I have a new breakfast favourite: Everything But Bagel Eggs. Just buy the seasoning and scramble it into your eggs. So freaking good and simple. I’ve also been craving soup so have been making Korean style. A different take on my usual concoction of Kimchi soup.

I received a package in the mail from Lily! I had planned to see her in August and we were hoping if she came down, I could see her. All that went out the window due to Covid and she was sweet enough to send me some love. P.S. Since it’s been announced, they’re officially married! They told me they’ll still have a big wedding so I am excited to plan once they figure out their next steps in Daniel’s career.

Last week of Emmy. Hair braiding, teaching her how to drink formula from a cup (she gags towards the end), how to write her name (whole name, nickname, and last name), and since Brudda and SIL were coming to pick her up, the days of the week.

I took Friday off to spend my last day with Emmy. I went to get my blood work for one of my doctors which ended up not happening. But I did get to see Beth! We met up so she could give me a cupcake from her Baby Shower reveal. Boy!! I’m so excited for her and cannot wait to meet the little one. We caught up for a bit before she headed into Yoga and I headed home.

I stopped by on the way and picked up drinks and food from Kim’s Tea House. Emmy ate SO much! Which I was happy about. Then we played for a bit and she went to take her nap.

When she woke up, June came home and we all painted. I taught June how to paint a sunset while I doused mine with black and made a funky scribble. It’s safe to say Emmy loves to paint.

Then she took a bath and we went for a walk. The walk was to get her out of the house so that when Brudda and SIL arrived, they could move stuff into the house and surprise her. She stopped and smelled all the flowers, taking forever to walk home while they were hiding behind the car.

She even wanted me to take a picture on the bottom right corner. Funny enough, you can see our house allllllll the way in the back. Glad we weren’t close enough for her to see it.

She didn’t have an emotion when she saw them. I think she was in shock and didn’t know how to react. She was still holding Rizzo and Rizzo started to growl and run towards them which prompted Emmy to walk towards them as well.

Sissy and BIL came over as well. They sat in the backyard while we sat at the kitchen table. With the door and windows opened, we had conversations and laughter.

Sissy and BIL ordered their own food while the rest of us got Tiger Noodle House and Mala Schezuan for dinner.

I ordered Proud Pie. Wobble Turtle and Blueberry for Sissy and BIL, Chocolate Silk and Key Lime for Brudda and SIL, and just Key Lime for me. Emmy took a bite of the silk and ended up throwing up. She is now traumatized by pie and keeps saying no pie to us.

They left Saturday morning and Mum and I took Rizzo and Rocky to the vet. Rizzo’s too fat! Well, not too fat, but could lose some weight per the vet so cutting back on his eating and continue our evening walks.

Today Mum and I went out to Bellaire for groceries. We stopped by Hong Kong Cafe and picked up lunch. We ordered way more than needed but mostly because it’s been forever since I’ve been able to have a taste of home.

Brudda and SIL have been sending us a lot of videos and pictures. I think they know we miss them A LOT. Not having Emmy here means more time to myself though so I’ve started a new book and hope to finish it soon!

Work went by fairly quickly this week. Plus and minus to that. It just means this week will be a little busier because that’s how it usually works out.

Emmy did her ABCMouse and said she’s just like me “working”. We found out they had Chinese word tracing as well which was kind of cool.

She even had a video chat with JJ, Jacob and Mallory. She kept wanting to go over to their house but this was the best I could do.

Emmy had a lot of activities going on this week. Our usual walks with Rizzo. She’s taken a liking to seeing his tongue and panting. Kinda cute.

The usual eat all the foods.

We had takeout from Pho Saigon, Smoothie King, Krispie Kreme, and Los Roberto’s this week.

We made our own Galbi (Korean Short Ribs) that came out fabulous. And I taught Emmy how to wash strawberries and blueberries.

I gave her a manicure. Mallory had old Jamberry nail stickers and since she didn’t use them anymore, it was a fun activity to do with her. She loved them until one came off and she took them all off.

Since I was off Friday we did some painting. It’s been a while. She loved when I did the cup method and even chose colours for two of them. I need to put on a top coat so she can take them home.

She’s been asking for Paw Patrol lately so I got her little ones. They’re actually for cake decorating but it works. She’s played with them nonstop so it’s a good $13 well spent.

She doesn’t care how I do her hair, she loves it all. Especially the silly ones.

She loves laying with me in quiet as we listen to Taylor Swift’s newest alblum, Folklore. She tries to sing along and tends to ask me sing to her and sometimes requests random songs.

