Memorial Weekend Small Getaway

We spent a weekend in Livermore, CA. The weather was nice, more importantly, the adults and the kids all had fun. 

On Sunday, we went to Oakland Zoo. It was busier than usual, but we still got to see our animals and take our pictures.

Kids loved the cable car ride. I guess both of them are not afraid of heights then.

Back to the hotel. Sophie picked chocolate flavored ice cream to share with Brandon. Look how excited Brandon looked. ^^

The next day, we were happy to have the grandparents joining in on our fun. We took a stroll along downtown Livermore in the morning and found some neat spots along the way.

Sophie was gathering sticks to make alphabets. =)

Next, we went to Retzlaff Vineyards and Winery for some wine tasting.

This is the only winery in all of Alameda County that brews organic wine from their own organic grapes.

The owner's father apparently loved kids, so he picked up many of these cute kid-sized tractors from some farm supply place that he used to go to. You can't buy these anywhere now, according to the owner's wife. So while the adults tasted wine, the kids kept themselves busy too.

Afterward, we headed over to lunch at the Wente. Both kids were fast asleep in their carseats behind my dad and Tim throughout our meal.

In the afternoon, we stopped by Del Valle Regional Park for some boating fun.

At last, we had Mongolian hotpot to wrap up our long weekend in Livermore.  Um...um...

Easter Eggs

Today we dyed Easter eggs!
This was when I asked them to smile at the camera and got a grin from Sophie, but a squished face from Brandon. ^0^ Nevertheless, they were happy to be dyeing eggs, at least I could be sure of that.

I put some glitters, which came with the dyeing kit, in the coloring bowls, which I kind of regretted after. Because after the eggs were dried and they wanted to peel the shells and eat the hard-boiled eggs inside, the glitters got everywhere. I ended up having to wash every peeled egg under the tap to get rid of majority of the glitters.

I also marked the shells with a wax crayon before hand as a surprise for the kids when they were actually dyeing the eggs and the patterns from the wax marks revealed.

After the eggs was dried, we did a special delivery to A-Gong and A-Ma (grandpa and grandma) and shared our irresistibly beautiful eggs with them. (irresistible mostly to the kids as they gobbled up at least 3, 4 eggs each, whereas before, I'd have to beg them to eat their eggs) ^^

We do plenty of crafts and baking all over the house, but the dining table is one of favorite places to gather. Ronald Reagan once said, "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." I only hope to create good memories for my children at the dining table. ^0^

Next time, I might share about the drawing and crafts we do at the coffee table.

Happy December and Merry Christmas!

Sophie is 9 months old! Which means, she has already lived through 3/4th of her first year. Time really passes by fast when you watch a child grow. She celebrated her first Thanksgiving with friends and she's about to celebrate her first Christmas with family.
In this season of thanksgiving and celebration, let us remember our Lord Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!