Spaz Attack

Thoughts from a big spaz who has lots to spaz about.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Three things Chase said this weekend that surprised me:
1. "Daddy, your phone is ringing."
2. "What about your outfit, mommy?" (when I was changing his clothes)
3. "Mommy, are we going to eemo's house again?"

Chase is definitely talking more at this age than Tyler did. I think it's because he has Tyler to talk to all the time. He is my silly boy with a mean, mean laugh!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Some random pictures from this past month!


Tyler at his singing class. On the last day, they had a mini recital. The whole singing class was not worth the money at all. I could have done all of it at home. Oh, I was so glad when I saw the other boy in the class. I wasn't the only horrible mom in the group!


Chase LOVES making this face when I am taking pictures. I know I've said this before, but Chase is just DIFFERENT than Tyler! Tyler was so mild and cautious. Chase is definitely more wild and crazy!


On the stairs in the morning.


Greedy Tyler!


Jen came to visit! She was 8 months pregnant at the time. Isn't it so me to take a picture while she is sitting and her belly is covered? My goodness!


With Kristen at breakfast. Chris was so sweet to play with Chase while Kris and I talked. Thanks Chris!


Tyler's girlfriend Natalie came over for a play date! Here they were mixing primary colors to make other colors.


Nothing beats a homemade popsicle stick on a hot summer day!


OC Fair with the boys...loved it!


Disneyland.


Disneyland.


At a restaurant. Trying to keep the boys happy with these cookies. I was trying to bride them, but it didn't work because the cookies was gross! Even I couldn't eat them!


Silliness at Chik fil a kid's night.


Chase's 2nd birthday with family.








Good morning. Going to Jason's grandmother's funeral today. Not looking forward to it, but it'll be good to see the immediate and extended family come together.

I had a weird dream last night. Someone invited me to dinner. I was an hour and half late to get to the restaurant. I felt so bad, I cried all the way there and eventually canceled on her on the road. It was a very vivid dream because I remember feeling like the most horrible person in the world.

Don't know what to make of this dream, but maybe it comes from the fact that I totally said two very wrong things to two different people in the last week, and I've been thinking about it the last few days. Dang it...me and my fat mouth. I should really just shut up and be that girl I described in my previous post- speak softly, saying only occasional "uh-huhs." Maybe I WANT to be THAT girl. Ah ha, talk about psychoanalysis here.

I want to start on project on my blog! "Oooh, project!" (Isn't that a quote from somewhere? Clueless?) I'm keeping it under wraps for now, but it's something I've been thinking about doing for as long as I've had this blog....talk about procrastination! Since I just got a new scanner (now learning to work it is another story), I think I will start my project soon! :)

Oh, and for some reason, this reminds me of a post that I started way back when that I never finished. A long time ago, I wrote about a girl who wears full on make up one day and none the next, confusing the hell out of me. I said I would write more about this girl. Can you guess who it is? Yes, me! I really need to get my act together. I mean, who in there right mind wears full on make up on certain days and absolutely none on other days? I am sure I confused everyone at Tyler's school- showing up one day like I'm going on a job interview and the next day dropping him off looking like a dang alcoholic or something. You know, we're totally beyond that age where we can pull this off- make up one day, none the next. It's just not cute. It's just weird and you could end up looking like a dang schizophrenic!

You know who is an awesome dad? Jason. He never stops to amaze me in his role as daddy. Yesterday, he told Tyler that he needed to talk to him after dinner. So after Tyler ate, he went to him and they had a "man to man" talk about the passing of Jason's grandmother and about what Tyler should expect at the funeral. It was really cute and seriously, Jason AMAZES me time and time again with how he interacts with the boys. I say AMAZE, in capital letters, because as most of you know, he just doesn't have that personality where he is able (or cares) to read other people, but with the boys...OMG! He knows exactly what to say and knows exactly what they need at that moment. I always tell people you never know what kind of parent your spouse will truly be until you have a child together. I mean, you could guess, but you will never really know until that baby is popped out into this world. Before we got married, Jason always said he loved kids and wanted kids, but seriously, I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams what kind of dad Jason would be. He has surpassed all expectations- I have learned in the last four years or so that Jason has a true gift when it comes to knowing how to raise, talk, and bond with Tyler and Chase. It goes beyond just loving them. It's hard for me to articulate, but he is just a great father through and through.

