Todd spent his actual birthday in LA, what with his school closing down early. This year, we thought it would be nice to have the family come up to SB so they could see the new house.
We got to show the entire family not only the new house, but the surrounding community and amenities (clubhouse, pool, billiards room, etc). The sun came out in the afternoon, making for a pleasant deck experience, overlooking the lake.
Todd enjoyed playing with his new toys: a bocce-ball-like game from Amir and Priyanka, a new electric circuit set from Ron and Debbie (Amir, the electrical engineer, enjoyed that one, too!), ice cream maker from Grandpa, microscope from Oma and Opa, and magnetic dartboard and pyramid-shaped Rubik's-Cube-like puzzle from Grandma and Grandpa Duaine.
The little man is 7 now. Wow, hard to believe it's been that many years already. He's so tall, most people think he's 8 or 9, yet he still has a baby face typical of 5/6 year olds. My little boy is growing up!
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Old friends, new friends
Drove down to Rowland Heights today to visit Daddy's old childhood friends, all of whom have children of their own now. Todd was right smack dab in the middle, age-wise. Two older girls aged 9 and 11, and little boys age 2 1/2 and younger. The oldest of those little boys arrived shortly after we visited his mom in Seattle. Todd enjoyed playing with the younger of the 2 girls, until she decided that he was too small to play on the rocking swing and wouldn't let him jump in it anymore. Miffed, Todd refused to play with her (not that I blame him much) and went inside.
We then got to see Grandma a few houses up, and visited with her and Grandpa Duaine for a little while. Todd got to meet their doggies, too! Doggies are always fun to visit! :-)
We then got to see Grandma a few houses up, and visited with her and Grandpa Duaine for a little while. Todd got to meet their doggies, too! Doggies are always fun to visit! :-)
Superbowl Sunday
Todd's first Superbowl! We're not much of sports fan, but since this is more of an opportunity to get together with Daddy's family and hang out, and was really more of a social gathering than a true game-watching, Todd joined Daddy at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house today. He had great fun showing them his magic tricks, playing Monopoly with Aunt Debbie and crashing demolition cars with Uncle Ron, teasing him all the while. It's amazing how much he's opened up and feels comfortable socializing with Daddy's family. Well, after 5 years, it was bound to happen-- their nephew/grandson is finally saying and doing interesting things :-)
Toddy came home with a new friend-- a stuffed seal. Daddy joked that he should name him "iPad". Only... this is proof that you should be careful what kinds of things you say or even joke about in front of kids... because Todd thought it was a fabulous idea and promptly named the seal "iPad". Sigh... maybe we can convince him to call it "Paddy" as a nickname. Irish seal, maybe?
Toddy came home with a new friend-- a stuffed seal. Daddy joked that he should name him "iPad". Only... this is proof that you should be careful what kinds of things you say or even joke about in front of kids... because Todd thought it was a fabulous idea and promptly named the seal "iPad". Sigh... maybe we can convince him to call it "Paddy" as a nickname. Irish seal, maybe?
Merry Christmas 2009
Yay, we got to go to Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house! Todd was excited. Everytime we go there, he makes improvements in his sociability, and his timidness decreases. He now has no problem going outside into the backyard by himself, even if neither Allan nor I are there to accompany him.
He had TONS of fun playing with Uncle Ron! I think he had more fun with Uncle Ron than with Daddy, and Uncle Ron was always his first choice for playing with his new toys together. He'd eagerly seek him out and call out, loudly: "Uncle Ron! Let's build something else" (ref: his new erector set).
Todd even enjoyed teasing Uncle Ron, much to Aunt Debbie's delight ;-) And of course, once egged on, Todd ramped it up even more!
What fun to see Todd eagerly interact with Allan's family, unafraid. Christmases just keep getting better :-)
He had TONS of fun playing with Uncle Ron! I think he had more fun with Uncle Ron than with Daddy, and Uncle Ron was always his first choice for playing with his new toys together. He'd eagerly seek him out and call out, loudly: "Uncle Ron! Let's build something else" (ref: his new erector set).
Todd even enjoyed teasing Uncle Ron, much to Aunt Debbie's delight ;-) And of course, once egged on, Todd ramped it up even more!
What fun to see Todd eagerly interact with Allan's family, unafraid. Christmases just keep getting better :-)
Thanksgiving weekend
Todd was disappointed that we didn't get to go Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house for Thanksgiving this year. He was really looking forward to seeing everyone, especially Grandpa. I guess he still remembered how much they'd bonded during their Oklahoma trip earlier this year!
