Lucas's 4th

As of today, Lucas has had more birthday party celebrations than me. His 4th birthday party was a bit too crowded. Unfortunately, the summer weather did not work in our favor since it was way too hot for anyone to really be outside. If we were able to utilize both indoors and outdoors, we wouldn't feel so cramped. I think it's really time to invest in some shade.

Few posed picture opts before the party officially started

Lu with his school BFF

The kids building their own mini pizzas

Char just stuffing her face with cheese

Plain Jane birthday cake

Family birthday pic

Lucas was not very happy in this pic because of a surprise visitor who popped in really late. This special guest only made a cameo for a few minutes before he was escorted back out. Here's the back story: the kids love pointing and laughing at mascots while we were watching the NBA finals. Charlotte is suddenly in love with pandas. So, when we found out that we could borrow a friend's panda mascot costume, we decided to use it for Lucas's party. It was NOT a hit. They only like mascots on TV and the only pandas Charlotte likes are small pandas.

Mommy's not scared of pandas

Enough about pandas... cake time!

And that was Lucas's birthday party on the 4th of July. We also went to a friend's evening party afterwards so us (parents) are pretty partied/tired out. The kids, on the other hand, seem fine (even when they stayed up super late thanks to illegal fireworks). Now on to Lucas's actual birth-date day...

Happy 4 year old ready to start his day

He wanted to go to the pet store (old man stance)

And then the book store

Pushing car books back and forth for 10 minutes

Thank you B&N Kids Club for the free cookie

MOD Pizza for dinner

S'more reading at Target

Dessert at Yogurtland

Playing with new toy (Legos)

And finally going to sleep with his sister

That was Lucas's perfect birthday day. At night, I asked him if he had a good birthday and he said yes. So young, so innocent, so easy to please.

Happy 4th birthday, Lu-bear!

July 1

My first month of summer break has come and gone. I don't remember summer going by so quickly before. I also don't remember a summer with so much stuff to do. I had a bucket list somewhere and I'm pretty sure I crossed some off my list. We went to the beach for the first time (and it's also my first time doing this on my own!), went on a June vacation (Vegas), and moved the kids into one room. As for July, bucket list cross offs include: July vacation (Monterey), going to the beach again, and cleaning out the garage. Of course once July's over, that means it's back to work mode. I'm going to live it up and enjoy staying up late with the kids and slow mornings. 

Yesterday's highlight was our first trek to the beach with the kiddos. We got there at 10:15 and left at 2:30. We probably could've stayed the entire day, but I had to drop off food for a friend. Next time it hits 100 degrees here (not including today), we're going back to the beach!

Selfie before leaving the house

I walked to the beach with a huge backpack, tent, picnic blanket, beach towels, and two kids. If that's not a Mom win, I don't know what is!

 Setting up house

 My view for most of the day

 What the kids were doing most of the day

 Char pretending to sleep

 A couple hours later and they're still at it!

Happy little lady

Hugs for big bro after a shower

Speaking of big bro, tomorrow is Lucas's 4th birthday! How did four years creep up on me like that? I can't believe I was only 27 when I had my first child!

Happy early birthday to this handsome stud

The Weekend After Our Vacation

After coming back from vacation, we were in full swing again with activities. Saturday was mainly spent in SF and Sunday was just a bunch of church related things. Overall, I'm glad I have summer off because there's no way I can teach with this hectic weekend.

 Bubble fun at the park

 Kids loved this!

 Rice krispie on a stick? Awesome!

 Hiding under a tunnel = genius

Although the weather report said that it was going to be 20 degrees cooler in SF, the sun was still shining. That meant we all turned pink. The weather in SF was gorgeous and unfortunately, nobody was willing to walk two blocks downhill to grab the sunblock in the car.

 Tomato picking in the backyard

For some odd reason, the kids are afraid of some imaginary penguin(s) at night. This might've started with opening their blinds and pretending that the hyenas are attacking them (thank you Lion King!). Lucas said he was scared at night. In turn, Char, who follows everything Lucas does, said she was scared to. I told them that they can both sleep in the same bed so that the other person can protect them.