Well, happy Friday to y'all! Our prayers have come true (Tyler actually PRAYED this!) because our couches are finally coming this morning...wahoo! No more beach chairs! It only took two months. Now, too bad our cable's not working, so what good are couches? Oh, the story of my life...something is always broken and I have no clue how to fix it! I seriously need a 24 hour, on call tech person!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

One time I posted about how I know I will be good friends with someone. If someone is very honest...to the point of embarrassing themselves or revealing too much. And also, if they remind me of my mom when she was our age.

Now, I will tell you when I think I will not become good friends with someone. If I think a girl has a fake voice I cannot for the life of me be that person's friend. I'm talking breathy, girly, light- like hard to hear- fake voice with a lot of understanding "uh huhs" and sympathy for any little thing that is said, I just can't stand it. If I think the person was born with that voice, I might be able to overlook it (though that will be hard). But if I seriously think the voice is fake, this person will always fall in the acquaintance category.

Let's psychoanalyze this. Some people say that you hate something that you hate of yourself. Maybe I am exactly what I don't like? But, I don't think so. I'm way too loud and masculine to be this girl. Hmmm...time to see a shrink! Or read the Bible more! Time to hit that Bible!

I have so much to do around the house! When I feel like this, I pray that my mommy will come and help me or that Jason will take the boys somewhere for at least three hours! I wish I could be a busy bee....at ALL times. There are times when I am energized, productive and get so much done. I really wish I could be like that ALL the time!

I am so in the mood for some greasy Korean pizza and chicken. So much so that I texted Jason to eat a light lunch and get ready for dinner!

I told two moms at Tyler's school that he won't be coming to school after September. Of course, then they wanted to know why and I told them that I have a daycare/preschool at my house. Then, whenever they saw me, they would ask me questions about it and stuff. The other day I told one mom that she is welcome to visit my place and see what is really going on. Then she said very honestly, "I would love to but I would feel so bad if we ended up not sending_____." Very honest answer, right? OMG!!! I told her that she SHOULD NEVER FEEL BAD!!! I told her that parents have a whole ton of specific things they are looking for when they look for childcare. Priorities are different for every family! For one family, a trustworthy caretaker is absolutely number one on their list. For another family, it's the physical space and the newest materials/equipment/bells & whistles they see when they first walk in. For another, it's the academic part of it while others don't care too much about the educational part just as long as they feel their child is safe and loved. Some parents want a smaller group while others prefer a larger group. And of course, cost, hours, days are factors as well. Every childcare is different and every parent is looking for what they think is important. I just felt kind of bad about what she said. I never want anyone to feel obligated to send their child to me! I would feel horrible if a relationship suffered because the other person felt bad! Dude, I just wanted to shake her and tell her I'm not that kind of person! :)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

In Fresno this past weekend, the boys and I watched the movie Up while Jason slept. (I was amazed that Chase watched 90% of it. Even I was getting bored at the end.) Anyways, in the movie, the main character had a scrapbook entitled, "Adventures to Go On." (I think that's what it said..something like that.) And during the movie, I was thinking that I should have Tyler start a scrapbook like that. So we went to Target the other day and he picked out a scrapbook. When we got home, I told him that he could put in it all the things he would like to see and do in the future just like the main character did in the movie Up. I was shocked that the first thing he said had nothing to do with trains. He said, "I would like to see the Eiffel Tower one day." So we went online, printed up a picture of the Eiffel Tower and put it on his first page. I told him that we could add to the pages whenever something else came to his mind. He seemed pretty excited to have his first scrapbook. Don't know how this little "project" will pan out....will he really add things to the other pages? Will he not come up with another adventure? hmmm... For now, I'm just happy to be his mom and to show him that, even though he is young, he can still dream about all the wild, fun things he will do one day.

(Written last Wednesday.)

Tyler cracks me up. He is growing up so fast and becoming my little helper. He still loves trains and loves making "sheds" for his train with his wooden blocks. He loves reading and loves being read to. He loves going to the park with daddy after dinner.