On Saturday, though, Oma and Opa came up to Santa Barbara, and we had lunch together, as well as visited the sights downtown a bit.
Here we are at the top of the Courthouse, overlooking a gorgeous view of Santa Barbara, the mountains and the ocean all around us:
And here we are in the Sunken Gardens of the Courthouse. As you can see in the last photo, the little man was weary of having his photo taken. At least he moved his hands enough so that his face was uncovered when Opa snapped this picture!
On Saturday, though, Oma and Opa came up to Santa Barbara, and we had lunch together, as well as visited the sights downtown a bit.
Here we are at the top of the Courthouse, overlooking a gorgeous view of Santa Barbara, the mountains and the ocean all around us:
And here we are in the Sunken Gardens of the Courthouse. As you can see in the last photo, the little man was weary of having his photo taken. At least he moved his hands enough so that his face was uncovered when Opa snapped this picture!
Oklahoma visit
Todd accompanied Daddy and Grandpa on a trip to Oklahoma to see Uncle Barry & family, and Uncle Wayne. Daddy's favorite part of the trip? When Todd and Grandpa went to the airport restroom by themselves, and came back out holding hands. Todd's favorite part? Fishing! And the part in the airplane where Grandpa, in the window seat, turned the tables on Todd and declared the window off-limits, as he was now the one in charge of it ;-) Fun times for 3 generations of Knight men!
Happy 5th Birthday, part 2
Whew! Updates in droves yet again! Added some more posts which are back-dated and interspersed through ones I'd written previously, so be sure to scroll down and catch all the latest :-)
Had Todd's second celebration for his 5th birthday today. Drove down to LA to celebrate with the family at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house. The day was hot and Todd squealed with delight as he engaged in water gun fights with everyone. At one point, as Aunt Debbie was distracted fending off attacks from Uncle Ron, Todd snuck up behind her with his little water pistol, and got her in the back! Now THAT's what I call a sneak attack! ;-)
He enjoyed playing with bubbles and doodling on the patio with 3-D sidewalk chalk, and had a great time building a helicopter with Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie out of one of his presents-- a junior erector set.
It was great to see him open up a bit more and interact with Allan's family. He's been coming out of his shell a little bit at a time, but this visit brought about the most changes-- this time he wasn't as shy or hesitant about talking to them and actively engaging in conversation as he played. Let's hope there are more strides in the visits to come!
Now... on to the final celebration with the kiddies next week... more when that event happens!
Had Todd's second celebration for his 5th birthday today. Drove down to LA to celebrate with the family at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house. The day was hot and Todd squealed with delight as he engaged in water gun fights with everyone. At one point, as Aunt Debbie was distracted fending off attacks from Uncle Ron, Todd snuck up behind her with his little water pistol, and got her in the back! Now THAT's what I call a sneak attack! ;-)
He enjoyed playing with bubbles and doodling on the patio with 3-D sidewalk chalk, and had a great time building a helicopter with Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie out of one of his presents-- a junior erector set.
It was great to see him open up a bit more and interact with Allan's family. He's been coming out of his shell a little bit at a time, but this visit brought about the most changes-- this time he wasn't as shy or hesitant about talking to them and actively engaging in conversation as he played. Let's hope there are more strides in the visits to come!
Now... on to the final celebration with the kiddies next week... more when that event happens!
Merry Christmas 2008
Another fun Christmas with Daddy's family. Todd got some of the items from his wish list, regular-sized legos and his very own digital camera, in addition to the usual loot. Because it was raining outside, we all sat around the dining table indoors, and it was actually quite nice! Usually when we sit outdoors we're divided between 2 patio tables, but this time we ALL got to gather around one single table, so it seemed more cozy.
Not a lot of good pictures to put up :-( I just offloaded them from the camera and discovered that they all had Todd either looking away (concentrating on unwrapping a gift) or looking at someone else. If anyone else took better photos, please send them! :-)
When we arrived back at Oma and Opa's house, he was eager to teach them how to play Snakes 'n' Ladders and checkers while they ate dinner.
And of course, what post would be complete without a Toddism?
On the way to Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house, Todd declared that he would not speak to anyone (in fact, he was loath enough to say that to us). The reason? "If I speak English, I will forget my Chinese!"
Not a lot of good pictures to put up :-( I just offloaded them from the camera and discovered that they all had Todd either looking away (concentrating on unwrapping a gift) or looking at someone else. If anyone else took better photos, please send them! :-)
When we arrived back at Oma and Opa's house, he was eager to teach them how to play Snakes 'n' Ladders and checkers while they ate dinner.
