Living An Intentional Life
Yesterday n turned 11 months old, and he celebrated by taking 10 steps by himself!
k likes to cheer n on in his walking efforts.
As a side note, here are the Olympic mascots that sit by our tv. I am sad that they have received absolutely NO exposure on tv so far. Not even in the Opening Ceremony, unless I missed it? They are so cute!
I know a lot of people dislike Valentine’s Day because it can be commercialized, cheesy, etc. However, I enjoy the idea of having a special day just to celebrate love. It was also nice how Valentine’s Day was on a Sunday. D and I celebrated just the two of us at Honda-Ya on Saturday night. Today was more of a “family-love” day with the kids. We gave k a little bag with a mini globe from the dollar section @ Target, a pair of heart socks from Old Navy and a few Hershey’s hugs.
I started a Yelp account, so I will try to set up a link to all of my restaurant reviews. The short version is that we arrived at Honda-Ya a little after 5, knowing that it opens at 5:30 and gets pretty crowded. We were first to put our name on the clipboard hanging outside the door. My suggestion would be to arrive by 5:20, and you would still be in for the first seating. By the time we left at 6:30, there was a sizeable group waiting outside. We shared a bunch of the little plates, a lot based on suggestions from D’s co-workers. The grilled items were quite tasty and D was surprised that he liked the agedashi tofu.
Sorry, no pictures. Our camera, which we were thinking of replacing soon anyway, broke. That is the main reason that our blogging has been quite spotty recently. That, and the fact that we have become obssessed with the Winter Olympics. D and I visited Vancouver/Whistler in 2005, pre-kids, so that city holds a special place in our hearts. Also, D was born in Windsor, Ontario, so he has the Canadian spirit. I was never into the Winter Olympics until I met D. After trying snowboarding/skiing, I have a much greater appreciation for all of the athletes’ skills. We also like to add our own banter/color commentary, so it’s a good time. Unfortunately, it really puts our 40-hour Tivo to the test, since we failed to clear it up before the games began.
This journey of running my 2nd full marathon started back in October. That is when I started my training program. The training didn’t go as planned since my foot hurt for over a month and I also got roto virus. However, all the distractions actually helped me learn how to focus on what I can control. I tried not to focus/worry about just the race results but on the process of training and the satisfaction of improving a little day by day. Even though the early morning runs including the two 20 milers were difficult and tiring and I complained a lot, I did take enjoyment checking off my daily runs on my training schedule.
I got a PR of 4 hrs 17 mins and 4 sec. 4 minutes and 15 seconds faster than my first marathon. I am offically retiring from full marathons. I got under my goal of under 4 hours and 20 minutes and can be satisfied in accomplishing that goal. I have signed up for the L.A. Rock N Roll Half Marathon since my buddy Chris from Atlanta wants to run it. I would like to break by PR of 1 hr, 52 mins, 53 secs; but I have a couple months to be lazy before training starts.
We had a nice weekend. D was able to go skiing on Friday. Thankfully, no major injuries, especially since he has his marathon next Sunday!
On Saturday we went to a birthday party for a boy who just turned three. It was a “ball-themed” birthday party–basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc. k shot a few baskets, but spent most of the time on the swings. She also enjoyed playing in her old “baby class” (the church nursery).
The birthday cake. Doesn’t it look professional?
It was actually decorated by the birthday boy’s grandma. She just ordered a cake from Costco, had them do the writing, and she added the rest. Very creative! Oh, not to mention that she also made a yummy Italian lunch for 50+ people!
According to Wikipedia, “Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.” Last weekend I “upcycled” a pair of D’s old boxers into a sleeping mask. D was quite hesitant about the whole thing. While I was sewing, he asked if it was some sort of cruel joke. Nope, I was serious (even though I was laughing during the whole process!)
It all started several months ago when D somehow managed to get a big rip in his boxers. He wanted to throw them away, but I saw potential in the fabric so I saved them (after washing them a final time, of course). It’s hard to find fabrics that are guy-friendly at the fabric store. Anyway, I made a checkbook cover out of part of it, but there was still a lot left over, so back in my fabric stash it went.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when I noticed that D started to cover his face with a blanket or pillow so he could go to sleep while I was still reading in bed. I told him he needed a sleep mask, and surprisingly, he agreed. I thought I could make him one, but out of what kind of fabric? It had to be manly enough, as manly as a sleep mask could be, that is. Then it hit me…his leftover boxer fabric! Yes!
