trying on hats at the men's department

We were at Target the other day picking out some baby items for a friend's baby shower. All in a sudden E waved me goodbye and seemed to have other agenda at the store. So, I waved back at him. (Usually when I do that he would think that I was leaving him and he would come right back, but I guess he recently figured that one out.) So, he told me "bye bye" and took off. It was all quiet and he didn't make any sounds so I just went around looking for him towards the general direction. It was the men's clothing department. And when I approached this is what I saw:

He went back and forth picking out a few different ones and these two are his favorites.

And guess which one is the winner? Ta-dah!

E has really good taste! It actually matches his outfit pretty well. Oh boy! Isn't it a little bit too early for him? I am proud of him though.

funny conversation between father and son.

Scenario: We are at the dinner table eating our meal. E was not too interested in the food on his plate, so he was playing with the food and started tossing them across the table. (Familiar with this? I am sure you all who have kids have been through this, but may not be this conversation...)

Tino: Don't play with your food. Eat it, please.

E: No!

Tino: Don't say no, eat it.

E: No!!

Tino: Don't say "no" again. If you do, you are going to time out! Do you want time out?

E: No...

Did you laugh as hard as I did? Well, we both laugh our heads off after a brief moment after we got a chance to process it in our head. E looked at us like we were some kind of crazy people. What a tricky question daddy asked! Not that E is that much into saying "yes" than "no" at this point, but either answer will get him in trouble. Poor E! :) We love you, E. We just want you to eat well and be healthy!

we became unexpected grandparents

Ok, don't worry, this has nothing to do with E... They are our "adopted" grand baby fishes. We got a balloon molly a couple of months ago. No one would have dreamed that it would pop out some babies after this long of a time! I heard that they like to give birth around full moon. So I testified that it's true! 

On Friday, Oct 22nd, I was sitting with E at the dining table trying to work on our lunch and we always enjoy the company of the fish while we eat... while I was just kind of starring at it, all in a sudden, I was like, "What the..." At first I thought maybe there were food floating around in the water, but I clearly remember that I didn't just give the fish any since that morning. I took a closer look, I almost screamed. Well, I didn't but I panicked.

Here's the problem, there's actually about 30 of them (you can't see them all in this picture). And the mom eats their young. So, I caught all of them one by one and removed them to this little extra gallon fish bowl we got. I have been scratching my head worrying about their "well being", but they are still doing well in this little gallon fish bowl. They won't last too long in there though.

Anyone wanna take some off my hands?

pumpkin festival at desert botanical garden

We enjoyed a wonderful beautiful morning at the pumpkin festival with the Whetten's. Too bad Tino has been very busy lately and couldn't join us. So I made sure I took some pictures so he could see what we did there.

While waiting for the hay ride they put tattoos on the kids' hands. Both Emi and E got theirs. Here's their tattooed hands giving each other knuckles.

And instantly E felt in love with her. 

As soon as we got out of the hay ride, we arrived at a little corn maze. E took the lead. He had his hands behind his back pretty much the whole time. He acted like he was a wise old man trying to figure his way out.

Here's his handsome friend Branden trying to pick out a pumpkin his size.

Resting on a pumpkin after the "hard work and long walk".

Every kid there get to pick out their pumpkin for free. E was being picky and taking his time to pick out the best one for me him.

One of E's many face expression. This one he was trying to tell me how heavy it was and was saying "e...e...e" when he was lifting it up. 

Putting a face on the pumpkin. This is a monster pumpkin face with many eyes, noses and mouths and a mole.

E enjoying the country music band playing there and yes, he's wearing a sparkle beaded necklace they gave out to those kids who got moves.

Sweet Emi and her hard work. Her pumpkin looked so cute.

Riding on a vintage tractor.

E's way trying to tell the World, "I am handsome, powerful and cool!"

A few showcases of groovy pumpkin carving from some proud Veterans.

Another cool band playing some banjo music, E and I were intrigued by the little wooden man that was "dancing" along with the music (see the bottom left... it moved with the guy when he tapped on the board.)

It was a really nice enjoyable morning!

2 cuties in the water.

These two were just splashing water at each other the whole time and laughing and wiggling in the water. We had fun even just to watch these two fearless toddler in the swimming pool.

After Eli putting these floaties on, he refuses to let us hold him. He had to move around in the water himself! Look at his big grin on his face. He kept his smile pretty much the whole time in the water.

Thanks for the fun swim day, Mila!

a week in washington state: day 5 & 6

Day 5: San Juan Island!

We saw the Orca! Not just one, but many many of them. They are so amazing.

And we took a little walk in the town ...

and window shopping at some vintage shops ...

the ferry station.

As I was trying to take a snap shot of this cool captain statue, Eli also struck a pose. He is always very competitive. We were, at the moment, waiting for some yummy fish tacos.

Good night, beautiful San Juan Island, someday we will visit you longer when we don't have kids that need to take naps and go to bed early.

Day 6: Pike Place Market

My favorite is scallop. I order it every time we visit Pike Place Market. Eli liked it, too.

Freshly made Pirosky's Russian pastry! We ordered the apple cinnamon roll. Hmm, yummy in my tummy.

Another mouthwatering pastry display from other store. I wish I had a huge stomach that afternoon to consume all that.

Seeing this picture I can almost smell the refreshing scent of all kinds of gorgeous flowers there.

One of the few musicians there. I want to be one of them.

Notice the size of this piano... this guy just roll the piano down the hill and sat there and start playing and singing...

Eli was so interested in everything he saw there, too.

I love farmer's market. I love fresh fruits, fish, bakery, flowers and wonderful talents from some artistic hands, eyes and ears. It fulfills all my senses.

a week in washington state: day 3 & 4

Day 3: Boating at a State Park. It was a beautiful day. We rided on inner tube and also did weight boarding. I am proud to announce that I got on the weight board after my first try. It was a lot of fun with everybody. That day was also a special day. Some very special friends of ours from Houston made a detour to see us while on their way to a wedding and finally met Eli! Thanks, Julie and Roger! We love you!

Day 4: We headed over to Seattle to meet up with one of San's sister Bianca. On our way we stopped at a waterfall. Then we went to Vashon Island and took a nice walk at one of the shores by a lighthouse. It was very relaxing. I wish we live close to the ocean. Eli favorite activity was throwing rocks into the ocean.

A little bit of sightseeing on our way of our long drive to Seattle.

 the waterfall.

At Vanshon Island ...

An outlook at the majestic Mt. Rainier. I only wish I have a better lens to capture it.

lighthouse in the background.

a raft arranged by some woods that were left on the shore.

some unknown sealife I spotted by the shore.

hitting daddy is one of Eli's recent favorite thing to do to daddy.

Eli found a cool stick to hike with.

some shore founds on the island. I am making this into a watercolor painting. I will post it when it's finished.

a peaceful sight of the lighthouse in sunset.

We ended the evening on the Island by treating Grandma with her favorite cuisine: Chinese food.