Quick Snow Trip

Dear Logan,

We had a quick 3-day trip up the mountains to Reno.  I was hoping to get Aidan to take a ski lesson and introduce him to skiing, esp. since he's played it on the Wii and has watched the Winter Olympics.  I didn't make reservations for any lessons, because I didn't want to waste money in case we had to cancel our trip due to the winter storms we've been having.  And you know what, this turned out to be the most frustrating mistake I've made during this whole trip.

So, on the 27th, we drove to Reno and the weather was beautiful.  We left the house at around 9 a.m., stopped by Auburn for a quick Mc D lunch and then headed to our regular stop at Nyack.  Here, we did some sledding, just like last year.  As it turned out, this became our only snow playing experience.  Sledding was fun and Aidan was totally into it, and not scared at all.  He still enjoyed throwing snowballs at us and at the sled.  We tried to build a snowman, but without any tools, it proved to be extremely difficult.  We continued our trip to Reno and luckily, snow chains were not required.  We arrived at the Eldorado Hotel at around 4 p.m.

I guess because Mommy has been so addicted to Facebook (been checking-in along the way), Uncle Stanley called me and asked if we wanted to meet up for dinner.  The Neng family were also there the same days and staying at the same hotel.  So, we met up for dinner at The Buffet and played at Midway in Circus Circus.  Aidan and Matthew hit it off real well.  They were like long-lost best buddies.

Our plan for Tuesday was to have Aidan take a ski lesson at Mt. Rose.  As I mentioned, I didn't sign up for a lesson.  So by the time we got there at around 10 a.m., only the 2:00 p.m class was available.  It was a little too late for us, as it was snowing and we didn't have any snow chains.  Daddy was very worried about the driving condition.  So we decided to just rent the ski equipment and had Aidan played in the snow for a while.  We waited in line for TWO hours at the Rosebuds (kids ski camps) for ski rental and was turned away once we reached the counter.  The staff told us that they barely had enough equipment for the lessons and couldn't rent us the skiis.  I was PISSED!  I've talked to at least 4 different staff members, questioning whether I could rent the equipment from the Rosebuds line and none of them told me otherwise.  By that time, we were all starving and grouchy and pissed off.  I didn't have the energy to argue with anyone.  We just left, got lunch and headed downhill to Starbucks.  While at Starbucks, I went to Mt. Rose's website and filed a complaint about the situation.  I am usually not the type to file a complaint, but I was really angry.  After Mt. Rose, we just headed back to Eldorado, played at Circus Circus and had another buffet dinner.

All night long, Daddy was very worried about the driving condition.  We originally planned to leave early on Wednesday, then to stop by Boreal or Soda Springs for some tubing.  But because of the snow storms, we canceled all plans but left at 8 a.m. for home.  Driving condition was a little crazy and visibility was bad. Luckily, our car is a 4-wheel drive and we didn't need any chains.  We made it back to Milpitas for lunch at around 12:30 p.m and ended our trip without much snow play.



We will probably go back up the mountain some time next year.  This trip is just too disappointing.  Hopefully, next time we won't encounter any snow storm, and I will definitely make reservations for ski lessons.

Love,
Mommy

Merry Christmas to you, my dear!

Dear Logan,

I was so glad that yesterday was not a rainy day.  It's been raining so much the last few weeks that I felt bad I couldn't stop by to visit you.  Thank God, on Christmas Eve, there's no rain!


Just like last year, everywhere was a filled with red flowers when we arrived at your place.  We noticed more little ones reside next to you.  Aidan performed his two Christmas songs for you, and it was nice to bring some holiday cheer to such a sad place.  When we're about to leave, we saw an earthworm climbing on you.  Your brother found that very fascinating.  I told him the earthworm probably heard his singing and wanted to come up to listen to some more.  I also told him that the earthworm would keep you company, so you're not alone.  He then asked me about you.  Why is Logan here? *pointing to you*  I wasn't expecting him to ask that question.  I simply told him that you were very sick, and couldn't come home with us.  But you are at your own place now, and with other children keeping you company. 

I saw a young couple visiting their baby.  I didn't look closely, but I could tell the baby started living close to you not too long ago.  Though the baby's mommy was wearing sunglasses, I could tell that she was sobbing.  The combination of Aidan's question about you, seeing this mom, and the holiday season, brought me great sadness.  I couldn't help but wish you were here with us, just like 2 years ago.  I can't believe this is the second Christmas without you.