Rizzo growls at her sometimes when she makes sudden movements towards me but she always wants to be with him anyway. And even sticks her hand purposely into his mouth.

Final week with this little monster. I’m not ready for her to go home. Sigh.

I have pretty lazy coworkers. They sleep a lot while I work and love to stare at me when they’re awake.

Good news: I have a job! To celebrate we feasted the day after I got the news by getting Black Pearl’s seafood boil.

We had other yums as well. Hot pot has become the norm but that’s only because we can get more veggies in and have something to do since going it is meh.

Still keeping Emmy entertained is a big task but we are doing pretty well in my opinion. June got her an Amelia Bedelia book. It has 5 stories and I’ve been reading them. I forgot how funny they were. One of my favourite series growing up.

Walks with her has continued since the rain stopped. One time after waking I gave Rizzo a haircut and bath and now she keeps asking me to do it again. So adorbs.

Dad found this hat for Emmy to play with. It was mine when I was a kid. I wore this to Disney when we went. Memories. Oh how time flies and wanting to grow up.

Ending the post with my selfies for the week. Something she really loves doing. Spot the one with Rizzo .. he was sleeping all up in my space. I love him and his cuddle loving heart.

Did you know this past Monday was National Fried Chicken Day? We celebrated with some Church’s Chicken because I’m extra like that.

We had A LOT of presents for Emmy since she was staying for a little while longer. I noticed a package I didn’t order. I contacted Amazon and after they checked out the tracking number, they told me to either keep it, give it away, or throw it away. I guess since it’s fairly cheap it wasn’t worth the hassle. Blades and hot glue gun. The crafter in me is not mad.

Brudda and SIL video chatted with us — mostly to see Emmy and asked if I received a package already. I thought they were talking about the formula for Emmy but it was actually a surprise for me.

Jenny asked me to be a bridesmaid. A shocker for me since I thought she’d keep it with her childhood friends but I’m excited to be a part of her tying the knot. I cannot wait to celebrate their love next year! Hopefully all calms down by then.

Emmy tried to take everything in the box, thinking it was all hers. I did spare a lot of my hearts for her which she was thankful for.

Tuesday, after work, we dumped in her new letters and fishing toys, filled up the new pool, and put on her new swimsuit. She picked the swimsuit herself. Her requirements were pink and mermaid. She did want me to get her a tail as well but I ain’t made out of money. Sorry, booboo.

After swimming around she laid down next to me while I read a book and she watched her Baby John shows with Rizzo.

Wednesday, I had my interview. Nervous was an understatement. I was asked if I wanted to do audio or video and opted to do video since who would ask if they wanted audio?

I put on a nice top, did my eyeliner and eyebrows, and side braided my hair. Emmy saw me and said that I was beautiful because my hair looked like Elsa. This was also the day Emmy learned how to say “I’m scared” in Chinese and uses it now.

It was a tough interview for me on so many levels. I came out unsure but I sent my thank you letters anyway. Don’t worry, I didn’t say, “sorry for being horrible in the interview” or anything like that. I did get responses of thanks and such. The one above did make me feel a little better especially since this person looked a little bored when I talked.

SIL bought a subscription to ABC Mouse for Emmy so I set her up and started her on the assessments. She’s pretty smart for a three-year-old! She plays games and watches videos that ABC Mouse provides and when I don’t need to help her out with it, I’m able to read and do other things.

We got her a kitty on it and I asked her what she wanted to name it. She initially said “cat!” but I said, “Rizzo is a dog and we call him Rizzo.” So she changed her answer to “Chansik” instead which means orange in Chinese. I was too lazy to correct her.

Another package came — pink crocs and new clothes from Sissy. She loves her crocs and wear them around the house. We haven’t had a walk yet with them but hopefully will this upcoming week.

Friday I went over to Mallory’s to drop off some goodies I got her from the Asian market in return of getting the tumbler which you’ll see down below. I bumped into some traffic — road work by her house. Luckily it was quick and we were able to pass by …

… else I would have missed my blood donation appointment. They heard my complaint about the temperature gun and when I failed it this time, they gave me the throw away temperature stick instead and I passed. Guess these bangs make my forehead hot. I was out of there in less than an hour which is record time for automation donation.

I stopped by Sonic on the way home for some ice cream to replenish what I gave. I gave half of it to Emmy. I also bought other snacks for everyone as well.

Emmy got to use her new tumbler. I was going to go to the event and make it myself but due to level one, I stayed home and told the lady what I wanted. I decided to give it to Emmy and personalized it for her. She says she’s like GooJei when she holds her cup because I use the black tumbler.

