Lauren's first ice skating performance

On Sunday, 10/28/2012, just as Hurricane Sandy was brewing out in the Atlantic, our Lauren had her first ice skating performance!  It was part of Iceland's Halloween fundraiser supporting the Ronald McDonald House.
Lauren was naturally a bit nervous, but I downloaded some new cartoons onto my Kindle Fire and used them as an incentive to not be nervous, rock it, and have fun!  I was so- proud of her.  She went out on that big ice by herself and with the guidance of her coach Priscilla, had an awesome first performance.  She had a fall towards the end but it didn't seem to bother her too much.  She noticed that the crowd let out a collective gasp (a subtle one!) but Tae and I assured her that the most important thing was to simply get up and move on when it happens.  We went to one of her favorite Italian restaurants Umberto's afterwards to celebrate.  More than anything, I'm thrilled that she simply loves to ice skate. 

Stretching (not really!  Just looks like she is.)

Warm-up.

My BIG girl!

My Reader!

This morning at drop-off, Mrs. Lavey whispered in Lauren's ear, "Did you tell mommy...?"  And I thought it had something to do with her tooth but then Lauren acted all shy and I knew there was something more to it.  Mrs. Lavey told me that Lauren moved up two reading levels in an incredibly short period of time!  She is now at Level D, which Mrs. Lavey informed me is the benchmark for Kindergarten students at the END of the year.  Now mind you, this is all new to me and I know nothing about reading levels but you bet I'll be researching this very topic tonight!

Lauren enjoying a book w/ her dad at five months.

And at 13 months.

Though I am so proud (I called Tae and my mom to break the news right away), I am not entirely surprised.  Lauren always had her nose buried in a book since she was an infant.  She would be happier going to a book store than a toy store.  I am so thrilled she is thriving and enjoying school.  We're so proud of you Lauren! 

Lauren loses her first tooth

I first wrote about the unexpected sadness I felt when I learned Lauren's tooth was wiggling during a routine dentist visit a few months ago.  Well, on Sat, October 13, 2012, while watching TV after lunch at around 1:00 PM, Lauren lost her first tooth!  She wasn't freaked out by it.  In fact she was very proud.  My mom and brother were over and we all congratulated her and gave her big hugs.

As far as the tooth fairy's visit, I sneaked into her room at ~9:30 and replaced her tooth with a $10 bill in a snack-sized Ziploc bag and left a bag of coins (10 quarters and three golden dollar coins) in a cute Tiffany & Co pouch.  When Lauren came down this morning, she was THRILLED to show us what the tooth fair left behind.

I kept staring at the tooth, in disbelief that it was the same tooth that pierced through her tender gums at just ~four months of age.  I'm so proud of her bravery this weekend.  I love her so so much.

Starting my 38th year

This year, my birthday fell on a Monday, Columbus Day.  The kids were off from school but I had to go into work because Mondays are my meeting days.  I took an early train though and was home by 4:45!  I wish every day could be like that...

Yesterday on Sunday, October 7, I celebrated my birthday with my fam, my mom, bro, MIL and FIL with dinner at NHCC.  (HJ was in Hawaii.  Lucky!)  Afterwards, everyone came back to the house for cake.  A custom-made 4-layer decadent and ever-so-delicious red velvet cake by Du Jour Bakery.

  
My mom doesn't come over on Mondays but she called to wish me a Happy Birthday and apologized for not making me mi-yuk-guk (Korean seaweed soup traditionally eaten on birthdays).  I told her not to worry about it but she felt so badly!  So she said she would make it for me tomorrow.  That's my mom for ya.  I love her so very much and appreciate her more and more every day.
 
So today, on my birthday proper, I celebrated with Tae and the girls.  They got me gift certificates to one of my favorite stores - Paper Source!  We had Du Jour Bakery cupcakes and we put the girls down before enjoying our take-out dinner consisting of fried dumplings, black bean noodles (you have to eat noodles on your birthday for 'long life!') and fried rice.  Perfect birthday.  Now officially a year older and wiser, I am reminded yet again how much less I 'need' each year.  The simple basic things in life are truly all that matter.  Everything else is gravy.

I am looking forward to living my 38th year to the fullest and to the very best of my abilities!  Happy birthday to me!

The girls know my favorite color is blue.

My lovies with me on 10/7.

My lovies with me again on 10/8.

Bday gift from the girls to my fave store - Paper Source!

And with the man who created this extraordinary life with me...my love, best friend, partner, Seedy!  (Taken by Lauren - on my SLR by the way - who was trying to delay bedtime as much as possible!)