Finding BonggaMom

The Big Reading Experiment

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:53:00 +0000

Despite our differences in looks, The Pea and I are alike in many ways. We both have big feet. We both have messy hair. We both love to eat. I could go on and on, but this post focuses on one of our biggest similarities: we both love to read. We simply cannot put a book down once we've started, so it's not uncommon to see our noses buried in a book for hours on end, even in the shower, even while walking on the sidewalk.

Not only do we both love to read, in many cases we love reading the same books. Even at this ripe old age, I still enjoy reading children's literature, so The Pea and I do lots of book swapping. I introduced her to Harry Potter, she introduced me to Percy Jackson, and we both discovered The Secret series together. So I like to think I have a pulse of the kinds of books she likes. And that means -- lucky for her!! -- I have tons and tons of suggestions for books I know she'd love to read.
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How to make a giant LEGO brick

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Just 1 more week till Jammy's LEGO Ninjago party, and we are hard at work preparing for it. We've got the menu planned -- sushi, potstickers and candy sushi (plus ice cream and cake, of course!). We've got the party favors down. Tableware -- check. Now we're working on games and decor, starting with some giant LEGO bricks that will look super cool as decorations and as a pull-string pinata.
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Where's the snow?

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:05:00 +0000

When the winter months arrive, many Bay Area families look forward to a trip or two to the Lake Tahoe area for some skiing, snowboarding, sledding and other forms of snowy fun. This year, though, Tahoe has been experiencing a record dry spell, with authorities actually issuing wildfire warnings in January. It hasn’t really snowed since Thanksgiving, and although snow finally did arrive early this week, for the most part, the storm bypassed the top of the Sierra with only 1 inch of snow reported at the Mount Rose Ski Resort near Reno, Squaw Valley USA near Tahoe City, Calif., and Boreal near Truckee, Calif. All the big ski resorts have been forced to make their own snow, and some of the smaller resorts have not even opened yet.

Read more "Where's the snow?" on Silicon Valley Mamas....

Candy Sushi

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:03:00 +0000

My kids love sushi, so serving sushi for Jammy's Lego Ninjago party was a no-brainer. This being Silicon Valley, most of my kids' friends love sushi as well, so we don't have to deal with any Gross! or Eww! comments. Just to be on the safe side, there will also be a plate of potstickers, and for an extra-special treat, I'll be making candy sushi. Actually, they are so easy and fun to make that I'll probably let the kids make their own!
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Separate kids, separate parties

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:04:00 +0000

3Po and Jammy are 8 now, and this year marks a very special first: they'll be holding separate birthday parties, with different themes, different activities, different food and different guests. Having one party per child is practically given when you've got singletons, but when you're a twin, you have to share a birthday, and sharing a party is so much easier. When boy-girl twins get older, it's natural for them to have different interests and friends of their own gender, so splitting up parties is a much easier and more natural progression. 3Po and Jammy, though, are identical twins who happen to have identical interests and almost identical friends, so having separate parties is a Big Deal.
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Things I have learned about painting a kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:38:00 +0000

My parents are very ascetic people when it comes to their surroundings. As long as a house is clean and comfortable, they don't really care what it looks like. This is quite an admirable trait in the sense that they don't need a big home or lavish furnishings to live happily, but it also means that their home has aged right alongside them. It also means that I don't know the first thing about Do-It-Yourself home remodeling. My idea of hanging a picture is taking any old nail and banging it into a wall.

Admittedly, I'm not the first person you'd call to paint a kitchen.
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Big Spender

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Jammy: Mama, why won't you let us spend our money to buy the toys we want?

Me: Because the toys you want are pretty expensive! You just bought yourselves some Webkinz stuffies last month, and now you want to buy a Star Wars Lego set?

Jammy: But I can afford it, it only costs $10.

Me: I know, but then you won't have much money left. Why don't you wait and save up? Getting an allowance doesn't mean you have to spend all of it. You can spend some of your money, but you should also save some of it and set aside a bit for charity, you know, to give to the poor.

Jammy: But mama, you only give me a dollar per month! I AM the poor!

