First Soccer Practice

The day finally has come.  It's Annika's first soccer practice. She is playing in the San Tan soccer league in the U7 division.  It's her first year of soccer, but we think it's going to be a great season for her.  If only based on her enthusium, concentration, and first practice.  This morning's practice is an add-on practice.  The official start is Monday.  Two days of the week for practice and games on every Saturday.  That'll keep us busy. 

Annika really wanted to wear one of her World Cup shirts but had trouble finding it.  (Note: did you see the post about not remembering to look in her dresser?  I can attest - her shirts are nicely folded in the second drawer down.)  No problem - she took Morgan's.  Whatever, we were getting late as it was.

We had a great breeze this morning and cool temperatures.  That's relative to our recent 115 degree weather, not cool like "fall MN" weather.  So 99 degrees at 10 AM is *nice*.  Annika's team warmed up with exercises, practiced dribbling, stopping the ball, throw-ins, passing, and defending.  A good first practice with a scrimmage to end the long practice.

Annika was the first to yell out, "I can't wait for Monday!!!!"

Saturday Story Time Book and Recipe

Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson

Purple Cow
from Iowa Farmer Today Online


Ingredients:
3/4 C. 1 percent low-fat milk
1 1/2 T. frozen grape juice concentrate
1/4 C. fat-free vanilla yogurt

How to make it:

Combine ingredients in a container with lid and shake until well blended. Pour into a tall glass.

Annika and Morgan prepare the Purple Cow mixture.

Fancy Dancing and Making Your Own Clothes.

Ingrid said she can make her own clothes.   "A magic outfit.  And it's a dress, actually".  Want to see it?

A Lesson in Contradictions

Are you wondering what Annika wrote in her birthday essay?  I made a copy of it before she glued it to the tagboard VIP poster for school.  Here it is:

Let's look at her writing in more detail.  Notice #2 on the love list?  It's Kimchee, or kimchi - the spicy fermented cabbage staple food from Korea.  It took me five years to get used to it.  But Annika has a love affair with this vegetable.  Which brings me to the bottom part of the essay. Annika writes that she doesn't like vegetables.  But she remembered seeing a "ref-fer-france" in another book and asked me how to do it.  Why?  Because she doesn't like vegetable, except Kimchee is a vegetable. A "re-fer-france" makes it O.K.

Look at number #3 on the don't like list.  Girl colors.  One would think that includes pink.  Take a look at Annika's socks.  Pink edges.  I asked her about it.  She said it was my fault she was wearing pink.  "It was the only pair I found."  Just to make sure, I took Annika to her room and pointed at her dresser.  "This thing is called a dresser,  It holds your clothes, including socks." "Oh", said Annika, "we'll that's OK today."

Finally, and perhaps the biggest contradiction of them all - Annika's outfit choice for her birthday.  On the day of her birthday, it was school pictures.  Annika picked out the outfit before writing the essay.  When she put it on in the morning, Ingrid pointed out that it was a dress and wondered why she wrote about not liking dresses.   I took out the iron and smoothed out the wrinkles for her pictures. I'm sure it was a *Shock* to Miss Ingrid that someone doesn't like dresses. I wondered the same thing. "But why did you write that you did not like any dresses?" , Ingrid finally asked.  Annika responded in true Annika-fashion. 

"Well, I don't like dresses, but this doesn't count.  You see, they're really overalls, but they don't finish the  bottom.  So that makes them really 'dresseralls'.  So they're OK.  See" 

Ingrid nodded as if what Annika was saying was pefectly logical.  

Thank you Annika for keeping the curve balls coming!  We love you!

Look Who's Seven

Annika had a family birthday to celebrate her seven candles.  Getting ready in the morning meant extra effort for school pictures, the VIP poster, and snacks for Annika's classmates.

Our evening plans included dinner at Mimi's Cafe, cake and ice cream and presents at home.  Very simple this year.  The cake part is an afterthought.  No one really likes cake in our family.  I picked up Ingrid on my way home from work and we went to the store to find a cake.  We finally settled on a personal sized key lime pie.  That's different and Annika likes green.

Dinner was fine, everyone was on great behavior at the restaurant.  Annika was treated to her own birthday sundae.  Yummy.  She was happy to share with everyone.