I had the cutest conversation with Emmy.

Emmy: GooJei (what she calls me), why you buy ice cream, food, and new cup for Emmy?
Me: Because I love you.
Emmy: Aww I love you more.

Yesterday we opened up the scratch-off paper I bought her that came on Monday. It came with 50+ sheets that will her occupied for a long time. She understands the importance of keeping the scratchies in a pile on the table so that it doesn’t fly everywhere. Sigh … what a good kid.

I told her I’ll write “Emmy” on mine and she said she’ll write “GooJei” on hers. She tried — scribble and all. Too funny.

I taught her how to draw a poop emoji — because I’m that type of aunt. You’re welcome.

Today her newest toy came — probably the last toy I’m getting her this visit because I am poor now.

It’s a water mat. Fill the pens with water, draw on the mat, and it dries after a few minutes. This kid wanted to go swimming but after doing this for two hours, she forgot all about swimming. She even said it was too sunny to go swimming because she didn’t want to stop drawing.

We listened to music and sang while she drew. It was so relaxing and a fun time all around. Tracing the alphabet is her thing now and having another place/way to do it other than the dry erase book is a plus for her.

So much good eats this week. Kimchi noodle soup, steak for blood donation, and hot pot. We’ve been doing hot pot a lot but Emmy eats so much more when we do. My go to has been eggs. I’ve been having it every single day for lunch.

Today I wore the tie-dye shirt I made myself. She screamed out “OMGoodness it’s so pretty the shirt! Colours!”

The ones I made for Emmy and Ethan are in Dallas. By the time she goes back up, she’ll probably outgrow them. The one she’s wearing now was supposed to be for Patricia’s niece but I guess I’ll be tie-dying again soon.

It’s big on her and when Mum put it on her she said “I love my pretty dress. Like GooJei.” My heart is so full right now. Can you stay forever?

I’ve been watching Emmy while I work and my goodness it’s a whirl. Luckily I didn’t have as many meetings as I did and when I did it was with people that I was cool with.

She’d do cute things like putting the pillow around Rizzo’s neck and saying he’s a lion and making me watch. Wishing I had more time to give to her during the day but it is what it is.

On Monday night we had a Cousins Video Chat. It was nice to “see” everyone and catch up about the crazy. We joked that our Cousin’s Trip is going to be like this and we should put a fake background for fun.

Emmy and Rizzo had fun sitting outside looking at the moon. She’s so grown!

Tuesday night I made slime using only three ingredients with Emmy. Glow in the dark, glitter slime to be precise. She LOVES it and we played with it for multiple days. She makes random things like cupcakes/cakes out of it and sing us happy birthday. Oh how much fun this age is. She wasn’t as excited about the glow in the dark as I was.

We went and bought groceries on Friday with Mum and June and decided to get some hot pot action in. It was cute when we made Emmy meat and she said it didn’t look the same and didn’t want it. I had to cook it and make her watch for her to understand that the red/pink meat turns brown when it’s finished cooking. After that, she gobbled it all up.

My other meals I’ve been loving lately, eggs with a side of bacon and cherry tomatoes for brunch and super delicious pupusas. I’ve FINALLY found pupusas I like in the grocery stores. Guys, seriously the best thing. I cannot get enough! It’s on my docket of things to learn to make from scratch.

We picked up some fireworks and spouted some simple ones for fun after we had our hot pot feast. Emmy’s favourite was the Doggie Doo Doo and sparklers. There was NO fear — brave just like her daddy.

On Saturday, for Fourth of July festivities, Emmy, June and I made crepes, American Flag crepes to be exact. She was so good next to the stove and gobbled up the crepe so fast without anything on it. Sigh, wish she lived closer so I can have more of these moments.

Sissy and BIL came over with Los Robertos. They sat outside while we sat inside with the door and windows open for communication. We sang happy birthday to BIL and had hilarious moments with Emmy as the center of attention.

Emmy and I had a photoshoot Friday night after fireworks and a shower. Moments like this. She is so silly. #nevergrowup or at least #growupalittleslower

Keeping her entertained has been a struggle as I want her to continue to learn more and do more. She’s so smart and definitely at an age where she can pick things up — like when we say certain things.

She was supposed to go home today but plans have changed and she’s staying with us a little longer. It could be a week or more. Everything is up in the air.

If anyone has any tips on how to entertain a rowdy 3 year old, please don’t hesitate to share.