The end is nigh... I think

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

It has been about 7 years since we added a second story to our home. Although we've continued to improve our front and back yards, the only things we've done indoors have been minor projects like replacing grout and installing an attic fan. Our home still looks great, but 7 years of living and eating and playing and partying and containing 3 active (and messy) kids has taken its toll. What was once a newsworthy remodel that people actually paid to see has been getting a bit shabby around the edges. So we decided it was high time to freshen up our home, and we decided to start with the kitchen.

That was almost 3 months ago.
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Seven Days of Dinner, Jan. 8-14

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:07:00 +0000

Alfie and I love Indian food, but I can't say that the kids share our passion for aloo gobi, chicken vindaloo, rogan josh and other mouth-watering yummies. 3Po and Jammy do like a curry now and then, but despite numerous attemps, we've only managed limited success with The Pea. She'll eat a bit of most (mild) curries that I prepare, but without much enthusiasm.
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New Year, Old Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Like most people, every year I make a list of New Year's Resolutions. In fact, I even blogged my New Year's Resolutions for 2011, 2010, and 2009. This year, I've decided not to continue the tradition, for two reasons:
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Seven Days of Dinner, Jan. 1-7

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:17:00 +0000

New year, new menus!

Here's what's on for dinner this week:
* Enchilada bake
* Baked salmon with pesto, beans and roasted potatoes
* Cold sesame noodles
* Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese
* Spinach salad with goat cheese, cranberries and walnuts
* Nan bread pizza with caramelized onions and peppers, goat cheese and olives
* Veggie "meat"balls with rigatoni and tomato sauce

Christmas in the Park

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:30:00 +0000

I know Christmas is over, but if you're in the Bay Area, you can still catch a bit of the holiday spirit before New Year's Eve (and give your kids something to do before they burn their eyes out playing video games or drive you crazy before school finally starts again). You can pay $$ at Global Winter Wonderland or $ driving through the Los Gatos Fantasy of Lights -- or you could take your kids to Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown San Jose and enjoy a fun afternoon out for just the cost of parking. I'm talking about Christmas in the Park, San Jose's annual holiday diorama and tree display. I took 3Po and Jammy there last week, and they really had a great time!
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Global Winter Wonderland

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:37:00 +0000

Like many families, we love looking at holiday decorations and light displays. There are several great places around the Bay Area that are known for their light displays; our favorites are Eucalyptus Street in San Carlos and the Los Gatos Fantasy of Lights, but for one reason or another we didn't get to see either one this year. This year we got our fill of twinkling lights at an entirely new place: Global Winter Wonderland, a holiday display in Santa Clara.
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Happy Holidays from The Pea's American Girls!

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:51:00 +0000

Merry Christmas from Natalia (The Pea's Just Like Me Doll)! She's wearing her new holiday outfit (courtesy of Santa) and toasting the season with a cute handpainted glass ornament from Lolita Designs.

Merry Christmas from the newest addition to The Pea's American Girl doll family, Marie-Grace! She's wearing the American Girl holiday outfit.

'Tis better to wrap than to receive

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Let's be honest: Kids get greedy during the holidays. Despite all the heartwarming Christmas specials about being all together for the holidays, kids are all thinking about what presents they're going to get or what to ask for from Santa.

We can't really blame them -- they're just following what the grownups do. Everywhere: on tv, in magazines, at the mall, it's all about sales and shopping and presents. Even us mom bloggers, with our holiday gift guides and giveaways, are perpetuating the materialistic focus.
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All I want for Christmas is....

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:54:00 +0000

If only this fellow were the real Santa, I'd get everything on my Christmas wish list for sure!

Alfie and I have decided not to get each other Christmas presents this year. After all, we've already got each other new kitchen cabinets, a new front door, a new computer desk and a new armoire. So this year, I'll have to rely on Santa to get me all the other stuff I want for Christmas. Given what I'm asking for, I think I might need all of Santa's magical powers to make my wishes come true!

Here's what I'm asking from Santa this year:
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Seven Days of Dinner, Dec. 18-31

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:52:00 +0000

Woo-hoo, the holiday break has started! The kids are out of school and Alfie's office has given everyone the whole of next week off, so I've decided to give Seven Days of dinner a holiday break as well.

Happy holidays!

