Winning The Lottery

What would you do if you won the lottery?

It's a fun question to ponder, which can help you pinpoint your goals and actually reveal what you're thankful for.

I'd always dreamed of living bicoastal, so would probably make NYC home again. But as for where we are now, I'm actually not sure I'd change it. While property of our own would be nice, sharing a living space with several other young families and having near-daily impromptu play dates and good friends next door is kind of a luxury at this stage. Plus, we love school this year.

Of course I'd take the kids to Disneyland. 😅

I'd get a laptop (because mine is dying) and cross GoPro off the wishlist for our water adventures. 🙄

Other than that, for myself, I think I'd try to start a company. 

What's fun to think about is that most, if not all, of these things are not unattainable. Maybe living bicoastal irl wouldn't make the most sense but visits there more often (or at all), a reasonable possibility.

What would you do if you won the lottery? And what do you realize you're thankful for? xo

Back To School Gift From Teacher! [WATCH]

Baby's First Haircut! - Bangs [WATCH]

Baby & Toddler 11 Month Update - We're Back! [WATCH]

Michelena Graduates Preschool! [MOMLIFE]

Is this really happening? 

Honestly, having a hard time grappling with this moment. She's 4 but feels like she's going on 14. Her preschool days are over and I think I'm supposed to be crying right now but you know when things happen so fast it takes a while before it hits you? This is one of those moments and it still hasn't hit me.

This was honestly a rough day. She was excited for this event, as she's excited for all school-related events, but came to the sudden realization during the performance, when her best friends were missing, that this year is coming to an end as is her daily life with those best friends not graduating along with her. Instead, she's forced to sit among another class, singing strange songs she's been prepping to sing only in the last few weeks or so.

A day later, now looking back, I realize how odd and strange this setup was for the kids in her class who were moving to higher level schools. Had I known the effect, I honestly wouldn't have brought her. 

Transition is tough. And the lesson I learned this weekend is change might be harder going forward as she grows older, more aware, and more attached.

Nonetheless, we got through it. I continually remind her how much I love her, how valuable our family is, that we are a team and will always stick together. Because that is what families do. Amongst all the change that surrounds them, those that are true to each other will always move through change together, as a unit, as a team. 

Another day, another milestone, and How proud I am of her and how far she's come.

For memory: She can spell her name backwards and simple words forward :> She can read level 2 books and can do simple arithmetic. She can identify Google cars on the road and can run, skip, and hop. She can listen in on and interject in adult conversation, and even understands some Chinese though her accent is just as horrendous as mine. Her humor is impeccable and she loves playing with her friends. She loves play doh, legos, and monopoly. Killer smile, huge heart, love of technology and toys. xo

Sheryl Sandberg, Life, Survival, And Achievement

'You will be defined not just by what you achieve, but by how you survive.'

It's a good thing I didn't read Lean In because I'm not upset by what Sandberg did or did not say in that book and how she's changed her tune since.

We have to remember we are all human. No individual knows everything and no individual is without flaws, including leaders of large corporations. So she's learned a lesson and changed her mind, albeit the hard way, through loss of a loved one. Forgive her. Like the rest of us, she's still learning and growing.

That said, I love the above quote, which she said in her speech at UC Berkeley's recent commencement. Sharing her vulnerability humanizes the thoughtful leader and inspires others with her influence.

Surviving difficult situations or circumstances alone is an unrecognized achievement in and of itself that all too many of us, myself included, overlook.

As a survivor, I am reminded once again to not overlook the things I have overcome and ultimately achieved, though unrecognized through classic conventions of what successful means.

To be human is to struggle. To overcome struggle is to achieve. xo

Return-To-Work Mama [MOMLIFE]

I'll be a return-to-work mama this week and this is my look in anticipation of my newly minted status: a combination of excitement and nervousness. 

I was sharing these sentiments when all of sudden, from the other room, my toddler yells back: Why are you nervous? 

The things they hear and pick up on. smh. :>

There's always some level of uneasiness when you start something new, like a new job, isn't there? And it's particularly tough when you've been away for a while to have and/or care for your family.

I have an incredible amount of love and support for moms trying to get back into the workforce, and would like to see more opportunity and resources for this population. Because it's not that we don't care about career growth and making great contributions, but there are times when we're needed more critically at home. 

