My picture at the Award Ceremony, Mommy!!

This evening, Tasha will participate in her first Tae Kwon Do Award Ceremony and she is excited to have her new degree Tae Kwon Do belt and first achievement certificate (Little Dragon).

This morning, while I was having a breakfast with Sonya, Tasha spent time drawing a picture.

When she was done, she couldn't wait to show me her picture. After I looked at it, I thought "Oh my, my daughter drew a naked picture of herself!! I suddenly asked her to make sure what she had in her mind.

"Tasha, are those nipples?" I asked with a giggling voice.

"And what is that?" I continued.

"That is my new Tae Kwon Do belt and those are uniform patches" Tasha answered.

After I heard the answer, I just couldn't stop laughing and of course, I praised her for this great imagination through her beautiful picture.

What a silly mom (dad too!)!

A weekend getaway to Virginia

I believe most of stay-at-home moms agree that summer is the most challenging time to take care of children. While they are having fun with all kinds of activities and misbahaviors are often involved, moms will be so exhausted physically and emotionally that they need to express by yelling, complaining, and/or crying when their children are not around (moms usually wait until their bedtime). Sometimes the relief doesn't seem to be shown and absolutely they need a break.

I was one of those super exhausted moms. Thanks to my parents in law who strongly supported and assisted to babysit the girls so that I could plan a getaway trip over the last weekend.

Mark and I decided to have a weekend getaway to Colonial Williamsburgh, VA. Initially, we would love to go to a beach...just to relax (Mark was looking for a spa package) but we could not let our desire go over the over-priced oceanfront hotels (no way!!!). It was hard to find a fantastic place to spend for a short weekend especially this season but we eventually got one though.

Tips to save money for summer trips (especially busy stay-at-home mom or dad) :

1. Try to take a family trip by the end of June to save budget. A lot of hotels offer the package deals until the end of June.

2. Mid July thru Mid August is the best time for a getaway (if you go too early, you may need two getaway trips and that means more expensive).

We stayed at Hampton Inn and Suites near Williamsburgh Historic area. The hotel was very new, clean and reasonably priced and located in a beautiful area. We actually got a King Suite bedroom @ $179 per night including breakfast. We had fun at Colonial Williamsburgh and I just learned that Americans before revolution used to have Kings!!!

Then..our bad experience of the trip was driving to Virginia beach for the best oceanfront restaurant named Mahi Mah's. We were supposed to drive only one hour but traffic prevented us from happening. We made 3 hours to be there (one full hour on Atlantic ave, VA Beach..not only from traffic but also stupid GPS -Mark said that!). Once we arrived at the restaurant, we were informed to wait to be seated about 1.5 hrs....we finally had dinner almost 10 pm. Fortunately, there were a live music and a wonderful breeze out there while we were waiting. It was worth it after a long hour waiting...the foods were so delicious and uniquely tasted. We enjoyed being at this restaurant (I wish they would open one in Greensboro since we have no intention to be back to that worst beach again).

The day we had to head home, we stopped by local stores and outlets for the girls' souvenirs.When we got home, I knew the girls missed us so much although their first question was "Mom, did you buy any gifts for us?"

A fun family day at Tweetsie Railroad

It was a fantastic day for all of us to drive to Tweetsie Railroad @ blowing rock. It was about 2 hours drive from Greensboro.

We woke up very early (as I remembered it was the earliest in the past 3 years), especially Tasha who walked to our bedroom before 4 a.m.

We started our choo choo trip about 7 a.m and arrived there 9:15 a.m. Just we got out of the car, we were so thrilled by the gorgeous weather at 70 degree. Was that awesome?

We began our fun day taking Tweetsie train and watched Cowboys and Indian shows along the ride. It took about 30 minutes. Then the girls couldn't wait to continue at the country fair for various kiddie rides. Surpringly and unexpectedly, Tasha would like to take Tilt-A-Whirl. Wow, she really insisted so that I had to get on the ride with her. At the end of the ride, I was bit dizzy that I needed to take a break and find something to fill my stomach!

Before lunch time the girls and Mark stopped to take one more ride, Car Ride. Unfortunately, I couldn't accompany them as I was not tall enough (damn!!) so Mark had to take 2 rides.

........Finally, I got some energy back after lunch.

Then we took a bus up to Deer Park. We could choose to take a chairlift up there but with 2 crazy girls, we wouldn't take a chance. It was the first time we were so close to touch deer and feed adorable goats. Sonya had a lot of fun to let the goats lick the food from her hands (me too).

After feeding animals, we walked down to take a mini train to Mouse Mine. Inside the mine, there were a lot of little mice (yes, there were just stuff mice) with Spongebob (oops! cheese) singing a song for children. They were cute!

Later, it was still early afternoon and after some more kiddie rides so we couldn't refuse ice cream before enjoying Angelina Ballerina show that Tasha had been waiting for. She was so proud to be able to get upclose and take pictures with her in person. Then they got face paintings; Tasha got princess face (perhaps she looked more like a princess without one) and Sonya got a red butterfly that made her smile every time she looked at the mirror.

When it was almost 4 p.m, we let them back to the kiddie rides, do some shoppings for cowgirls' hats and vests (Tasha wears them everyday) and of course we would never miss to ride Tweetsie train one more time before heading back home.

On the way home, we stopped to have our favorite Chinese food for dinner on Wendover Ave. After dinner, we couldn't wait to get home and crawl in bed.....zzzzzzzz

Writing numbers 1-10

After I had been busy with all household work in the morning through lunch time, I decided to relax on the couch playing Bloons game from my iphone (you must try!!!). However, my fun time was over within 10 minutes after I heard my 2 little timekeepers asking me to read the books. We read books, played flash cards and number stencils then Sonya took a nap (finally!!!).

