Trick or Treating

This year for trick or treating, we once again made plans to join the Armstrongs since we all had just a great time last year.

Uncle Footon wanted to see the little man in his costume in person before he headed back to Austin. Andrew was more than happy to oblige him. He has loved wearing his costume this year. Last year, he was okay with wearing his tiger costume; but this year, he wanted to wear his Thomas the train costume whenever we would let him.

I should back track a little bit (no pun intended). When we started to ask Andrew what he wanted to be for Halloween, he first said a train. I just assumed Thomas because I had already seen the Thomas costume. But later, when I posed the same question about his costume, he said firefighter. That lasted a few days. I had already foreseen him possibility wanting to be a fireman. I would have totally been on board with that choice--he would have been so cute as a fireman. And then after the firefighter phase, he said he wanted to be a garbageman. I was taken a little aback at first. Not because of possible embarassment, but because I hadn't seen or heard of a garbageman costume. Andrew was on his phase for like two days; and I even searched online to see if there was a premade one (which there was not). But the more times Andrew said he wanted to be a garbageman and the more I thought about it, I started to think how cute and unique it would be. But he always came back to trains (as it always does with Andrew). And one morning at a playdate with Josh, Anh told me she had a Thomas costume we could borrow. A friend of hers had found it for Josh, but Josh wanted to be Gordon so he wasn't going to use it. She showed it to us and Andrew was sold. He tried it on right away and was so happy. Our costume mystery was solved!

After we got ready, we headed out to the Armstrong residence. Ryan and Linda finished getting the boys ready. We lent Rush Andrew's frog costume from two years ago. Rush was just as cute as Andrew was in it. And Max ended up being a firefighter. So, if Andrew had decided on a fireman costume, they could have matched and went as a firefighters from the same company!! There is always the possibility next year...

So, off we went with the older boys in the wagon (we said they could sit in it if they wanted or walk and of course, they chose the wagon). And Ryan had Rush in a backpack. Andrew and Max had so much fun going to all the houses and getting goodies. Andrew totally got the hang of trick or treating. He even started running to the doors and enjoyed ringing the doorbells. He did get a little grabby when people offered their treat bowls. We told him to get one piece or two if they said, but that fool would grab a handful. Thankfully, it only happened once or twice after we told him to refrain from being a little Greedy Smurf!

Well, the boys continued to have a great time and we even saw Liya and Tessa and their little brothers, which was a great treat. They made it down a couple of streets no problem. Then, Linda took Rush home to put him to bed. But we trekked on and score even more candy. The boys did a great job of saying "trick or treat" and "thank you." After a few more streets, they both said they were "all done" and so we headed back to the house. Both the boys were more interested in playing with Max's toys and made a mad dash for the play room. We played with the boys until time to take Andrew home for bed. He didn't want to go, but thankfully, he didn't put up too much of a stink.

For another year, we had an awesome evening with the Armstrongs. Thanks so much for sharing Halloween with us for two years in a row!! Happy Halloween, everyone!

Kemah Boardwalk with Daddy

Last night, we stayed over in League City for extra family time including watching the disappointing Texas-Baylor game. So this morning, we decided to take Andrew to Kemah before lunch. There have been times when we go with Ngoai and Papa that Andrew will ask for Daddy can go too, but sadly, Daddy has to go to work. So, when this opportunity presented itself, I figure Andrew will finally get to go to Kemah with Daddy. We asked Andrew what rides he wanted to ride to which he replied the Red Baron and the train. He hadn't rode the Red Baron before, but I guess he's used to the flying rides now because he wasn't scared at all. Since I rode the Red Baron with Andrew, I let Daddy and Andrew ride the train together--special father/son bonding time. ;)

Then, we drove home for lunch. Ngoai made us shrimp eggrolls. Andrew ended up eating five of them!! Definitely no question about whether he liked it or not. We spent the rest of the afternoon in League City; Andrew played with Uncle and Papa and napped. After, we drove home to get ready for trick or treating.

Zoo Boo Part 2

Yesterday while we were at Zoo Boo, I received a text from David about seeing if we could hang out this weekend. I called him right back and he asked me if we would want to go to the zoo with him and Dina! I explained to him that I was calling him from the zoo! But I said we could do something with him and Dina either Saturday or Sunday morning. And I told him that Andrew would have no problem going back to the zoo if they wanted to go. He loves the zoo so much that he would totally be into going back to back days! And sure enough, after we left Zoo Boo yesterday, Andrew kept asking for "more Zoo Boo" so I reassured David it would be fine.

Uncle Anh Tuan was coming down this weekend and arrived at our house a little after 9am this morning. We made breakfast and got ready to meet David and Dina. Uncle Foo stayed at home to rest (and let's be honest, he's not really much into going to the zoo unless we really asked him to go, which he probably would then). Andrew really loved going to the zoo with David and Dina. He had fun watching the elephant bath and running through Natural Encounters as he always does. We did a few of the Zoo Boo activities. Andrew, of course, had to go back to the Pumpkin Patch and the tattoo stand. And he enjoyed checking out the big inflatable Fiesta parrot with David.

