1/30/2013 - Super Hero Love

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So thankful we are raising boys that like to be super heros. They want to be the good guy. Finn lately is really obsessed with Transformers. But I like that he differentiates between good and evil and always leans towards to the good side. So far, he doesn't get violent with his toys, but I am sure it is coming. Hope they continue to be pacifist super heros as they grow up.

1/29/2013 - Gramps on duty

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The kids and I got some QT with the Gramps while Papa got the same with Nana. We all got a delicious home cooked meal and lots of fun times.

1/28/2013 - Hipsters

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Nana and Gramps watched the kids tonight so that Jesse and I could get a date night out without the kiddos. We headed to a lovely dinner at Flora. The meal was excellent, as was the company. Then we ended the night at Era Art Bar with a night cap. Such a cool bar. I forget how much I love the vibe of a cool bar. We were parents pretending to be hipsters tonight. It felt funny and cool.

1/27/2013 - 2 years old

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My goodness, where did the time go? My baby boy just turned 2 today. We celebrated with an outing to Barnes & Noble (AKA the Train Table) and dinner out at Fuddruckers. We ended the night with ice cream for the whole family. Fun family day with my boys!

1/26/2013 - Birthday Boy Liam

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Liam's birthday party was today. Baachan provided the most delicious Thomas the Train cake. We also created an ice cream social with a beautiful array of toppings and goodies. It was a huge hit of a party because the birthday boy really enjoyed himself. Our house was packed with family, friends and neighbors. Such a nice way to celebrate our little Li!

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1/25/2013 - Magic Liam

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Today, when Finn got his standard weekly allowance, Gramps provided Liam with his first allowance of a dollar. He proceeded to hilariously rub it all over his body and stick it on his chest. Managed to capture this moment right before he ran off to crazily dance around the room again.

1/24/2013 - Uncle Love

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Admittedly, this picture is really really blurry and hard to make out. The boys have been so crazy happy to have their Nana, Gramps and Uncle Awesome visiting them. Liam is tackling his Uncle and being his generally rambunctious self, while Finn is begging for him to play with him and read to him. Their lovely and distinct personalities always shine through. Having a great time with Kelseys.

1/23/2013 - Different personalities

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Let me set the scene. Finn and Liam are about to pose for a picture. Finn is holding his big cheesy grin. He puts his arm around Liam. Liam leans his head over to Finn's chest to seemingly snuggle with his big bro. Then he reaches for his sippy cup of milk and pushes his brother out of the way. I love them both for different reasons. I love the obedient sweetness of Finny. I love the singleminded determination of Liam. They both own qualities that I admire so much. And they are so darn cute.

1/22/2013 - Mid Week Drinks

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With the in laws in town, I went out for midweek drinks with Jesse and his brother. I honestly can't remember the last time I went out to dinner and drinks in the middle of a week. I am slightly out of it, being that I rarely drink anymore. The two cocktails left me with slight insomnia, but I slogged through a workout this morning and sweated out some of the vodka. Nice little treat. I made it home in time to snuggle a Finn to sleep.

1/21/2013 - Family Pic

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The family is home from Mendocino. We had a chill night at home with Barney's Takeout. Yum! Nice to have some time to relax and catch up with everyone!

1/20/2013 - No pic just words

Uggh, it has been a weekend. While the family was off relaxing in Mendocino, I chose to stay back for various family reasons. Everything is good now, but since Friday, life has been rather stressful. Be thankful for your health people.

1/19/2013 - Solo Saturday Night

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Though most parents who have a child free Saturday night would be drinking and partying it up, I am drinking water, getting a 2nd workout in and posting on my blogt. I really need to get my priorities straight. One of those priorities is to get some good sleep tonight so I can wake up tomorrow and get another good workout in. Kidfree and taking advantage of it.

1/18/2013 - Early Pick Up

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Kids got picked up early from school today. After a really long and exhausting week for various random reasons, I picked the kids up early and took them to frozen yogurt. It seemed like a good end to the craziest week that I have had in a long while. Both boys were allowed to pick out whatever goodies they wanted in their yogurt and were able to indulge. We headed to papa's office to pick him up from work. The kids love heading into both of our offices. They are two little charmers.

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1/17/2013 - Papa Day

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Everyone has been slightly sick lately. My parents usually watch the kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but mom was ill with the flu, so Jesse opted to stay home with them to give Baachan some time to recover. The boys had a fun day together. Jesse captured this perfect moment of the two buddies and sent it to me at work. It gave everyone a big smile to see their happy faces.

1/16/2013 - Growing too fast

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I remember a point when they kids were in an in between stage and I felt this anxious feeling for them to grow into the next stage. For example, when they were not crawling, I eagerly awaited the crawling stage and then the walking stage and then the running stage. Now I find as they both get older, I crave the days when they were littler. They are growing up so quickly before my eyes and i want to savor every moment. I love that Finn is still into cozy footie pjs. They make me feel like he is still a little boy. I mean, he is a little boy, but he is growing up so quickly, sometimes he feels like a little man to me.

1/15/2013 - Plays well with others

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My boys love their cousin. I love how they just can immediately jump into playtime together like no time has passed. They are soaking in all the QT they can get this week before K & K leave for home on Friday morning. Such good buddies already.

