Week 15 :: April 08 – 14

Samuel is still bathing in the infant tub.  Our Wednesday date was at the local library — he loved visiting with the fishes and reading horse books.  Over the weekend, we took him to a Kid’s Expo in Placerville and had a picnic outside (per Samuel’s request).

Week 16 :: April 15 – 21

Samuel is enjoying the easel a ton — there has been a lot of painting and drawing with markers.  On Tuesday, Jim stayed home with our sick boy (pink eye!).  Then I stayed home on Wednesday  – we had a pretty good day until he woke up from his nap.  Mr. “I Don’t Want That” cried and screamed for about an hour.  When he was done, he said, “Mama, I all better.”  We went for a walk to look for big trucks and his daddy (who was on his way home from work) and everything was grand — as if that hour never happened.

Samuel celebrated the Week of the Young Child at school with spirit days and fun activities.  On Saturday, we celebrated our friend Samantha (who turned two!) and enjoyed plenty of sunshine.  We love being outside.  This has been a great week for lots of outdoor fun.

Week 17 :: April 22 – 28

Another week of beautiful weather here in Sacramento.  We spent a lot of time playing outside and hanging out with our neighbors.  I made four aprons from men’s ties for spirit week.  On Saturday, I got together with a few girlfriends for a fun Project Life crop.  Our group started in January and we’ve been meeting once a month.  On Sunday, we had lunch at my mom’s.  She and Samuel had a great time — there were a ton of hugs, kisses and giggles.  Love that she let me photograph her this weekend.

A year ago, I was on the hunt for men’s ties for spirit day wear.  I scoured the thrift stores for cheap ties — but was disappointed to find that they were $3-5 a piece.  Upcycling projects ain’t happening at that price.

I texted my buddy Jo about my dilemma and she said, “I have a bag of my dad’s ties I am going to give away.  Want the bag?”

Ummm … yes! 

She brought the bag to school and after a google search on upcycling men’s ties, I made this outfit in two evenings.

My stitches are not perfect by any means, but the skirt is pretty rad.

Next week, tie day is happening again on campus.  I could wear the same outfit again but something different would be awesome.

Last night, I pulled out the bag of ties and immediately went to work.

Made three aprons (one with a bib — see above) in three hours!  That’s right, yo!  I was offline last night for three hours for some serious sewing time.

My boy makes a great model.
After seeing him in this, I am thinking that he needs a cape made from his daddy’s ties (or a mini apron for play in his kitchen).

This morning I surprise my friend Jo with an apron — made from her daddy’s ties.

She had no idea what she was opening this morning.

At first glance … “Ohhhhhhhhhh.”

Love you, Jo.  Thanks for sharing your daddy’s ties with me.

Week 12Rough start to our week.  Samuel had a low-grade fever over the weekend and doctor’s visit on Monday confirmed that he has yet another ear infection — that’s two ear infections in a two month period!  Poor guy.

Samuel continues to wear his rain boots — even when it is not raining.  Sometimes he makes me wear them too – so we can be “same same.”  I love all the stuff he’s saying right now.  Just love it.

Spring Break.  Oh, yes.  We have been enjoying the nice weather and time with kids in our neighborhood.

We spent part of the weekend at my mom’s house.  She told us to take Samuel to visit the Easter Bunny … and of  course, I jumped at the opportunity!  We talked about the Easter Bunny on the way over and Samuel seemed very excited.  Once there, he was fine while we were in line — even planning the photo.  He said, “Dada and Samuel sit with bunny.  Mama take picture.”

But when it was our turn, he freaked out as I was setting up the shot — hence the picture of the Easter Bunny without Samuel.  Ha!

I made the Bunny text card using Wordle (online site).  I entered everything Samuel said about the Easter Bunny photo op/debacle and picked an arrangement of words I liked.  Saved it as a pdf and resized it in Photoshop.  I’m really diggin’ the bits of washi tape (Studio Calico Project Life March Kit) on the white card.

Love this photo of my mom, Samuel and me sipping pho.

