Santa Barbara

Today begins our trip north to San Francisco.  We decided to take the scenic 101 and to stop overnight in Morro Bay.  On our way to Morro Bay, we stopped for lunch in Santa Barbara to have the best fish and chips this side of the Pacific at Brophy Brothers.  We were there one year today and I must say that they were just as good as we remembered them.  Too bad we didn't have time to go to McConnell's Ice cream... maybe on the way back???

Merry Christmas

This Christmas we had a delicious holiday meal consisting of my Mom's rib roast, green beans and bacon, mac and cheese and of course, kimchi.  We were serenaded all night by the kids singing, "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen.  We did miss my sister (who recently got engaged to Zack) but we were overjoyed to see my cousin who is 18 weeks pregnant.  We did a white elephant gift exchange where Jawsh ended up with the present that he brought (movie tickets) and I got a much needed hand lotion by my favorite brand, L'Occitane.  The boys also received many more toys than they needed from "Santa Billy." My favorite part of the evening was when my parents gifted the boys with money and Noah promptly turned around and handed it to Micah so he could use it to buy his own mini-ipad.  What will Christmas bring next year???

Palm Springs

This was a first... Jawsh and I left the kids overnight at my parents' house while we went to Palm Springs!  Zach generously gifted us with a night away at the Parker Meridian Hotel where we ate the most delicious meal at Mr. Parkers.  The dinner was amazing and the best part about it was it didn't have to end right there... we also went out to a very late showing of American Hustle!  It was a nice quick getaway... when will we go again???

Noah's winter program

Noah's class sang two songs for the winter program:  "Everything's Gonna Be  Alright" by Bob Marley and Simon and Garfunkel's "Feelin' Groovy."  The kids did sign language throughout Bob Marley's song which was really neat to see.  What will he perform next year???

Micah's winter program

Micah's kindergarten class performed three songs in the winter program:  Drediel Song, Song-ee Song-ee, and Mele Kaliki Maka (which were the same songs Noah sang last year).  It was very cute and Micah really enjoyed singing.  Kaitlyn was on holiday break so she was able to attend and watch the performance, which Micah loved.  What will he sing next year???

Standing O

Noah has had a goal to purchase a mini-ipad for over one year.  He saved all his holiday money and allowance (even trying to skimp on his brother's birthday present).  After his last birthday he made the goal but we were still unsure if we should actually allow him to get this device. But after careful consideration, we wanted Noah to experience what it felt like to set a goal and to achieve it (because believe me he had a lot of temptation to spend money every time we walked into Target).  When Noah paid for his mini iPad at the Apple Store in cash (very cute seeing him count it out to the store manager) little did we know how impressed the manager was... he was asking him questions about his chores and also congratulated him on this goal.  After we were done setting up the iPad with parental controls we started walking out of the store and all the Apple employees in their red shirts stopped and gave Noah a round of applause congratulating him on his new iPad.  It was weird and wonderful at the same time.  I wonder if Noah will remember this when he gets older???

3 gifts of giving

It's so wonderful when I see the boys show empathy and love towards others.  On this day, there were many acts of kindness that I was really proud of.  It started at 8 AM this morning in the FOX Studio warehouse, where we sorted thousands of toys that would be shipped to kids in need.  Micah and Noah opened bags and sorted them by gender and age and then helped count them to go to specific charities.  They did a great job remaining focused for over three hours and many adults complimented their hard work!  Then, Micah went to the animal shelter to donate a bag of dog treats and a gift card he received for his birthday to purchase dog food.  The worker tried to give him the gift card back when she saw that it had "Happy Birthday Micah" on it but he replied, "no it's for dog food" and I think she was going to cry.  The last act, I will admit, needed some encouragement from Mom but Noah made the final decision.  We went to the school BINGO night and Noah and Micah both won two prizes.  Noah won a Crazy Loom and a Bubble Maker and Micah won 2 Power Rangers.  Every child that attended this event received a prize with the exception of one boy and one girl.  Micah immediately went over to the boy and gave him one blue Power Ranger toy and Noah went over to the girl and offered his Bubble Maker.  The girl politely declined but was sad.  I encouraged Noah to think about giving his Crazy Loom to the girl because he already has one at home but he really wanted the rubber bands in the box.  After I explained to him that I could go to the store and buy him rubber bands and clips separately he ran over to the girl and offered her the Crazy Loom.  By this time, she was crying but once Noah made this gesture, she wiped her tears, smiled really big, and said, "I feel super."  She gave him a big hug and Noah felt like a hero.  I was so proud of my boys...  I hope that they will continue to give and show others love... how will they help other next???

