Two unexpected additions to our family

First of all, NO...I am not pregnant with twins!

Now, that's clear...today was Peter's preschool Beach Day! Long before our bouts with sickness, I vaguely remember signing a paper about a goldfish. I quickly forgot about it. Today at pick-up, before coats and hats got on, I hear Connie say, "Peter, want to pick out your goldfish?" In my mind (and maybe slipping out of my mouth),
"Did she say 'goldfish'? That's TODAY?!? OK, roll with it, Mommy."

After picking a random fish out of what looked like 50, Peter anxiously watched his teacher chase the little flipper. Be darned if two got into the net. Connie says, "Peter it's your lucky day!" In my mind...
"Ok, did she just give me TWO goldfish to take home?!"
Too late, Peter was smitten with his two new pets.
"OK, Petco...here we come!"

Ninety minutes after pick-up, we now have a little aquarium, filter, fish food, and two goldfish named Flippy (the boy) and Apple (the girl with "lipstick") sitting in our kitchen.
"Surprise, Daddy!"

Before I could even think about how these fish threw a big detour in my morning, Peter said something that made it all worth it.

"Mommy, thank you for saying I could have a goldfish from school!"
(A big hug came with it)

Sooo worth it!

What is this I hear?!?

Silence is golden!

While Mommy was sick...

It's been a rough week for the Burer household with sickness consuming us all...some more than others. Unfortunately, Mommy was hit the worst with pneumonia added to her plate. Our life has been turned upside down with me out of commission. Daddy has been pulling double duty...and I love him so much for hanging in there! By the way, Happy Birthday, Baby!

The kids have all been feeling somewhat well, with just a little runny nose here and coughing there. Natalie has been our role model of health. She has been bouncing off the walls from her full recovery...sometimes a little too much to handle when you're still sick! But, we love her spirit!

Today is day 3 of my antibiotics and I'm finally feeling a little better. I decide to download photos off our camera, thinking there wouldn't be much over the past week. However, I was very wrong. Apparently, someone other than Daddy took it upon themselves to document going-ons while Mommy was out sick.

Here are some of what was captured:

Can you guess who the photographer may be?

(Photo credits: Natalie Burer)

Life goes on...

After a long absence, I'm back to my blog. It's taken some time to get back to the things I enjoyed before. My ever-growing kids remind me there's more ahead and so much laughter to be had!
Case in point: What could be funnier than playing peek-a-boo with a blanket and getting static hair in your face!?! Elaine and Natalie thought it was hysterical!
Growing up: Peter now has expanded from Wii bowling to real bowling! This was his first time in a real alley and he (and Natalie) loved it. I love the model job for those shoes! :)

I am now mid-way through my 30s. Rather than to get depressed, I'm trying to look at the positive side that I have more than half my life to look forward to! My three sweet peas and my loving husband make my life journey a great blessing! I will continue to embrace it!

And for moments like this:

how can I not love my life!

To my dearest 爸爸

Thank you for all your love!
We miss you so much!
Love you forever!

December 2004 with newborn Peter

March 2006 with newborn Natalie

April 2006 Easter

November 2008 with newborn Elaine

January 2009

Stephen G.T. Lau

April 4, 1932 - May 12, 2009

老公, 爸爸, 公公, Uncle, 劉繼志, Dr. Lau, Stephen...

No matter how you called him, no matter how you knew him, he was a man who asked for so little, but gave a lot. He was a man who was so dedicated to his family, to his friends, to his work and to his life. He showed his love and dedication primarily by his actions. He was a man of very few words, unless the topic turned to plants, fish or food. He could talk days about koi fish and orchids and persimmon trees and the best way to make curry. During a meal, he'd give other people advice on which piece of meat was the best, or what you could do to it to make it better. He was definitely a man with a great sense of humor.

Throughout his life, particularly during the past few years, Stephen enjoyed traveling around the world to many places. A month ago, Stephen traveled to Beijing, where he saw what he wanted to see, ate what he wanted to eat, and went to wherever he wanted to go. No matter how difficult the trip, he fulfilled his dream and embraced life.

Today we celebrate Stephen G.T. Lau. In his honor, we ask you to also fulfill your dreams. Travel, no matter how near or far. Eat the things you like. See the things you want to see and embrace life. Love one another as he loved all of us.

老公, 爸爸, 公公, Uncle, 劉繼志, Dr. Lau, Stephen:

We love you and we thank you. May God bless you on your next journey.

Dane's Farm Field Trip

Peter had another field trip last Thursday, this time to Dane's Farm. With Sam in Italy, I ended up being about to take both Elaine and Natalie on the trip as well. Natalie seemed very excited about her first time on a school bus, whereas Peter and his classmate Joseph seemed a little bored.


Elaine had a good time on her first bus ride too!

After several wrong turns and 30 minutes, we arrived at the farm. The kids got to hold and pet ducklings and chicks. I was amazed how brave the kids were!

Peter seemed semi-interested in the peacock.

After Dane's farm, we went to Dane's Dairy for some ice cream! Ms. Connie is always great in getting the kids together for pictures. We love her!

Peter's Bear Class:

Changing character

Ever since the debut of Kung Fu Panda at the Burer house, we've had a lot of role playing from that movie. Typically, Tai Long, Po and Tigress show up at our house at any given moment.

One moment, Peter and Natalie will be cute as two peas in a pod:



Then it's like someone flipped a switch and this is what happens:



Grrrr...

Snarl!

Yes, these are my darling children!