Plenty of candy

Due to my sister in law's wedding this past week, I forgot to post our Halloween photos. Well, here there are. We had lots of fun trick and treating in Grandma's hood. Matilda got scared while walking up to few houses but she still went to make sure she got her fair share of candy.

Boba Fett & Dancing Butterfly:



Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!

From Matilda, the dancing butterfly, and Lukas, the Bobba Fett. More pictures to follow.

Hawaii Fall 2010 - Climbing the Diamond Head

This time, we have managed to not only sit at the pool, but also go for a super hike up the Diamond Head on Oahu. We hiked 0.8 mile up and down. Lukas managed to go all the way by himself and Matilda climbed on Patrick's arm.



The view is spectacular from the top of the crater!



Yes, we did it!

Hawaii Fall 2010 - fun time

Another trip, another set of memories is collected. We have visited Oahu again and had a great time. While still at the airport on our way back home, the kids asked when we are going to come back. That sums it all up.



Yummy shaved ice on a hot morning.



Us.



The obligatory sunset photo at Waikiki Beach.

Matilda's first golf lesson

Matilda is now old enough to hold the plastic golf club that Lukas used to swing years back. So on Sunday afternoon we took her to the driving ranch to see what she's got.

Well, since it was her first time, she didn't really understand that when you hit the ball, you just let it go. She picked up every ball that she hit and put it back in her basket. Luckily the ball only went 1 or 2 feet away.

She did not want to pee in the hole (what an improvement to her brother at this age) nor did she throw a fit when we were leaving. So overall it was a great experience for everyone.

BTW, big brother is improving with every swing.

Matilda

Since summer is almost over, here are few summer shots of our sunshine Matilda. No comments are necessary, she speaks on every picture for herself.

Matilda's first day of preschool

And here we go again. Another school start for us. Today it was Matilda's turn. She is now ready for preschool, the same one that Lukas started at. Her teacher, Mrs. Margarita, was there this morning to welcome her. She ate her breakfast, had a blast playing outside with the other children and did some serious art work. She even tried a tuna sandwich for lunch. And all of that in 3.5 hours. Now Tuesdays and Thursdays are school days for her.

Here she is marching to school this morning.

First day of Kindergarten

It's official. Lukas is a big boy now. Today was his first day of Kindergarten. This morning he was curious and nervous but not worried or scared. He waved good bye to us as we had to leave the classroom right after we dropped him off and he came out happy and calm.

He has to wear a school uniform and since I prepared him for that already, he didn't even ask for his usual jeans/character t-shirt school outfit.

Here is Lukas with little sister who asked the whole morning when we can go and pick up big brother.

We like to bike!

Now that Lukas mastered the biking on his own, we purchased a bike seat for Matilda. She loves to sit in the back and let Daddy ride her around.

No park is safe anymore, no distance far enough.



Lukas driving on his own. It took him 10 minutes to get the confidence to balance and drive on his own. Now he is doing stunts already.

Sunday afternoon

Matilda playing outside in the afternoon sun.

No stage fright

At our recent Great America visit we watched Matilda's favorite show with Charlie Brown. She even participated on the stage, playing a music instrument.


Hug!

A day at the beach

My favorite place to be is the beach. Any beach, anywhere. Last weekend we went to the Santa Cruz beach, right behind the Boardwalk. It's a OK beach but we still had a good time. The kids even dipped into the ice cold water.

My handsome husband.



We got the memo to dress in green.



Kids.

Mommy, I can swim!

The summer of firsts continues. As I mentioned in the beginning of this week, Lukas is taking swim lessons and over the weekend he showed his mad skills to Patrick.

He is doing pretty good, if you ask me.

Little fish little fish

Today Lukas had his first swim lesson ever. He loves the water and to hang out in the pool for hours but he still needs the floaters for assurance. So today he got into the water with the instructor and I think in few days he will be ready to move around on his own without floaters.

So many firsts this summer. Wonderful.

Another milestone reached. No more 4 wheels!

Yesterday, when Patrick came back home from work, we had a big surprise for him. Lukas just mastered to drive the 2 wheel bike! Oh, how proud I am of him. He overcame the fear of falling and he let me remove the extra wheels. I always knew he can do it but he wasn't so sure. After only few rides with me holding his seat, he gained confidence and went off.

Now he is speeding down the street like he has done this for years.

My boy is growing up.

Our little Kai-Lan

Matilda has discovered her love for Kai-Lan. She loves to read the books and she even picks up few Chinese words. Here she is in her cute outfit, given to her by Grandma who recently went on a China trip.

Say awwww!

Street artists

On the weekends, time stands still and we play from morning til night. This morning, while Patrick was tending to the grass, we made art outside the garage.

Here is Matilda's project (with some help from me):



Here is Lukas, with his own creation.

6 years ago!

Honeymoon to Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Phuket in Thailand. I want to go back!



Fun wedding in Las Vegas!



Traditional ceremony at Patrick's parents house.

Happy Anniversary!

Love you now and forever.

Another milestone reached

As Matilda is nearing her 2.5 years old anniversary in few days, she has also reached another milestone. She is fully potty trained and wears her Kai-Lan undies with big pride. Where did the time go? When did she start talking in full sentences? When did she start to bossy her brother around? When did she become this sweet person we can't get enough of?

Partners in crime: