Sunshine Hearts Gilroy Gardens!

We had a fabulous day at Gilroy Gardens, a horticulture  and amusement park. It was such a pleasant place to take the kids because it is well shaded and beautiful landscaped with lush greenery and flowers. The park is well-kept, clean, and everyone who works there is so friendly. Key highlights are the train rides, water park, duck boat ride, and car rides.

When we go to places like this, I remember why we moved back home! Love the creative clean outdoor space and friendly nice people!

Sunshine taking the lead on map reading. Thank goodness cuz Mommy is not fond of reading maps!

 

Driving mommy around the park!

 

Learning about different types of leaves.

 

Learning about our eco system.

 

Rock maze was quite complicated, we almost couldn't find our way out!

 

Watch out for those buckets of water!

 

Taking a hot air balloon ride!

 

Look at how lush the park is!

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Easiest & Yummiest Egg Omelet

This is one of the easiest and yummiest egg omelet that you can make with your kids. These taste great warm or cold. And, are good for school lunches too.

We made these for a Labor Day brunch and they were a hit with our guests. Everyone was asking for the recipe. So, here it is!

Recipe from my friend Dana:

      1) Spray pan into muffin pan.

      2) Layer muffin pan with mixed green onions, ham, and shredded cheese.

      3) Then, pour in beaten egg. Bake at 375 degrees  for 15 minutes or

,         until the egg puffs up. Check with toothpick.

You can substitute ham for turkey or any other deli meat you have. These taste great with chopped spinach too!

Helping spread the cheese! So much fun.

Almost ready to bake!

It is the perfect bite of savory!

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Best way to get your little one’s hair cut!

Since Sunshine was a toddler, we have used a portable dvd player (now the iPad) to help keep from squirming around when the barber is cutting his hair. He’s not fond of the razor. This method gives me the flexibility to use different shops (esp when we travel) and find the best prices!

So, instead of going to a specialty kid hairdresser, perhaps try this method! 

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Mini Hamburgers … So cute!

So, I finally figured out the right amount of food for Sunshine to bring to lunch, 2 mini burgers, some carrots, small container of fruit and milk! With this lunch, he is no longer the last to finish (which he hated) and he’s full. According to him, it’s the perfect lunch. He now wants them for lunch everyday.

I found these mini burger buns and patty at Trader Joe’ s. Every morning, I grill the patty, toast the bread, and assemble with 1 slice of cheddar cheese, avocado or spinach, and tomatoes. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take that long to make. I precut the avocado and tomatoes so it saves time. Total 15 minutes. I like to make it in the morning so the burgers doesn’t get too cold and the bread does not become soggy.

What do your kids eat for school lunch? I might need more ideas when Sunshine gets tired of hamburgers!

Aren't they cute?? I wish my lunch looked so yummy!

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Bike Riding with Sunshine

This summer, Sunshine learned how to ride on a two-wheeled bike and since then we have been riding our bike around the neighborhood. We’re lucky to have a bike boulevard in our neighborhood which allows us to ride for a few miles without stopping. Sunshine loves to ride fast and we get to cover a lot of ground!

Biking riding has been a wonderful way for the two of us to chat about what we see and to actively spend quality time together. During our rides, we talk about the importance acknowledging other neighbors, listening for cars, and saying thank you to others for sharing the road or sidewalk with us.

Riding a two-wheel bike definitely seems to be a rite of passage for Sunshine. He’s quite proud because all the older kids ride only two wheels. In fact, his doctor even asked him if he was riding a two-wheel bike.  I was surprised because I didn’t know this a development check .

Watch me go!

Mommy, I like these vines, all the different colors - red, green, brown.

 

Mommy, I like this really tall tree. Can we plant it too?

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Los Altos History Museum Train Show: Worth Going!

This morning, we visited the Los Altos History Museum which had a two-day special exhibit featuring local train clubs. It was amazing to the pride club members had showing off their trains and model railroading. Sunshine had a great time watching all the old steam and electric trains run on detailed track layouts. 

If you are interested in seeing some trains, The Golden Gate Lionel Railroad Club is hosting a Toy Train Sale and Show on Sun, January 29.

