Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Winter Fun 2017

Although winter seems like it takes forever, we still have lots of fun both indoors and out!  You and Bradley love the snow so there's plenty of sledding down the big hill at Glen Lake elementary.  We also get to celebrate Baba's birthday, St Patrick's Day and Easter.  This winter, Yipao and Meibo came to visit!!

On Feb 14th, your 5th tooth fell out!  I think you are on a roll.  We have a special tooth fairy pillow and journal.  Each tooth has a name and we always write down the story of how the tooth fell out.  The next day, we had an epic moment; I took you to get gas for the car.  You've done this plenty of times but have always waited in the car.  This time, you were thirsty so we went into the gas station to get something to drink.  It just so happens that we went to the big Holiday gas station.  When you walked through those doors.... it was like you hit the jackpot.  Your eyes wide open with a quick walk to the snacks.  Rice Krispies, ring pops, air heads and mike n ike's.  You almost forgot that you were thirsty to begin with.  After this adventure, we decided that getting gas was going to be a regular for you.  Later gas trips included flavored soda, ice cream, candy and more candy.

You continue to grow and develop socially, emotionally and physically.  Socially, you continue to have a ton of friends at school. It seems like you are going to a birthday party every week. Emotionally, you are maturing and starting to become a 'big boy'. You're more patient with your brother and handle conflict better. Physically, I've observed a huge improvement in Kung Fu and Soccer class. You still say the funniest things and always make mama laugh.  The other day, you said, "I can't control my attitude". 

St Patrick's day was a great time for both you and your brother.  The lucky leprechaun came to our house overnight and left his footprints all over the place.  He also left some treats and toys which was a great adventure. For Easter, we went to the Lowry Nature Center to collect color rocks. That was a lot of fun. The next day, we had an Easter Egg Hunt at home. Now that the weather is getting nicer, we'll be spending more time outside!!

I'm really looking forward to the summer.  We have lots of fun planned. Ashley will be babysitting two days a week so you get to sleep in. You'll be taking swim, tennis and kung fu classes. In June, Yipao will be visiting.  For July, we will take a trip to San Francisco. In August, Anthony gege and Meibo will visit.  Busy Busy!!

Beni, I love you so much!  Thanks for making me a super happy and proud mama.

Your Bok Choy at school - it's the biggest!!

Ninjago Jay

You built Ninjago Jay!

Rey looking for the wrecking machine (Bradley)

Superbowl


Always a creative dresser

One more tooth missing!

Homemade ear muffs

Egyptian exhibit at school

We are Irish!

Leprechaun treats

Leprechaun foot prints


I love all playgrounds!

Dressed for the zoo

MN Zoo


Meibo

Silly Meibo

Yum Yum Ice Cream!

Sea life

So cool

What's behind me?

Your fav store

Haha


Helping Bradley

We got all the rocks!


Eggs

More eggs

I love Overwatch
 

Monday, May 22, 2017

Guess who's 6?!?!

It's 2017 and guess who just turned 6??!!! SIX?!?!
Happy Birthday Beni Berger!!!  I love you to the moon and beyond.  I love you to infinity times a google.  To you it's just another birthday but to mama, it's six years of fun, laughs, smiles, playing, swimming, vacations, learning, and some tears along the way. 

We started planning for your birthday right after coming back from Christmas.  This year, you requested to have your birthday party at Pump It Up.  You really love Pump It Up.  We invited 15 of your friends and every year, I do a special homemade birthday cake with any theme you like.  Bugs. Trees and bugs to be exact.  I was able to find a super yummy chocolate cake recipe (hot off the New York Times) and the cake was a big hit.  You and your friends had a super fun time.

What is a birthday without presents??? This was the year of the Legos.  You are obsessed with Legos, especially Nexo Knights but they are all good.  I think you got 5-6 lego sets. 

Happy Birthday my Beni Berger!! You are such a sweet, kind, funny and caring boy.  I wouldn't change you for anything and you'll always have a special place in my heart.   Love, mama

It's your birthday!

Birthday hugs with mama

Fun with magnetic tiles

Checking out Chinese New Year

A day at MOA

Bug cake!

Your approval

Fun with your friends


Burn off that energy


Cake with trees added

There was a lot of chocolate in that cake!
 

Holidays 2016


The end of year goes by so quickly!  After coming back from Halloween and Disney, we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Thanksgiving at our house is typically very low key.  We stay at home and mama cooks a big Thanksgiving meal.  It's kind of funny because you and Bradley do not like the typical Thanksgiving meal. 
 
Our tradition is usually ham or duck, sweet potato casserole, brussels sprout hash, sausage stuffing, pumpkin pie and bars.  This year, you asked about the Thanksgiving day turkey.  We are not big turkey fans but I felt like I needed to cook the turkey so you have the full experience.  This resulted in a last minute run to 3 grocery stores to find a fresh bird b/c it was too late for us to thaw a frozen bird.  Baba to the rescue!  He fended off a few other people for the last fresh bird. 
 
During our meal, I think you had one bite of turkey which was one bite more than your brother.  Good thing I had backup butter noodles.
 
Then came Christmas!!  We went to see Uncle Johnny, Yipao, Meibo, Anthony gege and Mei Wong in Connecticut.  But ... I don't know how much longer that will last because you were constantly asking about Santa back at your house (mainly your gifts).  We might have to transition to Christmas in Minnesota next year.  As always we had a ton of fun in Connecticut.  Then, back home we came to start to get ready for the new year and your birthday!  Too much excitement. 
 
Now that you are five and in the middle of your kindergarten year, you've really grown up.  Lately it's been one loose tooth after another.  I've also seen a lot of development and growth.  You are very, very good in coloring, able to pair colors together and color within the lines.  Also, you are extremely good and very patient with crafts.  You did some bead work at explorers and we bought some at home too.  It was very funny b/c we needed an iron to melt the beads together.  You said to me, "that big thing that gets very hot".  I thought it was a glue gun.  Then I texted Meibo and she said, "he means an iron".  HAHAHA clearly mama does not iron much.
 
Your Chinese reading and writing is also getting pretty good.  I've come to realize that you're learning more than I know... which is great.  I think it's funny that you talk about your dad to me in Chinese.  I'm sure more will come of this.
 
As always, mama keeps all your funny Ben-isms:
 
11/9 (me) Did you just thrown the light sabers down the stairs?
(you) No, I gently pushed it down and it went klink klink klink klank klank
 
12/3 - Lost fourth tooth with the help of your brother (he kicked your face while playing)
12/14 - I like chocolate but not chocolate in my butt
12/18 - My wish came true, you started to play with your brother.  I also realize that it's not a good wish as more injuries will start with two boys playing
1/14 - I think he's having the worst day ever
1/17 - Baba is the big money guy. Baba has the dollars and mama has the pennies.
1/17 - I like to put my finger in my butt bc it smells great (you will hate me for putting this in)
1/23 - Lost your fifth tooth!
 
Trying out the Bubble Guppies ride

Thanksgiving show

I love my turkey!

What a handsome boy

Elf!

Not sure you wanted to be with your brother right about now

Helping with ornament

One less tooth after the brother battle

We had plenty of leftover candy

On the way to CT!

Baba hard at work

This is why you love Meibo

She's so funny!

CT Children's Museum

Look at that giant lizard!

Duckpin bowling

Two cuties

Christmas Round 2

You are obsessed with all things Nexo Knights

Take a picture of me Mom!

Still love your sprinkles

Who can resist this smile?