I lined the backside with some scrap fleece that I had left over from my mom. I even used the elastic from the waistband of the boxers for the headband part, so I didn’t have to buy any new materials. Upcycling at its finest. 🙂
We’ve pretty much been cooped up inside all week due to the rain. It cleared up today, so we ventured out to Pretend City, a newish children’s museum in Irvine. We went at 4 p.m. to get half off admission. That meant we would only have an hour before it closed, but I knew that would be plenty for k, and it was. (After 4 p.m. it is $5/adults and kids; $1/infant-1 year old.) We ran into some friends from church, too.
k was more open to exploring this museum than the one in La Habra, even though it was probably even more crowded. Maybe because she knew a little more what to expect? There was a Ralph’s, cafe, post office, doctor’s office, fire station, gas station, house, stage, garden, construction area, art studio and water play area. The bank and library weren’t open. k liked the water area the best. I guess we’ll have to set up a water table this summer in our backyard.
This is where n spent most of his time, and he really liked it! I think he got his money’s worth–haha. D said we need to set up these padded barriers at home.
Afterward we went to dinner at Marie Callender’s for National Pie Day (free slice of pie w/entree). We couldn’t remember the last time we had been to a MC, but the food was pretty good. Free warm cornbread, cubano sandwich for D and chicken pot pie filling in a sourdough bread bowl for me. We shared a piece of double cream blueberry pie and took a piece of German chocolate pie home (to be eaten tomorrow)
People in the restaurant were laughing at National Pie Day, but I like the idea of celebrating silly holidays. I’ve even started a list of them, but have yet to officially celebrate any of them (until now).
When D’s brother and sister came down to visit, they noted that there seemed to be lots of chain restaurants. That’s true, but there are also a lot of independent ethnic eateries…you just have to be on the look out for them.
A couple of weekends ago we went to Kaya, a Korean restaurant. We had a coupon for their dol sot bimbimbap (go to www.cheapirvine.com our new “secret source”). We were reminded why we usually don’t go to Korean restaurants with the kids–several small bowls of banchan + scorching hot stone bowls = constant supervision of squirmy kids.
Across the way we decided to stop in a Persian bakery called Assal Pastry. They sell pastries for $10/lb. The pastries were yummy, but why can’t they label them to make it easier for the customer to order? I sensed the employee was getting a bit frustrated with our descriptions when we were trying to order “Um, the one with chocolate and in the shape of a triangle?” k picked the strawberry cake when we got home and declared she liked it better than chocolate.
FYI: this assortment came out to about $8.50–it adds up!
Last weekend we ate at an Indian lunch buffet in Tustin called Haveli. 
k liked the garlic naan and tandoori chicken. D and I enjoyed the fiery hot chicken curry (and the naan, of course!) It was $6.99/person with our coupon (the restaurant advertises a lot) and k didn’t have to pay, so that was nice. There weren’t many people, but maybe because it was the weekend. We were quite full after that. (D had run 20 miles that morning, so he had reason to eat a lot.)
On Sunday we celebrated my sister’s birthday. Her dessert request was S’mores cupcakes, and my mom delivered:
We also had a DiGiorno party, but that will be another post.
Our little n is now 5/6 of a year old. He is cruising along everywhere and likes to clap his hands a lot. He’s starting to babble more too, so that’s exciting. He can also sleep 8-9 hours at night now, which is VERY exciting!
I thought our family had recovered from a virus that made its way from k–>D–>n, but it looks like we’re not out of the woods yet. On Wed. night, I saw D throw up for the very first time in the 12+ years that I have known him. Sorry if that is TMI, but I find that remarkable since he has witnessed me being sick too many times to count.
So, this weekend we’re not doing anything too strenuous and trying to recover.
Love the double shopping carts at Costco!
Had fun organizing my plasticware cabinet. Quite satisfying.
“Before”
“After” (Note that the major addition is a set of Snapware that I bought on sale for $20 at Costco today. It is supposed to be like Lock and Lock, of which I have a few. We’ll see how they compare. The set also included two cereal containers, which are in the pantry).
I also started a deep cleaning out of our bedroom/office after the kids went to bed. This is going to be a long process.
D received two tickets to Zoomar’s, a small petting zoo in San Juan Capistrano, so we went on Saturday. First we ate at El Campeon, a Yelp find.
D ordered three tacos and I shared a chicken burrito with k. We could’ve just shared two tacos and the burrito between all of us, since the servings were quite generous. We also had a watermelon agua fresca. The drink was kind of too sweet for me, but k enjoyed it. It was a very loud place, and I think we were the only non-hispanics, which I guess is a good sign, food-quality wise!
Next up, the zoo!
k’s favorite, the bunnies. She didn’t want to ride on the ponies–“Maybe when I’m 4.” Also, this morning she asked why there weren’t any giraffes at the zoo. Um, I guess we should’ve managed her expectations a little better before we went.
I liked walking around the nearby historic district afterward. I remember watching a Huell Howser show on the area. Someday D and I should try the Ramos House and the tea house. I guess we’ll also have to see the swallows/mission too.
Cute little houses.
Can’t believe our “winter break” is over! It was good to have so much family time together. Back to reality.
