[loveit] Cu Tun & his new friends

           Since our little boy was born, we haven't gone anywhere without daddy. It may be because of transportation or just the feeling going without him is kind of missing. Yet sometime I think my little boy should go out then he can meet other babies, can make friends, and can learn from this big world.

           A month ago, we bought a new car. Since then, we, our boy and I, started to go out few days in weeks. We went to library for his books, shopping for household, and met his new little buddy, Zoe.

           About Zoe, she is a sweet little girl (as sweet as her name), 6 months younger than our boy. Sometime, her mommy calls her "The Fierce" in the funny meaning. hah. We had a lot of fun and so in love with her. There will be more chances for them to meet and have fun together. I promise!

Bonus the new car picture. hi.

Enjoy reading and happy Labor Day Weekend!
Huong Tran

[makeit] Back-to-school project - Felt Pencil Case

        This year back-to-school is very special with our family because it's the first time we (I and my hubby) take someone back to school instead of us going back to school. That is my little sister who study abroad from Vietnam.
        We, as not-going-to-school ones, even feel the excitement. Of course, I think of something that can support our little one (she is 17 but she is still little in our eyes) I finally continue using felt that was brought from Vietnam by my dad and my sister to make her a little pencil case ( I did sew one for her before but she just wants to keep it as newest as possible, so she doesn't want to use it)

This is the pattern of the little bear with brown ears

And this is the case in different angles

Hope my sister and others can enjoy the school time.

Happy Back-to-School!

Huong Tran

[makeit] Felt DIY - Little Elephant

What do you feel when you read a craft book and see a very easy but cute DIY project?
I feel like I need to do it right away. Yet I need a reason for it (I just need a reason then I can do everything). There are tons of them popped up. Of course, giving it as a gift for someone I love is the most reasonable one. So, I decided to gift it to my little sisters. I know they will love it. I mean really love it. hah (who doesn't love this cutie?)
When making it, I took some pictures in case I may do it again in the future for my other beloved ones and for you making it for the same reason.
Here is the steps.
1) Cut 2 the elephant bodies, ears, and the ones put on the top (which I don't know how to call it).

 2) Sew the tops and the ears to the bodies as following picture.

 3) Sew the eyes. Then it's time to stuff the little elephant.

 4) I have been done and compare to the original one in the book (the blurred one on the top)

Hope you like this little felt DIY project.

Happy stuffing and sewing!

Huong Tran

[loveit] Grandpa with us

There are fathers do not love their children; there is no grandpa who does not adore his grandson - Victor Hugo

My dad, aka grandpa, is best grandpa that our kids can wish for. 

Grandpa just adores his little man as much as he can because there is short time for them, about 20 days. 

Of course, as some kids, our little man knows the truth and get advantage of it. He just wants grandpa hold him all day or take him to somewhere out of the house. 

Every time they cuddle each other, that moment melts my heart and their hearts too. 

One special thing about this time grandpa coming is his birthday. That is our pleasure to have him in the house at his special day. It has been 8 years I didn't celebrate his birthday with him. And this time is more special because we have the baby celebrate with us. I can see the happiness in his eyes. 

We wish you, our little son's dearest grandpa, a good health and happiness so we can have more and more time celebrate your birthday together. 

Thank you for your love to us. 

Just LOVE you as always.

[knowit] 11 things about me - 1st attempt

It is an enjoyable time surfing around my favorite blogs. And I saw this 11 things series in thepapermama. I am so in love with this blog and this series as well.

I sometime recognize I forgot a lot of things in my life or just I haven't thought about that for a long time. Thanks Chelsey for this series again. 

If you feel interested in this series, you may want to answers those questions or another set of 11 questions at the end of this post. Don't forget to leave your blog post in the comment area below. 

Here is my 11 things

1. What's your favorite show on TV right now?

Since I had the baby, we didn't watch TV much (we were too busy playing with each others). So, there is no answer for this question. 

2. Could you ever be a contestant on the reality show: Naked and Afraid?

Wow..... the answer is NO. When I watched this show, I could see how close the human can get to the mother nature. Yet, naked in front of strangers in a TV show? Absolutely NO. 

3. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Rice. I guess because we eat rice everyday since we were born, rice sticks to our mind as a basic food that we can't live without. 

