, this sweet photo makes it so worth it.

Busy, busy, busy, busy

2008-10-17T22:35:00.002-04:00

I didn't plan to abandon this blog, I was just too busy with my real life.
We had lots of things going on in the house. We did lots of things to clean up the cluttered house, built a shed, did garage sale, donated loads of stuff to goodwill, installed hardwood floors, I love our new floors, the house even looks bigger now.

Sophia made lots of friends in the neighborhood, had fun playing outside during summer time. She started preschool in September. The school is great, lots of great activities, lots of new friends. Sophia enjoys school so much that she wants to go everyday. She's also into birthday parties now. Her classmate's birthday party make her excited for two weeks.

There are way too many things to talk about Olivia. Overall she's a very good baby. She follows her routine very well, she eats well, she sleeps well, if she grows a little faster it will be perfect. She's a wonderful little sister. She loves to watch Sophia, she smiles at her, even when Sophia is a little rough.

Summer is gone, we're trying very hard to enjoy the last few days of fall, almost the best time of the year. We spent a day at Hartwood acres park, a day at zoo.

I'm back

2008-10-07T23:56:00.002-04:00

It has been too long, I almost forgot my password.
I didn't forget about it or abandon it on purpose. I just took a small summer break. Now I'm totally back to report our wonderful summer and show you my new stuff and girls' new experiences.
Here is what Olivia is up to, just started to interact with her big sister.
I'll come back with more later.

Summer plan

2008-06-12T23:26:00.002-04:00

Summer is definitely here after a whole week in 90s. I'm making a big plan for Sophia to have fun every day of the summer, but we'll do it day by day.
Here is a peek of the other fast growing peanut...

New favorite

2008-06-04T17:47:00.003-04:00

Our new favorite bedtime book is Olivia. Not only Sophia but also me love it to death. The character is superb cute, the story is fun. My favorite part is bedtime kisses, we have to kiss each other when we get to that page. Sophia's favorite part is counting books, she can "read" that page now.
Actually it's Olivia's baby present. It turned out my favorite baby present so far. I'm sure Olivia will enjoy it when she's older.
Now I need to get more copies of Olivia series.
I also bought the Olivia calender and will rip it apart and frame some pages to decorate Olivia's nursery with that. It's gonna to look cute.

Life with little ones

2008-06-02T21:15:00.004-04:00

"Making the decision to have a child --- it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body"
-------------------- Elizabeth Stone

The life with a 3 years old and a 3 months old is so much fun. Now my favorite things are reading cute stories to Sophia, playing outside in the sun with Sophia, doing Silly dance with Sophia, baking blueberry muffins with Sophia, and looking at Olivia just makes me smile. I love very moment with my beautiful girls.

5.12.2008

2008-05-28T22:00:00.002-04:00

A new bedtime favorite

2008-05-04T19:11:00.002-04:00

The best part of this book is that it reminds kids to go potty before go to bed, love this part.

A corner of our home

2008-05-04T15:49:00.004-04:00

Here are some pictures of our playroom. Another wall was finished today. Frame group were made about a year ago. I got frames from Ikea, download some kids friendly pictures from screen saver website, made mats with bright color card stocks.
Here is a list of costs:
Frames: $8 each x6 = $48
Pictures: free download, prints for $1.2
Bright color card stocks: $2
ABC shelves: $20
Carebear toy: $4
Hello kitty backpack: $12
123 canvas bag: material $10 + mommy stayed up two nights to make it
Wooden bike: $40
Total = about $140

And the close up of newly made 123 bag, holds lots of puzzle bags.

3 months

2008-05-04T14:35:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow she will be 3 months old. I can't believe it's been so fast.

Toy storage (2)

2008-04-27T16:27:00.004-04:00

Since we're getting more and more toys, storage is becoming an issue now. Just like those scrapbookers, I think we can make storage into an art.
Puzzles, we like puzzles, fun and educational, but we don't like stacks of big boxes, take too much precious space. So I made these puzzles in a bag. (Sophia picked out the fabric. I should have gotten more of that number fabric, we're almost out of them.)

A cute toy storage

2008-03-29T17:43:00.004-04:00

My mom inspired me using these plastic jars for tiny toys, like polly pockets, great for my foam stamps, too. Some beautiful paper and mod podge makes them very cute.

Spring cleaning

2008-03-29T17:40:00.002-04:00

has started. This is a view of my fabric cabinet.

A corner of our home

2008-03-29T17:26:00.004-04:00

This is one wall of our playroom in the basement. Bookshelves were purchased at Target last year, toys and books are from everywhere, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart, Amazon, and yard sale. The artwork is homemade which takes forever. DH made the canvas with wood strips and white duck fabric and prime it last April, I just finished painting a few weeks ago. They were put up this morning. There are still 3 walls to finish, hopefully I can have them done this summer.

A picture of WIP

and my yummy paint

Our backyard

2008-03-27T15:08:00.003-04:00

Sophia and me drew this masterpiece of our backyard the other day. Sophia drew the red sun, black bird and green leaves. She's still not very good at holding pens, but she now knows what she's drawing and what she wants to draw.

Easy doll house

2008-03-27T14:57:00.002-04:00

Sophia made an empty tissue box into a doll house for Kelly dolls.

Easter goodie bag

2008-03-18T16:40:00.003-04:00

I just made this easter goodie bag for a 5 year old boy. I know that Easter bunny brings basket, but I thought a basket is not as useful as a canvas bag, which can be used as a library bag or beach bag in the coming summer.
Since I don't have lots of boy fabric, I used some neutral colors, dark colors at handle and bottom, cruise cotton print inside the bag, felt "1, 2,3" at the front. A simple and practical canvas bag I made in one night.
What's inside? I've never met this boy but I know him a lot because his mom talks about him all the time. Here are goodies in there, Dr Seuss book, Elmo balls, Spider man tops, Leapfrog DVDs, and a girl toy, littlest pet shop. It's cool to have a girl toy for a boy.

Made to match

2008-03-10T13:16:00.002-04:00

Who's this?

2008-03-09T22:48:00.006-04:00

Answer: Left,Olivia @ 32 days; right, Sophia @ 24 days.

Surprise

2008-02-24T14:52:00.003-05:00

Olivia is here, now I'm a proud mom of two beautiful girls.
Olivia is tiny but she didn't give mom too much pain when mom gave birth to her, she's such a good girl. Now she's growing 24/7.

I can't stop

2008-01-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

One more thing was made, a set of fleece blanket and pillow, made out of cute farm animal fabric. This fabric is truly adorable. Sophia claimed it was her blanket when she first saw the fabric. Now I'm still hesitating if I should save this for baby or just give it to Sophia. Maybe I'll go some more fabric shopping and make a new set.

I felt like nesting these days, I'm sure I will make lots of new things before the baby is here.

Gymboree knock-off

2008-01-22T19:45:00.000-05:00

I love Gymboree cupcake line so much, they're yummy. But I can't justify to pay $15 for a cupcake.
So I spent half an hour using some felt scraps and a 50 cents Christmas shirt to make a Gymboree knock-off.

Before: 50 cents Christmas shirt

After: Gymboree knock-off cupcake shirt

Original Gymboree cupcake shirt

Some facts of this 3 years old

2008-01-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

Sophia turned 3 this weekend, she's so different than last year.

Dora Birthday

2008-01-20T09:21:00.000-05:00

A couple pictures on Sophia's 3nd Birthday.

Birthday girl

A cake for Dora fan

Nice presents

Homemade hat (used Basic Grey paper, Sophie collection)

Homemade birthday card