theme parties

Fantasy and imagination is big at this age, esp through dress up. I'm gonna miss this silly, who-do-I-want-to-be-today stage .... I wish they can be 3 forever!

character playdate at Sumi's house

red carpet walk at Jenna's bday party
power pose with Guinivere at Mia's princess bday party

Back to WVA

We booked a trip to Greenbrier to test our luck for the New Year, but with the 'snowmageddon', we didn't get to go til this last wk.
Old, historic hotel oozing with southern charm. Every room had a unique decor, even the bathrooms!
We only stayed 3 days, but we squeezed in quite a bit. Enjoyed the 'tea party' every afternoon, swam in the Olympic pool with tiles dating back from the 1940s, walked the bunker tour (an underground hideout for our legislative branch during a nuclear threat), climbed a cave dripping with evolving stalagmite, hiked with sweeping views of the mountains; and of course, gambled!
We invited Grandma Vu to join us. She likes to travel. And she also likes to go to bed early, allowing us to sneak out to the casino. A win-win for everyone!
Sadly, I'm not a winner at the cards. Even managed to loose $100 bill dropped fm my purse. Talking about bad luck! Eric did decent, up then down, but overall still up in the end. The year of the Tiger may be a bust year for one of us.

Be Mine

We didnt get around to celebrating Valentine's until this wkend with Tet last week. Momma got a sweet, home-made card and thrilling lunch at Sakura Japanese Steak house. Vienna covered her eyes when the flames exploded. But we all enjoyed the twirling knives, onion volcano, egg juggle, open-your-mouth-for-a-morsel-toss....

Here we are getting ready to drive to the restaurant.

Yes, this is Eric's present to himself. Hmm, I might have been jibbed. He got a car, I got a card. But Momma has to admit, it is a fun car to cruise in!

Happy Tet! Year of the Tiger!

momma wasn't as prepared this year, but gramma Vu was. she got the girls these pretty Asian (ao dai) dresses for the New Year:

gambling is a New Year and Vu family tradition (at every age :-)



the girls got tons of li xi money. Check out the ones from Uncle Duy. The serial #s start w/8888. He must have special ordered them, very cool. Another collector's item to add to Eric's cabinet for safe keeping.

funny girl

to save momma time in the morning, the girls dress themselves . Vienna created this ensemble for herself...ROAR.

ARGH, come on in matee! (yes, that is a clear eye patch she has on via rubberband).

She also likes to go shopping with her swim goggles. Our silly girl.

New Year Interview

All you want to know about the Deterding twins.
Answers by birth order: Vienna then Laurel's.

How old are you: 3; 3

Who is your mommy? you are my mommy; ditto

What does your mommy do? she works on the vacuum; she works on the computer

Who is your daddy? He's over there; ditto

What does your daddy do? He goes to work

What is your favorite color: purple; pink

What do you want to be when you grow up? tall like Griffy; be tall

What is your favorite food: blueberries; ice cream

What food don't you like: I don't like spaghetti (she'll eat the noodles w/out the sauce); cheese!

What is your favorite animal: cow; horse

What is your favorite song: Jingle Bell Batman song; The purse goes away (?)

What is your favorite movie: Spiderman; ditto

What is your favorite ice cream flavor: vanilla; chocolate

Who is your favorite person: Jacob (fm school); my sister Vienna

Who is your best friend: Jacob (from school); Britain (from school)

What is your favorite book: Winnie the Witch (thou she sleeps with the Wiggles Yummy Yummy Fruit Salad book); Peter Pan (cause it was Poppa's fav book)

What is your favorite thing to do: play with toys; go to school

Who is your sister: Laurel; Vienna

Where did your sister come from: Momma's belly; ditto

Self portraits:

Ice Ice Babies

We hit the slopes to kick off the New Year. The girls had their first ski lesson. They did really well-- they were able to stay upright going downhill -- Vienna even got the knack of steering alittle-- no poles of course. They both enjoyed the lift 'ride'. It's nice when they start young, no fear.

Wintergreen is chock-full of fun kiddie activities. They also did tubing, roasted s'mores, indoor bounce room and swam in the pool & hot tub. Smack in the middle of blue ridge mountains, the views are never-ending and spectacular. This may be our new New Year's tradition.