This morning, I sent Tyler to preschool for the first time in over two months. Monday was suppose to be his first day back after summer break but I was too sick to drive him to school. Anyways, I've given the school notice that he won't be coming back but we still had to pay a month so I'm just sending him. Anyways, this morning, while Tyler was in the other room, I asked Chase, "Since Tyler is going to school today, what should we do?" Tyler heard me and yelled, "Just don't do anything fun without me!" I thought that was such a "sibling" thing to say and it made me laugh.

Chase is a little rascal. I always want to remember:
1. When he makes his "mean" eyes. He squints his eyes when he is upset or mad and it just cracks us up!
2. When I give him something he doesn't like, he says, "I don't want it!"
3. When I take him somewhere without Tyler, he will yell and cry, "Tyler! Tyler!" It's the sweetest thing.
4. The way he says "pokey head" when he doesn't get his way. Don't know where Tyler and Chase picked this up, but they say it to us and to each other when they are unhappy.
5. The way he yells, "Mommy! Mommy!" when he wakes up from his naps.
6. Our "special" day that we had today. We went to the bookstore where he picked out two books and then we had pho together for lunch. Today was a very boring, mundane day, but I want to remember it forever. I haven't had many one on one days with Chase in the last two months so today was one of those special days for me.
7. Chase's favorite song is "Hush Little Baby." He loves being held like a baby and requests that I sing this song. I like to change the words and say silly things like, "Momma's gonna buy you a pizza. If Tyler eats your pizza, momma going to buy you a book. If you accidentally rip it, mommy gonna buy you a piece of corn." He loves it!" :)
8. How he says, "Trouble maker" to people.

Something about Tyler is very special. He was our first and every corner we took with him was awesome and amazing. With Chase, it's a different special. Knowing that he will forever be the youngest, I cherish every little thing he says and does. Every little baby giggle, baby word, and baby cry from Chase is adorable in my eyes. I want to keep him little forever!

Monday, September 21, 2009

I write this with a heavy heart this morning. We found out that Jason's 90 year old grandmother passed away last night. I will miss her. She will always stay in my head as the feisty, funny, smart, sometimes cranky woman who said all that was all her mind. I will miss her laugh, hugs, advice, and spirit. I will miss the meals she used to make for us when we visited her and always remember the first time this nervous girl met her....how fast time flies. I'm happy to know that she is not in pain anymore and that she is back in her maker's arms. I will miss her.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Dang it! I just made the boys pasta, but when I tasty it, it was too spicy. I bought SPICY tomato sauce! Reminds me of the time I gave the boys Japanese crackers. Their faces got red and they spit it out immediately. Afterwards, I realized I gave them WASABI Japanese crackers! Opps...my bad. Maybe I should read labels a little more carefully.

Off to Fresno for a weekend of relaxation, time at the spa, sushi dinner. Who am I kidding...off to Fresno for God knows what in the freakin' heat! Not looking forward to it at all! :)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I have to buy:

1. A second frig for the garage.
2. A home office photocopier, scanner, fax... Anyone know of a good, easy to use one that you could recommend?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

My first day with all six kids at once. It was fun! It was manageable!...thank God! I just have to tell myself in the future that the kids have to help me clean up at the end of the day. I had so much planned for today that the place was a total mess when the parents came to pick up their children. I shouldn't be left with an hour of cleaning up to do afterwards when I have six cute faces who could help me. I'm won't feel bad at all about having them help me...it's teaching them responsibility!

Oh, and I have to make a mental note to take pictures of what we are doing. You know, it's really a chore for me to take pics, upload them, and post them...but I really have to make a effort. There's nothing like pictures to show prospective parents of what we are doing here at oc Kinderprep!

I wish I could have a blog as creative and successful as www.wanderingchopsticks.com. I am so in awe of it! I've been writing in here for years now and I think I have a following of 10 readers. (hi y'all!) How do I up my readership and cash in like some other people have?! Like I was telling Jen the other day, if money was on the line, I would give you guys some really crazy true stories! haha.

Well, happy Tuesday! The boys are napping, I'm feeling better, and I can't wait to meet Pablo!

After a whole day in bed, I feel so much better today! whew...thank God I didn't have any students yesterday, and thank God for in-laws who came right away to watch the boys. I have two hours to get ready for my students. Too bad Chase is already awake!

Welcome to the world, Ethan Hong! (Did your parents give you a middle name?) Sorry I couldn't come visit you yesterday. I can't wait to see your cute little face!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Let's say you were invited to a party. Would you ever, I mean ever, invite someone else to a small gathering without asking the hostess first or letting the hostess know in advance? I really want to know...under what circumstances, if there is one, is that ok? Cause I would NEVER do that.

Also, let's say you're at someone's elses house and you notice with your very own eyes that your child or pet has ruined something. Would you say something to the owner letting them know that you are sorry and at least offer to replace it? Seriously, what kind of person would actually SEE it and NOT say A WORD?

I'm far from being Emily Post's poster child...but aren't some things just common courtesy?

Congrats to Allen and Liz on their marriage! They are a hip hopping, fun loving couple who live in the Bay area. Seriously, the sweetest couple. I met Allen at Cal. I give him credit for corrupting me and giving me my first drink at KoKo House. haha... Allen, thanks for helping me with my Korean homework. Should I tell everyone that you are Chinese and you were helping me??? haha...here is a video of the beautiful couple with their dance group. Allen is dressed in black and Liz is in blue. I knew Allen could dance, but who knew he COULD DANCE?!



Just got this picture from Binh (Thanks Binh!) of me and Tyler at Jen's wedding. One day, I will dance with Tyler at his wedding, and I will look back at this picture and smile.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

I don't know why I sometimes don't drink enough water throughout the day! I know so well that I feel best- energized and clear minded- on days I drink enough water. If I don't, Mr. Headache waits for me around the corner. It is a proven fact, and I still can't get myself to drink enough water on some days...make myself mad, I swear!

I realize that I could care less about fashion. I am so not into fashion. I just don't care. I just don't care what I wear. I kind of, just kind of, care that I come across presentable, but in the deep core of who I am, I don't care. I don't care if I go out to the market with sweats on...some girls would rather just die. I don't care if I go somewhere with no make up on...some girls would rather live in a cave. (Like seriously, who cares?) I don't go shopping on a regular basis. I don't peruse magazines to see what hot item I need to buy next. Though I've never cared like other girls, I think I've hit an all time low! :) Once I had Tyler and Chase, game over, man.... I have so many other things to think about and definitely so many other things to spend my money on than the newest "it" item. It got so bad at one point, my mom actually took me shopping and bought me clothes. Actually, A LOT of what I wear is from Claudia. She always gives it to me and says, "I bought it thinking I would wear it, but I'm not, so here, you could have it." I asked my mom why Claudia is always buying clothes she doesn't even wear, and my mom said, something along the lines of, "Babo-ya (Dumb girl), she doesn't. She buys them for you and just giving it to you like that." Don't know if that's true. Going to have to ask her. Anyways, I'm so NOT the girl who knows the designers by heart, who looks at an item on another person and says, "Oh, is that ______(add any designer's name here)?" So, so not me....

I went to Women of Faith and loved it. Steven Curtis Chapman was awesome. I made a mental note to teach Tyler and Chase a song. At one point, all the ladies sang, "This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine." It's such a simple song, yet so beautiful. I think I will add this song to Tyler and Chase's bedtime routine for at least this upcoming week. Chase is kind of young to understand the meaning, but I will teach Tyler that he has been given God's love in his heart and that he can give that love to everyone he meets. He is such a lovable boy that I am sure this will be an easy task for him. I was reminded today by Pastor Gibbons to work on my children's hearts, not only their minds. Good reminder for all parents, right?

Friday, September 11, 2009

Tyler cleans up his room EVERY night before he goes to bed.

Let me tell you how I got him to make this a habit. A couple of months ago, I asked him where ghosts usually hide. He said he didn't know, and I told him the attic. And then I asked him if he knew why they hide in the attic. He said he didn't know, and I told him that ghosts like messy areas because it gives them more places to hide and that attics are usually really messy. Then I told him that if he wants to keep ghosts far away from his room while he sleeps the best thing for him to do is keep it clean and free of clutter.

