Off They Go

And they're off.  Tonight's late night flight will be interesting.  The girls and Grandma are scheduled to arrive in Minneapolis at 11:50 PM tonight.  Add a one and a quarter hour drive and that adds up to a long night.  Thank goodness we packed the joke book for Annika to "entertain" Grandma on the flight.  Ha ha.

I'm so grateful to my parents for offering this unique experience with their grandchildren.  Ingrid is waiting in the wings for her turn next year.  The stories and memories forever will be cherished.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Spice Sharing

As soon as the girls were safely at summer school, Mom and I were off to Penzey's to use our coupons and shop for spices.  We took Erik with us so Woody could work on painting our baseboards.  It was fun to stroll through the little shop (now moved to a bigger location closer to our house.  Yeah!), and read recipes and labels.

We then hit the freeway and made our way back through Tempe to Ahwatukee and the nearby IKEA.  Mom wanted to get some simple towels for embroidery and look around.  I was enjoying our leisurely pace.  We ate lunch with Erik, who was an absolute gentleman, then strolled the store taking in the fabric and other textiles.

Woody and the girls hit the movies for the afternoon, leaving us to enjoy our surroundings.

Once home it was time to pour out our new bulk spices and split them up.  Mom was shopping for Sue and Randy so we made some three way splits.  I bought them spice containers as birthday presents and we're still working on a good set of printed labels.

Now to try some of the great recipes.  Thanks Mom for the fun day!

Checkers is Serious Business

I love how the technology world comes to a pause when the grandparents visit.  I don't know if it's been taught or the kids just feel unnatural asking incessantly  for TV, ds, Wii, computer, tablet, cell phone or any other device when we have visitors.  Today was no exception.

Grandma is here for a few days before she takes Morgan and Annika back to Minnesota.  And today I saw my girls play *together* with Legos, Playmobil, books, Monopoly and the a fore-posted fire truck.  The TV went on only once - to confirm there was nothing worth watching.

The computer has been on, but used as a tool to help load the nook with more books and to check out a few reference photos I downloaded.  The kids haven't touched it except to point out a new math games website.

And before dinner, there was a serious match of checkers.  Annika is a strategy player and is good.

She took these two out in less than 20 minutes.

The Fireman Says, "Thank You"

"Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you"  can also be expressed as,  "Fire truck"  "Fire truck"  "Fire truck"  "WHOA!,  Fire truck"

Erik is in love with his new Bruder fire truck, complete with German "Feuerwehr" sticker on the front, that Grandma brought today from Minnesota.  Now when he gets on the web cam with Grandpa, he'll have a matching sized truck to show to Grandpa.  Grandpa has the authentic vintage Tonka truck and they like to compare truck sizes over the camera.  Erik is always more impressed with Grandpa's.  This truck is cool - the siren is not too loud, it squirts water and the aerial ladder is full functioning.

Heaven for a little boy.

The Cuts

Four kids haircuts - $50.00

Erik got a haircut this evening along with his three sisters.  As the only boy, I was having difficulty describing what I wanted.  "What size clippers?" she asked.  "Huh??", I replied.  I tried describing my ideal haircut for a little boy, sounding more fumbled as I "guessed" stylist terms which really weren't stylist terms.

And then I thought, bingo.  I'll just show a picture of what I want.  She said that would be much easier.  Erik was oblivious to this conversation as he played happily in the toy car barber chair.  Smartphone in hand, I clicked on the blog and showed her a picture of my dad.  I want a cut like this, I told her, short for the summer.

She called it a 50's cut, with a cute model.

Here's what we got.  Erik with his grandfather's haircut.

Old Photo Friday

Erik needs a haircut.  We've stopped last Sunday (which was Father's Day) in the late afternoon after running errands.  They had closed early.  We stopped Wednesday after skating lessons.  They were already booked for the evening.  The girls will soon be leaving to go to Minnesota.  They could use a trim, too.  Obviously, we need to make appointments for three haircuts rather than take a chance.

I've tried to style Erik's hair.  It's getting thicker.  I want a short summer cut with wispy bangs that I can style up or down.  Just like this:

My dad, Dennis Stevens

Summer reading is not for *everyone* in the family.  Here's all I have to say about this.  Boys are WAY more difficult than girls.  At least right now.

A Lesson in Geography

Geography is our summer academic focus.  Since the girls finish summer school next week, we're filling in some of the education gap with some U.S. states education.

So I thought I'd start the week out with a "baseline" after seeing someone's FB post.  Woody and I gave the girls a blank U.S. map and asked them to fill in all of the States.  No list, just their knowledge.

Ingrid's answer is satisfactory for a four year old, soon-to-be kindergartener.  We'll slowly add a state or two, starting with Minnesota, of course.

Annika needs to take a side trip while in Minnesota this summer - someone please point out the fine State of WISCONSIN right next to WISHIGEN?