I'm excited to put my ideas and skills to work for the greater good-- heck, guys, working hard for this moment to say it in a post!-- but (initially) just a tad nervous about all the change that's about to come. Without change, though, there would be no butterflies. xo

The Beauty Of Showers [MOMLIFE]

Showers: 

2%: Washing

8%: Singing

30%: Reflecting

60%: Planning

Love showers. They help you rinse off the dirt from the day, disconnect and give you a moment to both reflect and think about your plan of action going forward.

A clean and fresh bundle of baby ain't too bad for instant gratification either :> xo

Baby's 6 Month Update! [VIDEO]

(Only comes more than a month late... Hope to film 7 months soon! xo)

Baby Turns 7 Months Old! [MOMLIFE]

'Mama, I love our baby!', she came into my room exclaiming.

'You do?', I asked, only because she once said in the past she didn't want a baby because her best friend at school didn't have one. I knew she didn't mean it but it still stung a little.

So to hear this without prompting filled my heart with such happy.

I know my kids won't always be satisfied with the family I made but you know I will try my best to get them on this unconventional bandwagon of love I created and so very much believe in.

My oldest proceeded with, 'Happy Birthday, Baby!', and snuggled in close to her.

Today, baby turns 7 months old!

Kids Fun Homework Activity For School!

Meet Pete the Penguin: a great learning activity idea for young kids at school. 

My toddler brought Pete back home for the weekend and she was to take about 3-5 photos with him and write sentences about their adventures together.

Every student does this with Pete and by the end of the year, the class has a photo album of Pete with each of the kids. 

Friends like to flip through the album and see each other. Moreover, it encourages them to write, as they come up with their own captions, and read those of others. 

Having a clear bias for photos, this educational activity is right up my alley. xo

Saying 'I Love You' Without Actually Saying It [MOMLIFE]

My toddler said this to me the other day and it felt even better than 'I love you'.

She said this right when we got into the bathroom and were about to brush teeth before bed. I had just spent the entire day with her, as I took her to a museum in the city-- a rare treat and one to remember. 

The way she said it was unanticipated and matter-of-fact, as if it were any other statement. She had a great day and it sounded as she was both thankful for that and aware I facilitate that happening.

Sometimes we say 'I love you' to the people we love so often that the phrase becomes more meaningless the more we say it, even if we are more inclined to say it because we do.

Changing the way you say 'I love you' somehow makes it more meaningful because you think more deeply (or at all) why you feel the way you do. 

This all might very well be philosophical garbage but the love was there and it was certainly felt and no one even had to say it. xo

Small Choices, Big Impacts On Our Children [PARENTING]

She saw a basket of fruit at the coffee bar and acted guilty, pointing and asking if she could have an apple. Honestly, I was surprised she wanted one and dubious of whether she would actually eat it but of course got it for her.

She jumped up and excitedly said Yes!, as if she scored a toy blind bag or something.

It's honestly been a while since we've had apples. Took me a second to remember it was when I was pregnant that I chose apples instead of chips as a side when we went to Panera, and that's probably where she learned to eat them whole. Typically, at home, we slice them.

It's funny how the littlest things make the biggest impact. Well, maybe this isn't huge, per se, but growing up choosing a whole apple would not have been a typical side order of choice in my family. But if you think about making healthy food choices when you're with your kids, it can actually be pretty significant in the long run. 

Same can be said for all the things we do with and around our children. Reading, exercising, watching tv, laughing, etc. The list goes on and on. It's not to say, as parents, we should try to be the healthiest people on the planet but this simply serves as a friendly reminder that we are significant role models in our children's lives and, as long as we are cognizant, we can keep or change the things we do. Whatever the flux, however, you can always depend on love to be the constant. xo

Sweetly Yours - Sunday Funday [MOMLIFE]

One Sweaty Breastfed Babe [MOMLIFE]

I don't know if it's the weather or if it's that she's growing (or a combo of both), but her feeds lately have been pretty intense and she's been sweating like a hot yogi :>

It's all good though because her cheeks are filled and she finds comfort close to my heart :> xo

Play Doh Gingerbread Man! [KID ART]

Nui Nui still can't get enough of this Chef Supreme Play Doh set. It's one of those rare gifts that makes me wish I had gotten it for her, seeing how much she loves to play with it.

Attended an informational session on kindergartens tonight. One parent asked what things they can do to prep their kids. One of the suggestions was to work their fine motor skills, particularly their hands and forearms, which will be important as they begin to write more.

Thankful this is an area being taken care of by itself :> xo