Our Grade 1 Graduate

Jayden and his good friend Kali

It was a bittersweet day.  We were so excited to see our little graduate and celebrate his accomplishments.  However, we were sad knowing that we were leaving this wonderful community which became our family.  On a happier note - we got into the public Chinese immersion program at our local neighborhood school!  It is a highly coveted program in the Cupertino district.  Acceptance is based on a lottery (random draw) and we've been on the wait list for three years!  Finally, four spots opened to eight kids on the waiting list.  After completing a competency exam and interview, Jayden was selected in the top four and was invited to the program.  We are so proud of him.

Saying "see you later" was difficult but we will keep in touch and visit often.  Here are some of the special people that have touched our lives (there were more but we could not find them - Miss Jasmine, Miss Amy, Miss Sarah...the list could go on and on!)

Jay and his sweet first grade teacher, Miss Chang

Jayden and Principal Reimer

 Jayden's preschool teacher at YCIS - Zhang 教師 (Ms. Grace)

Our most favorite and beloved kindergarten teacher - Miss Trutter!

See you later our YCIS family, thank you for helping us grow this wonderful being.  You've done a great job and we will always remember our family at Yew Chung International School.

Hog Island Oysters & Co

Chris surprised us with a beach house getaway over Father's Day weekend.  On Thursday evening, he told me we were going somewhere on Friday and to pack my bags for hot to cold climate, from hiking to relaxing on the beach, not too dressy but not overly casual either...???  How does one pack for that?  I open my suitcase and throw random pieces of clothing (bathing suit, sweater, a dress, my workout clothing, a sun hat, a winter toque, a pair of heels, a pair of sandals, and my hiking boots, etc.).  Normally, I pride myself on packing light, limiting myself to only 3 outfits for 2 weeks of holidays - this time, for our 4 day trip, I had to sit on the suitcase to get it to close.

Ugh, I look at our SUV practically bursting at the seams  - gigantic suitcase, backpack, electronics bag, sports equipment bag, the inflatable aero-bed, toys, blankets, pillows, books, shoes, food & drinks, our cat (yes, we brought her along too), cat food, cat toys, and her litterbox and I feel my anxiety starting to grow - where the heck are we going that would need all this stuff?

The drive was about 3 hours long, it was dark by the time we arrived at our destination in Salmon Creek.  Pulling up to the house, I noticed another car in the driveway.  I ask Chris about the car being there and Chris explains to me it is a bed and breakfast and we share the house with another family.  Hmm, sounds uncomfortable but I'll go along with it since we already drove all this way.  Once we make our way to the door, I see 3 sets of shoes outside.  Oh, and one of the pair of shoes are teeny tiny green crocs....then it dawns on me, wait a minute, I know these shoes!  They are Claire's shoes (Adam and Erin's daughter)!  At that same moment, Erin's friendly face greeted us at the door.  Surprise!  What better than a surprise weekend getaway?  A weekend getaway with our dear friends - the Scrabas (and a brief overnight visit from friends Jon and Morgan).  And to top it all off, I did not have to plan a single detail of that weekend - our husbands did all the planning!  We definitely need to make this a father's day tradition.
 

My Boys at Breakfast : )

Cutie Claire saying, "Good-morning!"

 Jayden was thrilled to eat breakfast with Claire & family!

Playing cards with Claire and Auntie Erin
(that's right Claire, watch your mama - she can be tricky!)

 Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of the two BFFs - our cat Mochi and their dog Buddy.  There were alot of chasing, grooming, wrestling, tail wagging, play biting, and cuddling between these two. 

Father's Day: Hog Island Oyster Goodness

Chris had Jayden agreeing to try a raw oyster

..until he watched the shucking process - yuck!

Jon, the master of shuck

 

Now that our tummies are full, time for some intensive sandcastle building!

 

 Pretty deep trenches, both Jayden and Uncle Adam are standing!

 

Thanks to the planning of our boys, we had a great Father's day weekend.  Cannot wait to see what they plan for the next Father's day!

A message from my plants

 



If your botanical children could speak to you, what would they say?  Would they say how much they love you and appreciate your care?  Recently, I got to find out.  One night I came home to this... 

 Botanical humor...

 "What's that basil?"

 "Drought Veteran GOD Bless"

 "Thirsty, Please Help"

My stomach is still hurting from laughing so much...funny but true : )  My jokester husband - take a bow (I love you, thanks for making me laugh 'til it hurts!).