Visiting Monica in Michigan

My ex-roomate from college is pregnant and her husband called me up to invite me to her secret baby shower. I was rather honored that i was even remembered. So, i decided to make the trip.

To make it perfectly normal for me to be in Michigan, i had to make up a wedding to attend that weekend. A plan was hatched and it was quite exciting to follow thru. She got surprised and all was good. After that, we just spent the rest of the time talking and catching up and i made her write all her thank you cards!

It was a relaxing fun weekend and i'm glad i have a husband that is capable of dealing with the kids gracefully without me! The kids seemed to really enjoy their time with Daddy and even surprised me by meeting me at the airport when i got back! Quite a treat!!

At her baby shower.. those people can throw a surprise party.. just like the movies...

At a Malaysian restaurant

Monica and I

More than a decade ago!

This was one of the fun activities that the kids did while i was gone!

Homemade Fish and Chips

This is my tenth year as the wife of a English man and i'm sad to say, I've never made real fish and chips. I've made plenty of frozen ones, but i've recently developed some serious distaste for anything that's frozen. Ugh!!

Anyways, Tyler also really enjoyed having fish and chips when we were in England and he's been asking me a few times when we'll make some. So, i decided it was time. I picked up some cod and looked up a good recipe and off we went.

It surprisingly did not take long to make at all!! And it was crunchy, light and yummy!!! And the kids loved it! :) They say it taste just like the ones we got from the shop!! Anyways, fish and chips - CHECK!

Polka Dots Cake for Easter 2014

I've always wanted to try to make this Polka Dot cake and since i was doing a low key Easter thing, I thought it'd be perfect as if it doesn't work out, i don't have to explain to 20 people why we don't have dessert!!

I did have some issues with not having enough batter and the cake being a little undercooked(Mary Berry would have an issue with it) but my customers(the kids) didn't seem to complain. So, Yay!! And they were excited about the polka dots. In Tyler's word, "the easter eggs in the cake came out perfect, Mommy!"

Hidden design in the cake

Simple piping

Easter 2014

We were swamped with house hunting a few weeks ago and i felt a little overwhelmed. So, i cancelled our yearly Easter Party and opted for a quiet event with our neighbors instead. We've been neighbors for so long and we've never had them over. So i figured it was time. And besides, the kids like playing together.

In the morning, the kids woke up early as usual and demanded to decorate Easter Eggs. And after that, when our guests arrived, we had an Easter Egg hunt and some crafts to keep the kids entertained while we ate. :) and it was fun to finally catch up with our neighbor. Uyen and Sienna, who didn't find any other Easter egg hunts event also came and join in the celebration.

Not sure why i didn't take pictures of the food but we had Cheesy Leek Pasta, Ham, Asparagus with Pine nuts, sweet onion tart(super yum), veg and dip and Cake. Not bad for a small event!!

After everybody left, we worked on our yard.

Tyler and Cody trying to tie a rubber band on

Trying to choose the colors

Waiting for the eggs to get colored

Ready for Egg Hunt

Cody still wanted only 1 egg!!

Tyler with his basketful

Some crafts

The weather was nice enough to sit outside

Olivia helped me cut the cake

Easter in the Park

Some Realtor company was hosting a Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bunny event in the park. Since we don't have to drive anywhere, we thought we'd give them our support.

All the kids nearby also showed up.

The kids had a good time grabbing eggs but Cody who was in a funky mood was only interested in getting one. OK then.. He was slightly happier when the Easter Bunny showed up.

Cody in his funky mood

Tyler and the mad mob

I already got my egg...

All the kids and their goodies

OK, i'll smile for the Easter Bunny. Was surprised that they climbed on the Easter Bunny's lap

Tyler and our neighbor kids waiting for their turn

Cody class picture

The kids do push ups

The boys do push ups at their swim practice and it's usually a source of comedy more than anything else. Cody finally is able to support his body and Tyler seemed really enthusiastic with his efforts.

Sewing projects for March

Here are some stuff i had sewn in March:

A bag to put Tyler's keyboard for travelling. I even made my own pattern! :) 

Bucket hat for Sienna 

Purple winter hat for Greg. 

I had also picked up knitting! Stay tuned for picks from knitting projects!!

Tyler science fair

Tyler had his science fair show today.  The whole gym was full of people who took part, not so many Kindergarten kids, but lots of very interesting projects.

Tyler did a balloon hovercraft experiment.  (well technically he helped out as Siew Gin did most of the hard work).  He did get a t-shirt and certificate for taking part.

One half of the gym full of experiments

Tyler with the worlds largest tri-fold presentation

Tyler passes Kumon Reading CI

Tyler has been working on his Kumon and today passed level CI.

Another level completed

Alan inducted into the Badminton hall of fame

The Colorado Badminton Hall of Fame (CBHOF) is dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and permanently memorializing the most outstanding Colorado Badminton players and contributors.

I was lucky enough to be inducted into the hall of fame this year, which was a great honor for me.  We got to attend the hall of fame banquet after the Colorado Open tournament, and then Siew Gin and the kids helped me put my award into the hall of fame itself.

Many thanks to Steffen for nominating me, and the many people who congratulated me.

Receiving my award

With previous hall of famers

Family picture

The award in detail

Cody Concert

Cody sang at his school concert this week.  He was very enthusiastic singing and dancing along to his shark and baby beluga song.

Ready for the show with his classmates

Daddy Shark?

Hungry Shark!

Baby Beluga

Honda Party

Hish hosted a Honda Party and we showed up to enjoy a few hours of peek-a-boo sunshine and some good sandwiches.

Tyler swims at Brighton Swim Meet

Tyler has another swim meet. This seemed like a much bigger event than the previous one. All of us went to show our support. He didn't seem to do as well as before but he managed to somehow snag first place!! After a quick study of the events, turned out he was the only 6 yr old boy at the meet! Oh yay!

Congregating for upcoming event

Getting in place

I thought this was a rather artistic pic!

Looking a little worried there

The large crowd

He looks like a goody two shoe

His back stroke 

Always the supporter!

Cody completes Kumon Maths Level 5A

Cody completed level 5A of maths today (about a month ahead of Tyler) as well as getting his Honor Roll certificate for December.

December ranking about the same as September