An yong ha say yo

Micah finished 14 weeks of beginning Korean and although he is repeating this class... I am very proud of him.  He is able to recite the Korean alphabet, use phrases in Korean, and he can write his name.  He made some new friends and enjoys going to class (and he hates being tardy).  The next semester starts in February so we have some time to enjoy the break before the Monday- Wednesday classes start up again...  what will he learn next???

Piano lessons

The boys started piano lesson with their teacher, Yolanda.  They meet once a week for 30 minutes which is much more appropriate than the one hour lessons I had when I was  younger.  Research shows that music has many benefits for the mind, body, and soul and I hope that Noah and Micah will thrive and enjoy this process.  What will they learn how to play first???

Night 4

The tradition lives on...  Jay and Kyer joined us, Grandpa, and Grandma for Chanukah dinner.  It is always a good time when Jay comes over... the kids enjoyed playing with one another and just pick up from where they left off.  I made a Barefoot Contessa brisket (this one will be the last one I make in a long while) and Jawsh and Micah made latkes.  We had a rousing game of Driedel and enjoyed the Randy's Donuts that Jay brought over.  When will we see them again???

Best cousins

Born only two months apart, these two are so good to each other.  Thanks to Billy's influence, Kaitlyn can speak the language of Pokemon and is fluent in Skylander.  These two have so much in common that they will be forever friends.  I love this little girl and have already explained to the boys long ago that they can't marry their cousin, but they can find someone just like her!  When will Emma start hanging out with us???

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at our home.  I was inspired by Barefoot Contessa so I followed her menu.  We started with Butternut Squash soup, Arugula Salad, Turkey, Carrots and Parsnips, Stuffing, and Green Beans with Gremolata.  Zach brought the mash potatoes and Bubbe made all the delicious desserts.  It was a nice time to enjoy our family and to be thankful for one another.  Will we celebrate Thanksgiving at our home again next year???

Happy Chanukah #1

Chanukah coinciding with Thanksgiving brings double the celebrations!  The next time this happens again is 2070 and then in 2165 so this is definitely a once in a lifetime thing.  Tonight, we read a story about Chanukah.  The boys love Chanukah... what will tomorrow night bring???

Happy Birthday Halmoni

November is a busy month full of birthday celebrations.  My mom's birthday is the last one to celebrate this month.  We had delicious seafood and a cake that Liam promptly drooled on while sneaking frosting.  What did Halmoni wish for???

After party

After Rolling Robots, we stayed in the neighborhood and went to the LA Zoo for a quick visit.  The boys love spending time with their cousins.  I truly believe that cousins are our first friends and if this is any indication of how they will be when they grow older, I know that these kids will always be there for one another.  How blessed we are, wouldn't you agree???

Happy Birthday Noah!

Noah's 7th Star Wars birthday party was at Rolling Robots in Glendale at the historic Seely Building. The kids got to battle robots and then make their own robots in the workroom.  I can't believe that Noah is 7 years old... wow... where did the time go???

Date night

We went out on our first date, November 17, 1999 and now 14 years later we are out again.  In 1999, Jawsh took me to a 50's cafe in Hillcrest called Corvettes where we noshed on hamburgers, salads, and fries.  This time we went to Connie and Ted's where we enjoyed Oysters, Portuguese Fish Stew, and a Lobster Roll.  I think we have come a long way in our culinary tastes since we were in college. It was so nice to spend some time alone... when will we go out again???

Happy Birthday Noah

Noah's class celebrated all the November birthdays together.  I was able to come and help at the end of the day, which made my day!  Noah was really excited to see me there.  When will I be able to come again and help???

Happy Birthday Harabujee

We celebrated my Dad's 71st birthday today.  After we sang Happy Birthday, Noah and Micah said "you're 71,"  Kaitlyn said, "you're 61," and them Emma said, "30" (I think).  Then my Dad gave Emma $20 for guessing "correctly."  Noah and Micah were so confused!  Liam helped blow out the candle with his saliva and everyone enjoyed the cake.  Wonder what my Dad wished for???

Fun times

Emo, Zach, and Sehee stayed with us for the weekend and the boys had such a nice time.  They love having people over and of course are especially spoiled when my sister is around.  When will they come back again to visit???