Chloe made me a card and a book for my birthday. Chloe, you’re such a sweetheart.

I also got some awesome gifts from friends… Love you all! Thank you.

I had a lovely surprise party thrown for me this weekend. I had. no. idea. really. It’s not even a milestone birthday and I still have a long way to the big 40! (Oh well, at least in my mind) Plus my birthday is not until next week.

Andrew and I were supposed to go out for a date night in the city (so I thought ) but when he told me we’re going to Harvest, a restaurant we’ve been to a few times before, I was so disappointed that we were staying in New Jersey. If he knows me at all, I would not have gotten a babysitter so that we could go to  a restaurant that I’ve been to before. I have a long list of restaurant lists in the city that I want to try and we only have a few date night a year! Anyway, to make the long story short, I never ever expected this and was so so greatly surprised! I mean I was thrilled and over joyed and so very happy to see a room full of people I love waiting for me. I felt so blessed and loved.

Thank you everyone who braved the cold weather to celebrate my birthday with me. And a very special thanks to SJ for organizing this party and coordinating with Andrew!

Thanks babe!!! You’re the best!

We came out to a park to stretch our legs and get some play time this afternoon. It felt like 2º outside… I bundled up the kids with layers and snow suits and they could hardly move.

I looked like a snowman in this parka (that my mom left) on top of many layers. I didn’t care how I looked. I was still cold.

Chloe’s snow princess

Chloe’s class is performing today at the school gym this morning. She’s been memorizing poems and practicing singing songs about winter and snow for today’s event.

I took Shane as my date. 🙂

There she is!

Singing The Twelve Days of Christmas

Great job everyone!

Chloe picked out this pair of burgundy red glasses for herself. I remember when I first had to wear glasses, my mom was very upset. I didn’t understand it until now… I guess it’s part of accepting changes and growing up…

She does look very cute though.

I was so excited to take the whole family to the Mary Poppins Broadway Musical!

I knew Chloe would enjoy the show judging by the previous shows I took her at local theaters and schools but this was Shane’s first time and I was little nervous if he was going to sit through it and not fall asleep. He, in fact did great. He watched the whole show and he told me he loved it. We all did. 🙂 I’m so excited that now we can enjoy shows and musicals with kids!

Afterwards we went to Casa Nonna to eat dinner.

What a splendid day.

[local /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Chloe-and-Shane_sm.mov nolink]

[local /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/family-2012_sml.mov nolink]

[local /wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NYE-party-2-sml1.mov]

Still footages:

What went on back stage:

I had the fun of co-planning a New Years Eve party for a few friends  at the Wei’s house. Since Austin had all kinds of cool photography equipments, I thought it would be super cool to do a fun photo sessions for all the families.

So I pulled out some of my crazy hair accessories, made some and bought some cool props for the “photo session”.

We started the party by having some wine and snacks in the kitchen,

lounging in the living room,

and over in the basement, kids were playing.

As the guests arrived, we started the photo session for each family. Ben graciously offered his professional photography skills and did every one of shoots. Thank you so much!

Preparing for the photos was hard work.

We also needed volunteers to throw confettis and they had to be trained.

We had so many confetti helpers.:)

While the photo shoots were going on, kids made masks and other cool props to use in the next room.

How fabulous!

Back in the living room, they started karaoke.

People who didn’t want to sing hung out in the kitchen.

Cheers to 2013! What an awesome Wei to start the New Years!  😉 Thanks for hosting the party and letting us make a big mess!