[day 2] the power of play

Today was extremely exhausting. We had our show and tell at our boy’s private Montessori school. The purpose of this was to get to understand what our boys are learning and how they’ve developed these past five months. Since Dylan is the second child, the teacher thought it was imperative to assign him first. His appointment was 10:40 a.m. for an hour. Then, Aiden had his at 1:00 p.m.

Dylan is improving in his language and motor skills development. I like how the program uses the power of play to incorporate techniques such as holding a pencil properly. Dylan was building these blocks for me from biggest to smallest, but they had to match it in order to be stacked up higher. The higher he went, the smaller the block gets and by getting smaller, it would eventually teach him to hold his pencil correctly. Then, he showed me the number system. He would trace the number with his fingers and then add the amount of beads to that number he just traced. Besides his short time of showing me what he was able to learn, I was shocked that he knew the five oceans.

Aiden is advancing faster than I ever would expect. I consider him a strategic person. Ever since he was 3, he was so good at playing video games even though he was limited to playing it at either his aunt meow’s house or at home. He was always a whiz at figuring out puzzle. And now he’s building his own Lego pieces together by reading the manual. At school, he was able to show me his reading, spelling, and math skills. Based on my observation of his schoolwork today, it made me realize why he does what he does. It’s the way the program taught him to think by utilizing the power of play. He incorporates what he learns in school and applies it to his every day life at home.

I spend a good amount of time with each of my boys by teaching them their Kumon books at home every week (probably 20 minutes a day a few times) and of course, i encourage reading (you should know why). However, I spend the majority of my time interacting and engaging in imaginative play with them because I believe this would prepare them for academic and social success. Play helps fosters healthy and social development and it will contribute to the literature of how my boys learn (in my opinion). I let them be kids. I’m not looking for them to be the top of their graduating class and to push them so hard – but rather guide them to make the right choices in life and be proud of the efforts they put into their work by gaining knowledge. Knowledge is the key - I don't care what pace they learn it as long as they eventually get it in the end.

As I sat to watch each of my boys today, I continue to feel blessed and thank the Lord for giving me such  beautiful gifts in life. It almost made me cry to watch them because deep down inside I felt proud. I’m proud of my boys. I’m challenged as a mom in so many ways and I do try. I’m trying to give it my all. Believe it or not, it's evident in their actions that makes me know I'm doing just fine. 

Love my boys. XOXO.

[day 1] just us. park day

People never see this side of my kids. Depending on who they’re with, they can be extremely wild and free. They’re really shy in the beginning and can eventually warm up to love you and drive you nuts. I have to admit, both my two oldest have a good heart in different ways. Every parent has their own ways of raising up their kids and this is my way. I should really say “our” way because it’s a two team effort between papa dang and me. We’ve definitely taught them the meaning of love (see video).

Today, I decided to take our boys to the park after they had their breakfast and took their bath. It was just us since Papa normally works on Saturday until 1 p.m. I always manage to take the three of them out because the two oldest can listen and follow my many commands. I always find it easier to watch them when it’s just us since they’re always on their best behavior because they want to go out somewhere.

Evan loves the swings. Aiden and Dylan love playing together. That’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever invested in – that is, having our kids close in age. They love riding their scooters or skateboards together and today, they’ve elected to bring their scooter to the park.

Anyways, here’s a small clip of them on the swing together that I captured while pushing Evan on the swing (which you can’t see).  They’re bilingual so if you don’t understand Vietnamese, you won’t understand their conversation. No worries, I’ve translated it for you:

Aiden: If you keep swinging like that, you’re going to get hurt and your head will break.

Aiden: Do you want to sit on the swing like me? I'll push you. Do you want to?

Dylan: Yah.

Aiden: Do you want to? Do you want me to push you Dylan?

Dylan: Yes (screams)

This is the best part of being a mom. It made me happy to see that Aiden cared for his brother (granted, they can get on each other nerves, too). But in all honesty, this is not the typical conversation you’ll hear from a 4-year old. It’s their relationship and bond. I’m so proud of the person they’re becoming and hope it continues to be good with our support and love.

Love my boys. XOXO.

Friday Randomness

Being a mom is real work. I’m talking total business. I have a hard time asking for help because I always knew it’s my job to nurture, guide, support, and most of all love my boys in a way that no one can. Some days, I could have an irrational frustration, which consists of yelling, but then again, I know deep down it’s not constructive to do such a thing, but hey, maybe my buttons were pushed. I know you’ve experienced it before and perhaps, never to my level.  It doesn’t happen frequently. It’s hard when I ask my boys not to tease or do certain things, but they test their limits as well and would go to the extreme (at least they learn) for the most part to not do it again. They have their good and bad days just like we do and will eventually return to their submissive state within a blink of an eye.

People always wonder how I do it and let me tell you, it’s tough. I don’t know how I do it, but it has to do with being patient and mostly on the job-training (I am heading towards my fourth child). Of course, it comes with a variety skill set that is required. Mothers shouldn’t be mothers if they don’t know what the true meaning is of being a mother.  Don’t you agree?

I’ve grown as a person because of my boys.  They’ve brought something different in my life (it comes with pain), but most of all they brought me more than just my happiness. It’s my job to make sure I do what’s right for them and it’s a testament to love that we stick together through it all because we’re like peanut butter and jelly.  I KNOW…. we’re an awesome family.

So ultimately being an exceptional mom is what I strive to be and hopefully it’s evidenced in their behavior as I continue to pass on important life skills to them. Remember, everyone should do what they love to do – for me, I love doing many things that consists of photography, cleaning, making crafts, blogging, reading, creating babies (haha), etc. And while these create a sense of contentment with a boost of energy because I’m enjoying it, I tend to involve my boys in them. It’s my way of building a relationship with them.

I’m going to start the 365 days project soon. I wonder if I can do it. Well, I know I can. Stay tuned.

P.S. 15 more weeks to go before Baby Batman Jr. arrives.

Have a wonderful Friday. XOXO

Friday Randomness

my life during the weekdays are lived through my iPhone except i haven't had the chance to upload some the pictures and i'm extremely lazy to walk over to my bed to do it. plus, i hate posting blogs without pictures so, instead, i selected images i've saved in a folder off the computer. this week has been interesting and exhausting. i feel extremely relief now that the audit at work is completed. i feel like a free woman again. 

my boys had the stomach flu this week. imagine, puke galore for two days! it was such a great sight, plus papa dang had to join them as well. i'm thankful evan wasn't sick, but i was expecting him to get hit with the virus, but luckily he didn't come down with it in the end. the little man is hooked on veggie tales. it's the only cartoon he would set his eyes on. i know, that was quite random.

i'm looking forward to the weekend. i want to do a holiday shoot for my boys and hopefully, i'll have time to squeeze in 30 minutes to capture something for them. they're always full of spunk and so easy to capture. i normally take no more than 15 minutes with them. i hardly ever pose them and let them be free. it's a passion for me to capture them through my lens. i encourage all moms to make memories of their kids or life. photography allows me to find that creativity and beauty that happens somewhere in between my crazy life as being a mom.

i live life always trying to create something. it needs to be interesting once in awhile. 

anyways, i hope you're looking forward to the holiday because i sure am!

love my boys, xoxo.

Week 17

I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to know the gender, but perhaps, it was too early to even detect. I read so many online articles and spent numerous hours in bed trying to determine if this pregnancy was at all different than the others. What I really want to say is, I read everything to believe that I was having a little girl. I didn’t vomit. I craved sweets. I just felt nauseous. I eat like there’s no tomorrow. Surprisingly, I’ve only gained a whopping 9 lbs and already feel like a dinosaur.

