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!

I’ve been cutting his hair all these time and I felt like it really needed some professional touch! After seeing his dad getting his hair cut , he was excited to get his own.

Chloe drew this on Andrew’s iphone while waiting.

Same hair style!!

Can’t say I really like his new hair style. He looks more like a boy than a toddler… He’s growing up so fast.

Special report: He’s been diaper free at night for over a month!!

“Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18

I had a wonderful time at woman’s retreat this weekend. Even though I was only an hour away from home (and it was only for a day and a half), I felt like I was worlds away.
Great speaker Tara Barthels of Peacekeepers Ministries spoke about Fear.  You can read about her here.

This afternoon, we headed downtown nyc to enjoy Tribeca Festival where we got to see concerts, do craft projects, buy toys, and eat fun foods.

My pretty girl, growing up so fast…

They are pretending to run.

Afterwards, I was craving burgers so we went to Bubby’s for dinner, a place I used to go a lot when I used to work nearby.

chatting, chatting, chatting away…

cupcake lip balms

Her favorite: mac & cheese

A perfect way to end the family fun day.

Update: Check out my cuties in Time Out Kids

Chloe and Shane both love to draw and paint. So we decided to make our own art gallery wall in the toy room to display their wonderful art works.

Our kitchen nook has their arts too. The far left drawing of ‘Chloe and Shane’ by Chloe makes me smile every time I see it.

Kids enjoyed making their own tacos.

With my parents returning to their home after almost 6 months, I’m back to my cooking duty! I do love to cook especially weekends when I have more time and don’t have to rush out the door. I record food network channel shows for inspiration and I’ve been trying new recipes these days.

Tonight, I made penne with butternut squash and goat cheese. Recipe by Giada at home.