Kenzo @ 21 months

I figured that doing an update every 6 months is too long with all the progress Kenzo is having.

Diaper is now up to Size 6 with clothes 18-24 months 

11 teeth at this month's mark.

6 upper and 5 lower.

He has finally said I love you...once

It came out more gibberish but it was definitely an I love you

* Who wouldn't love this little boy... Aaaw... so charming!

He has also found a way to get off the bed on his own. Our bed is very high and it scares me sometimes.

He tries to go down with the butt first and holds onto the sheet like a parachute then....swoof! he is down!

He knows how to go down the stairs like a person. Not crawling backwards but standing up with one foot down then another...faster though so it scares me a lot too!

* Food Lover... He is happiest when he is munching on something

I am so happy that he is not choosy when it comes to food and he eats a lot of fruits

...and loves his milky a lot

The playpen used to be the only thing in the house in which we can confine him and rest assured, he will be there when we get back. Not anymore! He found a way how to climb out of the playpen...

He loves to play his truck and he has to have the wheel. He can do the pushing sometimes though. He loves to play tag with his sister and when the going gets rough, he smacks his sister and the atchie ends up crying that shoti hit him... 

* A Ball of Energy.... He just keeps on going and going....

He finally learns to get himself entertained with the Tv... as well as the Iphone, Itouch, Ipad... He knows how to do puzzles like Tozzle Teasers, Word World and even find his favorite cartoons at Netfliz and You Tube... 

He loves Rolly Polly and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He also likes Caillou and Max and Ruby. Aside from that, he has taken a liking to Tangled Movie... Eeeep! I love it too! :)

* Experimental Kenzo.... That Candy is not handled like a cigarette little boy...

When Kenzo became way too active, it was a routine for us to close all the doors upstairs just to make sure he doesn't do something mischievous without us noticing . I guess he decided that it was a fun game to play and whenever he goes upstairs, he decided upon himself to close the open doors himself hahaha! Saves us a lot of effort :) Good Job Kenzo!

Everyday is an adventure with you Kenzo...and it just doubles up the fun with Kimi :)

Can't wait what is up your sleeves next Kenzo

Kimi and Kenzo 2010... finally!

I have been procrastinating.... and finally, after reading Kelly Korner's Show Us Your life - How do you scrapbook/keep kids art work?, I was finally inspired to do the final step of making a hard copy of our pictures... I have been doing bits and pieces of my kid's pictures but it was always saved in cd as a backup and posted in my blog but I have nothing to show for if there is no computer around. I promised myself to do a baby book for each kid but up to now, NADA! So, it was a start that I was finally able to print out a collection of their pictures of year 2010... Okay, so... 2007, 2008, 2009 and of course, 2011 are next... Good luck to me :)


I started with 2010 just for the fact that I already had the collage of their pictures done before so I only need to upload them and have it printed. I need a copy to keep me motivated and I am so happy to get that in the mail yesterday! I just had it done a couple of days ago upon reading Kelly`s entry.... a fast delivery is definitely a plus for me plus the quality was good :)

I did each page by month. A month for Kimi and a month for Kenzo

You can view our book here

Kenzo's Little Mommy

When Kenzo fell down from running, I was waiting for him to run to me to seek comfort...

Instead, he went to his sister crying, arms outstretched begging for a hug.

Kimi readily opened her arms and gave her brother a big hug... Aaaaw!

* Kimi and Kenzo hug a fest

* More warmth... 

Kimi was still looking at the camera because we were actually doing her daily picture from the wall when this happened.... he he!

Kimi on Ice... Now Showing :)

Kimi is finally registered for Ice Skating lessons this fall. I don't want to overwhelm her with all the activities offered, tempting as it was... I decided on ice skating because I personally like ice skating but didn't got the chance to do lessons when I was a kid plus I just love the movie Cutting Edge...

* Skate Rental Tickets /10s

* Skates at Size 8

* Initial Lecture

* Getting up with their shoes on

Video on them balancing in the floor before going to the actual rink

  The basics were finally imparted to them and they were sent off to the ice for some ice experience...

* First Lesson: how to get up from a fall

* Second Lesson: How to get your balance

...they were thought how to get up after a fall and they were finally ask to stand up on their own...

* On their own...

Kimi and Kalen were different in how they approached the challenge. I could see the excitement in Kalen's action and she was quite aggressive and determine to get up, while Kimi, like me, was on the cautious side, she went up little by little getting her balance and when she was sure that she got them, she was on her feet. On to moving, Kalen was quite fast and since the ice was slippery, she went down on her butt but fearless Kalen did it again and again with the determination to be admired. Kimi went with baby steps going 360 degrees, slowly but surely. I was pretty amazed that she was not falling and finding ways on how to move at her own pace. She did fall at the end but it was good time before she did and she did not cry, just picked herself up and stand up once again to try... Great job to both girls. Bravo! We are proud of you :)

A little video, just turn down the volume and pardon my cheerleader-y voice he he!

* On her own... slowly but surely

* All done! 

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KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE

Skating PS Level 1

Vancouver, B.C.

There is a new girl in town...

The American Girl in Alderwood Mall is now open. I actually planned this trip just to see what is the hype about this store...

I was expecting a lot of people lining up but since it was opened a few weeks or probable a few months ago, there was no line. Good sign if you have two tired kids in tow. Kimi was asking to be taken to Babies r us while I was pulling her to find where is the new store. We actually went around the whole mall looking for a sign of the American Girl store but there was none so we decided to park inside a parking area with roof. Turns out is was on the other side and that the reason why there was no sign of the store was because it was not located at the perimeter of the mall. It was outdoor but it also has an indoor door from which we entered.

* This was the facade from the outside

I was expecting more from the facade but since I entered from the mall, this was all I see :)

* The facade from the mall

Nevertheless, my little model strikes her pose for a picture.

* My Chinese-American (Filipina-Canadian) Girl

* Little pamphlets about the store and the dolls...

* Signage 

 * Cashier

There was no lines in the cashier at all but almost every girl there is carrying a doll... It felt like a cult and it makes you kind of out of place if you don't have a doll... Almost tempted.....

...there was also a bookstore with American Girl books and a bistro. I saw a room you can also rent for an American Girl Birthday with a wall for hanging their beloved dolls.. The bistro was nice but it was full and the next one was 5pm, I decided not to spend too much time in the store since it was hubby's first time in this area. I actually asked if we were allowed to eat if we don't have a doll (toink!), I think they get these crazy questions a lot because she wasn't surprised and informed me that there were dolls for rent -free in case we just want to experience the bistro. The concept of the bistro is that you can eat with your doll and you feel like a mommy. The doll has their own chair to sit on. I personally don't need to feel like a mommy again but maybe when we go to LA, we might do an American Girl bistro then :) just so Kimi will have that experience. 

* American Girl Cafe

They have these small ones that costs less but I think it is better for a collector than for kids...

* Little Am-girls

* Doll Display Modules

* I love how the boxes are all lined up neatly

* Specially made holder for the dolls...

There were a lot of open dolls displayed in each shelf and boxed dolls on the sides. Clothes, accessories, bed, anything a doll would want is there for the taking buying so if you want to accessorize your doll completely, be sure to reach deep into your pockets since it is not cheap. It was an experience though like Build a Bear but the doll itself is worth $60 each for one twin and $100 for a set of twin

* Baby Doll Display

This was the doll we initially wanted to buy Kimi. The Asian girl twin. She wanted the Caucasian though and we decided to go walk around the store and see if she will relent if she comes out empty handed (he he!)

* Twins Display

The store was featuring the Hawaiian doll. Kanani is a model or a name of the doll I am not sure but they have booths set up inside the store with Hawaiian motif to tie up to Kanani

 * Hula dance demo

* Kanani Booth

There was the build you own flower lei (for the doll, of course!)

* Welcome Lei for the doll sign

* Got a pack anyway

You can also make you own summer hat... Now the hat is for the normal girl (yey!)

* Summer Hat booth

* Stickers to accent the hat

* Creative artist at work...

  

For the bigger dolls (8+), it costs $100 each and they have more variety for these ages.

* Dolls for 8+

If you have the doll already, you can do the other things to personalize your little princess...

A Matching tee? 

* Let your CreativiTEE juice flow 

* Personalize them to match

Doll shirt $10

Girl Shirt $24

...or maybe you'd rather have your doll get a new do?

* Doll Hair styles to choose from

* Doll Hair Salon

* Doll Hairdresser

...there was also an ear piercing service that costs $14 if I am not mistaken...

Kenzo was a bit cranky by then and we were also tired because we went here after going to several stops from our journey.... :(

* HOHUM...True blue guy... bored from the doll strolling

* Saw the camera and decided to flash a smile...

We ended up empty-handed but happy to see this store. Let's see if we will remain empty handed the next time ;)

 * * * * *

AMERICAN GIRL STORE

Lynnwood, WA

U.S.A