The two boys...

Just sharing a couple of snaps of the boys. They are growing up way too fast. Terrence has been attending preschool twice a week for a 3hrs each day. Julie volunteers every other week. I think it's a cool experience to be able to watch your kid in class. This year, there is an imbalance in that there are 12 boys and only 3 girls.

Terrence is towards the bigger end of the scale among the boys. The kids who aren't quite 3yrs old yet are accompanied by a parent while attending class until they are 3 yrs of age. This past Thursday, Julie said it was a rough start to the morning. It's been three weeks and there is one kid who still isn't quite used to going to school. He cries every time and the poor parents don't know what to do. That's ok, it isn't gonna always be this way.

Then there is another kid who just turned three, so it'll be her first day without the parent. She too cried once she realized her parent wasn't coming with her to class. Julie said that all the commotion made some of the other kids look like they wanted to cry too. The teacher with each crying kid in each hand had to walk them to class. But to make the morning even better, the teacher forgot the gate keys. So they all had to trot through the main office, with crying kids and not crying kids in tow. What a scene. Julie said Terrence had a look on his face of not quite sure what to do. From what Julie has witness, Terrence is ever helpful in class. During snack time, as the kids finish up their food...he picks up after them and make sure the trash goes into the right place. When other children are crying, he tries to give them something to calm them down. I think this is because he is the bigger brother to a little one at home. The standing rule is, Terrence is suppose to watch out for Jason. And if Jason cries, then he's can get into trouble too. LOL

Speaking of which...Jason is growing slowly...but surely. In recent days, he's been eating much more and isn't as picky. That helps lift a heavy burden on us and I hope it continues. Sleep wise, he has settled into a routine so that's nice. Before that, sleep time was difficult. So we're glad that phase is far behind us. If we can put some more meat on his bones, we would be happy.

Jason is at the stage where he mimics everything. Sounds, gesture, etc. So sometimes Terrence does things 3yr olds can do and gets in trouble for it because Jason isn't quite able to perform those feats yet. i.e. jumping off a couple steps isn't that big a deal. However, doing it in front of Jason who will likely mimic it is a problem. Oh well, boys will be boys and I try to maintain the fine line of parenting and giving them the independence we had when we were kids. It was definitely a different world back then. Nowadays, us parents are so overbearing. :)

Fun in the sun on a Sun...

After getting a blog post out of the way, I quickly fed the kids, dressed them and loaded up the car. Nothing like a fun little impromptu trip to the ocean to revitalize oneself. I decided we'll drive over to Solana Beach where Julie is seeing a few patients on a Sunday.

Julie's office is literally a stone's throw away from Fletcher Cove Park and Beach. Figured we'll play a bit and then invite her out to join us as she wraps up work. Not a bad way to end a Sunday.

I often find the best vacations are the staycation type. There's so much in the immediate area that we don't take advantage of and you can come home to your own beds afterward. Especially truth when you have kids in tow. ;) Anyways, enjoy this quick set.

Morning Light...

With kids, there is no rest for the weary. At the first sign of morning light, they are both wide awake and ready to play. These moments are certainly precious indeed...if we are alert enough to enjoy them. ;)

What soft light through yonder window breaks. The morning light changes so fast.

On this morning, I am in love with all the people in these pictures moreso than ever before. Just don't ask me if I feel that way lacking a good night's rest though. However, on this morning, I am glad to be awake and alert enough to capture these precious memories.

Thankful to be giving Thanks...

It's nice to have a day where the country is unified in remembering to give thanks. I guess when you are around family for the holiday, you can get a bit nostalgic. Or perhaps it's the tryptophan that is causing it; but grandma was reminicing 30yrs prior. I was about Terrence's age when we left Vietnam in hope of a better life. Seeing the little munchkins, Terrence and now Calvin this year, running about and thinking about that statement by grandma really put things into perspective for me this year.

My dad said it best before he carved the turkey. We look back and we are thankful for everything that we have accomplish and have achieved. Thanks to each of our father and mother, who made it possible for each generation to have more and in turn able to give thanks each year as a family.

Thanks to Nancy who roasted the Turkey and Susan who made the rib roast. They were terrific. Julie's side dishes and dessert went great with the meat. Grandma kept complimenting the food and even asked for the recipe so she can share it with her eight other children. This is a big deal from someone who isn't used to "Americanized" food.

And a special thanks to dad and mom, who always do so much each year for each of their children. And continue to do so now for their grand children.

Here are a few pictures from the night.

A favorite game at family gatherings. It's call, pass the baby.

It's all about these moments for me as a photographer. It happens so quickly, but to capture it for all time, it's priceless.

There was nothing interesting for black friday this year. I love people watching but this year, I get to watch Terrence for a few. While his mom gets ready for work, we ran out and got coffee... plus a couple of these shots to take advantage of the early morning light.

I have been enjoying this little oasis for a long while now; each time I pull into the Starbucks parking lot. With Terrence, camera and perfect lighting, I decided it was time to make the shot I was envisioning in my head. That didn't happen but it was fun nonetheless and we got these shots to cherish instead.

A photo tip: If you want your 2yr to stand still enough for a photo. Give them something to do. Forget about posing them. The picture and magic is in moments they create on their own.

Love this series. I like capturing sequences because the frames themselves can tell a story. Here, Terrence matches up the left he pulled off the tree to the leaves on the piece of branch I gave him.

Anyways, I have lots of photos to share. If you like lifestyle photography and can't hire a professional photographer, it makes sense to dress your kid up cute and come to any gathering that I am around. You know I love taking photos. Ok, off with Terrence to make some more.