Back at home, we set up the presents, the cake/pie and candles.  Annika spent nearly 30 seconds (really!) in deep though thinking of her birthday wish.  Finally, we coaxed her into blowing out the candles.  With that done, I asked if anyone wanted some of the pie.  A chorus of "no's" rang out.  OK - the pie went back in the refrigerator.

As for presents,  Annika made her excitement or slight dismay show at each gift.  Educational gifts including a money puzzle and fraction pie charts didn't get the great birthday approval.  The new soccer ball and Blu-ray movie sure got her smiling.

Happy Birthday, cool girl!

Happy Birthday Annika!

Happy, Happy Birthday to the great Annika E. Chung!  You are a fantastic girl who loves throwing the curve ball ever often.  We love your smile and your wit and charm.  We love you!  Have a super day and a great VIP week.

Saturday Story Time Book and Recipe

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake, by Maj Lindman

Æbelskiver (filled pancakes)

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
4 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Fillings such as jam, peanut butter, chocolate ganache, or fruit



How to Make It:
In a bowl, whisk together the flour baking powder, salt and sugar. In a small bowl. Lightly whisk the egg yolks, then whisk in the milk and the 4 Tbsp melted butter. Whisk the yolk mixture into the flour mixture until well combined; the batter will be lumpy.

In another bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff but not dry peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently stri the whites into the batter in two additions.
Put ¼ tsp. butter in each well of the Filled Pancake Pan. Set over medium heat and heat until the butter begins to bubble. Pour 1 Tbsp batter into each well. Put 1 tsp of the filling of your choice (lingonberries, chocolate chips, or red bean paste for us) in the center of each pancake and top with 1 Tbsp batter. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Using two wooden skewers, flip the pancakes over and cook until golden and crispy, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter and filling. Serve immediately with syrup or whipped cream (or powdered sugar). Makes about 40. [Recipe from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen]

4 Year Check Up

It's so true that every child is different.  Take today's task of going with Ingrid to her four year check up at the pediatrician.  Woody has been taking the kids to their well checks for the last many months.  When today's appointment was discussed, we agreed that it was my turn to take one of the kids.  I took a few hours off from work and sighed.  This is the visit with a few of the "biggie" vaccinations - the ones needed for kindergarten.

So I packed carefully.  Fancy Nancy Colorforms to keep her entertained.  Her Fancy Nancy stuffed dog, Frenchy, packed in my purse for comfort after the shots.  Her favorite Fancy Nancy skirt, shirt, necklace and hair bow to make her feel special.

We explained to her that there were a few shots with this visit.  She shrugged it off.  When we got to the doctors, Ingrid was all happy that she got to carry the "blue card" - her shot record.  "Hand it to the nurse when she calls your name" I said.  She took my words as a solemn oath and took great care to hand off her card.  Once someone commented on how pretty she looked, Ingrid gushed and then started a lengthy conversation about everything and nothing.  And she kept flashing her smile.

Dr. McKenna had a great conversation with Ingrid and pronounced her fit.  [I already knew that.  We were really here for the shots, thank you.]  Inclusive of her Fancy Nancy clothes, Ingrid weighs 32.2 pounds and is 37.6 inches.

Then came the shots.  Ingrid looked like it was a normal every day occurrence.  When it came to holding her hands so she could have her shoulder pivot toward the nurse, she closed her eyes.  And that was it.  And then she opened them, cracked a little smile and pivoted the other way.  Two more shots - zero reaction.  Nothing.  Nada.  She opened her eyes and said, "How was that, mom?  Thumbs up?"  Oh heck yeah, Ingrid.  Thumbs waaaaayyy up.  Way to go, girl!!!

Ingrid was rewarded with three bracelets and a sticker.  Plus high fives from all of the office providers on her way out.  The fancy girl in the corner room rules!

The Fancy patient arrives at her appointment.

Fancy Ingrid in the Fancy Paper dress playing with her Fancy Nancy colorforms.

The fancy paper dress.  "Tie it in a bow, Mommy."

The Photoshoot

After eight weeks, we finally have a peek at some of the pictures taken during the free photoshoot in Pasedena, CA for Erik's Dol.

It wasn't the best of days for the Chung clan.  Through some whining and complaining, we managed to get a few good shots.  The best shots are being retouched and sent back to us as digital sets.  For now, here are some of the other pictures from the day.  Enjoy!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to our beautiful and most fancy daughter, Ingrid.

