2011 Family Photo Shoot: Natalie Young

By MAGGIE WANG

I got super excited when I heard that Natalie Young was doing another family day. I've been waiting for this for two years so despite an already schedule get-away weekend with Rosana in Costa Mesa, I made it all happen for these pictures - and might I say, totally worth it based on these sneak peeks...



3-Year-Old Maven's Checkup

By MAGGIE WANG

Maven had her 3-year-old doctor's appointment. I know it's a bit late given her birthday was in April, but better late than never, right?! Plus the doctor said it was fine, so there!

Maven is 33.6 lbs (70th percentile) and 36.42 inches (25th).

She had blood drawn and was a total trouper. Sedona, who was watching, was the one actually reacting and cringing as Maven was being poked.

Maven is super-healthy and happy.

Sedona's Spring Sing

By MAGGIE WANG

At the end of the school year, each Montessori class as a performance called the "Spring Sing." Can you find Sedona? She has a big flower hair clip ...

Sedona held the "o" in "love" ...

Sedona's First Dance Recital

By MAGGIE WANG

Sedona had her first dance recital through the School of Dance and Music at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. She has been working on it all school year at her Friday 5:15 p.m. dance class. Her small group danced to Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To the Moon." She was simply beautiful and perfect. I'm so proud of her. 

This is the program book. There were a total of 10 shows.

Sedona's biggest fans (me included, but I'm behind the camera here).

The beautiful princesses. I just adore these girls.

Maven's Analysis and Sedona's Proposal

By KEVIN DING

It follows logically that if I'm not writing as much for work right now, I should at least contribute a few tales to the blog here, right?

Here are a couple little stories from the past few weeks while I've been home more after the early end to the Lakers' season ...

MAVEN:

I was sitting on the family-room couch with Maven and felt that she was in a forthcoming mood (not that a 3-year-old is committed to hiding stuff, but both girls are already definitely into just saying that nothing happened at school on some days). So in the spirit of open communication in our family, I warmly asked Maven why she likes Mommy better than me.

There's no doubt that Maven insists at times on having Mommy do things for her even when I'm there, and I've had many talks with her about how I'm just trying to help her. There are obviously other times -- increasingly so -- when Maven and I have really quality time together, especially in recent weeks. Our most recent scheduled one-on-one kid time had Maggie out with Sedona and me home with Maven (highlighted by eating ice cream and -- at her specific request -- hitting soft-toss balls in the living room, which I'd done with Sedona but never with Maven).

Which brings me to the point of this little story: Maven's direct answer to my question about why she likes Mommy better.

Here's what Maven said to me, quite simply: "Because Daddy goes on trips."

SEDONA:

I was driving the kids home from their post-school swim lessons the other day when Sedona offered up an unsolicited anecdote from school earlier in the day. (Not every day is them saying nothing happened at school yet, you see.)

"Jack Fisher kissed me today," Sedona said.

Uh-oh! Sedona explained how Jack Fisher, a boy in her class, blew her a kiss (no, not an actual physical kiss; Sedona isn't quite ready to be a journalist yet) while she waited in line at school. Then he did it again later in the day (although she pointed out that he doesn't blow kisses properly, because he doesn't do well with the blowing part -- already a critical woman!).

I asked if he kisses other girls, and Sedona said it was just her. She went on to say -- she is quite good at story-telling, in part a result of her passion for reading -- that Jack Fisher wants to marry her. And no, Jack Fisher does not want to marry all the girls -- just Sedona.

I asked Sedona if she wants to marry Jack Fisher. Nope!