The Eye of the Tiger

We now have more decorations for Chinese New Year than we do for Valentine's Day! I put the decorations up for both holidays simultaneously. After all, they fell on the same day this year.


We like our firecracker decorations so much better than the real ones going off at 3 in the morning! I had red envelopes to give to the kids, but I totally forgot to get chocolate coins. They didn't even notice- phew!


Before we left Taiwan, my friend Amanda and I made one last trip down to Snake Alley to purchase some more Chinese clothes. I ended up getting 2 outfits for everyone. We wore these ones to church, but I don't know when we'll wear the other ones.

We all got special fortunes in our cookies, so here they are:

It is better to get something done late than never.

(Len's already a procrastinator- tee hee.)

Keep your idealism practical.

(Ooh, I really need to apply this to my life. I think the perfectionist I am would be much happier if I could do this.)

You will attend an unusual party.
(This already came true. Kaleb won the "Coolest Kid" at the Guinness World Record party he went to, for sitting on an ice block the longest.)

You have an ambitious nature.

(I would actually describe Noe as having more of a free spirit, but when she sets her mind at something she will accomplish it.)

Someone admires your beauty.
(This one's already true too, his mommy sure thinks he's a cutie!)

You will travel to many exotic places.

(Well, since the kid was born in Taiwan, he probably will get to see many exotic places in his life time.)

The yummy feast- Egg Rolls, Cantonese Chow Mein, Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls, Garlic Spare Ribs, Almond Chicken Guy Ding, Beef with Broccoli, Chicken Fried Rice, Almond Cookies, and Fortune Cookies. This was the Chinese food I was craving for 4 years, but we were missing some dumplings. And we were really missing Taiwan. We're grateful to celebrate Chinese New Year each year though, no matter where we are living.

Red, Pink, & White

Love the lovey Valentine's Day! We did it up Dollarama style this year, and it was a big hit.


The kids were excited Saturday morning to find these little treats waiting for them.

Kaleb with his bear, Chocolate. His Valentine from Daddy said:

Dear Kaleb,

I think you are a great martial artist, a clever tinker, and a wonderful son!

I love you!

Noe and Strawberry.

Dear Noe,

I think you are a great dancer, a creative artist, and a wonderful daughter!

I love you!

Gavin and Caramel.

Dear Gavin,

I think you are a great singer, a careful engineer, and a wonderful son!

I love you!

Teague and Vanilla (don't you love all the bears' names? those are compliments of Kaleb.)

Dear Teague,

I think you are a great crawler, a contagious smiler, and a wonderful son!

I love you!

Len got a little treat too (but it's a secret.)

I made a little bed of roses for Len too, aren't I sweet- tee hee.

We all got these little boxes, you'll see what was in them below.

The contents- the best dessert ever, Oreo Truffles! Yes, I made 100 of these babies, but they weren't all for our family. I also gave some to our neighbors, and the young women at church.

My Valentine from Leonard. My body, mind, and soul loved the dark, milk, and white chocolate truffles from Godiva. Yeah, they beat my oreo truffles, but luckily it wasn't a competition and I got to eat both kinds!

My sweet Kaleb also used his class dollars to buy this to make for me. Love my sunshine boy! I just love my whole little family and am glad we get to celebrate Valentine's day together.

Cupcakes

Whether it's the pink velvet with white chocolate chips and cream cheese frosting kind,


or the Kaleb-Mackenzie-Ella-Noe-Gavin-Lucy-Joshua-Teague kind, cupcakes are just so very sweet and cute!

Long Weekend Recap

The kids had a 4-day weekend and we all survived- tee hee. Actually, we had quite a good time. Friday, they had a PD day at school and Monday was a Provincial holiday. I had to laugh at the name of the holiday though- Family Day. Most families I know had their kids home from school, while their parents were back at work. Apparently, the Federal Government doesn't recognize families. Oh wait, they do in August. Seriously, I am so thankful for Leonard's job, but would it really be a crime to have a long weekend every month?


