Coloring

Alex likes to boss around teach Sophie how to color within the lines. What a team! If he could now teach her how to clean up when she is done, that would be even better.

Hello Kitty coloring time

Listen to me Sophie!

Danseuse

We worked on getting ready for fall and discovered some clothes that maman kept to play dress up. Sophie likes everything pink and purple. She likes to pretend she is Olivia the ballerina.

Can you believe manan wore this (a long time ago)?

Je tourbillonne comme une danseuse

Spaetzle

While maman grew up with dried store-bought spaetzle in Alsace, Oma got the real thing in Germany and taught her family how to make it in the States. We're proud to say that this tradition has been passed down to the youngest generation. Sophie and Alex love to make spaetzle and maman has recently been demoted to sous-chef in the kitchen.

Here is the recipe that we use from the Joy of Cooking:

Beat:

• 4 eggs

Combine them well with:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder

Drop batter into Spaetzle press and press into salted hot water. Take spaetzle out when they rise to the surface. Place them in a dish with some butter or gravy. Enjoy!

Great cooks with Mamy's aprons on

I'm not afraid of boiling water!

Yummy in my tummy!

 I could eat this everyday!

Monsieur le coq

Alex participated in the church's "Creation Parable" play and had a blast playing the role of the chicken. As you will quickly see, Alex is more of a free range type chicken and had to be coached on how to stay inside his nest for most of the play. All the kids did a wonderful job!

A small story about chickens, walls and things that are more important. Take it away, kids!

Kathy made this costume for me

Let's get this show on the road

I know, I have to stay put in my nest

I can finally get out of my nest!

Nice job everyone!

Five years ago

Five years ago a little boy joined our family and changed our world forever. He was then a shy toddler who was not quite sure what was happening to him. It is amazing to see how quickly he blossomed and became such a smart and confident boy who likes to shake things up a bit!

• Who knew we could learn so much from this always curious boy about fancy cars, dinosaurs, reptiles, birds of prey and other ferocious animals?
• Who knew he would call 911 twice: once accidentally and once on purpose?
• Who knew he would beat papa at any video games involving car racing?
• Who knew he would never get tired of hide-and-seek games?
• Who knew he would remember some silly French songs that are best not shared with strangers?
• Who knew he would hold the record as the most ticklish boy in the whole world? Even when our fingers are not reaching his belly yet.
• Who knew he would continue to absolutely love pho ga and could eat this soup everyday?
• Who knew he would insist on celebrating his half-birthday on July 1 to get papa to bake him another cake? 
• Who knew he would drive his parents crazy with all his "what if" scenarios?
• Who knew he would be so fearless jumping off the high diving board at the pool?
• Who knew he would constantly request back massages and feet rubs?
• Who knew he would make his parents forget what on earth they did in their "free time" before he came home?!?

Someone recently said that Alex will be a "mover and a shaker" when he grows up. We can definitely see that already!

Remember when...

September 22, 2008: Gotcha Day in Binh Duong

First game with papa at the hotel

Taking long walks in Hanoi all snuggled up in my Ergo carrier

Balls, balls and more balls

I'm starting to like these games!

Sharing toys with my friends Sam and Emma

Already letting us know he likes to be tickled

Showing us Halong Bay

OK, folks. When are we going home?!?

September 2009: building is good, crashing down is better

September 2009: clowning around at the photographer's

September 2010: trying to make my sister disappear

September 2011: riding horses at Deanna Rose is one of my faves

September 2012: my sister is a keeper!

And now...

September 2013: our soccer player /goofball now

Happy Family Day, Alex!

We love to watch you grow!

What's gotcha day exactly?

I can't wait to eat pho bo at Kim Long

I even got coconut bubble tea. That's the life!

The best part of Family Day is to keep my sister awake
before her nap and make her laugh!

Mid-Autumn Festival

Families Blessed organized the Moon Festival again this year. The kids enjoyed decorating their lanterns and walking with them in the parade. The lion dance was a big hit again. And so was the magician's tricks.

We'll need to get some mooncakes at the city market to properly celebrate this week.

Adding a pretty lantern to my collection

Some paint and sprinkles and we'll be all set

Families Blessed friends

Scott the Magician amazed kids big and small

Hey, how did you change your vest color?

Lion Dance

Papa, I'm not sure about these lions

Making noise is what I like. Happy mid-autumn festival!

Enjoying Summer Time

Kids have been in school for a month now and absolutely love it. Alex has homework for the first time. Now the fun begins...

Alex has joined another soccer team and is busy practicing outdoors as well as in the living room!

Enjoy the last few days of summer!

Finger painting is the best!

future surgeon in training?

That's how I cook: kitchen stuff everywhere! Like papa...

Drawing together nicely

I'm grading your work, Sophie

Go Sharks!

Get your foot in there!

We love to watch you play # 57!

Practicing soccer in the living room...

KC Sporting pre-game entertainment

Zebra ride

Pump this water!

Fishing at Deanna Rose

Take time to smell the flowers

petit nez retrousse

tourniquet

I can climb anything!

Fun at the zoo

I'm Pete the Cat

Yes, I can be mischevious sometime

Dance du joli papillon

Hi folks!

OK, that's a wrap for the goofiness tonight!