Girls Clothing Try-On Haul! [VIDEO]

Cherry And Strawberry Picking! [VIDEO+PICS]

Day In The Life Of A Single Mom [VIDEO]

TK Portrait And Turning 5!

Last day of four years old. Last day of toddler. We are officially about to embark on our next phase of girlhood. !!. How did we get here??

These past 5 years have absolutely flown by. Particularly this last one with both kids together.

I recently posted M's graduation photos from earlier this spring. Fast forward, one summer later, and here we are.

Thought she looked so mature those few short months back then, and having the same genuine sentiments once again.

Love this kid with all my heart and so very excited to continue on this adventure with her, watching her continue to grow and be amazing. xo

Preschool Graduation Pictures!

Finally got these photos this summer. Her preschool did something a little backwards and postponed the originally scheduled photoshoot from the beginning of the year to the end of it.

I wasn't intending to buy these photos but when I saw them I couldn't resist. What can I say? I'm a sucker for photos.

She just looked so mature and grown up. I know, I know. The tritest thing a mom can say.

Now, just months later, I have previews of her photos for this school year and I am just wowed. W-O-W-ed. Can't wait to get those. Until then, will just have to feast my eyes on these :> xo



Totally her in that phase— that necklace and My Little Pony bracelets. She wore them every.day.

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

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!

Target Haul With The Girls! [VIDEO]

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