Strawberries Galore

So since I had so much strawberries from picking them (see the next post for info and pics) I had to use them before it went bad. I love strawberries in every form and fashion so here are some ways that I used them. I made strawberry jam and it's so good stirred into yogurt, on top of pancakes and waffles and on toast. The possibilities are endless. My new favorite discovery courtesy of Martha Stewart is ricotta cheese and strawberry jam on toast. It's so tasty because the cheese is so mild. Justin loves eating the ricotta cheese with the jam on top. I think he thinks it's ice cream. He couldn't get enough. I highly recommend it for kids and everyone else.

You can't resist fresh strawberries with homemade whipped cream. It's a good thing I didn't have enough strawberries to finish the whipped cream or I would need to run another half-marathon. :-)


Strawberry shortcake cookies (a very yummy and cakey recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Strawberry smoothie courtesy of Eugene Kim. :-)

Here is a jar of the homemade organic strawberry jam. Since I made two jars and they don't last too long I thought it would be fun to give a jar away to one of my friends. So in honor of Justin's 2nd birthday next week please leave a comment stating his exact birthdate to "win" a jar. I'll personally deliver the jar and if you live out of the city I guess I'll have to give you something else. ;-) Good luck.

For The Love of Strawberries

Since the boys are older, Eugene and I thought that they would love to go strawberry picking. We went to the Golden Earthworm Organic Farm in Riverhead, Long Island and had a blast picking strawberries off the vine. It was a first for all of us so it was even more special.

Did you know that June is the only month you can pick strawberries here in NY?

Justin was busy eating strawberries than actually picking them. He was in heaven.

Here is Tyler in action. He did a wonderful job picking the best strawberries to fill his basket.

Taking his job seriously. I think Tyler appreciated where the fruit comes from now.

Tyler with his bounty. What a delicious way to spend the day.

I love anything to do with strawberries so when I heard about a Strawberry Festival I had to check it out with the family and fellow friends. So it was basically a carnival on a field at a high school in Long Island. The strawberry theme was apparent throughout the festival with lots of dessert featuring the fruit.

I never saw a strawberry ride like this before.

A balloon in the shape of you guessed it...a strawberry!

I don't know what came over me but I took Tyler and Justin on the ferris wheel by myself and it was the longest 5 minutes of my life. Justin kept getting off the seat and I was so afraid that he would jump off the ferris wheel whenever we got to the top. Reminder to self, never let Justin go on a ride without a seatbelt to strap him down.

Tyler loves carnival rides.

Tyler and Ella (a good friend of Tyler's since he was born) enjoying a ride together.

Grant's 1st Birthday

A couple of weeks ago, we were invited to a friend's first birthday party (dohl in korean) in Port Washington, Long Island at Louie's Bar & Grill. Thanks for inviting us Cailee and Kyu and happy birthday again to Grant. It was the perfect day to be by the water. Here's Tyler running around on the pier.

Here is a pic of me and my good friend Cailee in her hanbok (traditional korean attire).

The happy Hwang family with Grant in hanbok too. He is too cute. What a trooper he was that day. Hanbok is usually not that comfortable for little kids.

The delicious dulce de leche cake with the adorable candles.

There was a magician to entertain the children and I think Tyler had the best time. No really, Tyler was the only person laughing in the room. Thanks Cailee for entertaining my son. :-)

Siamese twins? Thanks to my friend Cailee who bought the matching ties for my boys. I owe this picture to you.

Tyler engaged in his favorite party activity. Eating the cake/cupcake.

I thought this pic of Justin holding onto Tyler's head for support was cute. All in all it was such a fun party for the kids and the adults. Thanks again C & K.

2nd Annual Great MOMS Walk

About 2 weeks ago, our family had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful fundraiser to raise money for mothers in need. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) organized the event and it was an impressive 1 mile walkathon filled with goody bags, raffle prizes and BBQ afterwards. Personally I have been so blessed by MOPS (which is a Christian organization that meets to encourage and educate mothers during the challenging period of having newborns and school age children).

Here is Tyler at the starting line ready to walk.

Justin decided to take another route.

Families walking the 1 mile.

Each child received a medal for finishing the mile...very cool.

Justin with a very good friend, JJ.

Group Pic. I think there were more kids than adults.

Here I am with two good friends of mine, Maria (middle, who was in charge of organizing the event) and Susan (right). I'm so thankful for them.

Barber Shop

I think it's the mundane moments of growing up that will stand out later in life so hence this post. By this time you've noticed that the boys only have one style of hair, the army crewcut. Eugene prefers to cut the boys hair short since it's easier and cheaper and you don't need to do any styling. It's a whole production where we have to set up a DVD player with a movie so that they are distracted. We'll see how long the boys will last until they decide they want a hairstyle of their own. Until then they have their own personal barber at home.

Eugene hard at work. The boys will need to tip him one of these days.

The after shots - good for another month.

Brotherly Love

My boys are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. They can fight one minute and hug each other the next. It really is endearing to watch them grow together. Justin is growing up so fast since he wants to catch up to his older brother. They are definitely blessed to have one another for life. Praise God.

You know I love the back shots. Justin loves holding Tyler's hand.

Over the Memorial Day weekend we went to Central Park with friends and the kids had a blast. We met at Heckscher Playground and my boys didn't want to leave. I was told the playground was recently renovated and the highlight for Justin was walking in a circular walkway with running water. I think I need to bring him to a waterpark soon.