let's play!

One day, I would like to remember my children like this: with random Little People toys on the floor, Tak destroying what the girls are playing with, and sweet, innocent expressions for the camera.

Diana...with beautiful long hair (quite the process to wash it and brush it and fix it everyday). Last week (Jan. 28th), we attended her Kindergraten Open House Night. Crazy and weird. Is she already old enough? Am I that old? Let's get one thing clear: I love school and education. Very passionate about it, actually. So, if I secretly shed tears when Diana goes to school...rest assured they will be tears of joy...(although it will be a bittersweet moment).

Maria...very sweet, but very sneaky and naughty. After months of trying...and as of January 2009...SHE IS POTTY-TRAINED!!! Phew! I take all the credit (hahaha). She is so stubborn! And may I add very stubborn. Luckily, I double-majored in Psychology so I have paid extra attention to her behaviors and know how to more-or-less break down her stubborn-tendencies. For example...she would not wear Diana's hand-me-downs...until I gave her a choice between wearing Diana's "old" clothes or Tak's clothes. Another example...she insists on placing herself dangerouly close to the stovetop when I'm cooking. I undestand that she is fascinated by the whole cooking thing, but she insists on wanting to handle all the (hot!) pots and pans...so I warn her that she may burn herself because they are hot. Of course, that's not going to get thru to her, so I tell her that I will speed up the learning process by placing her hand on the actual pot so that she can burn her hand. This of course doesn't sound fun, so she finally takes me seriously. This may sound mean, but it's the only way to get her to re-evaluate her actions...oh, the joys.
But, this little girl has the cutest little singing voice ever. Love hearing her sing...and she loves to sing!

Takaru is 9 months old...and nowadays, he doesn't just walk, he runs! His favorite food is anything edible (hahaha) and he loves wrestling with dad. Seriously, he is one cute little boy. Love him to death. Hate waking up so many times at night with him, but love the little guy to pieces. He can say "dada" and "mama" ...and if you grunt like an animal or like a monster, he'll grunt back at you! Sooo cute!