And finally, by the end of this school year, Morgan will be able to do this with 100% accuracy, including capitals,  and we will begin our focus on European countries by next summer. 

I wish they would have had a Geography Bee when I was younger.  That's my forte.

Old Photo Friday

This evening I had the pleasure of accompanying Annika on a 6.6 mile !!!! bike ride around our neighborhood.  It was fantastic.  We left at 8:45 PM using helmets and lights.  Annika is more adept at her larger bike she received last Christmas.  We had great conversation, fun water breaks, and dodged a few sprinkers {grey water, yuck!}  The air was breezy and the ride was smooth.

When we returned, all of her siblings were in bed.  Annika showered and had some more water with mom and dad before going to bed.  So much fun, I can't wait to repeat.  We are still trying to figure out a way to take the whole family for a ride.  Right now, we don't have a seat for Erik and Ingrid is still a little slow on the bike with training wheels.  We'll wait for now.

I love Annika's bike.  It's the kind of bike I would have enjoyed as a child.  Today's old photo Friday is my family members and their favorite bikes.

Beautiful Boy

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet Erik B.  You're so beautiful.  We hope you enjoyed your "Fire truck" birthday celebrations.

A Not Appreciated Talent

My daughter is Spiderman in disguise as a little girl.  No really.  I'm serious.  Handstands, jumping from the counter after getting a cup out of the cupboard - not to the floor - but to the center island, and now this.

Erik was chasing Annika in the house.  Just as we were uttering the proverbial parent sentence, "no running in the house., we look in the hall to see our seven year old climb the doorway in three seconds.  It was amazing.  That's why the camera was shaking as I grabbed it with one hand off the hallway buffet and quick snapped this picture.

And now I am about to go on record as saying what I have been thinking - "Annika, I hope you have a child just like you."!!!  (And yes, I'm aware that Annika is sometimes a reincarnated Michelle, but that's a different generation).

BTW, we have nine foot ceilings.

Are You Asian Enough?

Out of the blue last week, I got a call at my office from the principal.  Mind you, school is out for the summer so it wasn't my kid :)  We've had a good relationship at Jacobson, but I think something was disconnected with this conversation.


Lynn Weed told us that the dean of students, Thuy Padilla, was finishing her doctorate with a dissertation on Asian students/families and their access to educational opportunities in CATS or traditional schools.  Lynn asked if I would be willing to come in and talk about my immigration experience and how we were able to access educational needs for our children.  I paused long on the phone and replied, "Lynn, it's me, Michelle.  I don't think emigrating from Minnesota counts." 

"You're from Minnesota?"
 "Yes"


Lynn didn't cover the mouth piece well and whispered to Thuy in a now-what-do-I-say-voice, "She's from Minnesota!" 

Apparently, Mrs. Weed was going off a list provided by Mrs. Padilla.  I was smiling on the phone at the obvious gaffe.

"Did you actually want to talk to my husband?  He's a first generation from South Korea."


We set up a time for Thuy to call back and set a time to interview us for her dissertation.  I misunderstood traditional school to mean one of Chandler elementary schools, not the four CTA's.  We had a great conversation about her work and our background.  She did say the invite was for Woody, when Lynn made the introductory calls.  But they did call my number??    In the end, we weren't quite the right family for her research work. 

She wanted to interview some of the Asian families at Jacobson  to ascertain their abilities to understand (i.e. first generation versus second generation immigrants vs. guests) the educational opportunities for their children.  Guest students are children of some of the H1 visa parents such as Intel engineers here on three and six year visas.  Many of these students come from highly educated parents who self-select and somewhat self-segregate their kids in advanced classes in grade school.  This notion seems to support the mid-80's stereotype of all-Asians-are-brainiacs.

Mrs. Padilla has been a fantastic dean of students at Jacobson, we've had a great time and it was fun getting to know her more during this short time.  She's moving on to Fulton Ranch school next year.  We'll miss her.

Moral of the Story
 It's very true that Morgan and I enjoy the mis-perceptions some make when they hear our names and assume our race based on name.  He he.  We like being Chungs.

Chung Cash

Out of money?  Don't know what to do when you have IOU's?  Just print some more cash :), that's what the Fed's have you believe.  But here at the Chung house, it's real.  Chung Cash real.  We've added new summer chore incentives to get our kids into the next niveau of chores (bigger and better things, that's how we describe it).  Since my oldest two are going to Minnesota, we printed the "Mad Dash for Summer Cash" chore list with various extra duties and their associated values.  As an incentive, I added a $5.00 Chung Cash (CC) bonus for reaching $20.00 in Chung Cash by June 29.  The Mad Dash has been around since early May.  Only now is it catching on and the kids are getting excited.