I didn't think that this silly little story (aka lie) would have such an impact! Oh my, since that day, he puts everything away before he goes to sleep without being asked...it's truly amazing! I mean, he seriously BELIEVES it with all his heart.

I don't condone lying to your kids but, hey, if it works....

I am so done, done, DONE with entertaining ants in our home! I am calling someone TODAY!!! This is getting out of control, and I'm so aggravated right now. The ants today weren't even after FOOD! They were making trails from cracks to cracks around the house! It just disgusts me because I have better things to do with my time than clean up dead ants. Like, I could be READING with Tyler for cryin' out loud. I can't believe that we thought we would save a MEASLY $75 by taking "care" of the ant problem ourselves. It's like, you add up the Orange Guard, outside spray, paper towels, and the TIME it takes to deal with these ants, and $75 is NOTHING!

You know I'm at my wit's end when I start capitalizing words on my posts! :)

So, today I went to the Newsong's Moms Kick Off, and of course, loved it. I'm even thinking about making the preschool Monday and Wednesday only, not Monday, Wednesday, and Friday so I could spend Fridays at moms group. Will have to think about this weekend.

I'm at Women of Faith tonight and Saturday with Claudia.... Have a great weekend!

(Hello Juna! Can't believe how big Milo got! She is adorable! :)

Thursday, September 10, 2009

People ask you for all sort of things when you own a childcare business. One lady called me and ask me if I would watch her kid for free until she "got back on her feet." She told me a sob story of being out of work and being a single mom. I really did feel for her, but at the end, I was glad that I had a helluva good excuse to get myself out of it. Then, of course, you get all money issues. "Can you reduce the tuition a bit?" DUDE! My place is really cheap. (I went from being really expensive to being really cheap overnight! Don't know how that happened- I'm just so rash when it comes to these things. I need to slow down before I make such decisions!) And, there are parents who ask for odd hours/days and special this and that.

I'm learning to have a thick skin. Through this process, I know I will.

You know what show is just plain disturbing? Toddlers and Tiaras. Have you seen it? It's so sad! OMG, those parents are freakin' messed up. To see children CRY because they are getting self tanning done to them is so wrong- wrong on so many levels. Those parents need to get their heads checked because something is surely missing.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

I think I just found my dream job. Today, two more kids came and I had fun with them! They were awesome kids and they played so well with Tyler and Chase. In a way, I felt weird taking money from their mom when she came to pick them up because I had fun too! :) This is seriously turning out to be my dream job, from not having to get all "dressed up" to go to work to ending my "work" day at 1:00. So, I guess it's absolutely true that when you do something you love, it doesn't feel like work. I can't wait till licensing, insurance, and all necessary paperwork is set because I will feel that much more settled when it is. Oh, and it might help if more children enroll! Not that I thought I would be profitable in my first month, but dang, I would love a full house! :)

There is one thing I will miss though. I will seriously miss going to my Newsong Church's Friday mom's group. I will miss it sooo much. I always had fun when I went to mom's group. Always. I always left feeling so revived and energized. I always left inspired be a better mom and better wife. I learned so much from the other moms...all of them are so wonderful and I will miss spending time with them on a weekly basis.

It's funny how parents use other kids to compare their own kids to. Yesterday, the two boys that came were both older than Chase but Chase was speaking a lot more than them so I was like, "Yeah, he is doing great!" Today, the younger boy's speech was AMAZING!!! I mean, he was speaking in full on, clear descriptive sentences, like he was three when he is only two! Now, I feel like I have so much work to do with Chase! Better get to it!

Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Thanks to all of you who called, emailed, and texted me today. Wow! I was overwhelmed and surprised by all the well-wishing I got today! :)

Today was great! One boy didn't cry at all and the other cried for only about five minutes. After that, it was smoothly sailing. The boys all played together, we did art, read some books together, ate snack and lunch. I didn't do any real curriculum today because I wanted to give them some time to feel comfortable here, and I also wanted to get to know them a little better. Chase seemed really happy to have friends and Tyler liked being called my "assistant." It just seemed like we were having a structured play date at my house and getting paid for it! :) I'm so happy that I finally decided on ending at 1:00 instead of 6:00. I get to do what I love but not let it take over my life. It's like working part time, and it's perfect for me right now.