We love you.  You are a bright joy in our lives and you bring happiness to everyone around you.  We can't wait to see what fancy things you will do in the future.  But for now, we thoroughly are enjoying our beautiful four year old.

Have a super day!

Love Mommy and Daddy.

The Partying Continues

After the balloons deflated and the mass cleanup was underway, I snuck off for a little power nap.  Afterall, you can do a lot on adreneline, caffeine, and all night decorating.  But, I knew it wouldn't last.  Three wonderful hours later (thank you Woody!!!), I woke up to an empty house.  Woody took the whole gang and Harmony to the airport to pick up Harabagee.  Harabagee is here to co-celebrate with his granddaughter.

I took off in the other car and met the Chung gang at Famous Daves BBQ.  It sure was nice to have a yummy dinner with no cleanup.  The co-birthday celebration included yummy pork ribs, chicken, brisket, corn, beans, beer and cole slaw.

We tipped off the restaurant and they brought a celebration sundae complete with sparkler candle. 

Happy Birthday Harabagee!!

Ingrid's Fancy Nancy Birthday Soirée

Joyeux Anniversaire!

Wow, what a party.  Ingrid's 4th birthday party was a great success with fun friends, fancy decorations, great games and yummy parfaits.

It's late at night now, the party is done.  24 hours ago, it was the start of a long night of set up for Ingrid's fun filled party.  I got some last minute poster paint and set up all of the games so we were ready to go for the Saturday morning party.

We began the party by coloring Fancy Nancy book activity pages, courtesy of Harper Collins Publishing company.  When all of the guests arrived, we read the story of Fancy Nancy.  After that it was game time - first we piled different items on fancy trays and asked whether they were plain or fancy.  Then Woody came out in his tennis shoes followed by Harmony in her high heels.  Woody couldn't convince the girls that his shoes were fancy - they liked Harmony's.  The next game was Pin the Tail on the Tiara followed by Fancy School.  At Fancy school, the girls practiced their curtsy, said "darling" and practiced drinking tea from fancy cups with their pinkies in the air.  The walked around with books on their head for proper posture.  After much giggling and lots of fallen books, we declared them "Fancy School Graduates".  The "graduates" and I headed for the hallway to don their new fancy accessories for a fancy show.  Grandma's homemade tiaras were a big hit.  The feather boas shed everywhere but the girls still looked fancy with new tiaras, feather boas, gloves, rings, necklaces and wands.  Oh la la!

After the fancy prancing, the girls removed their accessories and settled into an Art project.  It can't be a Chung party without an art project.  We made stained glass vases and the girls got to pick from the bouquet of flowers to put into their new vases.

Lunch was simple sandwiches, cheese, applesauce, chips and veggies.  One guest declined everything, until she saw the broccolli and then filled her plate.  I was certainly impressed.  Fancy Nancy parfaits followed.

Ingrid enjoyed her gifts from Mom and Dad and her guests.  Lots of great FN books, coloring and art items, a toy shopping cart, a super big Fancy Nancy sticker book and two pairs of pajamas.  One of the pairs is a Fancy Nancy pajama set (I didn't know they had them) with fancy slippers.

Ingrid stood at the door and said, "Merci" to all of her little fancy guests giving them one last chocolate on the way out.

It was a great Soirée~

Other notes:
One guest came with an older brother (1st grade).  The mother apologized, but Annika jumped in and said, "Great for me".  The two of them appeared once in awhile, otherwise they were engrossed in DS games.

Erik went to a babysitter for the first time.  It was a great success and it sure was a little nice to not have to worry about his needs.  He came home with a big smile.  Thank you Erik!

You shouldn't open the garage door if you have balloons taped to the door

The continued fanciness

Fancy H2O

Merci! Bookmarks

Plain vs. Fancy

More Fancy party displays

Yummy parfaits

Fancy School attendees learn to to drink with the pinkies out

The fancy birthday girl.  Happy Birthday Ingrid!

Exquisite Ensembles

Hello?  Calling all fancy girls!  Bonjour!

Fancy Nancy Pajamas and Slippers for sublime sleeping. Ooh la la, Ingrid!

Fancy School Lessons from Fancy Nancy (just like the book)

The Fancy Invitation