Winter Lights

Finally, we got a break from the freezing temperature over the Christmas long weekend. It was a perfect time for Alvin to see the Winter Lights in Brookside Gardens. Many credits should go to Dad's crazy GPS, who directed us to Brookside Gardens from the dark narrow back roads to its back door thus we didn't even need to wait for 2 hours in line. Hooray!!!

We were humbled by the spectacular light display by the first glance! There were thousands thousands lights brought the garden into a winter wonderland! There were animals, flowers, grapes, snows, rainfall, moon, rainbow and lighted gazebos everywhere. It was quite an experience for the parents, not even mention Alvin was stunned.

First, we visited the train display. Alvin spent quite sometime there.

Dad tried his best to capture the pictures below without a tripod. He did a decent job.

Here is the rainfall with clouds and rainbow in the sky. When Alvin walked under it, he held down his head and closed his eyes because he thought it was really raining.

So romantic.

The Rose Garden was full of roses like this!

The bug light tunnel was a hit for everyone.

Happy Holidays

Our warmest Season's Greeting to all of you and your family. We hope you find this year to be blessing and precious.

Year 2008 is also a remarkable year for our family as we welcomed baby Mason in May. He is now 7 months old and has gained 16 more pounds to his birth weight. Overall, he is a very good baby, eats well, plays well, smiles like a bright sunshine, and ONLY wakes up parents 10 times at night. What can we complain?! Mason admires his brother Alvin very much, his eyes follow Alvin's every move and nothing else can satisfy him more than his brother's present.

Being the older brother, Alvin has shown nothing but loves and cares to his little brother. He helps with Mason's diaper change and he often hands out tissues for Mason when he sees his brother crying. He shares his toys with Mason and entertains Mason when parents are busy. As sweet as he can be, Alvin also started to show his personalities at his "Trouble Two" age –smart and stubborn. He refuses to eat and sleep only because he needs to play with his US Map puzzles the 101 times, or, he wants to finish listening to his "ABC Music and Me" CD, or, he hasn't read through all his story books from the library, or he hasn't practiced enough vocabularies for the day. Parents should not discourage their children from learning but the exhausted parents had no choice but put him on bench - no books, no music, no talking. Aren't we terrible?

The two brothers have drained our energy completely but we still cherish every moment with them. As the holidays are coming, we are especially thankful to have them in our life. They are our loves our whole world.

Our family wishes you and your love ones happy holidays!

Alvin, Mason Hope & Yuelun

Morning Glory and Night Patrol

As you know, Morning Glory greets the first sunlight from the east everyday. You know what, so does our Alvin! Don't remember since when, he starts getting up everyday around 6:30am. But, that is not all. This sweetie also checks on parents every night. Since we switched him to toddler bed, he is no longer behind the "bars" and he loves to visit our room every night and invites one of us to camp on his bedroom floor.

Well, our little Mason is not any better. Ever since he was little, he had the "reflux" problem and he waked up very often at night and the parents tried their best to comfort him back to sleep. Now, he has outgrown his reflux and he has also been spoiled by the parents for his first 6 months of life. The parents have to take the consequence - wakes up with him at least 10 times at night.

But, at the end of the day when we can finally lay our exhausted bodies to bed, we still feel lucky to have them around. And sure enough, here comes Mason's crying again.

Little People

Alvin got several Little People play sets this week, including Animal Sound Farm, Eddie and his Workshop, School Bus, and a Playground with Merry-go-around, slides and swing! On the top of all the little people around him, Alvin got a race car/train track also! It is the stage where he can really use his imagination!



While Alvin is busy playing with his Little People, we have a little people in the house doing his daily workout - our little Mason is practicing for his Mr. USA. From the video below, you can tell how one can really build up the muscles.



Alvin and Mason are good friends now. Alvin loves to entertain his brother. Below is a picture of him playing Peek-a-poo with his brother.

Don't you think they look more like each other now than before?

For Halloween, we dressed up Alvin as a NASA astronaut! He really has the look! Following his picture, we also have a video showing how nicely he plays with his friends in the daycare. The parents were wondering why he only plays with girls but the teacher confirmed that Alvin only plays with kids who are not aggressive. That explains why.

Cowboy in Town

Alvin, the Midwest cowboy, has his own showcase this time. The parents spent more than a fortune to purchase the copyright of these pictures taken from his daycare. His tan, leathery and coarse skin is just a result of years in the wind and sun out west.

Oct Update

This is probably the longest blog entry ever because this is the longest lap time we have between two blogs. You know I can always blame on my two boys but it is true that they have been keeping me busy. As you browse through this entry, you will know why.

=== A Walk in Brookside Garden ===

We have been to Brookside Garden in several occasions but this is the first time we visit it in the Fall. We couldn't believe there are still so many flowers blooming, not to mention the weather was just perfect. Marina and Alex joined Alvin to toddle around the garden and they all had a great time!

Mason, you know what Mom will do if you don't listen.

From the left, Marina, Alvin and Alex.

Don't you love babies???!!! They are way too cute.

Finally, Mom has some pictures with Mason to post.

=== Great Falls, Maryland ===

In contrast to Brookside Garden, Great Falls has its own natural charm. Alvin teamed up with Andy and Ben to have a Fall Foliage scenic view but we are just a little bit too early.

The boys think the rock rocks.

You know we are living in an area surrounded by the natural beauty. But, we just don't have the time to sit down and really appreciate what Mother Nature has given to us.

=== Mason is 5 months old! ===

With the 2nd one, time flies even faster! In a blink of an eye, Mason is already 5 months old. If we blink one more time, he is probably one year old! Just catch the moment when we can.

People always say the second one is much easier to raise. I found out why - they just learn from the older siblings. You know, Mason is much happier and more active when he sees his brother. He amires his brother very much and his eyes follow every movement of Alvin.

=== Alvin and his baby pals reunion ===

Little Daniel and the parents kindly held a reunion party for the babies/toddlers at their lakeside residency. From the left, we have Daniel, Alan, Alvin, Alex and Marina. Party has given an opportunity for the babies/toddlers to play together, for parents to compare feeding notes and for grandparents to chat. Wonderful idea!

You know what a role model father is when you look at this picture.

=== A moment of silence ===

Last week, we were mourning for the lost of Ms. Dremer, a beloved mother of 9 years old Paris and a great teacher of Alvin's daycare. Ms. Dremer was Alvin's favorite teacher when he was in the infant room. She watched Alvin grows - from sitting to crawling to standing to walking. She is a dedicated teacher and a wonderful mom. She will be greatly missed by all of us.