Even though I was so exhausted, Tasha deserved a special learning & playing time alone with me. Before we played Bingo, I taught Tasha how to write 1 in word (ONE). Then we reviewed how to write number 1-10 (since 5 years old children sometimes still write numbers backward).

"Can you write the numbers 1-10 please"? Asked Mom.

Tasha wrote 2

"Tasha, can you write the numbers 1-10 please so Mommy can see if you still write backward or not?" Asked Mom.

Tasha wrote 1 to 10

"Tasha, can you write the numbers 1-10 please so Mommy can see if you still write backward or not?" Asked Mom with her grumpy voice but had a bit smile on her face.

Tasha wrote 10 9 8 7 6 5........

"Tasha, write 1-10 please" Ased Mom

"I don't know how to write 1-10" Cried Tasha

"Tasha, here how to write 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10" Mom told Tasha and showed her how to write.

"Oh! I thought you asked me to write in words" Tasha said and finally she wrote 1-10.

At that moment, I just couldn't wait to tell Mark this story over dinner time..LOL.

Tolstoy's memorial online

In loving memory of our Tolstoy who we love so much. Tolstoy will be greatly missed and be in our hearts forever.

Visit Tolstoy's memorial online at http://tolstoyheddaeus.critters.com/

Dear Tolstoy,

I just wanted you to know that until today I still miss you so much. It is so clear in my mind when I touched you especially last moment before we took you to the vet. I miss our head-to-head play. I hope you rest in peace and we will let you be back to the nature, to a new living life in our backyard very soon.

With lot of love...your mom.

Good Bye Tolstoy (1990-2009)

This blog dedicated to Tolstoy, our 19 years old best friend cat.

Finally the day that Tolstoy left us and would never come back had arrived (July 2, 2009). He had fulfilled my wish that he could be able to stay and witness our 8th anniversary. After Tolstoy collasped from his ear inflammation once in early June, he had recovered amazingly from cortisone injection. I just hope that he would be able to stay with us at least 1 more year, unfortunately, he couldn't make it.

In the morning of June 29 (our 8th anniversary), I came downstairs and looked for Tolstoy and saw him vomit and have a constipation. I called the vet immediately and drove to drop him off. Mark called the vet late afternoon (3 p.m) and learned that he might need to stay overnight. On the way home from Tae Kwon Do class, I stopped by at the vet to check on him again. Tolstoy had to stay overnight. I was informed that he was doing fine. The doctor just gave him some medicine (I was not sure what name it was) to make him poop.

Next day in the afternoon, I picked him up. Once he got home, he walked exhaustedly and climbed upstairs to our bedroom. I hadn't seen him until late evening that he came down to eat and that was his very last meal. The day after, he stopped eating but drinking. Everytime he lied down, I noticed leaking urine. Mark & I knew it might be his time. The doctor suggested that we should start thinking about full exams with thousand of dollars or putting him to sleep because he was very old.

Until this morning, we decided to put him to sleep. On the way to the vet, Tolstoy mew all the way and that broke my heart. Mark carried him inside while I was waiting in the car (I was too sad). We couldn't stay with him for his last moment (that was terribly sad). If we would like to stay, we would need to make an appointment...that meant we would have to wait until Monday or Tuesday due to 4th July holiday. It would have made Tolstoy suffer for a couple more days....we couldn't do it.

Honestly, it was my worst emotional day ever. I cried every time I thought of him. I really miss him. Hopefully, we will have his ashes from cremation back next week.

I really miss you, Tolstoy! You will always be in my heart and forever.

Our 8th anniversary and dinner celebration @ Print Works Bistro

Yahoo! we passed #7 year of marriage that a lot of people believe it's an unlucky number with safe and sound...we officially announced our 8th anniversary on June 29, 2009!!!!

This year we didn't getaway out of town since Mark just started his new job and we just had a family trip to the beach. Mark & I decided to celebrate our anniversary at Print Works Bistro, Greensboro eco-friendly restaurant (next to the Proximity hotel). I was so impressed about the reviews of how great of the food and service were that I couldn't wait to enjoy the taste of the delicious food. Then we made a reservation at 6 p.m.

When we got there, a staff walked us to a table behind a family of 5 (there were plently of tables available in the restaurant for 2 people and of course, we needed a privacy). "Nevermind" I thought in mind. We started with an appetizer - pieces of garlic toast and dipping with tomato chunks, olive, cheese and wine (sorry, I couldn't remember that name and it was not on the website's restaurant's menu). It was quite good since we were also hungry - I gave 3 stars rating.

Since I was so impressed about the ratings of the food, I couldn't wait to see my main course I ordered "Overnight Duck Confit" and Mark ordered "Grilled Lamb". When our food arrived, I was so surprised with cheap white ceramic plates and plain decoration on my all over brown and dark green with 2 thighs of ducks and brussels sprouts plus yellow polenta in the middle. Mark's order was not too different but red tomato salsa made it better. Ok...for the feature I gave 1 star rating.

Wow! what I expected to say when I tasted it. Unfortunately, I was speechless and very disappointed (so was Mark). I gave 1 star rating for the taste.

We hesitated to order our dessert but we did order anyway "Mini Dessert Me'lange". Perhaps it was the best of the night. I gave 3.5 stars rating (I didn't want to be too negative:>).

Total we spent $100.

Overall ratings : 2 with no desire to come back.

I was not surprised why only great ratings on their website. This was because the survey I just did for them suggested the postive feedback that would be useful for guests to visit to be filled and would be published on the website....so don't expect to read any negative feedback there (except my blog). I didn't give them any feedback except ratings. That was not fair, was it?