I've been spending a lot of one on one time with the kids at home because they have been taking turn in getting sick. Since the new school, it's been nonstop cycle of catching a new cold. We're all finally getting better and slowly getting back to our normal schedule. 

Shane doesn't cry and clings to me when I drop him at school anymore but Chloe still does and I have to peel her off me, one body part at a time. I think this new transition is harder for her as she's older plus, she's in a class of 20 kids vs. her previous school that only had 6 or 7 kids in the class. She's only 3 years old but we tend to expect her to be more mature for her age, which we admit and try to remind ourselves that it can be unfair at times. It's a very fine line. As I was walking toward the parking lot after dropping her off, I peeked into the window of her class room. Chloe was crying. My heart stopped. I thought she stopped crying as soon as I left, at least that's what the teachers' been telling me, but today for some reason, she was still crying sitting down by her self. Nobody, not even her teachers noticed that my little girl was crying…. I felt so bad and just wanted to run in and give her a hug. I think this explains a lot of her difficult behaviors for the last couple of  few weeks. She's a really a happy girl but having to get used to a new environment and not being able to completely verbalize her feelings is resulting in frustration and impatience.  

That said, she is getting spoiled though. The other day, she began to say that she was my boss and she owns everything, and that all of what we have belongs to her. That really got to me. I think we buy her too many things. Whatever she wants we get for her. This needs to stop. We've been mindlessly spending and spending. Then I began to think how an ungrateful toddler I am to my father God. How spoiled I AM. What I have and own are not mine. It is only by God's grace that I enjoy what I have. We are lucky to have our jobs. These days I was going overboard with my spending. I'm not really a big shopper when it comes to my stuff. I always buy discounted, off the sale racks and often make my own or alter what I already own rather than buy. But when it comes to kids and house decorating, I feel less guilty about spending the big bucks. I decided that all of this needs to stop and have jumped on our new era of frugality. We are fasting. Financially, that is. Andrew and I decided that we are not going to buy anything for a month except for groceries and gas. No eating out, no new toys, no craft projects, no clothes, no electronics, nothing. We are revaluing our needs and wants. 

Aleena used to be one of my good friends at work until she got engaged and decided to leave us to pursue her MBA in D.C. How selfish of her. ;P Before she left the company, she modeled for my new jewelry line. We literally locked ourselves in one of the small conference rooms during lunch and did the shoot. The light was absolutely horrible but she still looked gorgeous in the photos. Thank you so much beautiful girl and I'll see you at your wedding! In Africa! Congratulations again. 🙂

This morning after getting kids ready, I went upstairs to get myself ready for church. When Andrew and I came downstairs thinking how strangely quiet the kids were, we found this. Shane hasn't been feeling well, had fallen sleep on his chair and Chloe was gently paddling his head, caring for him. I almost cried.

Thanks Jenny & Danny for coming over to our house with all the gifts for the kids. We had a wonderful day! Chloe's already planning on the next play date with them and she wants to buy Jenny necklaces. Since when are my friends becoming her friends??

We played at a park,

went to a local farm to pick up some vegetables and flowers for our garden,

saw a goat,

then we had dumplings. 

Chloe takes my emotions to another level. It's sometimes SO hard to reason with her and to remain patient. Being a parent has brought so many challenges. It's a constant struggle with myself to become a better person, provide better guidance and ultimately a better Christian. It's nearly impossible without God's grace. Chloe IS a good girl and she's gotten really good with Shane. She plays with him and tries to watch out for him, like telling him to get down from a chair or a table. Yesterday when I was making dinner I heard the following conversation from the living room.  

Chloe: Come on Shane, let's play while we wait patiently for mommy. Alright, Shane? Do you want to play peekaboo? (in a high pitch voice) 

Shane: Yeah~ 

(lots of giggle and laughter in the background.) 

Chloe: Now it's your turn to hide: 

Shane: Again! 

Chloe: Now let's play blocks. You're so good! Oh Shane, I love you! I'm going to be a good sister to you and I promise I won't push you any more. 

It sometimes seemed like she was acting especially with her fake high voice but still, it was the most endearing conversation ever between them! 

In the mornings, though, sometimes she's a different animal. When things don't go her way, she becomes a beast. If she doesn't like the choice of clothes I pick out for her, and I don't do things her way, she becomes a mess. The way she screams at me is intolerable. She throws herself on the floor and cries. When I say "No don't do that!", she says "No YOU don't do that to me, Mommy!" This struggle can last for a long time. 

Before I became a parent, when I see a spoiled kids at a store or even in movies, I was quick to judge the parents thinking, what is wrong with those people, they can't even disipline their own kids. It was so easy to critisize them… but now, I'm humble before God. 

This morning we had yet another cries, screams and kiss and make-up episode before dropping them off at school. Since last week, we've been traveling two towns over for their new school which makes it an hour commute each way to get to work. It's a battle field here in Teaneck. Their classes start at 8:30 sharp, which means we have to be out the door at 8 a.m. Between Chloe whining about snacks and her outfits and Shane who keeps trying to take out all the shoes from the cabinet, or going for the toilet every chance he gets, I can become loud. God help me. But after all this craziness has passed and once I get them into the car, I find myself enjoying the rides with them. 

Chloe: Mommy, I wasn't screaming at you before, I was just screaming at my toes because they weren't listening. I listen to you mommy, because God told me to obey. I'll become a better listener, alright mommy? I love you.

Me: Good, Chloe. I love you too. ( painful tears coming out of my eyes… ahhh) 

Chloe: Is that spooky forest over there mommy? Are there dragons in there? (pointing at a park) 

Me: Yes, there are huge dragons in there and they come out once in a while to take away all the kids who scream and whine to their parent. They take them to a far far away land! 

Chloe: … 

Me: so you should stop screaming and crying, the dragon might hear you. 

Chloe: When, when, when the dragon come take me, I, I, I take him to the ground and kill him! And I take all the innocent kids with me and rescue them! (making two fists) And super Chloe saves the day! 

Me: kill?? innocent??? What the…

Shane: Warrrrrrrrrr~  (cheering Chloe with admiration)

Chloe was really good at flying kites.

much better than me.

apparently.

but I didn't give up.

Andrew's totally posing here.

She's a natural climber!

Wait, do they have the same lips?

The Munster boys

Happy 1st birthday, Hudson!

Shane & Hudson. They are growing fast.

Me & the kids

I heard Shane was chasing this one girl from another party… Was that true?

We look forward to celebrating many more wonderful days with you, Hudson!

Thank you Rena & Daniel for the Easter basket!

We had a lot of fun doing a little Easter egg hunting activity in our backyard.

We're off to a great start! I've been up since 4:45 A.M. being anxious and nervous… but the kids were in good mood.

Shane cried maybe about 2 min. and he was good for the rest of the day. Goooood boy!

Shane eating breakfast.

Chloe sitting in her seat. 

More updates to come.