Today is Chloe’s kindergarten graduation day!

and Shane’s doing a happy dance.

Congratulations Chloe!

I was tearing up as she walked in to perform on the stage with her class.
I started this blog when she was born in 2006 to keep record of her milestones such as today… It’ hard to believe she’s graduating kindergarten and soon be a first grader. We are very proud of her!

Today was definitely full of mixed emotions. My baby girl is not a baby anymore…

Shane’s moving up to 4 year old class next year!

We went to Andrew’s friend’s daughter’s christening service in New Rochelle which is also the town I grew up in and went to high school when my family first came to the States.

This Shane’s ‘I’m mad and I feeling tight’ position.

We drove by the house my family and I used to live in. What wonderful memories we have here… This is where I first learn to speak English. I remember I had a four poster bed that came with the house and that was my dream come true! I loved loved loved living here.

My high school which I also loved. The school had a hugh indoor lap pool and I just loved the gym class, not only because I love swimming, it was the only place I got away with not understanding/speaking English.

I made this lampshade this week out of crochet doilies that I learned from here. It didn’t turn out perfect but it has its charm.

Today’s menu: I made Korean bbq ribs, caramelized onion & grapefruit salad and oven roasted potato, orange & arugula salad topped with crumbled Gorgonzola and toasted walnut.

and of course some gourmet burgers.

My fashionista Chloe changed her outfit a dozen times during the party.

Water guns and water balloons were big hits.

Our guest brought mini cupcakes, homemade cookies and pie.

Here’s a picture of me talking with a guest.

Here’s a picture of me saying, “no, no don’t shoot water at me!”

It turned out to be a great day spent with awesome company!

Yummy sangria

They have freshly picked strawberries from yesterday so they are making strawberry cupcakes.

It’s delicious!

Mr. Austin’s making stuffed burgers.

These two were such happy campers. Shane sat down first and said, “Naomi, come sit here!”

My pretty Chloe’s making a face at me.

That’s some burger.

It was so funny to see that baby Mikaela only preferred Andrew to hold her.

Happy birthday Amy!

It’s that time of the year again when we get to dine with this amazing couple!

Happy that we made it out to the city in the pouring rain!

our view from the table

From the 35th floor.

It was fun listening to these two analysing the each menu. For me and Andrew, all we said was “gooood”.

Recap of what we ate.

What an honor to know them and being able to spend time with them is a true blessing from God.

I was making my list of things to do yesterday sitting next to Chloe while she was doing her Kumon. She asked me what I was doing so I told her. So she made her list. ‘We are going to have a picnic tomorrow after church’

So we did. In our backyard. Chloe set up the blanket so we can sit in the shade and eat lunch. Then they took toys out and brought them outside to play all afternoon.

It was a gorgeous day to have a picnic!

This afternoon we rushed eating dinner to go back to school for the kids art show.

Shane, downing that cupcake. Luckily, he dropped that cupcake after this picture so he didn’t get to finish it. Thank goodness!

Oh wait, so he got another cookie?

Playing with his best buddy.

Ms. C &  Ms. C. They are super excited about their play-date next week.

I was very impressed with the everyone’s creativity. Great job guys!

Chloe & Shane both yelled out “happy mother’s day!” to me many many times this morning. Then I got so many surprises from them. Thanks guys!!!

Chloe: Mommy, you are the most beautifulest mom ever! And you are such a great designer and the best artist in the whole wide world! And you wear the most beautifulest dresses and I just love you the most! ! !

Shane: Mommy, mommy, you are so beautiful and you’re a best cooker. I love you mommy.

You guys sure know how to please me! You’re just the sweetest things ever! 🙂

We still had so much food left over from yesterday. So yeah…

We went out to get some exercise in the park.

Then we had  ja jang myun for dinner with my mother-in-law.

We invited some friends over for a bbq in our backyard today. So lucked out with a gorgeous weather!

While I was busy making Aloha cocktails (so yummy!),

Andrew was busy grilling.

I was up until midnight last night making burger patties and marinating chicken.

Hard work paid off. It was pretty good!

Friends brought great desserts!

kids table { before }

and { after }

Kids took out all of the beers from the ice bucket

and put their toys in there.

I made sweet and spicy chicken for the guest who stayed over for dinner.

Thank you for coming over to our party! We had a great time and hope you did too. 🙂

Chloe drew these after the guests left. Haha, I love it!