Girls' Day Out at Disney

By MAGGIE WANG

Anita's sister Marie (aka "The Party Fairy" from Sedona's birthday event) was kind enough to pass one Disneyland pass to us. It expires on Aug. 31, so it gave us a great excuse to make it happen immediately!

I originally planned for it to be just Sedona and me, but Kevin couldn't watch Maven today (because the new Madden video game came out today, and Mag and he had to play. It is a tradition that I don't understand (at least they no longer do it at midnight, when the game really comes out), but well, he doesn't ask for much so I'm not going to give him a hard time about it ... even if it is geeky!

The girls had a great time at D-land. School is starting up for many districts this week, so it wasn't too crowded. We were there from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and got a lot done: three times on the carousel, three on It's a Small World, and two each on the teacups, Casey's Train, Pinocchio's Dark Journey, Nemo's Submarine, the D-land tour train, Ladybug Spin, Heimlich Chew-Chew Train, Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies and also the parade.

The parade was one of the girls' favorites, as all the princesses were there and many of them actually made eye contact with the girls and waved at them. It was truly exciting for them.(Bear in mind how disappointed Sedona was back in September 2009, when she initially just missed connecting with Elmo and Zoe during the parade at Sesame Place!)

In the past the girls have done many of the roller-coaster-type rides (Dumbo and Astro) but this time Sedona (this being a birthday-related trip) particularly got to choose all the activities -- and didn't want to have anything to do with them. She, however, loved the spinning rides -- the ones that make Kevin sick -- so he lucked out by not being there.

First Day of Kindergarten

BY MAGGIE WANG

It was Sedona's first day of school at Hermosa View, our local public school.

Her new teacher is Mrs. Strong, about whom we've heard amazing things. Sedona was really excited and not nervous at all despite not knowing anyone in her class in advance. 

School starts at 8:30 a.m., and ends at 2:35 p.m. (except Wednesday, when they are out at 1:20 p.m.)

Outside her classroom.

This is known as the "Bowl" where the kinders line up before school to walk into class.

Maven checked out Sedona's school play area.

Gal Pals

By MAGGIE WANG

The last few days before school starts, we've been seeing our best little buds a lot: playdate at T.L.'s house last Friday, Sedona's birthday party Saturday, Hermosa Beach concert Sunday, Scooter Jungle and lunch Wednesday, playdate at Sophie's today. The squeezed-together photo above is from the last event (although missing are T.L. and the Watts kids).

Enjoying Hermosa Beach

By MAGGIE WANG

Our family life can get really busy with all the children activities, friends, family and work that it's easy to have time fly faster than we expect. With me working a lot this summer, it dawned on me that school is about to start again and I haven't had much time with the girls, so we enjoyed a nice family day at the beach. 

The girls ATV'd to the pier, where we had a nice, large yummy meal at Fat Fish Fenner's before heading down to the sand for some picture fun with Kevin behind the lens.



Scooter, Tennis Slides, Tennis Swings and Soccer

By KEVIN DING

Here are some recent videos that show the kids' tennis-lesson action and other fun stuff ...

Sedona's 5th Birthday Party: No Boys Allowed!

By MAGGIE WANG

Sedona had her 5th birthday party all plotted out to be super-girly with a Cinderella theme (and no boys invited, although Kevin got to stay). It was thrown by the Party Fairy, Marie Chen. 

Sedona had a consultation with the Party Fairy about two months ago so that the Fairy would have enough time to plan all the magic. Sedona invited only girl friends -- and included Maven with the specification that Maven get her a present. (Maven eagerly agreed -- and got a couple of choice milk mugs on clearance at Target for 79 cents apiece.) Sedona wanted to be Cinderella with mini-makeovers and tea time and, well, she got exactly what she wanted and more!

Cinderella maidens

The Party Fairy turned all the girls into princesses with a wave of her wand and her catchphrase: "Bippity-bippity-bop!"

After all the girls were transformed into beautiful princesses, it was off to the Royal Tea Party to wish Sedona a formal happy birthday!

It was a very fancy tea party indeed!

After all the parents arrived for to pick the kids up, the girls did a royal "runway" walk in their outfits before a final group photo and dance.

The Party Fairy introduced the birthday girl first!

Pictured left to right: Riley, Natalie, Mackenzie, Maven, Hailey, Sedona, Regan, Sienna, Adeline, Sophie, Isabel and Katie.

The girls had a blast! Sedona said afterward, "I heard one of my friends say, 'This is my favorite party." As far as how Sedona felt about it, her recent thing to describe stuff has been "I like it, but I don't love it" -- except in this case about the party, she said it simply: "I loved it."

To show the detail and hard work that went into this party, the preparations to set up at our house started the day before for two hours and then again for three hours before showtime.

 

Happy Birthday, Sedona! Her actual birthday is the first day of school, which will be very exciting as she'll be starting kindergarten at Hermosa View. We are so proud of her and excited for her!