Me: Shane, let’s talk about your birthday. what do you want to do?

Shane: I just want to get 4 presents!

Chloe: No Shane, you should get 5 presents since you’re turning 5.

I’m thinking…she sounds like she’s looking out for her brother but I know why she’s upping the number of presents for Shane. She’s already calculating her birthday. So when she turns 7 this year, she can ask for 7 presents…

Me: No Chloe, we’re not going down that route. Then I should get THIRTY EIGHT presents!

Chloe: …

Shane: Oh ho! I forgot. Mommy’s still a kid!

What the. What a sarcasm!

I’ve been working on some new art works for the house. This one is titled, “The Ryu Family. Established October 26, 2001”

School started yesterday. And today she has off.

She was fine when I picked her up! 🙂 She told me she had a great day and she made two friends during after care.

Both kids drew me something on their first day. Love. Love. LOVE.

Shane was playing with his new buddy when I got to his school.

I found this lovely announcement on his classroom door.

Today’s Chloe’s first day at school and she’s a 1st grader. CANNOT BELIEVE IT. I felt bad because she was already feeling sad that our friends are leaving this morning on top of being nervous about new school…

When I was leaving she was silently crying in her seat. Oh man…. my heart was heavy, but she’ll be fine. I can only pray…

The Lee family stayed with us for the last two days and they are leaving today. Kids have been really enjoying the family especially Eliana.

They even helped Uncle Danny with Eliana’s bath last night. It’s been our pleasure having you guys here. I could already tell Chloe would cry yesterday… and sure enough she did.

She didn’t give me a hug but she had no problems giving Chloe and Shane hugs many times.

She finally let me hold her while I was giving her some pine nuts. Bye bye! Come visit us again!

We are starting this very important day with a good breakfast!

Today is Shane’s 1st day at Kindergarten in a new school. I was very nervous how he was going to deal with going to yet another school this year, but he was really great. He game a big hug and a kiss and said bye to me. I was so very proud of him… but also couldn’t help feeling sad. My boy is growing up…

When I saw him through the classroom window, he gave me the biggest smile and waved.

We also had a meet and greet with Chloe’s teacher and a tour of her new school this morning. Hello 1st grader!!!

I was so happy and proud of our kids.

Hello my friends from NY, Chicago and Virginia.

I loved having you guys over. Love you all. It was a long overdue reunion.

We purchased a brand new piano yesterday!!

We bought it hoping Chloe and Shane will learn how to play. I haven’t played in years and I was actually never good at it even after 8 years of piano lessons when I was a kid. But I think I might pick it up again.