They were so excited at their new earning potential,  I needed to print more money today as I handed out IOU's at least until I can get more cut out.  So here I am after 11 PM, printing money.  Ha ha.

Summer Bucket List - Swimming and Slushies

A few days ago, I posted a picture of someone's summer bucket list of activities for kids.  We've just finished our first full week of summer vacation and for sure, we're well into our unwritten "bucket" list of activities for the Chung kids.  Today was no exception.  After a lazy morning following Erik's awesome 2nd birthday party, we grabbed our suits and piled into the car to go to Mesquite Aquatic Center (MAC) for some water fun.  We arrived to find it near capacity.  There was still a line to get in to the facility.  No fun.  We turned around and headed to the other side of town and found the WCAC nearly empty.  Woohoo!!!!  With a slide and zero depth entry, it's perfect for little kids and big kids.  There are ramadas and other shady umbrellas and chairs right up to the water's edge.  We spent a gorgeous two hours in perfect summer weather playing at the aquatic center.

Following our fun in the sun, we hit up the local Sonic for "Happy Hour" where slushies and mixed limeades are half price.  Lovely yummy summer time drinks, reminding me of the Dairy Queen in Wabasha after swim lessons (that's lessons on the river, not in the modern pool), delivered by someone on roller skates.  Hit the spot!

Visiting the Fire Station

The highlight of Erik's second birthday party was the fire station visit.  CFD does not "do" birthday parties.  When I called to make arrangements for a site visit and explained the size of our group, the fire prevention services told us that it would be perfectly fine to visit, just don't mention it's a birthday party.  We were simply two families out for a Saturday visit to the Ocotillo fire station.

Erik didn't get the idea that the visit was for him until we were well inside the station (he mentions the fire trucks and points to the station every time [I MEAN EVERY TIME] we drive by.  Oh my!  Now we were inside the fire house looking at the fire truck in the garage.  His excitement was obvious.  There were ten of us in total, but Erik definitely was in charge of the visit.  This was his element and we were mere bystanders.

Once he got comfortable with the crew, Erik had the run of the garage.  While the girls commented about the basketball net in the back of the station, Erik and the Tiger Twins were having a great time checking out the engine.  When they turned the lights on, his eyes lit up like he was seeing the best Christmas present ever!

After about 20 minutes, we said our goodbyes, and with our new JR. Firefighter stickers and helmets, we walked home to open Erik's gifts from the Lheureux's.  What was in the presents?  You guessed it - fire trucks.

Erik's 2nd Birthday

Erik's birthday party was today, a few days before his second birthday.  We celebrated with our friends the Lheureux's and with Grandma via Webcam.

Old Photo Friday

For the past two weeks I have been helping my aunt launch her new blog, preservingfoodtraditions.blogspot.com with technical support and the header graphic.  It's been a lot of fun and I'm enjoying her posts.  The recipes are great and the tips are fantastic.  We've talked on the phone and brainstormed over some ideas and how they can be presented in blog format.  Fun.  If you haven't seen her blog, click on the hyperlink and check it out.  Don't forget to come back.

It was no surprise that I wanted to tie this week's old photo Friday with a food theme.  And I found one with a double bonus - it's a summer photo with my aunt Diane!  When scanning slides for my grandfather years back, he asked if I had come across any of the big house before renovation.  He was especially interested in the screen porch.

We Need a Plan

Summer is here and already the kids are getting restless.  The idea of having six weeks off and spending it indoors is a little cruel.  Luckily we'll be vacationing soon.  Until then, the three girls have summer school (reader's theater & t.v. production; advanced math topics; kindergarten camp) for the month of June.

We've made two trips out of Phoenix and we're starting a list of things to do in the Valley.  This morning, I found this picture that caught my eye.  Check out this mom's list of summer activities.  We can already check off a few, with more to go.

Let's see - we've made waffles, gone to the library (3 x), gone night bike riding, made forts, gone to a drive-in movie, roller ice skating and had a movie party.

This list gives us more ideas.  Definitely we'll be using our zoo membership and museum passes.  I'm loving the Sonic idea.  Yum!

Picture source here.

Family Movie Night - "My Neighbor Totoro"

This evening we settled into our latest Netflix pick, My Neighbor Totoro, a Japanese anime movie.  This movie is from 1988 but was remade by Disney last year and dubbed in English.  It is a fantastic movie with laughter and moving music and songs and great animation.

Totoro is a beloved character in Japanese anime.  You can find him everywhere from stickers to stuffed animals, t-shirts, and bed sheets.  He is very much a part of their pop culture.

Last year the Arizona Museum for Youth did an exhibit on Japanese pop culture, including the movie culture.  They had life sized Totoro scenes from the movie, including this scene where the sisters are waiting at the bus stop for their Dad to come home from teaching at the university.  Instead of his bus arriving, Totoro's "bus" a large cat, arrives to magically take Totoro to his destination.