And of course, what post would be complete without a Toddism?
On the way to Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house, Todd declared that he would not speak to anyone (in fact, he was loath enough to say that to us). The reason? "If I speak English, I will forget my Chinese!"
Thanksgiving 2008
As usual, celebrations at Ron and Debbie's this year. Dinnertime came with the usual semi-reluctance to eat. But then Todd's ears perked up when Grandpa mentioned apple pie. His mouth watered at the sight. Looking at his half-finished plate of turkey, potatoes and spinach, he declared that he was full. The following conversation ensued:
Todd: I'm full! (clearly wanting pie)
Mom: Oh well, if you're full then I guess you're too full to eat pie.
Todd: (mulls it over) I'm hungry!
Mom: Oh good, if you're hungry, then you can eat more dinner.
Todd: I'm... a little bit hungry, a little bit full!
When he did finish his dinner and delved into his pie with gusto, he devoured it so quickly that it wasn't long before he was looking at his last bite on the plate. At which point he looked at me and said: "I'm not full yet. After I eat this bite, I will be full!"
At the end of the night, as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes to the family, Uncle Ron tried joking about with Todd, claiming he had slaved away all day to get Thanksgiving dinner ready.
It was clear, though, that Todd had observed Aunt Debbie bustling about in the kitchen all day while Uncle Ron sat outside, for he was quick to correct Uncle Ron (albeit speaking to Daddy):
"Uncle Ron didn't do anything! Aunt Debbie did everything!"
Todd: I'm full! (clearly wanting pie)
Mom: Oh well, if you're full then I guess you're too full to eat pie.
Todd: (mulls it over) I'm hungry!
Mom: Oh good, if you're hungry, then you can eat more dinner.
Todd: I'm... a little bit hungry, a little bit full!
When he did finish his dinner and delved into his pie with gusto, he devoured it so quickly that it wasn't long before he was looking at his last bite on the plate. At which point he looked at me and said: "I'm not full yet. After I eat this bite, I will be full!"
At the end of the night, as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes to the family, Uncle Ron tried joking about with Todd, claiming he had slaved away all day to get Thanksgiving dinner ready.
It was clear, though, that Todd had observed Aunt Debbie bustling about in the kitchen all day while Uncle Ron sat outside, for he was quick to correct Uncle Ron (albeit speaking to Daddy):
"Uncle Ron didn't do anything! Aunt Debbie did everything!"
I love Ama
Todd was busy drawing and writing, and came across a post-it pad. That's when he came upon an idea. First, he asked Oma, "How do you spell 'I Love You, Ama'?" Oma spelled it out for him. Then he asked "How do you spell 'Pao-pao'?" Again, Oma spelled it out for him.
That's when Oma finally decided to see what he was up to.
He had written:
I LOVE YOU AMA
PAO-PAO
on the sticky note, and pasted it up on the wall next to his bed!
His reasoning?
"When Ama comes by to see me, she will see the note and read it!"
Awwwww... :-)
That's when Oma finally decided to see what he was up to.
He had written:
I LOVE YOU AMA
PAO-PAO
on the sticky note, and pasted it up on the wall next to his bed!
His reasoning?
"When Ama comes by to see me, she will see the note and read it!"
Awwwww... :-)
Birthday pictures
As promised, an update with pictures (click for larger versions)
Todd enjoys the bubble gun:
And struggles with the mammoth water gun!
Here he is digging into and enjoying his presents:
Here are the Blue's Clues themed decorations:
And Todd blends right in with his Blue ears and big Blue sticker!
Birthday cake (Tres Leches with strawberry filling):
And finally, the pièce de résistance: video clip of Toddy with the bubble gun-- and not believing in letting go!
Todd enjoys the bubble gun:
And struggles with the mammoth water gun!
Here he is digging into and enjoying his presents:
Here are the Blue's Clues themed decorations:
And Todd blends right in with his Blue ears and big Blue sticker!
Birthday cake (Tres Leches with strawberry filling):
And finally, the pièce de résistance: video clip of Toddy with the bubble gun-- and not believing in letting go!
Happy 4th Birthday (the party)
Celebrated Todd's birthday at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron's house today. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't as scorchingly hot as it was last weekend (perfect squirt-gun weather!) so Todd played with bubbles instead. The place was decked out with all sorts of Blues Clues-themed decorations, including adorable stuffed beanie babies of Blue, Magenta and Periwinkle! Aunt Debbie really went all-out! :-)
The celebration itself was nice and relaxing-- Oma and Opa couldn't make it, so it was just the (extended) Knight clan. Todd was still his shy self, ONE of these days Allan's family will get to glimpse the REAL Todd!
