Some fun snapshots from Labor Day weekend. We spent most of it painting the girls’ rooms, with multiple trips to Home Depot!
My college friend Jon was in town visiting, and Pat and Theo kindly hosted a playdate for all of our kids to get together and for us grownups to catch up!
Lunchtime for the kids!
Mirei got to play dressup and try on some of Anna’s and Cara’s fancy clothes!
Here is a funny conversation between Mio and Anna that Theo caught on video. So adorable!
Labor Day was the last day the pool was open, so we made sure to get one last dip in!
We were invited to celebrate Anna’s fourth birthday at Mobu Kids playgym in Falls Church! The girls had a blast and we loved seeing and catching up with Anna, Cara, Pat and Theo. π Thanks so much for inviting us to be a part of sweet Anna’s birthday celebration — can’t believe she is four already!
When we arrived, Mio ran right in and started climbing everything. No hesitation!
Mirei needed a little more coaxing but she eventually warmed up to the play area when I went in with her.
Circle time with the instructors
Mirei with the egg shakers
Mirei was having such a great time!
Mio playing with the egg shakers
Parachute time!
Anna and Mio with the parachute
Anna and Cara in the middle of the parachute
The girls all got to go in the middle of the parachute, while everyone else pulled the parachute around.
Lots of girls!
Mirei refused to get off so she stuck around for the boys’ turn… lol
Mirei didn’t get to wave the parachute up and down, but she definitely enjoyed the breeze from it and seeing the balls bouncing!
At one point, Mirei went under the parachute and got lost under there, which made us panic for a moment:
Dan also captured the funny moment:
Mirei running around in excitement!
Chasing after bubbles with Cara
Such cutiepies!
Mio in her element, scaling the rockwall
The kids enjoying pizza and cupcakes
M&M with their cheeks full of food
Singing “Happy Birthday” to Anna!
Mio loved the cupcake cone!
Pure bliss!
Mirei playing with the water fountain… we were surprised she climbed up on the stool herself and started pushing the button
With lovely mama Pat, one of my dearest friends. Γ’ΒΒ€ Thanks for inviting us to be a part of Anna’s birthday party! Can’t believe our girls are four… it’s been such a joy to experience motherhood at the same time with you!
We went to the first annual Tysons Harvest Festival earlier this month, and got to enjoy some fall family fun! There were lots of activities, great food, and cool vendors to check out.
Mio with her unicorn face paint
She is very into unicorns lately!
We met up with Pat’s family at the festival! Here’s Pat and her adorable mini-Pat! π
Mio checking out the petting zoo at the festival.
Sleepy Mirei watching from her stroller.
At the craft table.
Mio coloring a Halloween crown.
Making our way around the festival, checking out various vendors.
We had some delicious banh mi and pho from this What the Pho? food truck!
Dan carrying Mio while in line for the bounce house.
Unstoppable Mio:
Mio came alive in the bounce house! She loves inflatable houses and was in her element climbing, sliding, and bouncing around in them.
Climbing up!
Sliding down! She was supposed to only go up and down three turns and then exit for other kids, but she refused to leave and went for about 5 turns instead…
Mio at the Yelp booth, making a lollipop spider out of tissue paper, pipecleaners, and googly eyes.
With her completed lollipop spider! She immediately wanted to disassemble it and eat it.
Mio and I. If my face looks strained, it’s because I’m lifting her up and trying to fit my face in at the same time…
Mio is a beer girl here.
With an Olaf pumpkin carving! According to Mio, she is Princess Anna (occasionally switching to Elsa) and Mirei is Olaf. lol… I suppose Mirei’s lack of hair does make her resemble the snowman!
Last weekend was the last one of the summer, and the weather was beautiful so we spent our Saturday at Clemyjontri Park with our friends Pat, Theo, and their little girls Anna and Cara. We each brought food and picnicked on the grass and let our kids run around on the playground and ride the carousel. We always love seeing them, and we had a great time catching up!
On the carousel at Clemyjontri Park
Cara is now one and a half! She’s grown so much!
As usual, Mio was a blur running and climbing all over the park!
Mirei fell asleep being held by Daddy. Dan is tired too from Mirei’s heavy weight!
We hadn’t made any real plans for Memorial Day, so we were delighted when our friends Pat & Theo invited us to go with them and their daughters to the National Zoo on Monday. It’s no secret that Mio loves animals, and although she’s been to the Oakland Zoo and the San Francisco Zoo, this was her first time going to the Smithsonian National Zoo! This is the zoo that I grew up going to, and boasts 163 acres which serves as a home to 2,000 animals from 400 different species. As one of the nation’s oldest zoos, it’s part of the Smithsonian and therefore doesn’t charge admission. We decided to take the Metro over to Woodley Park together, and walked to the zoo from there.
Sitting down for lunch upon arriving at the zoo.
Hungry girls! 2 year olds Mio and Anna, both April babies!
The girls on their Daddies’ shoulders.
Looking at the red panda.
Mio had such a good view!
A fishing cat resting on a branch.
The two cuties on the Asian sloth bear statue.
Mio: “CHARGE!!!”
The cutest girls at the zoo!
Male panda Tian Tian at the National Zoo, munching away on bamboo.
Female panda Mei Xiang at the National Zoo
Adorable Anna atop the red panda statue. “Sifu!!!”
Mio and I with the red panda statue.
The Asian elephants at the National Zoo. Such grand animals!
Mio and Anna walking hand in hand through the zoo.
Holding hands. I can’t handle the cuteness! They’re such sweet friends!
Mio on top of the anteater statue by the small animals exhibit.
Anna reaching up towards the statue.
Mio conked out towards the end of the afternoon at the zoo. Anna was like the Energizer Bunny and just kept going and going…
The Nguyen-Cao family, including 2 month old Cara. (She had just turned 2 months that exact day!)
Thanks for inviting us along to the zoo! We had such a great time and Mio loved seeing all the animals and spending time with Anna and Cara. π