 Night 1: attack of the imaginary penguins

The scary penguins came back the next night. This time, they decided to sleep in Char's bed. Char fell asleep before Lucas.

L: Charlotte's asleep already. No one will protect me.

Mommy: Don't worry, Char can just protect you when she's asleep.

L: Oh, okay.

 Night 2: attack of the imaginary penguins

When I asked if they were scared of penguins last night, they said no. Lucas told me the penguins didn't attack them cause they were busy sleeping in the playroom. Okay...

 Selfie with me and my best friend

 Selfie with matching hair clips from Vietnam

 Trying out their an dao's without pants

 Oh Charlotte...

 Lucas doing one of his favorite things in the world - spending time @ bookstore

I can't believe my baby boy turns four this Thursday. I told him he can do ANYTHING (key word: ANYTHING) he wants on his birthday. He told me he wants to go to the bookstore, pet store, then home. That's what would make him happy. Oh I love my simple-to-please boy.

Viva Las Vegas

I am checking things off my summer bucket list. June's vacation has come and gone. Maybe we could've spent an extra day in Vegas, but oh well. Hanging poolside has never felt so good when it's 109 outside! Once the kids were starting to really enjoy the pool, we had to get out and head to the airport. Maybe it might be sorta cool to have a pool in the backyard, especially if we're staying in (hot) SSJ!


Can't believe we have to pay for everyone's plane ticket now


Waiting to board the plane


Ready for take off!


Ready for take off, too!


Random breakfast place in PH


Obligatory family selfie on the strip


Went to see a pet show performance


... at V Theater

The best part of vacationing is the TV in the rooms, jumping on beds, and being crazy in the hotel room. The kids didn't ask (and I don't know why we did it), but we wanted to get a souvenir for them. Daddy originally won Lucas's giraffe (Gerald) for $4 doing this hit-chicken-in-the-can thing. When Char woke up from her stroller nap, of course she wanted the same thing (but in pink!). I had to spend two extra dollars to get "Shu Shu" for Char. Overall, both kids are happy campers and the giraffes are currently on their beds.


Won "Shu Shu" for $6 and "Gerald" for $4


Another day, another random breakfast place


Tried out Spice Market Buffet

We had a nice view of the strip and also our humongous pool from our window. They had these lounge chairs that rested in the pool which was pretty awesome. I also like the platformed area where people can just sit/lie down; it's also perfect for kids.

 Room view

Mommy/daughter poolside selfie


Lucas chilling out poolside

Two happy and cool Shinn kids

I rinsed the kids off, packed our bags, and headed back to the airport. Overall, the trip was a success since we came back in one piece and the kids had a good time.

Waiting to board to go back home

Thank you iPad

And that was summer vacay numero uno!

Father's Day Weekend

As with all summer weekends, there seems to be something going on every single weekend! Wait, how is that different from regular weekends? Shrug.

 Obligatory Father's Day picture

Daddy wanted to go to Tomi Buffet in Eastridge for dinner. What we failed to realize is that EVERY Asian father wanted to go there. I ran out of the car at 5:45 and was waitlisted for an estimated 1 - 1.5 hours. Insane in the membrane! Luckily, both kids are old enough to be okay and not have to follow a routine schedule 24/7 and there was something that kept them entertained for a good 30 minutes. We traveled so "far" to get here, we were not going to settle for mall food. So, we got seated around 7:30 and all was good.

 Some people were not happy about the crazy wait

 How the kids stayed entertained (no money was used)

On Father's Day weekend, Daddy had to go in to work on Saturday morning. Lucky me (sort of sarcastic), I get to spend an extra day alone with these rascals. No, I'm kidding. It was actually not bad at all.

 Little Miss Ham

 Sporting a Frozen murse(?)

 Silly kiddos

 Playing with his first 4th birthday gift

Someone Char scored an Elsa doll, too

... and that was Father's Day 2015.