About a month ago, we went to one of those 3D/4 D ultrasound places to see if they can perform a gender determination on our little bean. The technician didn’t appear to have the ultrasound sonographer skills I was looking for, but for $25 dollars, I figured “why not”. The only reason why I felt that way is because she kept asking for assistance – maybe she was in training – beats me. The entire time my umbilical cord was blocking the private and prevented a nice clear view of the bottom. She had me jump and walked for a few minutes. As I lay back down, she determined it could possibly be a “boy”. Whaaaa? Really? It’s hard to fathom that I’m having another boy, which I know I’ll end up loving in the end, but wow, what are the odds of having four boys in a row.

I went home and have analyzed the sonogram to the tee. For the first time compared to my other three pregnancies, I actually have hope; hope that I am carrying a little princess. We will find out on December 13^th for sure and I can prepare for baby #4, my last and final baby. I’m excited and nervous at the same time!  I still can’t believe I’m going to be a mom to my 4^th child!

So, how do I feel right now? Fabulous, but there are days where I’m tired, which is fine!

Love my boys. Xoxo.

The Love of My Life

wow, it has been such a long time since i've blogged. i've had my up's and down's because of my pregnancy, but i feel that my morning sickness is long gone (knock on woods) and now it's time to revert back to the good old days!

there are so many things that i want to document and talk about from my every day challenges of being a working mom, sister, and of course, being a wife to my husband. anyways, i've realized with this pregnancy that regardless if it's a "boy", i am ready to call it quits. as much as i love being pregnant and having such a big family, i need to open up a new chapter in my life where i'm not ALWAYS pregnant. if you haven't noticed, i've been pregnant every other year for the past 5 years. my body has taken a toll and i've reached my the highest level of exhaustion anyone could ever imagine, but i'm still going on strong because i love my kids and family to death! i honestly put 110% effort in spending quality time with them. i don't want to fail as a mother. i can't always do things for myself and do allocate certain time out of the day, BUT the majority of my time is dedicated to my family. i believe it's important to teach the core value of family right from the beginning. i vow to make this a point. we are one family and will always stick together as one. 

love my boys. xoxo.

p.s. look at how fast they're growing up. 

meet aiden my 4-year old perfectionist, game/puzzle nerd,
dylan my 3-year old chef,
and...
baby evan my 10-month old eater and mellow jello!

Dear Santa

OK – I’ve convinced my boys that Santa existed and maybe to some parents, this may be wrong. That’s the beauty of being parents because you have the ability to choose how you should raise up your child. In our household, we believe that it’s important to allow our boys to use their imagination and creativity since they’re so young and add a little magic in their life as long as possible! Santa is a fun way to celebrate the season and it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa.

Honestly, there was a real Santa and if my boys ever decide to ask me one day, I would tell them his name is Saint Nicholas and he was serving Jesus in a way that all mankind should. He gave children presents and he was real – sometimes people don’t have to be dressed and look like Santa to be Santa –

I love that my boys know it’s Christmas and everywhere we go – they would point out “mom, Christmas”, “mom, Santa”, “mom, look”, “mom, when is Santa coming. Does he know I’m good”….

We had Aiden write a letter to Santa again this year. He decided to get fancy and switch marker colors with every single letter. Papa Dang was a little irritated over the fact that I agreed to let him write the letter when it was past his bedtime. I made a promise that I wouldn’t dare to break. I know, I messed up, but still, I couldn’t break his heart.

Honestly, it was taking Aiden forever since he’s a perfectionist. He would open one marker, cap it to the back, write, then recap it, and picks up the next color. He did that several times before we told him to leave all the markers cap open and pick the colors he want to use next. It was hilarious.

Here’s a video that was capture that night:

If you watch it – Aiden is bilingual and speaks Vietnamese and English. He speaks mostly in Vietnamese to his brothers. You can hear Dylan in the background asking for help then approaches his brother. Aiden tells him he’s writing and he did it all by himself and if Dylan needed help he would show him. Dylan said he didn’t know how and Aiden agreed to assist. They’re SOOOOOOO cute, I love hearing them talk.

Love my boys. XOXO.