Here's Ingrid in the large cat and waiting at the bus station, dressed in a mock Totoro costume.

Guess What We Made - Part 2

Check out Erik's new bookshelves and reading nook!  Have you seen the shelves before?  They're actually small spice racks from IKEA, painted and turned into forward-view bookshelves.  We've been trying to decide how to display them with the vintage metal letter "E" we found at an antique store a few months ago.

Now we can display a few books at a time to get Erik interested in reading.  He does sit well through books, especially ones he really likes.  So where are the truck books?  They were in the other bookcase in the family room.  He has a few, plus more coming for his birthday.  There is one book in particular that I have memorized.  So has Morgan.  Annika knows most of it.  We all collectively sigh and say, "Again??  Really?" when he puts it in front of us with his big dimple smile.

I guess since you're looking at a photo of Erik I should explain the pajamas.  These are Erik's favorite pajamas.  Heck, it's his favorite outfit period.  Have you ever had a pair of flannel pajamas that have been washed into a soft, smooth cotton?  This pair of long sleeved pajamas have done that.  Erik got them around Christmas time from my mom.  The pants were too long.  He kept tripping on them even after we rolled them up.  He wore the shirt with the sleeves rolled up.  We kept trying to hide them until he was bigger.  Soon he was on to us and kept asking for his firetruck pajamas.  And then I had an idea - cut off the pajamas and hem them to he won't trip on them.  We cut them, but never put the hem seam in.  They looked so cute with the natural cut.

As the weather has grown warmer, we realized that the fav pj's won't fit next year and have faded into something that can't be handed-down.  We decided to give the shirt the same "trim" so he can wear them all summer.  He's well on his way!  Such soft pajamas!  Thank you, Grandma.  We hope you don't mind.

Fishing at Woods Canyon Lake

The summer is upon us and so is the 100 degree weather that goes with it.  After a great evening at the drive in theater in Scottsdale, we got up and made waffles for the kids before deciding to head out to Payson.  We quickly showered everyone and gathered supplies.  Molly had been our guest for the evening at the drive-in, which turned into a sleepover, which turned into a stop at her house to get more clothes and permission to go fishing on the Rim.

After a minor hamburger mixup, we were on the road with a movie for the kids, and sleep for the mom (I was sooo dragging this morning).  There are a lot of twists and turns up climbing to 5500 ft from the valley.  It wasn't easy to catch some zzzz's but I managed a little.

The lake was packed.  We felt lucky to even find a parking spot.  To find a shore location that wasn't already occupied turned out tricky.  We found something, but then we were swarmed with folks around us and practically on top of us (it took some crazy photo angles to keep them out of the pictures).

The kids had a great time looking for minnows, crawfish, walking on the rocks and fishing.  We brought picnic food for later in the afternoon.  Annika was the first to get her shorts wet (are you shocked???), followed by Ingrid.  Molly was the most serious about fishing.  Poor Woody barely got a few casts out on his own before one of the kids got tangled or wet or needed bait.  Erik really liked playing on the dirt with his trucks and after awhile, he was up on the rocks dangling his feet in the water.

The drive home was much later than planned.  We needed to feed the group of five kids before getting back to Chandler.  We stopped in Fountain Hills and found an authentic pizzeria.  Fresh homemade cheese pizza, crisp and yummy.  It was well after 8 PM before Molly was dropped off at home, close to 9 PM before baths were finished at the Chungs.  Lights out! 

Kindergarten Entrance Exam

Shhh.  It's not a test.  We forgot to avoid the word test and made Ingrid a little anxious this morning over the KIST - Kindergarten Inventory of Social-Emotional Tendencies - test.  The KIST test is a way for Kindergarten teachers to measure the incoming flock of 4-5 year olds.  It's a bit subjective, but it's used primarily in aggregate, rather than individual.  However, I heard that a teacher friend, not at Jacobson, had a few screamers who clearly didn't make the cut for this year.  They were advised to wait a year.

Back to Ingrid.  Once Morgan offered Ingrid a purse for her Pinkalicious doll and a mini plastic gumball machine, all fears seemed to be alleviated.  I drove Ingrid to Jacobson, while Woody stayed with Annika, Erik and Morgan.  Ingrid was in great spirits when she met Mrs. Puckett, one of the the Kindergarten teachers.

All went well with the evaluation.  Ingrid only remarked that she didn't like the shapes test.  She said the picture of the diamond wasn't good because it wasn't colored pink with sparkles.  She let Mrs. Puckett know that it wasn't a diamond unless it was pink and sparkly.  Otherwise, it's not a diamond.  It's just something ugly.  That's truly an Ingridism.

Watch out Kindergarten - Fancy Ingrid's coming!!!!

Old Photo Friday

It's been 10 years since we stood in the office in E-kat and collectively changed our lives forever.  We love you Morgan!!!