We took Samuel to visit the Children’s Museum of Stockton while we visited my mom.  He loved the toddler area and the life size vehicles.  Such a fun place for kids.

Loved how Samuel visited the irises in our yard this week.  He said hello to them everyday after school.

Love that he asks to look at the scrapbooks.

Washi tape is rad.

Continue to love that PL is a great place to store everyday memorabilia — like cards, happy notes, etc.

Week 13My friend and I took our kiddos to Daffodil Hills.  Samuel loved visiting with the horses and peacocks.

We spent a few days in Monte Rio, CA.

And I totally stole Ali Edwards’ idea for the peek through page.  Love her and her work.

Lots of inserts this week.

We spent a few hours at Goat Rock Beach (just north of Bodega Bay) and Armstrong Redwoods.

Cowboy Samuel rode his horse all week.

I was thrilled that I got in some reading time.

Documented a day in my life on paper — haven’t done anything with the photos yet.

When we returned from our short trip, Samuel asked to look at his scrapbooks.  And so we did.

He is also really into pretending that his pull-toy alligator is his pet dog.  He calls it Huey and takes it for walks, washes it, and even trains it to sit.  Samuel cracks me up everyday.

Our week ended with an Easter Egg hunt at the local church and a sick boy.

Week 14A doctor’s visit on Monday revealed that Samuel has yet another ear infection — that’s two ear infections in two weeks!  Samuel is still in good spirits and asked for a bike ride and a visit to the park.

This week, I’m becoming friends with my running gear (again).

Samuel and I continue to have our Wednesday outings.  This week, we visited the post office (and what an adventure that was!), checked out the local thrift store, and had ice cream at one of our favorite ice cream shops.

During the week, my sister came down from Portland for work.  We visited with her and got some new knits.

The blanket (above) was made by my mother.  It’s made from all the leftover yarn from my sister’s projects.

We ended the week with a visit to a new park.  Samuel got some play time with my siblings.

And I finally bought some plants for my planter boxes.

My sister made this gorgeous green sweater for my little fella for St. Patrick’s Day.

And since he is like me, she made him his very own cowl and matching hat.

He’s a budding artist — singing his birthday jam for my ma.

She also made this lovely hat and scarf for a little lady.

I wish she’d made me a scarf like this.  I’d totally rock it.

They are the cutest models.

The purple hat and burnt orange/brown scarf is up for sale — $30 each.  100% handmade with merino wool.  Hand wash recommended.

Week 09 :: Feb 25 – Mar 03Somebody around here is very happy with an indoor slide.  He slid down that slide 30+ times each day.

Each night, he got a bit bolder — standing on it, doing balancing tricks, etc.  One evening, he asked me to take photos of him making his way up the slide — step by step (bottom right photo).  Ha!

Week 10 :: Mar 4 – Mar 10The week of Math and Science Night — this is the first year where I was not in charge.  It felt good to bring Samuel and mingle with parents.

Chaos (top left photo).  That’s all the stuff crammed in the space at the back of my drawers — some of that stuff was from my maternity leave!

Awesome week — got a edgy haircut, celebrated my mom, and found this fun toy chest at the antique faire.

Week 11 :: Mar 11 – Mar 17Mars Curiosity Rover came to town and I had the fortunate opportunity to take 40 students to see it.

Samuel and I went to Casa De Fruta (a roadside attraction with train rides, a merry-go-round, and an awesome dried fruit stand) with some friends on Saturday.

On Sunday, Jim and I took him to a local park for pony rides.  This boy really loves horses.  He takes riding very seriously — so it is hard to tell from the photos that he had a great time.

I am really enjoying this project.

Project Life 2013 :: Week 06Spirit week.  Samuel turned two.

Celebrated two with family at my mom’s house. We kept it small + simple — and he was thrilled with the entire shindig.

Celebrated two on the actual day at his favorite family creamery — he asked to go there.  Also celebrated tet this week.

Plenty of inserts for all the celebrations this week.