The pre-weekend fun began on Thursday. Kaleb & Noe finally got to have a Valentine's party at school and they celebrated the 100th day.


Kaleb & Noe don't have all the fun. Gavin & Teague have lots of fun at home too. Especially, playing with their train table, or in it, or on it, it's all good!


Friday, we drove down to Smiths Falls to spend the day with the Holden's. All the kids had fun playing together, and I had fun visiting with Marj. She's a great cook and made homemade lasagna, french bread, and pink velvet cupcakes.

Friday night, we got home right as the opening ceremonies started for the Olympics. Len and I stayed up to watch the parade of countries, then we fell asleep right as the actual show was about to start. I am majorly bummed about this, as that is my favorite part of the whole Olympics (I am more artsy than sporty, after all). We've tried looking on-line to watch it, but no luck yet. If anyone has any leads, please share!

Saturday morning, we celebrated Valentine's day. I made 100 Oreo truffles for the event.

In the afternoon, the big kids went to a 4 hour-long birthday party. The theme was Guinness World Records and they had a blast. The little kids went to the Martin's, so Len and I could go on a date. We went to see...

We don't watch movies or TV all that much (although our TV always seems to be on as background noise). Anyway, we figured this one was one to see on the big screen. We caught it on the Imax in 3-D and it truly was an amazing spectacle. I want to go live on Pandora now.

On Sunday we celebrated the new year of the Tiger! Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Xi Fa Cai! It was fun wearing our Chinese clothes to church and then we had a delicious Chinese feast for dinner.

Kaleb and Gavin also got hair cuts finally. Monday we had a full house and lots of fun with Jenn & Anngela and Kelsey & Bailey. It's always fun taking a little break from the normal. Now we're back to the routine though. I have about 200 pics from this weekend, so I'll post a few more soon.

Mellow Yellow

You are quite the powerful thinker. It's this talent that allows you to overcome a plethora of great obstacles. Luckily, this doesn't effect your ego and you give off a pretty easy-going appearance. You enjoy the finer things in life and also have an attraction to art. If you can help it, you try not to rock the boat. But you also can't stop yourself from searching for new ideas, methods or styles.

* I saw this color quiz on my friend Chris's blog and had to take it. I think the description is fairly accurate of me, or at least the me I want to be. Yellow is my FAVORITE color too! In fact, our entire house was beige when we moved in, and so far we've only painted the play room, and guess what color it is? Yep, a nice, light, cheery, sunny yellow. Love it!

*If you take the quiz, please leave a comment and let me know which color you are!

Words to Live by

"Service is not as much about good actions, as it is about good feelings; creating them in others, and experiencing them within. It is not so much about 'doing,' as it is about 'being;' being one's best, being one's higher self. Love, is the only true doer. Good deeds, like good works, are but priceless opportunities to experience and share our being's deepest nature: Joy." -Anonymous

My little Humanitarians

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Kaleb and Noe's class at school wanted to find small ways they could fundraise for the survivors. They came home from school with grand ideas. It was so sweet that they wanted to help the people of Haiti so much (build them a new hospital was on their list). Mom had to gently guide them into choosing something more practical.


Kaleb decided he would bake 24 cupcakes and sell them for $0.50 each.


The Cake Boss Jr ended up getting orders for 65 cupcakes!


They look pretty yummy and I think he did a great job.

Noe decided she would make 12 sparkly bracelets and sell them for $1.00 each.

The lil' Fashionista ended up getting orders for 26 bracelets.

I think they all turned out well, she did a great job too!

This weekend they delivered their goods to their generous customers. They ended up raising $111.00 so far (and 1 friend still needs to pay). They are so excited that through their small efforts they were able to raise a good amount of money to give to the Red Cross for the people of Haiti.

Crazy About Tights

What's a poor girl to do to keep her legs warm in the winter? Cute tights is the answer!

Noe has some really cute tights to keep her legs warm at church. I only wish they made them in my size!