Random Brain Dump

I’m normally up with the kids in the morning, and so I usually get the task of getting the kids ready. When it comes to doing their hair, they usually tell me how to do their hair– be it just brushing, a simple pony tail or “funny hair” as Katelyn calls it (pig-tails). My aunt who takes care of the kids sometime braid their hair for school.

So as of late, Allison prefers her hair braided. This is a problem for me because Allison’s hair is very thin (as is everything else with her). Last but not least, braiding is always challenging for my big fat fingers. My attempts always end up looking a bit weird. 🙁

Yesterday morning, again Allison asked her hair to be braided. Uh oh… I tried to talk her out of it. “Are you sure Allison? Wouldn’t you like funny hair?” I asked, hoping for a nod. But no luck– she insisted braiding. So I finally pleaded to her: “sorry Allison, Daddy is not good at braiding your hair. I can’t do it.”

To that, Allison replied:

“But daddy, you try your best okay?”

Ouch, “use that one back at me won’t you” I thought. Can’t say no to that! So Allison patiently waited as my fat fingers going through her hair. When I was done, sure enough, her braid looked weird as pictured above! But Allison didn’t care, she happily trotted off to show off her braided hair to her sister and her mom.

Recognizing I need help, I google’d around for instructions. Here’s illustrated instructions I you’re braiding-challenged like me.

KTEH started running a pledge drive this past week. On Saturday evening, the station aired a concert by Celtic Woman, a group of 5 lovely Irish women artists with amazing talents. Suzanne tuned in and an unexpected thing happened. We left the TV on and when we returned a bit later we discovered Allison sat quietly on the couch intently watching the concert– I’ve never seen her watching with such concentration. When I tried to change the channel, she made me turned it right back. She told us that she liked the music.

Her favorite seemed to be Máiréad who’s petite (perhaps that’s why Allison took a liking?) & plays a fiddle.

Suzanne got her hair permed this past weekend. When she got home, the kids took notice immediately. Allison wanted to touch her mommy’s hair and since it was lavishly hair-sprayed, she said “your new hair is crunchy.” Earlier this evening, after she again commented on her mommy’s crunchy hair, Suzanne corrected her that her hair is wavy, not crunchy. Allison paused and then wave her hand and said “you mean your hair likes to say bye bye like this?”

Looks like the hottest toy heading into this xmas season is TMX Elmo. It’s basically another tickle me Elmo, but this one has some pretty “extreme” motion– complete movement from standing to rolling on the floor & getting back on its feet. Check out the video here.

Alright, I’ll bite & get on the bandwagon. I am going to get it for Allison’s birthday next month. I can’t wait to see her face when she gets it. Now, if only I am able to track it down. It’s sold out every online & local retailers I can find.

And I’m not shelling out $200 for it on eBay (that’s the going rate!).

This past weekend, our family went down to LA. While we were there, we took the kids to Pharoah’s Lost Kingdom in Redlands. The place is a huge: rides, miniture golf, games and a water park. It was a hot afternoon, so the kids spent all the time in the kiddie pools. Katelyn & Andre were hitting the water slides non-stop, while the younger kids, Allison & Justine, spent most their time in the wading pool & float around the lazy river.

Of course, I brought my camera and spent most my time snapping shots. I was a bit nervous with all the kids splashing water all around, but in the end I managed to keep my camera dry.

Grandma getting cooled with Justine

Here’re a few of the shots.

This past weekend Kyle, the Jedi-in-training (also, the birthday boy), lead the young rebels in the fight against Vader and the dark side. Katelyn & Allison relunctantly joined the rebellion. Yes, they have much fear in them. Who wouldn’t fear Vader in his full suit and sandles? The padawans valiantly fought their way to Yoda’s swamp where all young rebels eagerly took a refreshing dip in celebration. May the force be with the young rebels…

Here are the visual newsreel documenting the younglings’ efforts.

Yesterday morning, Allison & I were watching the opening scenes of the Wallace & Gromit movie. Allison was puzzled when Wallace & Gromit chased a rabbit around at the opening scenes. She expressed “concern” when Wallace finally nabbed the bunny by the neck. I explained the scene to her with the following exchange:

Allison: Why is he hurting the bunny?
Rex: Because he’s been bad; he steals other people’s vegetables.
Allison: Why?
Rex: Because he likes to eat carrots.
Allison: Oh, he’s a bad bunny!
Rex: That’s right. Do you go around & steal carrots?
Allison: No… I’m not a baby bunny.
Rex: Good…
Allison: I stay home with Mommy!

I came home from work last evening and I quickly grabbed dinner. Then, we prepare the kids to go to local park and while I was dressing the kids, Allison & I had this little exchange:

Allison: Daddy?
Rex: What is it, baby?
Allison: I miss you when you go to work!
Rex: Ohh… thank you sweetey, I miss you when I’m at work too!
Allison: I love you too much…
Rex: (heart fast melting…) 🙂
Rex: I love too much too.

I often tell her “I love you so much”, but for some reason she likes to say “I love you too much.” It almost sounds like a complaint! At any rate, I’ll take what I can get from her… 😉

It’s Father’s day, so I want to blog a few quick words about my girls. As you get to my age, I find that you start to look more forward to Father’s days than your own birthdays… 🙂

I love being a father to my two beautiful girls. I completely adore them. They are my source of joys & pride– apples in my eyes. They never cease to amaze me and motivate me to strive to be the best father I can possibly can. The truth is that I sometimes can’t believe how darn fortunate I am to have them in my life. I am forever thankful for them, for it is they that make me a father. And fatherhood is a beautiful thing, man…

So, Katelyn & Allison, I thank my lucky stars for you…

Here’s a little excerpt from Katie Melua’s song named “Thank You Stars”:

Some call it faith, some call it love
Some call it guidance from above
You are the reason we found ours
So thank you stars

Some people think it’s far away
Some know it’s with them every day
You are the reason we found ours
So thank you stars
…