RRRRaarrr!

Can't wait for Halloween with this little 3-year-old Tiger!

Oh How Times Have Changed

Birthday parties used to look like this

Now they look like this! HAHA!

An exciting addition to my birthday this time around was Auntie Jenn's (pink hair/green shirt) little bun in the oven!! She found out she was pregnant the morning of my birthday and we all found out together at dinner. We screamed, we cried - it was truly a special and meaningful night. Karen can also be seen in the top photo and also in my recent birthday photo above. She is due with her 1st baby. A little girl. We girls had many a night stumbling around Long Beach with drunk eyes and now we're drunk with all that awaits us and our futures spent together.

Claira Update

Here are all the Chai Girls in matching outfits (just because)

Claira was beside herself, so happy to be driven around and on the go with her big sister.

With only 2 bottom teeth she still prefers to eat her food on her own. But she can't stand to sit down confined to a high chair for too long!

Claira, clad in a purple bikini, enjoying the last summer breeze with Daddy.

Remember the days of hysterical screaming brought on by the torture device known as the car seat? Well, those days are gladly long gone. Claira almost always looks like this in her seat as long as she has something to look at or play with (or Ellia)

Ellia - Play Dates & Pretend Play

Oh, this was the cutest thing ever. Jackson and Ellia looked like they were on their 1st date; with Jackson showing off his skills by kicking the car into reverse and looking over his shoulder & Ellia gently resting her cheek on his shoulder with eyes glittering.

We spent the last day of summer (literally) at a local children's water park. Ellia got to splash around and discover all the fun waterfalls with a neighborhood playmate. We were all kicking ourselves for not going to this place ALL summer long!


Pretending to shop at the La Habra Children's Museum.

Pretending to do the dishes at home.

Pretending to breastfeed Hippo. (Rocking chair, Boppy and all!)


Autie Jenn (Funky Rose Designs) made this custom craft table and chair set for the girls! The next day Ellia was already hosting a tea party and coloring! It is the best table, so adorable and so sturdy - we just love it! Thanks Auntie Jenn for finding the energy to make it!


*Gasp* She's all decked out in 'girlie gear'!

*Gasp* Playing with a doll!

Ellia's 3rd Birthday Party a Success!

Our little girl is not so little anymore... she wasn't glued to my hip at Cerritos Park East, as she was during her 1st birthday party. She didn't obligingly follow us from one spot to another at Adventure City at her 2nd birthday party. No, this was her 3rd birthday and, once the doors to Pump It Up swung open, she took approximately 0.4 seconds to spring into action!

Kids were sliding, parents were sliding, grandparents were sliding. Many had never been to Pump It Up, including ourselves. But it worked out perfectly for what we needed this time around. It was such a special day & we're so lucky to have shared it with so many family and friends. Ellia is blessed to be surrounded by such friendship, love and support. And when the day ended, she was sad, asking "Where's everybody? Where's my friends?" Thanks to all who traveled the distance to make our little girl's day a wonderful memory.

HEY KIDDOS! Invites are in the mail!

For those of you who have asked
"What kinds of things does Ellia like now?"
We have updated her WishCentral list.
You can check it out by clicking the link on this page (top right) called "Ellia Chai's Current Interests" www.wishcentral.com.
Click on the catagory named "Toys"

Ellia wanted a JUMPER party for her birthday so we looked high and low for the best place we could find. It proved difficult to find quality jumping places in our area but we've heard really good things about PUMP IT UP! www.pumpitupparty.com
We hope Ellia's friends and their parents can make it to the party for lots of cardio jumping (in two different rooms), pizza, munchies, refreshments, cupcakes & cake!

Play Dates (Part I)

It was a GIRLS weekend! Daddy was off on a BOYS Vegas trip. So, Auntie "MeMe" came over for a sleep over and friends Janice & Jeff brought Jaelyn (age 3) to play with Ellia. They haven't seen eachother since they went Trick or Treating together (both as fairies!) last October. They played together adorably (pics to come soon)
Claira had her own playmate show up as well! She hasn't seen Ella since she was 3 months old. Ella and Claira are both trying to crawl, but Ella's skills inspired Claira to pick up the pace! They actually were very aware of eachother and seemed to like eachother - Ellyn & I can't wait to see them play as they grow together!

Ellia is always in heaven if she gets to spend time with the handsome Jackson Soong! They ran around together, giggling and telling eachother ideas of what to play next. Kristi and I marvelled at how we have reached a stage where the two of them can play on their own and allow us to have a breather and a drink or two!

Ellia's little sister had her first meeting with Jackson's little brother! Griffin and Claira are starting their relationship as polar opposites for now. We'll see how things progress - it should be fun!