We went to Christmas Mass today, and guess who presided?  It's Father Seimas.  After yesterday's sadness, it was nice to see Father Seimas on Christmas Day.  It just felt that he has brought you to us.  Although St. Joseph is not the closest Church to our house, you led us to this parish, and this will be our go-to Church from now on.  I think even Daddy felt that way.

Merry Christmas, my dear.  I wish you were here physically, but I know you are here with us all the time.


Miss you,
Mommy

Christmas Eve Festivities!

Dear Logan,

We had a very busy Christmas Eve!  In the morning, it's our little annual tradition of gingerbread house decorating.  I think I started this 5 years ago when I was pregnant with your brother.  I remember it was my first time decorating a gingerbread house, and thought it would be fun to make it an annual tradition.  After last year's last minute craziness of looking for the gingerbread house kit, this year I bought mine at Costco once I saw it back in October.  I know it's a little early, but I didn't want to go hunting for it this year. 

Aidan definitely remembered our little tradition.  He woke up and remember today's Christmas Eve and it's gingerbread house day.  He was able to focus more this year, and also more playful in eating the icing and the candies!  Though I have to say, he did a pretty good job in sort of controlling his urge, and in staying on track with what we're doing.  I tried to have him put on all the candies, while I piped the icing.  I tried not to be too  controlling when he messed up, though it was difficult.  But in the end, he did most of it.  I know it's not the prettiest house out there, but I think we did a pretty good job. It's the effort that counts, right? What do you think?

In the evening, we had a lovely dinner at Pasta Pomodoro before heading out to Downtown San Jose for Christmas in the Park.  I think Aidan is enjoying the festivities a little more this year than last.  He was more engaged and had a longer attention span in checking out the display.  He even wanted to get on the the big Ferris Wheel.  He never wanted to try and was always scared, but this time around he wanted to.  Unfortunately, it was getting late and the line was too long, we didn't get on it.  He was so sad and cried.  I felt horrible that we had to leave, but I didn't think he had the energy and patience to wait.  I told him we'll try to come back again by the end of the year, if it doesn't rain.  I even told him we could go on the Mickey Mouse Ferris Wheel when we go to Disneyland.  Hopefully, he would want to get on it.

Speaking of the Ferris Wheel, we saw a few children rides there that were from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.  I've heard of it on the news, so when I went there, I seek them out.  And...Ta-Da!  Found them!  I wasn't the only one amazed at that.  I believe the rides were sold to different traveling amusement rides company, and these 3 rides have landed in San Jose.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day and it will definitely be a lot more mellow than today.


Love you,
Mommy

Monticello Holiday Program!

Dear Logan,

We finally got to see your brother's first performance yesterday at his preschool's holiday program.  He's been practicing singing "Jingle Bell Rock", "Frosty The Snowman" and "My Two Front Teeth" for the whole month.  I was very surprised he knew the lyrics to all three songs, because I surely don't!

Daddy and Mommy got off work early to get to the gymnasium at the other campus half an hour early to find a seat.  Well, we're not the only parents who wanted good seats.  When we got there, the seats were 3/4 full already.  We were deciding to either sit towards the left of the stage, or towards the back but in the middle of the stage.  We opted for the left side.  Luckily, your brother was standing close to us!  Phew!  When we got there, we saw several tripods with video cameras already set up.  All family members either had their digital cameras or video cameras ready to snap and record the performance.  Mommy was in charge of taking videos with my camera, and Daddy was in charge of taking pictures with his phone.  Too bad we didn't have a decent video camera, as it was a little difficult to zoom when Aidan was standing towards the right of the stage during the big group song at the end of the performance. I think it's time to invest on a good video camera.  We actually bought a video camera 5 years ago when your brother was born, but never really used it.

The performances from all classes were great!  The older kids, 4- year olds like your brother, all knew the lyrics to the songs.  I was surprised the younger ones were singing super well, too.  Only two crying 2-year olds were on stage, but they were just super cute.  No one minded their crying at all.  There were four classes, and each class performed 3 songs.  At the end, the whole school, teachers and students, went on stage to sing the school song, "Monticello School".  It was a lovely performance.  I'm looking forward to many more of these performances, now that your brother is old enough.  It was a lovely occasion to kick off the holiday season.

Here are the videos I took with my small digital camera.  They are not of the best quality, but you can still see Aidan.  For some reason, the first song, Frosty the Snowman, was not recorded.  Weird!

Love,
Mommy