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.