Project Life 2013 :: Week 07Samuel got a garbage truck for his birthday.  He wanted to go home immediately after school everyday to play with his truck.

Valentine’s week.  Enjoyed using Studio Calico’s February kit.

Samuel is now in the Beginners class at school.  He had his first class party with Capri Sun + plenty of sweets.  He was thrilled to tell me all about it.

Project Life 2013 :: Week 08

Samuel rode the Thomas all by himself on Sunday!  He was so serious about it … could not help but giggle a bit at his seriousness.

Hey Samuel,

You’ve grown up to be such a big 2-year old boy!  I’m so proud of you.  I am excited to share one of my favorite books with you.  It’s so special to me because when I was a little boy, I would always remind myself “Life doesn’t frighten me at all,” and seeing you enjoy all the little moments in life makes me know, life don’t frighten Sam either!  Keep having fun Sammie.

Love you,
Uncle Hung

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me At All from Hung on Vimeo.

Sending you lots of sunshine + happiness today!

I am very happy to have the day off.

Looking forward to a fun, adventurous day with my boy.

Uncle Hung time = fun time.

The offering + prayer.

Incense.

Uncle Al + Auntie Debbie.

Lunch.

Celebrating the love of our life.

Thomas the Train birthday cake (made by my sister).

Happy Birthday Boy.

Yeah!

Carrot Cake is da bomb.

Presents.

Learning to dribble sitting down.

His favorite ride at my mom’s house.

They love Jamba Juice.

Balloons.  Thomas the Train.  Ride-on toys.  That’s where it’s at.

Celebrating with Mickey Mouse.  He’s singing Happy Birthday and telling Mickey to blow out the candle on the little cake.

Weeeeeeeeee!  Roller coaster ride in our back yard.

Fast ride.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi (Happy Lunar New Year)!

Ao Dai.  Gonna teach him some Vietnamese.  I need to make the commitment.

He loved that dada wore an ao dai too.

Wishing you + yours a joyous new year.

Dear Samuel,

Today, you are TWO!  You asked to go to Leatherby’s for your birthday.  So tonight we celebrated two at Leatherby’s where you ate ketchup, french fries and part of dada’s roast beef sandwich. You also devoured a cup of whipped cream and hot fudge.  

You know it’s your birthday week and have been singing Happy Birthday to Samuel the last several days.  You know that you are two years old.

You love to throw and kick balls.

You are such a boy.  You love to throw yourself on the ground for fun.

You ask me to kiss your owies.  Owies are instantly better with mama kisses.

You love drinking Jamba Juice.

You love eating fruit snacks, bunny cheese crackers, apples, pears and bananas.  You also love ketchup.

You love your Thomas the Engine rain boots and would live in them if we let you.

You are physical.  Climbing.  Jumping.  Running.  Bouncing.  Hoping.  Throwing yourself  on the ground.  Wrestling.  Jumping.  Running.  Jumping.  Running.  Jumping.

You are quick to understand.

Love how you always say, “Samuel do it.” and then more often than not, you do it and announce “Samuel did it!”

You just started the Beginner’s class and are enjoying time with the big kids.

You love to scoop and dump.  Scoop and dump.  Scoop and dump.

You love driving your blue truck and red fire engine.

You love riding your bike and enjoy riding in the bike trailer (which you refer to as the “horse trailer”).

Before you leave with dada for school on Wednesday mornings, you give me a hug and kiss and say, “Goodbye, Mama.  Afterschool, k?”  (I pick you up early Wednesday afternoon for our mama-Samuel date.)

You are awesome at pretend play.

You like routines.  You know where things are kept and are fairly good about putting things back in their place.

You love to read.  You love Pete the Cat.  You also love Go, Dogs, Go!

You love Old McDonald and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star before bedtime.

You love horses.  You gallop all over the place — in the parking lot, in the mall, at the park — pretty much wherever we are.

You love Legos.

You have a fascination with garbage trucks.

I love you Samuel.  Thank you for being you — and for reminding me to enjoy the little things life has to offer.

Mama