Toot Toot. Watch the stream train go!

 

Look at James go!

 

I love watching these trains!

 

So cool! Trains in a car. Check it out!

 

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Painted Rosemary Paper Birds

My parents gave us a huge bag of Rosemary from their garden and I thought it would be fun to paint with them. I asked my neighbor, Rachelle, if we could paint at her house since she was our art expert! 

 

The kids were into the painting with traditional brushes but painting with rosemary was not a hit. Next time, I’m thinking we will have to use it as a splating tool next time and it will definitely need to be outside!  That might be more fun.

It started with this painting!

Sunshine's version of painting with rosemary. Using brush to guide the rosemary.

After hanging the painting in our house for a few weeks, Sunshine cut the painting into small pieces. He wanted to fold paper birds for his friends. It’s so touching that he thinking of gifts for them. He was quite motivated to make them. This summer, Sunshine learned how to fold these birds from his teacher Bill. As always, he loved showing me how to make them. I helped draw the eyes.

 

It was beautiful to watch the painting Sunshine made turn into these beautiful paper birds. It all started with a bag of great smelling Rosemary! Thanks Mom & Dad.

Folding away!

Sunshine's idea is to put one in each of his birthday goodie bags. Isn't that sweet?

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Chinese lilly root: Art & Food

The other day, we shopped at Ranch 99, an Asian supermarket which is filled with lots of yummy goodies. It’s always fun to go because there are some many different snacks, sauces, veggies, and fruits that we normally can’t find at Trader Joe’s or Wholesfood. On our trip, we picked up taro root, Chinese lilly root, and Japanese pumpkin Kabocha. Don’t they sound very eartly, perfect for fall.

Sunshine loves a Shanghainese dish that is super easy to cook with Chinese lilly root. Simply peel, slice, stirfly with green onions, oil, little water, salt and sugar. As I was making the dish, I asked if he wanted to do some stamping with the leftover lilly root! Answer was “Yes!”

So the next time you are in the mind, look for Chinese lilly root. It’s a great art medium and tastes crunchy and a bit sweet! Perfect dish for fall!

Isn't the inside beautiful? Love the pattern!

 

Stamping away! Look at how careful he is.

Final dish & art project! The brown vegetable on the right is Chinese lilly root.

 

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Mommy & Me Vision Boards

Yesterday afternoon, Sunshine was making paper wallets out of old Greek Island calendar. Suddenly, he asked if could he keep one of the photos. He liked it.

Then, an inspiration hit, hmm. I asked him, “Do you want to create your own vision board like mommy’s?” Yes!!

Then, Sunshine spent the next hour looking through old magazines and choosing photos he liked and cutting away. I helped him pin up and re-pin after he changed his mind. He said it looked neater the new way 🙂 Definitely my kid.

After watching him enjoy the making the board, I was inspired to update my board when he went to bed. It is and was fun!  We will have to do it again and see how it changes!

Cutting away!

Isn't it neat to see what he's interested in? The left one is his. Mine's on the right.

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Playing with Shaving Cream … The Possibilties are Endless

After reading the shaving cream posts at TwinkleMama and Tinkerlab, I decided that we would have a go at it! When I brought out the can. Sunshine said, “I know that. It’s shaving cream.” Dad uses it on his hair! Hmmm, I hope not!

It fun to watch how the project turned out. I had no idea. We spent an hour and half playing with shaving cream. And, after we were done. Sunshine said, “Can we do this everyday?” Umm, maybe once a week!

For under$2 a can, this was a really inexpensive way to spend the afternoon. Aren’t you inspired to start playing with shaving cream?

Spraying out the shaving cream! Look at him go!

Adding in food coloring. Mixing and watching.

Gooy green ... Is this what happens when you mix red, yellow, green and blue?

After mixing the shaving cream and food coloring, Sunshine said, "I'm done." Umm, that was only 15 min... So, I asked what he wanted to do next. He asked if could play with it!

Look at my xue hua aka snow flakes! I'm making them by clapping.

I'm ice skating! Mommy was impressed by the idea.

I'm decorating the grass Mom. Is this my son or what?

Yes, I'm all covered up and loving it!

Final hosedown!

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