Todd was also a bit shy of Winston, his new canine cousin (who arrived yesterday), but the little dog was very friendly and loved to give kisses :-* I'm sure next time around, Todd will be emboldened a bit more and play with him!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I've got quite a few, plus video, stored in my camera. As soon as I upload them I'll post some and updated this entry. Keep checking this space! :)
At the end of the evening, we trooped to Oma and Opa's house to drop him off for the week. Full of cake and well-rested after a nap, the little guy couldn't stop kicking the back of my seat and exclaiming with glee that he was going to Oma and Opa's house. Then, he announced: "You won't see me anymore. I'm staying at Oma and Opa's house for a LONG time. Don't pick up me for a LONG week, okay?"
Awwww... little man won't miss us a bit, will he!
The celebration itself was nice and relaxing-- Oma and Opa couldn't make it, so it was just the (extended) Knight clan. Todd was still his shy self, ONE of these days Allan's family will get to glimpse the REAL Todd!
Todd was also a bit shy of Winston, his new canine cousin (who arrived yesterday), but the little dog was very friendly and loved to give kisses :-* I'm sure next time around, Todd will be emboldened a bit more and play with him!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I've got quite a few, plus video, stored in my camera. As soon as I upload them I'll post some and updated this entry. Keep checking this space! :)
At the end of the evening, we trooped to Oma and Opa's house to drop him off for the week. Full of cake and well-rested after a nap, the little guy couldn't stop kicking the back of my seat and exclaiming with glee that he was going to Oma and Opa's house. Then, he announced: "You won't see me anymore. I'm staying at Oma and Opa's house for a LONG time. Don't pick up me for a LONG week, okay?"
Awwww... little man won't miss us a bit, will he!
Big brother?
Daddy was commenting on how Aunt Debbie was his big sister, and that he's her little brother.
Ever the literal-minded boy, Todd insisted that Daddy was the big brother. No, Daddy kept insisting-- "I'm Aunt Debbie's LITTLE brother!"
Exasperated, Todd made it clear why Daddy was wrong:
"But you grew up so big, like a giant!!"
Ever the literal-minded boy, Todd insisted that Daddy was the big brother. No, Daddy kept insisting-- "I'm Aunt Debbie's LITTLE brother!"
Exasperated, Todd made it clear why Daddy was wrong:
"But you grew up so big, like a giant!!"
Merry Christmas 2007
Started the morning by seeing what Santa had left in our stockings. In Mommy and Daddy's stocking was an assortment of candy: chocolates, candy canes and lollipops. Todd's stocking held the mother lode: the same candy, plus a plastic cane filled with M&Ms, a pair of gloves, sidewalk chalk and a stuffed Blue doggie!
We then scrambled to get ready to drive to Ron and Debbie's house, where there was NO traffic at all! Ah, the joys of driving ON Christmas day, when everyone is already cozily at home and not on the road!
Had fun opening presents once we arrived.
Todd got a Tonka truck, construction site and SpongeBob mitt/puppet from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron, a LeapPad "learn to read and write" gadget from Grandpa (in addition to the usual cash and stocking stuffers), Lincoln Logs, puzzles, more LeapPad stuff and a check (a.k.a "paper!") from Oma and Opa.
Mommy and Daddy got a cute little penguin ornament (which Todd immediately clamored to hang on the tree when we got home), Ferrero Rochers (Mommy's favorite) and our annual AAA membership (which we put to immediate use). Todd made a grab for Daddy's paddleball and Play-Doh in his stocking stuffer ;-)
This year, in addition to the usual Hickory Farms boxes, we got nut assortments from a Hickory Farms offshoot, and Jim Beam sauces/marinades for the grill lovers, Ron and Duaine, and flavored coffee for the coffee lover-- Grandpa!
Todd enjoyed playing with Daddy's family, and really came out of his shell to interact with them. Here he is playing Road Rage with Aunt Debbie:
When Aunt Debbie tried to push her car (to no avail) through a large truck, Todd observed her futile attempts onscreen for a few seconds before chiming in with his suggestion: "You have to back up, Aunt Debbie!"