Our winter break activity list

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:45:00 +0000

Today was the kids' final day of school before winter break, and as usual it has been a mad rush all day. I had to get the kids' teacher presents ready, make food for their class potluck parties, and prepare a craft for Jammy's classmates to do during their party -- all before 10:30am. For once, 3Po's and Jammy's class parties actually did not clash, so I was able to attend both of them, which of course meant that I spent twice the amount of time at school, manning the craft tables at one party, then going off to do the same thing at his brother's party. Every parent at school today said how much they are looking forward to the winter break and the chance for some downtime.

Except I'm not sure how much downtime we'll be enjoying.
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Parties and sawdust do not mix

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:58:00 +0000

I like to think of myself as an optimistic and determined person: When I want to do something, I tend to ignore any obstacles standing in the way. Certain people (*cough*! Alfie! *cough*) might interpret that as being stubborn, leading to situations like driving for hours in a snowstorm. It's true that my enthusiasm often gets in the way of my good judgement -- but I'm hoping my kids see it as never letting a few inconveniences and a bit of hard work get in the way of accomplishing a goal.

My latest act of ~~blind determination~~ perseverance? Hosting a party without a kitchen.
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Spreading joy, hope... and Zhu Zhu Pets

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:57:00 +0000

Over the years I've had lots of fun working with MomSelect and Cepia to promote their line of Zhu Zhu Pets toys, doing product reviews, hosting giveaways and even throwing parties where my kids and their friends get to take Zhu Zhu pets home! Despite all these fun opportunities, I think the most rewarding aspect of my partnership with Zhu Zhu pets has been my participation in their holiday charity initiative, the Random Acts of Zhu program.
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Seven Days of Dinner, Dec. 11-17

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:39:00 +0000

I'm atoning for last week's meat extravaganza with a week composed of entirely vegetarian dishes. Not that it's going to be a huge hardship; meat is no longer an indispensible ingredient in our household, and I have a sizeable collection of meatless dishes that the whole family loves. In fact, Alfie insists that he would switch to a 100% vegetarian lifestyle tomorrow; all I have to do is say the word. Of course, he says that knowing full well that I love my In-N-Out burgers and fish and chips and pulled pork sandwiches too much to pull the plug on meat. Personally, given his own passion for fish and chips, I think he's just a teensy bit relieved.

Here's this week's meatless menu:
* Veggie burgers
* Tofu and boy choy stir-fried with Thai basil, over rice
* Spinach and cheese omelet
* Spaghetti with marinara sauce
* Lentil and spinach soup
* Eggs and beans on toast
* Fetuccine with cream sauce and peas

Bon appetit!

Apple Crumble

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:45:00 +0000

Apple crumble is one of our favorite comfort foods. Actually, it doesn't really have to be apple crumble; any fruit underneath a crumb topping will do. I've been using the crumb topping recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook -- you know, the one with the red plaid cover, the one that's been around since the 40's -- for years, but I think I've found a better one.
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Seven Days of Dinner, Dec. 4-10

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:28:00 +0000

I've decided to give week's menu has a Hispanic theme. Maybe it's the weather, but I find myself craving hearty dishes with lots of onions and garlic. Filipino cuisine is heavily influenced by Spanish cuisine, and foods with Spanish names like adobo, menudo and empanada are very common. This week I'm breaking my 3 meat dishes per week rule, but these dishes are so yummy, I don't care.
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Forty before Forty Item #18: discovering Jammy

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:27:00 +0000

When I made the resolution to spend some quality time with each of my 3 kids, I knew it would be difficult. I spend lots of time with them, but it's mostly with all 3 of them. On the rare occasions that Alfie and I get our parents to babysit, or when do splurge for a babysitter, we use the time as a couple. My plan for one-on-one kid time was was to ask Alfie to watch 2 kids on some weekend, and take the 3rd one on a solo excursion, which is great in theory, but hasn't worked out too well.
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Family Game Night Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Bonggamom) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:31:00 +0000

None of my kids are born performers; they're never comfortable being the center of attention, and even The Pea, who participates in several dance recitals and shows each year, always confesses to feeling butterflies in the pit of her stomach whenever she gets up and thinks of all those pairs of eyes on her.
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