The Age of Innocence

By KEVIN DING

Pre-Facebook and pre-kids, there were an awful lot of birthdays along the way that barely registered. I seriously didn't know how old I was at times and would have to stop and do the math if someone asked. These days, I can still live without the superficial Facebook acknowledgments, but it's fun that the birthday-obsessed kids get excited about all our designated days.

We tried to low-key it this year for No. 41, as seen in our pajamas, with ice-cream cupcakes!

Sedona's School Open House

By MAGGIE DING

Sedona's Hermosa View School open house was the same day as her daddy's 41st birthday. It was cool to check out the little projects they've been doing. Sedona was so proud of everything there and excited to show us how much community-themed work they'd done. One of her favorite projects was everyone doing a part of the Los Angeles landscape, with Sedona getting to do the "HOLLYWOOD" sign.

She is a vet in this project above about their possible careers. See the little animals at her feet?

She made this picture of our house on her computer. Pretty accurate!

John "A-Tzo" Ding: Almost 98 Years Old

By KEVIN DING

We were able to coordinate all the schedules enough to visit my grandfather, John Ding, together with my sister's family and my parents after he had a pacemaker put in (though it was subsequently removed because of bacteria-related complications). He is almost 98 years old, and in one of the recent email exchanges with my cousins, I wrote simply about him: "What a stud!" If you're looking for secrets to his long-lasting success, he has always maintained a cheerful demeanor and voracious appetite. I remember him back in the day consistently performing tai chi movements, which have reported health benefits, and these days he still engages in the mental challenge of mahjong.

Here are some photos from the visit, which also featured playful interaction between Sedona and Maven and their cousins Atticus and Skyler. The kids call their great-grandfather "A-Tzo" -- the Taiwanese term.

New Hermosa Friends

By MAGGIE DING

Sedona quickly made some new friends in kindergarten. Here is her (latest) BFF, Parker. They want to do everything together - including get their haircuts. 

Fortunately, Parker gets along great with Maven, too. Parker has an older sister, Dylan, who also loves the girls -- so it's a great combo. We are so fortunate to have met the wonderful Albarian family. 

Another new pal for Sedona (and me) is Gracie Fojut. Sedona and Gracie are in kindergarten class and Girl Scout Daisies together. I really enjoy time with her mom, Tammy. Gracie's little brother, Finn, and Maven have become good friends, too. 

(Not pictured but fitting in with this post are other new friends in our lives: Marie Roman, with twins Mia and Reid, and Esperanza Salazar, with daughter Maya.)

Maggie's Perspective

By MAGGIE DING

I've just spent a weekend in Vegas, and as fun as it was, I can't help but be grateful for everything I have back at home.

Starting with a husband and family support that allows me to get away without judgment or restrictions ...

I tend to be really hard on Kevin and don't take the time to show my appreciation and love for him. He is truly an amazing man, inside and out.  He allows me to be me and loves me for it. He compliments my temperament. I am loved and adored by him without fear of not being able to be myself. We truly have a special relationship that I can only wish and hope my girls will find too.

About my beautiful, smart Sedona, who is always easy-going yet opinionated and reserved yet powerful ...  She always makes me smile. She proved to me that I could open my heart more than ever with outpouring of love. I want more babies because of how amazing and special she is.

About the cute and spunky Maven, who is always laughing with such heart and enjoying life ... She loves challenges and reminds me that life is all about love. She is always wanting to snuggle. It is the most amazing feeling, and I should cherish it more.

About my parents, who raised me to believe that I can do anything ... A dad who showed me what it meant to be cherished and adored, so I would know recognize it when I found a man who would make me feel that way. A mom who always kept the family together with her love, support and organizational skills. She is one of the most unselfish people I know. We are her priority, and there is no doubt or questioning it.

About in-laws who have opened their hearts, home and hospitality to me ... They raised a son I've been fortunate to call my husband; I cannot thank them enough for that. A dad who teaches us to never settle. A mom who shows us unconditional, unselfish love and is one of the strongest people I know.

Friends ... My father always told me if I had five friends I could truly call friends, I would be lucky. I have to say I'm so blessed to have so many more than that. Our friendships aren't superficial; they have depth, love, respect, challenge, support and no judgment.

I am truly surrounded by such strong, independent people. They inspire me every day to love, appreciate and grow.

Learning at the Tulita Science Fair

By MAGGIE DING

Riley Williams invited us to check out the Tulita Elementary Science Fair. The girls had a lot of fun, and it was quite educational for me, too. 

The art of balancing and sticking a straw through a potato just by holding a thumb over one side of the straw.

Sedona's Field Trip: Library and Police Station

By MAGGIE DING

Sedona's classroom took three field trips this month to various spots in Hermosa Beach: the library, police station and local Vons grocery store (my favorite supermarket, with everyone so nice there). 

I was fortunate to volunteer to help walk the children with Mrs. Strong from our school on the day they visited the first two locations. It was so cute to see them holding hands with their partners and excited about the day's adventure ahead of them. 

Crossing Pacific Coast Highway toward the community center. 

Sedona is there in the blue dress, the library is the red building in the offing ... and now we're inside!

Getting special instructions from the police detective.

Sedona is glad to share a chair with her BFF Parker.

Can you tell who is in the driver's seat of the police car?

Being sworn in as deputy police officers.

Checking out the trunk of a police car.

We were hoping to explore the jails, but I guess there were a couple prisoners occupying them. Bar fight! The dangers of Hermosa Beach.

Mother's Day Joy

By MAGGIE DING

At Montessori, Maven's school, they did a Mother's Day breakfast. It was super cute. Maven did my nails and made this super-special cup for me. 

Sedona made me personalized note cards that I use daily. 

For the actual day, Kevin was out of town (although he and the girls got me some rather amazingly useful kitchen gizmos for quick fruit cutting). So the girls and I enjoyed time with A-Ma Ding for Mother's Day lunch and A-Ma Alice for Mother's Day dinner. 

For the girls, they still re-enact this 2008 Mother's Day video (like, all the time) that Kevin directed of 2-year-old Sedona. For me, Mother's Day becomes even more special each year as the girls grow up appreciating their mommy. I love it! :-) 

Earth Day for Sedona

By MAGGIE DING

Earth Day celebration was April 22 this year. There was a big emphasis at Hermosa View School that really seemed to resonate with Sedona -- so much that I almost think she could become an environmentalist. 

It's a few weeks since then, and Sedona still seems to remember. Tonight, when they were going to bed, I had the hallway light on, and she went through and turned it off (really upsetting Maven) along with the night light, because she wanted to take care of the earth.

I think this is a good thing, at least to plant a seed. Sadly, I didn't even know electricity needed to be conserved or wasted money until my college boyfriend told kept telling me to turn off the lights. Yes, I was sheltered. Yes, I also have great parents -- except maybe they weren't so great in teaching me how to protect the earth. *smiles*

Maven at the Natural History Museum

By MAGGIE DING

Maven and I played hooky from school on a Tuesday to check out the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County with Simon, Gavin and Siena (kids from her "Funky Monkey" Mommy & Me night class).

Hanging with the dinosaurs. 

Checking out mammals (not quite as fun as the zoo). 

Interacting with the computers (perhaps not very effectively).

Checking out the butterflies in a special exhibit.