He also shrieked with delight as the two of them got on the floor of the living room to play with the construction set, carting boulders, exploding them, and catapulting the little workers in the air ;-)
Todd loved playing with Sammy, trying to "introduce" Blue to the little white dog, and always coaxing his "cousin" to come outside so they could run around. He also got a kiss from Sammy on his cheek, and wiped off the wetness with a strange look on his face!
After the celebration was over (and after AAA came to unlock our car after Daddy locked the keys inside) we headed over to Grandma's house to deliver her presents. We sat in the living room, right where Daddy and Aunt Debbie used to open their gifts as children, and dug into Grandma and Grandpa Duaine's gifts: pajamas for Mommy (yay!), a drum set for Todd, and a cheese cutter with meat and cheese assortments for Daddy. Love how Daddy always gets kitchen-related gifts. Not only are they very useful, but it goes to the right person-- the member of the family who spends the most time in the kitchen! ;-)
Whew! What a day! It really did shape up to be a very pleasant and fun Christmas!
We then scrambled to get ready to drive to Ron and Debbie's house, where there was NO traffic at all! Ah, the joys of driving ON Christmas day, when everyone is already cozily at home and not on the road!
Had fun opening presents once we arrived.
Todd got a Tonka truck, construction site and SpongeBob mitt/puppet from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron, a LeapPad "learn to read and write" gadget from Grandpa (in addition to the usual cash and stocking stuffers), Lincoln Logs, puzzles, more LeapPad stuff and a check (a.k.a "paper!") from Oma and Opa.
Mommy and Daddy got a cute little penguin ornament (which Todd immediately clamored to hang on the tree when we got home), Ferrero Rochers (Mommy's favorite) and our annual AAA membership (which we put to immediate use). Todd made a grab for Daddy's paddleball and Play-Doh in his stocking stuffer ;-)
This year, in addition to the usual Hickory Farms boxes, we got nut assortments from a Hickory Farms offshoot, and Jim Beam sauces/marinades for the grill lovers, Ron and Duaine, and flavored coffee for the coffee lover-- Grandpa!
Todd enjoyed playing with Daddy's family, and really came out of his shell to interact with them. Here he is playing Road Rage with Aunt Debbie:
When Aunt Debbie tried to push her car (to no avail) through a large truck, Todd observed her futile attempts onscreen for a few seconds before chiming in with his suggestion: "You have to back up, Aunt Debbie!"
He also shrieked with delight as the two of them got on the floor of the living room to play with the construction set, carting boulders, exploding them, and catapulting the little workers in the air ;-)
Todd loved playing with Sammy, trying to "introduce" Blue to the little white dog, and always coaxing his "cousin" to come outside so they could run around. He also got a kiss from Sammy on his cheek, and wiped off the wetness with a strange look on his face!
After the celebration was over (and after AAA came to unlock our car after Daddy locked the keys inside) we headed over to Grandma's house to deliver her presents. We sat in the living room, right where Daddy and Aunt Debbie used to open their gifts as children, and dug into Grandma and Grandpa Duaine's gifts: pajamas for Mommy (yay!), a drum set for Todd, and a cheese cutter with meat and cheese assortments for Daddy. Love how Daddy always gets kitchen-related gifts. Not only are they very useful, but it goes to the right person-- the member of the family who spends the most time in the kitchen! ;-)
Whew! What a day! It really did shape up to be a very pleasant and fun Christmas!
Thanksgiving
Another low-key and pleasant Thanksgiving at Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie's house. Todd was more interactive with the family. While he wasn't as talkative as he can get, he had no problem hanging out with the various family members without Mommy or Daddy present.
Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie gave him a toy tool set, and he enjoyed digging into it and sharing "fixing" tasks with Grandma, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron. He even used the opportunity to teach Uncle Ron how to count to 5 ;-)
He played baseball with Grandpa on the front lawn, and even had fun following Sammy around, in and out of the house!
And though he didn't talk much, he at least responded (sometimes with nods, sometimes at a near whisper) when asked questions directly. Let's see if he opens up a bit more by Christmas!
Here's Todd in his Pilgrim hat:
Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie gave him a toy tool set, and he enjoyed digging into it and sharing "fixing" tasks with Grandma, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ron. He even used the opportunity to teach Uncle Ron how to count to 5 ;-)
He played baseball with Grandpa on the front lawn, and even had fun following Sammy around, in and out of the house!
And though he didn't talk much, he at least responded (sometimes with nods, sometimes at a near whisper) when asked questions directly. Let's see if he opens up a bit more by Christmas!
Here's Todd in his Pilgrim hat:
