Pomp and Circumstance

Jude "graduated" preschool. It's been three short years since the first day we dropped our baby off at the steps of Manhattan Beach Preschool:

And suddenly, I've realized that we have less than fifteen years left with him before (Lord willing) he goes off to college and we will not see him everyday. To Kwang this seems like a long time. It does to me, too, but it is also a day I know will come much too quickly. And last week as I sat there watching Jude in his paper cap receiving his butterfly decorated diploma, my heart sank a bit.     Maybe more than a bit:

While I've come to learn some of Jude's weaknesses, I've also begun to understand some of his strengths over the past few years of "school". Despite being extremely shy, he is often willing to step into new environments without complaint. And even though many feel it's unfortunate that he is more likely to be bullied than to bully, he's learned to speak up when someone is being unkind and has on occasion helped those who were less able to help themselves. I'm thankful for him in many ways because he's made each step of parenthood thus far easier for me to handle. I would be dreading kindergarten if it wasn't for the fact that he is happy about going. I'm not sure what I would do if we had Eli first. Yes Eli, the one who does not do well with change, the one who screams and cries every time I have to cut his fingernails. Jude is our oldest and has already grown so much, but I try to remember that he's still only five years old. So I'll hold him when he wants to be held even though he's not so little anymore. Although I look forward to seeing the people our children become, I often want to stop time so they don't have to grow up.

Finally, a small Father's Day gift for my dad, deliciously fresh after a bath:

(Notice I finally found a hairpin that is the perfect size for Audrey!)

 

Holimonday = What Jude Called the Holiday Last Monday

To warmly greet us back from our eastcoast/midwest trip last month, Los Angeles threw us a welcome home earthquake as well as a significant aftershock a few days later. This was the first one Jude & Eli were old enough to be aware of. As planned, as soon as we felt the first BOOM Kwang grabbed the two boys while I ran up to Audrey's room and snatched her from the crib. It only lasted about 15 seconds so by the time we made it under the kitchen table, it was over. Of course, I was frozen for about a good five minutes after that. So even though I was sitting under the table right next to Eli, he kept crying, "I want daddy..." You can probably guess by his level of insecurity that I'm not such a good actor. Afterwards, Jude asked a number of questions like, "Why does it shake?" and "Why does God make it shake?" Taking after his mommy, Eli didn't want to sleep alone because "it's gonna be too earthquake."

May was our family birthday month! Kwang turned 34, Jude turned 5, and Eli turned 3:

  

Eli & Jude with their cousin Justin:

Both boys also had their yearly well-checks. Both are a bit taller than average for their ages and both, surprisingly, are on the thin side for their height. Yes, I actually heard the doctor say that Eli "is a slim guy." I had to have him repeat that for confirmation, but it turns out I am right after all-- it's all in his cheeks. Despite my attempts to distract him while getting his shot, Eli wailed as soon as the nurse administered it. Jude, on the other hand, sat and watched the nurse prick and shoot a bubble under his skin for his TB test and then he sat and watched the lab technician stick him and draw two vials of his blood-- all without wincing or shedding a tear. Night and day, my boys are. Night and day.

Although they have their fair share of daily fights, Eli is at the age where he loves to be just like his big brother. Instead of sitting across from Jude at meals, he wants to sit next to him. If I ask him what flavor of something he wants, he asks which one Jude wants... because that is what he wants. If Jude says something interesting, Eli repeats it. Eli loves to be like Jude. It's annoying to Jude but adorable to me, because I know that this will one day pass. More than playing with them these days, I enjoy sitting and watching my boys play together. And when I see them playing and laughing together for hours at a time, there is nothing that can put me in a bad mood.

Rather than calling her our little princess, we think Audrey is a bottle of sunshine in our home. I wouldn't say she's our princess because, well, she doesn't really look like one. On any given day, she resembles a mad scientist HER HAIR IS THAT BAD. What makes her adorable to us is her warm smile and fun loving personality. I love smothering my little snugglebug with kisses. Or maybe I should call her my little piglet. Of all our kids Audrey has the bottomless tummy for food. She will stop dead in her tracks if you mention food. Kwang has a weakness for unhealthy, fried, or salty foods. I have a weakness for almost anything sweet. And together, we gave birth to an eating monster.