1/14/2013 - Sweetness

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Isn't he just beautiful? I look at his big smiley eyes and beautiful large grin and he melts my heart every time. I feel so lucky to have such lovely (both inside and out) kids that bring a smile to my face every day. He's just too sweet.

1/13/2013 - BFF

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I spent all day yesterday trying to get the cousins to pose together smiling and I finally managed to capture it! Love love love!

1/12/2013 - Cousin Time

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We spent the day in San Ramon so the kids could have playtime with their cousin. We had some good indoor playtime and some outdoor playtime at the local elementary school. Everyone had a blast.

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I love that they get along so well!

1/11/2013 - Bright eyes

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I love Friday nights. They represent the end of a long week of work and school and the start of a weekend. I love going out to eat on Fridays to kick off a couple days of break. We headed out to Barney's again because of Finn's love of the Chicken Tenders and came home to relax. I captured this pic of Liam with him sitting on top of me while I lazed around browsing my smartphone. It actually captured him so well. He has been so sweet and communicative lately. I love it.

1/10/2012 - LIttle Treats

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Little treat of mini drumsticks from Trader Joes. Delicious mini treats. Wish I could eat about 5 of them, but 1 will do.

1/9/2013 - My boys

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Jesse got home a little early from work, so we took this as a opportunity to head out to eat for dinner. Finn requested Barney's. He must be psychic because my brain was screaming hamburger as soon as we decided to head out to eat. We had a delicious and entertaining dinner. Both of the boys wanted to sit next to me, so I ate my dinner quickly while holding a busy Liam who couldn't sit still. I love that my little ones love me enough to fight to sit next to me a dinnertime. They make me the happiest person.

1/8/2013 - Man in Motion

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Liam is constantly in motion. Sometimes it is a wild frenzy. Sometimes it is a wild dance. Other times it is an angry stomp. The one thing that is true is that he is always moving. Tonight after a 3 hour nap, he was full of happy energy. As he stood on the kitchen chair eating his dinner, I attempted to capture his joy and through the blurriness you can see it. Just loving his happy energy. Wish I could steal some for myself!

1/7/2013 - Cutie bootie

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I bought a really cute pair of boots today. They made me so happy. I have been searching for the perfect knee high boots for decades. I took a picture of them intending to use them as my picture of the day, but Finny wanted to be in a picture with my boots, so I happily obliged. You can't really see the boots, but you can see a beautiful and cute little boy who is recovering slowly but surely from his bronchitis.

1/6/2013 - Capturing the sky

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Lately, the sky has looked absolutely epic. And every time I noticed it recently, it has been while I have been driving. No way to ever take a picture while driving. So finally, tonight while outside with the kids, I caught the sky. I tried to get a good picture of it, but I just couldn't capture how beautiful it looked. Just got to try to capture it in my head.

1/5/2013 - Cousin Brunch Fun

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Fun reunion with the Hoshidas today for a yummy brunch. The kids enjoyed each other's company immensely.

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The adults enjoyed each other as well! So much fun to have some bonding time with everyone!

1/4/2013 - Baachan/Jiichan Love

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Though I appreciate day care for all of the life lessons it teaches the kids (sharing, patience, friendshi), I don't think my kids would be as sweet and happy of human beings if they didn't spend 2 days a week in the care of their grandparents. I truly believe that my kids are happier and more loving because of all of the love and attention that is poured upon them every Tuesday and Thursday by Baachan and Jiichan. Yes, they are doted upon and spoiled with their choice of toys to play with. They are given the ability to choose their snacks and lunch meal on those days, but I don't think that it has made them spoiled boys. I think it has just shone them what love is. Love is rubbing their back while they try to fall asleep through intermittent coughing. Love is reading them stories in the bathroom while they go to the potty. Love is reviewing every barn yard animal and the sound that they make. I appreciate them so much and hope that they know how valuaable we consider them and how valuable the boys consider them as well.

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1/3/2013 - Brother Time

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The boys were separated today. Jesse stayed home with Finny so we could get his cough checked out at the doctors. Liam went solo to Baachan and Jiichan's place. I think that they must have missed each other tremendously, because they were playing so well together tonight.

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It was also noticeable that Liam was a happier boy with his alone time with B & J. I am sure that Finny relished his solo time with Papa. It's good to have time apart to appreciate being together.

1/2/2013 - Junior Photographer

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Finn loves his new camera. He wants to join in on the photo of the day fun. I love that he is getting really creative. Here is Finn's perspective of me!

1/1/2013 - Zoo Day

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For Christmas this year, we received an Oakland Zoo Membership from the Nana and the Gramps. I had been given money to buy a membership for my birthday and just never followed through with it, so this was a great present! We spent the first day of 2013 strolling around the zoo freezing our bums off, but having a blast. The kids thoroughly enjoyed seeing the animals after months of not visiting the zoo.

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The zoo train is always a winner with these boys.

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Such a fun little adventure to start off our new year! Looking forward to lots more adventures to come in 2013.

12/31/2012 - Visit from Uncle Joshu

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Uncle Joshu came to visit and stay with us for a couple of days. We had a New Year's Eve dinner of Laotian food and not too much partying. The kids seem to have taken to him very quickly, which is no surprising. Nice to have visits from so many of our friends that live so far away.