07.06.09
Beach Trip 2009
We had a lovely time with the Chao family at Carolina Beach the past week. Thanks to KC#1 who swims like a fish since she was three, Maddy learned how to breathe.
06.08.09
National Music Certification Prep A Exam
Ever since Maddy started to learn piano, I had realized that music is one of the gift God has given to her. She gets the theories (albeit sometimes it takes a long time), and she plays the music like music. Her sight reading is one of the best amongst her age. It just comes naturally to her.
However, I was still worried when her piano teacher suggested that we enrolled her into the National Music Certification Exam. After all, it is not a required activity in her music “career”. I did it anyway thinking that worst comes worst we just don’t go.
I can’t say that I was totally comfortable with her preparation. She didn’t start practicing the three required pieces until the test was less than four weeks away (although two of them were old songs done a while back). We started the ear training late. I told Maddy that she did not have to play the pieces by memory (although she somewhat memorized them) since I rather her play the pieces well than play broken pieces by memory.
Apparently the judge just left the music books by the side table. According to the girl “I didn’t want to upset him so I just played my songs”. “How about the clap back and play back part?” I asked her (she had the clap back part down but iffy on the play back part). “oh, it was easy”. “and the sight reading?” “what?” “the new music the judge asked you to play?” “oh, it was easy too” She was out less than 10 minutes if that.
We got her result two days ago: “First Class Honor with Distinction”. To be honest, I don’t really know exactly what that means, but it sounds like she got a high mark. I am grateful that she finds confidence in music (something I can definitely help her with), and I hope that she never loses the joy in having music in her life!!
05.31.09
Kindergarten Year
It’s been a wonderful kindergarten year for Madison. The journey is everything I had envisioned (and better), and I couldn’t be more grateful of how this school year went.
A few things that are important to me
1. Experienced teachers who know all the education ‘theories’ AND love kids. Mrs. Buckner and Mrs. McCarthy are two teachers I wish I can HOG for the rest of Maddy’s learning years. Their activities are child-centered, thought provoking, purposeful, and consistent. They can turn every minute into a learning moment and their patience is beyond human understanding.
2. High parental involvement. I can’t say enough about how much I believe a successful education environment is built on committed teachers and parents. It’s been a fun year getting to know other parents during center time as well as on the field trips.
3. I am more than grateful to have a job that gives me the flexibility to be able to volunteer in Maddy’s class. It’s wonderful to have gotten to know each of them (all 23 of them. Well, maybe just 21, but that is another story and why I should not be a teacher)
This year has flown by so fast. First grade, here we come!!
05.22.09
A lesson on sharing
Staring at daddy’s green onion pancake wrap-
daddy: Do you want more
Livy: yea.
Daddy cut his wrap into two and about to give one to the little girl-
Livy: Why you have the big one?
me: Daddy is bigger. Let him have the big one.
Livy: no. I want it.
And so life goes on with one daddy being hungry this morning. Next time, daddy will be smart to cut his pancake in equal halves!
05.21.09
In God we trust
The weather was gorgeous outside, and I decided to take the girls on a ‘treasure hunt’. Instead of walking home by the regular sidewalk, we ventured off to the buffer zone behind the houses. We were set to hunt for caterpillars, ladybugs, and bunnies if we get lucky.
We had to cross this little creek area filled with retaining stones. I carried Livy because I didn’t think she’ll be able to make it across without getting her shoes wet (which is not a terrible thing by itself. However, if she gets her shoes wet, she’ll whine and whine and request to be carried for the rest of the way home, and that is not good for me). I was a bit slow simply because the little girl is no longer the lightest thing in the world, and I didn’t want to drop the new camera.
Maddy, already crossed over by this time, thought that I was having trouble and screamed on the top of her lungs:
“Mommy, don’t be afraid. Jesus is with you. You will be ok. Remember Jesus is with you!!”
She yelled so loud I felt slightly embarrassed. Not because I thought she said anything wrong, but I was really hoping God didn’t really think I needed help there. I suppose He knows that, and I think He is delighted to know that one little girl in this household knows where to put her trust!!
Incomplete deal
Livy has been waking up in the middle of the night screaming for me. At first I thought she is coming down with something since she usually sleeps through night, but last night I realized that I am just her midnight transportation to the potty.
When she turned three last month, I had to compromise and made a deal with her-
Livy: I can’ wear a pull-up.
Me: Why not?
Livy: I am three.
Me: If you don’t wear a pull up at night, you have to wake up and pee pee in the toilet. If you pee pee in bed, then you have to go back to wear pull up.
Livy: ok.
I need to have a talk with that child who repeatedly outwits me and clarify that in the process of her going potty in the middle of the night, mommy does not want to be notified.
04.27.09
Maddy’s piano recital
Maddy had her piano recital this past Sat. It is such a delight to watch her. She’s been practicing the piece for a little over a month, and about a week and a half ago, she had the song memorized by heart. I knew she would be ok since that day: that her performance can go auto-pilot even if she gets nervous on stage.
Our usually shy and introverted child went up the stage poised and calm, totally out of her usual characters. She beamed with confidence and moved on with ease even after she hit the few mistakes. I had butterflies in my stomach from the beginning of the recital to the end of her performance (which is a long time because she was the 4th last performer)
Livy is Three
The little girl turned three on Tuesday. We had a little ice cream cake for her on her birthday, and a birthday party with mostly her preschool classmates on Sat.
04.16.09
She really is sweet
During bedtime routine-
Maddy: mommy, what are you going to make tomorrow for breakfast?
me: hmm.. what would you like me to make?
Maddy: Well, maybe I can make breakfast since you’re not feeling well.
me: Oh that is so sweet of you. What are you going to make?
Maddy: How about pop tarts, strawberries, and milk, and you don’t have to make breakfast.
04.08.09
On different frequencies
On the way to school, the radio lady announced “President Obama… the Iraqis..”
Livy: Why did she say Iraqis?
me: Iraq is a country, like China is a country and USA is a country.
Livy: huh?
me: Iraqis are people of Iraq
Livy: and they fly to the sky?
me: ????
me: oh.. no Livy. Not ROCKET. I-RAQIS 
03.25.09
Family Vacation
Joe turned 40 years old this year, and we decided to take a big family trip down to Disney World. I suppose a Disney trip is not exactly the best gift for a man turning 40, but he’s always a good sport about things I want, so off we went.
The townhome we rented was luxurious!! It is only one exit off the Magic Kingdom. The three bedrooms/three bathrooms and its beautiful playground and pool made it such a dream vacation home for us. It is so spacious I didn’t mind doing the laundry very day.
We got the 6 day pass staying in Disney Parks. It was the most economical choice and frankly we wouldn’t have done it any other way. We spent a few hours each morning in one park, went home in the afternoon to hang out by the pool, took naps and either played in the playground or went to Downtown Disney.
There was this DJ who is by far the best DJ I’ve seen. He got Maddy to go up and danced up a storm. The introvert girl would not try anything un-familiar in public, asked to go back to Downtown Disney so she can join the show.
Despite the spring break crowd and one hot day, we had a lovely week!! We even got to watch the launch of Discovery, although it didn’t really impress the girls that much.
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