Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Lukaism

"Mommy, what are we eating for dinner tonight." I couldn't even reply fast enough when he said "But no rice, Mommy. We ate rice three times already (which means three nights in row). Rice is boring in my mouth." - Boy, you are half Chinese, rice flows through your vains! :)

I asked Lukas to look for a Lego toy that he put somewhere away and we can't find it. He says "Mommy, I am a little bit good looker." I think he wanted to say he can search pretty well. Few minutes later he came with the toy in his hand and a confident look in his face.

Here are munchkins doing what they do best: humbug.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Getting organized – Photos

Not sure if anyone will find this helpful, but I hear from so many people that they have a hard time to stay organized with their photos, so I thought I will share how I do it.

I take hundreds of photos of my children, family and friend gatherings and of buildings, shades, flowers and whatever else interests my eye. My favorite photos I post on my blog http://fragmentsbyedith.blogspot.com/ and some of the photos of my children I post on this blog. Many more I print and file in folders, for each child separately. I know my folder collection is growing rapidly but I just can’t not print the photos. How I stay organized with the printed photos is another post. :)

Back to the thousands of photos that we have on our computers. First, after uploading the photos from the camera to the computer, I file the photos in one folder and put a date on it and write few keywords of what is in this folder (example Sept 17 Matilda hair clip Bambi dress Lukas soccer outfit playing outside). I know this title might not make any sense to you but it does to me.

Secondly, I file this new photo folder in a monthly folder on my computer. So under September 2009. This folder is then filed into a year folder which I call Photos 2009. You can call it whatever you like but important is to have the year specified.

So here is how it looks on my computer:

1) C: (or any drive you want to use - I actually have an external drive that I save my photos on)
2) Photos 2009
3) - January 2009 - Jan 1 New Year celebration family park
- February 2009 – bday party Evan
And so on

This is the easiest and quickest way to find your photos on the computer. Of course, there are many other ways of organizing your stuff but I find this the most efficient and most easy for me.

Most of us have already a bunch of photos on the computer that are not filed and just linger on the desktop or in some obscure MyPhotos folder on the PC. To start with the organizing, just make the folders as per above and start moving the photos as you have time to do so. I know it is time consuming, but when you have it organized, you will be happy to have done it.

Now, after each upload, file your photos right into the correct folder, and voila, your life has one less problem.

If you need more help, email me and I will be happy to give you more hints or help.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Kindergarten

Since 2 weeks, Lukas is attending the Kindergarten class in his preschool. He was too old for one more year of preschool with his favorite teacher Ms. Juana so we moved him to the Kindergarten class. Well, it comes with a big price and that is homework. Every day now he gets a folder filled with homework (ok, stop worrying, it's 2-3 pages max) and he has to practice writing the letters that he learns that week (we are at D right now), do lots of coloring, cutting out and gluing.

When I asked him this week if he likes his new teacher and class mates, he happily said "yes". So let's hope he keeps up the good work and eagerness.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Baby Shower for Taylor

Today we celebrated Taylor's Baby Shower. Her friends threw a wonderful party with lots of good food and funny games. Matilda played happily with the other children and with a beautiful doll house and enjoyed the loudness and busyness of the party.

I was in charge of the cupcakes. Taylor found these cute baby beds idea. Here is how they looked after I made them this morning.



Matilda is trying on Baby Claire's sunglasses. Looking good (and cute).



Matilda and Mommy, both pretty in pink.




Friday, September 18, 2009

Playing in the park

We went to Lake Elizabeth in Fremont this morning to play and have a picnic. Lukas found some kids to play with even though they told him they don't like him. After a while, they all became friendly and had fun. It is hard for one child to connect to a group of children but he did well and didn't give up.

We had a nice picnic in the shade overlooking the lake. But it was so hot, we had to head out early to avoid getting burned. And dehydrated.

Here is Matilda and Lukas enjoying the view and lunch.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Happiness

Listening to the noise the children are making while making dinner
made me realize how precious all those little moment really are.
Matilda practicing new words she has just learned,
repeating bear, bear, bear, light, light, light.
Tomorrow she will learn other words and
bear, light and others will belong to her vocabulary forever.
Behind my other shoulder I can hear Lukas counting the fish in the bowl.
One, two, three, your plate is ready, Mommy.
Tomorrow he will write the menu with all the items he is preparing
and the next door will open for him.
Moments like these will be gone, others will come.
Happiness will always stay.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

My best friend's wedding

24 years later, living apart on 2 continents for most of our friendship, making hundreds of phone calls and writing numerous emails, we are still best friends. Our friendship is as fun and loving as it was years ago. We can laugh and cry together. We like the same type of clothing. We love George Michael since we were 15.

In our case, we appreciate the little things. Our short meetings. Long phone conversations. Emails and SMS. Every moment counts and makes our friendship stronger.

Here is me and Joanna, on her wedding day that I was able to attend (thanks to my wonderful husband who took care of kids and house).


Thursday, September 3, 2009

First soccer game!

While I was out, Lukas' team had their first soccer game. Proudly I heard the good news that the Thunders won the game 4:0. And Lukas shot the 2nd goal. Go Thunders!!

Here is Lukas in his brand new uniform.

Home sweet home

I am back from my big overseas trip. I spent 7 days in Germany celebrating my best friends wedding and her daughter baptizing. I visited my uncle and friends whom I haven't seen for 12 years. I ate lots of good food, danced til 5 am and did some shopping. Unfortunately not serious shopping because of the time constrain but it was fun nevertheless.

Now I am back home, almost over the jetlag (I think I slept it through) and ready for the upcoming fall. School has started, work is picking up and birthdays and baby showers are popping up on my calendar. Oh yes, and the trip to Maui in 6 weeks too.

Anyway, I hope you didn't miss me too much.