Goodbye 2012

I apologize for the lack of update. Let me recap the last few months of 2012 that I have completely missed blogging about.

Okay, let me see…

We attended a Halloween Party at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills.

Daffy Duck, Scooby Doo and Bug’s Bunny were there. There were tons of activities for children, things to see and freebies. Even hubby and I had so much fun!

We used our second visit to Legoland and it was so worth it! I love it there!

My Grandma came to visit and the children fell in love with her immediately. I miss her already.

More than ever, I’m learning to be even more thankful of every single thing that I have, no matter how small. It was a great Thanksgiving!

The hubby took the kids to an amazing park called Vincent Lugo Park. The kids had a blast!

The hubby and I got to dress up to attend a cocktail party in Studio City.

I turned 35 and decided to celebrate at work by wearing Hello Kitty for a day LOL

The kid’s watched The Fresh Beat Band live in concert as an early Christmas present.

We moved…

My daughter was the STAR in their Christmas play.

My son received an Academic Effort Award in school.

He was also a hit in his School Talent Show.

We were able to enjoy Christmas in our new home.

The kid’s had an after Christmas treat in Kidspace.

My parents took the kids to San Francisco to watch Lion King the Musical

My hubby turned 35 as well.

Hubby was home for New Year’s Eve to celebrate with us, yay!

We were able to go to see the Rose Parade floats for a close up view on New Year’s Day!

And the kid’s made their first Aaron and Elle show for 2013!

First Lutheran Fall Festival

We attended a Fall Festival at my daughter’s school yesterday.

They had games, crafts, food and pony rides.

My daughter got to see some of her classmates.

I was able to play with some face paint as well.

DD and DS got to play in the playground too.

We got to enjoy a great family day out together!

When we got home, I asked the kids…
“What was your favorite part of the Fall Festival?” They answered, “You Mommy! Because we don’t get to spend too much time with you cause you have to be at work for a long time.”
Awww I love my babies! and I’m so grateful with every opportunity to spend time with them.

Bento Lunches

Last Week’s Bento Lunches

Monday
Dumplings, broccoli, bagel rings and watermelon

Tuesday
Mini Corn Dogs, oranges and carrot sticks

Wednesday
Ham and Cheese sandwich, grapes, chicken bites and cheese

Thursday

BBQ, rice, corn and mini apples

Friday
Chicken Nuggets, crackers and pluot

Bento Lunches

Here are this past week’s bento lunches

Fried Tofu Sticks, Pears and Edamame.

Hardboiled Eggs, Peas and Carrots and Watermelon.

Ham and Cheese Rolls, Grapes and Yogurt

Cream cheese on toast, Cheese, Tomatoes and Persimmon

Rice Cakes, Ham Rolls, Carrots and Peaches

Kids Halloween Video

Here’s the most recent http://www.ahappymommy.com and Music with Sara collaboration project.

Presenting Los Monstros Music Video.
Song by Music with Sara, illustration by yours truly and animation by hubby.

I hope you enjoy it!

Bento Lunches

Hello! I know I haven’t been posting much lately, it’s been quite a hectic last few weeks especially with both kiddies now in school.

Now there’s getting ready both kids early in the morning and doing the homework the night before.

Like that’s not crazy enough, I decided to start making the kids lunch everyday for school.

Why? Well, Aaron’s school charges $2 a day for lunch and Elle’s school charges $3.75. I can afford Aaron’s lunch but Elle, hmnn, she doesn’t eat a lot and that’s way too much if you ask me.

And since I’m determined to make Elle lunches, I wanted to make lunches for Aaron as well =)

So, I started making them lunch everyday since Elle’s school started, 2 weeks later than Aaron’s. I came across a few samples of Bento lunches and thought it would be a cute idea for the kids.

I like making these lunches for them because it allows for me to be creative with my the food ideas. I’m also being challenged to incorporate fruits and vegetables in their daily lunch. The fact that bento lunches are in compartments and in cute presentation helps the kiddies have fun with their lunch as well.

Here are my bentos from this week…

Monday
Quesadillas, cheese, carrots and strawberries

Tuesday
Fish Cake, rice, broccoli, carrots and mangos

Wednesday
Pasta, hotdogs and white peach

Thursday
Chicken Nuggets, fish crackers, grapes and mangos

Friday
Egg, crab meat, rice and watermelon

Its not easy to try to come up with NON boring food combinations, however, it always put a smile on my face that my kids say they love their lunch.

Tangled Birthday Party

This weekend we celebrated my niece’s 7th Birthday. It was a Tangled Birthday Party!

A friend made the banner with her Cricut. My brother in law made chocolate chip and strawberry cupcakes!

My SIL made the Rapunzel tower Orange boats!

She also made some tissue poms and rice krispies. My mother in law prepared some yummy brownies.

Black-White and Red Party

I’d like to share a dessert table I worked on a few months ago for a graduation party.

It was a Black, White and Red themed party. The rest of the decor was damask, so I used that for inspiration.

For the sweets, most of the items used were pre made and store bought. It made the decorating so much easier.

The chocolate covered white pretzels were so convenient.

I love how the white meringue contrasted well with the red roses.

Pastries were served in white cupcake liners and laid out nicely on black platters.

The Red Vines were such a hit!

This was a great color theme. Cant wait to try other combinations next time!

Yo Gabba Gabba Party

Our niece Angela turned TWO this summer.

Her party was Yo Gabba Gabba theme.

My sister in law made rainbow fruit kabobs.

Popcorn was served in colorful cones.

My brother in law made 5 kinds of cupcakes.

I made some Yo Gabba Gabba Chocolate dipped marshmallows.

For the dessert table backdrop, I made some giant tissue fans.

My sister in law made the celebrant a rainbow tutu.

It was a very bright and colorful party. The kids all had a great time!

Handwriting Practice TIP

Do you wonder about how to teach your preschooler to write their name, but have to do much dots so they can follow and draw over them?

Well, I was going to do the same thing but thought it was too much work, LOL!

I figured that all my preschooler needs is something that she can follow really, and nobody said it had to be dots.

I looked at their art and craft supplies and saw a highlighter. Then I realized I can use it. I can write the letters with a highlighter. It’s bright and attractive and she can draw over it just like the dots.

Of course I had to sit next to her to teach her which direction to start drawing her lines. It may be no dots, but hey, it worked for me!