Once we were almost done, we started talking about plans for lunch. David was craving dim sum and requested Fung's Kitchen. We are always up for dim sum! Andrew wanted to watch the costume parade that was starting in a little bit. Since David and Dina had parked a little farther away, David was going to start walking to the car, go pick up Anh Tuan at our house, and then meet us at the restaurant. So, we parted ways and headed over to the reflection pool where the parade was taking place. We asked if Andrew wanted to walk in it, but he declined. Andrew enjoyed watching the parade and waving to the kids. For a little while, I thought he was going to change his mind about participating, but he stood firm with wanting just to be the spectator.

Goodbye Gymboree

Today, we had our last class of Gymboree. We were running a little late late from Zoo Boo, but luckily, we didn't miss too much. Ms. Angie was just showing the kids pictures. Andrew ran in and sat down right in front of Ms. Angie, his coveted spot. Andrew hadn't been to class in a good while, but remembered a lot of the routine.

The class today centered around pumpkins for the Halloween holiday. Andrew had fun playing along planting pumpkin seeds, pushing a pumpkin, and searching for them as well. And of course, he had fun with all the usuals--the rainbow rope, bubble time, maracas, Wheels on the Bus, and the Gymbo Dance. He had so much fun!

I couldn't help to feel a little sad going through all the routines thinking it would be the last time we did them. It's the ending of a big part of Andrew's infancy and toddlerhood. Andrew knows we aren't going to go to Gymboree anymore, but not sure if he fully comprehends it entirely. It's been such a big part of our lives for so long. So, goodbye dear Gymbo and Gymboree!! Thanks for all the great times and memories. And many, many thanks to our favorite teacher, Ms. Angie, for making it so memorable for us! We love you more than you will know! It has meant the world for me to have you as Andrew's teacher.

Zoo Boo 2010

During our play date yesterday, we had talked about Halloween plans and I mentioned that I was going to try to go to Zoo Boo with Andrew Friday morning in hopes of avoiding the weekend crowds. She wanted to take Josh too and would see about her mom watching Brendon again or else she would bring both boys. It turned out that Josh's grandma opted to keep Brendon at home with her.

We went by a few of the trick or treating booths in the midst of seeing the animals. The boys said "trick or treat" like they were supposed to as well as "thank you" after receiving the candy. After seeing some animals, Andrew wanted to get his Zoo Boo tattoo so we did that as well.

The other kid favorite activity at Zoo Boo is the pumpkin patch. The boys picked out their pumpkin and then went to decorate them with marker. Andrew just wanted to color his green and he was done. Then, we walked around some more and went to see the zebras at Josh's request.

Before we knew it, it was time for us to leave. Unfortunately, we didn't get to stay long because we had to head to Gymboree for our last class! But we are glad we got to make this trip to Zoo Boo with Josh and Anh.

Final Open Gym

Tonight, we went to our last open gym at Gymboree. Andi and I had texted and knew we were both going to be going. It was only fitting that the boys be there to play together on this final open gym. It was also their last open gym too.

Andrew, Gavin, and Shane played very well together. They did their normal climbing, jumping, and playing with balls. But for whatever reason, Andrew wanted to put cones on his head tonight (not his first time). Then, Gavin and Shane both copied him. And then it turned into all three boys running around chasing each other with the cones on their heads. What a sight it was!!

I am going to miss these open gyms during the evenings. They were a great way to get Andrew out of the house and let him run off some energy before bedtime. It's the end of an era. It's been so much fun and we have made some real friends and memories through it all.

Happy Halloween Mansion

This morning, we headed to the Happy Halloween Mansion at the Children's Museum with Josh and Anh (we love our Thursday morning play dates). I wanted to go this morning and not leave it for the weekend in fear of the crowds. And thankfully, it wasn't too crowded at the museum this morning. I didn't dress up Andrew for real that he wouldn't be free to run around and play in his costume. Instead, I just dressed him up in orange. Festive enough, right!? ;)

When we met up, the boys immediately ran to play. They spent quite a bit of time in the area where kids roll the golf balls into holes and another area where kids set up these plastic planks to roll down balls (Anh and I had to help of course. Next, the boys wanted to go play in the HEB grocery store and then, the diner serving food.

After more walking and playing, we ended up in the new museum exhibit called the Children of Hangzhou. At the entrance, there was an area where the boys could build the Great Wall of China with plastic blocks. They had fun with that. Next, we came across some rice paddies! A little bit on the stereotype side of things, but more so just funny. It's not like it's not true, right!? So, Anh and I just went with it and told the boys to plant the rice like his ancestors did. I just wanted it on camera!! They lost interest quickly and continuing on with the food motif, they came upon a kitchen where they played with the food and the table. Next to it were some musical instruments where Andrew and Josh put on a show for us. Nothing says Asian culture like Justin Bieber and Baby. It was too funny!! I don't know what was funnier between the rice paddies or the pop music rendition.

They also spent a lot of time at the table where you are supposed to build a bridge with wooden planks. At first, they attempted to make a build, but then sure enough, they start making tracks and trains. It was funny. At least, my kid isn't the only one obsessed with trains!! Then, it was time for us to get some food served to us and we had lunch in cafeteria (Andrew didn't want to leave to eat elsewhere).

Over lunch, I was telling lunch Anh about Yogurtland and she said she would like to try it so we drove over there after lunch. Josh and Andrew finished up a great morning with a great tasty dessert!