4. What's your first thought when you wake up in the morning?

"What time is it?" My baby just seems to wake up a bit earlier on those days. That makes me keep staring at the clock every time I wake up. 

5. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Dinner. Breakfast was fast and hurry. My baby gets too hungry after a long night. Lunch is kind of late. Dinner is the family time that we eat together and talk about what happened in the days. 

6. What was the best trip you've ever taken?

The road trip from Houston to California with my hubby. We had best time enjoying sightseeing along the road. 

7. Share your favorite meme of gif.

8. Your current favorite book and/or movie?

This book is written in Vietnamese by Kam Nhung. This book is a collection of experience on how American parents grow their baby. I just started to read it yesterday, but I get very excited to read more and know more about it.

9. The most random fact about you....

Love to bake but not a sweet tooth person (either my hubby). I keep finding someone who loves to eat sweet, so they can enjoy my food and I have chance to practice more about baking. 

10. What do you miss about childhood.

Live without worry. Until now, sometimes I feel like I am still a kid when my parents care too much about me. Back then, I didn't have to worry about money and life. I just needed to study and enjoy the life. Thanks my parents for giving me life and giving me a chance to be a happy kid.

11. Share your favorite cell phone images you've taken in the last 12 months?
You can see all of those photos are about my family, my happiness, simple and lovely!

And here is another 11 questions (I get it from Chelsey's blog):

1. If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to?

2. Are you a collector of anything?

3. Do you prefer sweet or salty foods?

4. Are you morning or night person?

5. Share one thing that people may not know about you.

6. Do you have any hidden talents?

7. What is your favorite hobby?

8. What make you happy?

9. What would your dream profession be?

10. Share 3 blogs/websites you enjoy visiting. 

11. Why did you start blogging? And/or, why do you continue to blog?

Thank you for reading it!

Happy blogging, friends.

Huong Tran

[makeit] Toddler Snack - Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Sticks - The 1 minute Version

Anyone who doesn't love frozen ice-cream or yogurt or simply a frozen fruit in this weather?
I bet no one
Our toddler either
He loves yogurt
He loves fruit
and I made Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Stick! hah
It's quick and easy
All you need is gather wooden skewers, blueberry, and any kind of yogurt that you love.
Let's make it

Ingredients:
Blueberry
Yogurt

Wooden Skewers
Parchment paper + dish

Make the sticks:

Gather all the ingredients and material

Rinse the blueberry thoroughly and allow them to drain in the colander.

Cut and put the parchment paper on the bottom of the dish.

Take the skewers and start to stab the blueberry. Slide them up the stick about 1/2 way up the stick. Keep stabling the blueberry until you reach the end of the stick. Roll the blueberry stick on the yogurt. ROLL ROLL ROLL the STICK!

Lay the sticks on the dish, wrap it with plastic wrap, and leave it in the freezer for few hours (as long as how you desire the frozen of the blueberry)

After few hours, you can enjoy it!

Made with love!

Huong Tran

[makeit] Toddler Snack - Homemade Cracker - The easiest version

Today, I will keep up with Toddler Snack series because I think I should save those recipes that I may need in the future. The best way is to make it at least once to know the way then I can get the idea for next time making it.
About the toddler snack, as you know, those homemade food are better than store-bought ones. Moreover, the idea of making the food look more interest and more delicious than the store-bought ones can help our kids stop staring at other babies's food when we are out of home (you know the situation!)
I have changed a bit about the original recipe from tastykitchen . I omitted the salt due to my little boy appetite (He doesn't like any thing that taste too salty, and I think in this recipe the salty taste from cheese is enough for him). And I make 1/4 the original recipe because I don't have big food processor, so I decided to make a small batch first.
Here is the adapted recipe.
So, let's make it!

Homemade Goldhand Cracker

Ingredients:
15g ............................. butter - cut into cubes
1/4 cup........................ all-purpose flour
57g ............................. shredded cheese
1 1/2 tsp ..................... cold water

Cutter.......................... small hand which I bought from Hobby Lobby in Clay section

Make the Crackers:

Pulse everything (except water) together in the food processor until the dough resembles coarse sand.

Pulse in water.

Remove dough from the processor, wrap in plastic, and chill for 10 minutes. 

Roll the dough and cut into desired shapes. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degree F for about15 minutes, or until crispy.

Hope you have great time making it!

Happy Baking

Huong Tran