Tomorrow I have two kids (a brother and sister) who are coming to check out the place. I am hoping this works out because the older child is 4, which is perfect cause I would love for Tyler to have a playmate the same age as he is.

Well, all is well so far. Jason said that the real test will be when I have all six kids at once. I will be nervous about that too!

Seriously, thanks again for all your support! It means so much! :)

It is 7:50. My first kids will be arriving in about 30 minutes. I know I have NOTHING to worry about, but I'm still nervous!! I realize that I kind of like this feeling, as uncomfortable as it may be. It makes me feel like I'm going out of the box and doing something that I might grow and learn from. Wish me luck!!!

Monday, September 07, 2009

Hello all! It is 2:45 in the morning. I should be sleeping, but I'm up getting some paperwork done for the "school." I started a blog for my preschool to post some information for interested parents. So far, I've just posted 5 pictures of the school. The blog will be a work in progress and I will add, delete, change until I am happy with it. Oh, and I decided to change the name to OC Kinderprep. I'm catering to ages 3-4, getting them ready for kindergarten and beyond. Check it out! :)

www.ockinderprep.blogspot.com

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Some pics of the boys! I pray they will be best friends for life....

In 20 years they will be....

Dancing....

Working towards becoming surgeons?

Or clowns?

They will definitely be eating up a storm!

And still be looking like twins!

Learning together....(Here they are looking at butterflies!)

Will mommy still be dressing them the same? Let's hope not!

Horsing around....

Will always be watching each other's backs and making sure the other one is ok.

I love, love, LOVE this song. The first time I heard it, I actually cried thinking of my boys. Isn't it just the sweetest song from a mommy to her child?

Friday, September 04, 2009

Ok, I'm on a roll! :) I found another oldie, but goodie...



Such a classic. I still love this song.

Since I'm looking up songs on youtube, I thought I would share one more. Do you guys remember this one? Depeche Mode's Somebody. Do you remember the first time you heard it and thinking it was the weirdest song because the guy sounds like he is talking, not singing? And then you listened to it a couple more times, starting memorizing the lyrics and kind of started liking it, and then when it came on, everyone sang it together, (except all the girls changes "she" to "he.") Such a bonding song to sing together.... good times.

You know what song I like? Paper planes by M.I.A. The tune is catchy and I think it's very original. I honestly don't know what the song is about...haha.. it's very gangsta...just like me. haha.



Here is the song in Slumdog Millionaire, my fav movie from last year.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Hey there. The boys are napping and I'm listening to some of my favorite songs on youtube, love the quietness of these times since I don't get it often. I love the stillness in the air.

Maybe some of you saw my facebook post, but I've been thinking that there is one person I would love to find and talk to. I don't know how I would find her, but if I ever did come face to face, I would tell her that she was a great friend and that I have so many memories with her...that she helped shape me and that I loved laughing with her and growing up with her in our formative years. I would just say thank you to her for being a part of my life since I know that I never got a chance to tell her that.

My big baby's birthday is coming up this Sunday. Big baby= Jason. haha. I always tell myself that I will post more about Jason. He is an engima to most, but I know him through and through. I think it's a shame that more people won't get to know him the way I do because he is one amazing guy. Happy early birthday, honey! (side note: he will never read this because Jason never reads my blog! He says he gets enough of my "yapping" face to face, so he doesn't have to read it! haha)

Happy Thursday... looking forward to a three day weekend with my boys!

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Yay!! I think I'm at full capacity for Tuesdays and Thursdays! I have four students enrolled for Tuesdays and Thursday so, with Tyler and Chase, that makes six! Well, I say "think" because I am yet to get a signed contract from them. (That's my bad. I'm totally behind in geting my paperwork done.) But I told them I would send it to them at latest Sunday night and they are to bring it to me when they drop off their kids. Two kids will be starting September 8th and two siblings will be starting September 15th. (I decided to space it out so it won't be too crazy here with all of thh kids starting at one time.) Getting excited! :) Openings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.... let people know please! You get a referral gift if you refer someone! :P

I'm having such a good day. I chatted with an old friend online and then I get to hang out with my old friend tonight! I'm so happy!!!!