Cry Baby Boba

You like to cry and fight at the same time. I'm sorry you had a rough time. I'm proud that you stuck it out. However, we really need to work on your whining. You need to be better. I wish you understood how much easier your life is than most kids including your parents...

This is mommy and daddy trying to bring you a sibling. I hope we're successful and that you appreciate it. We don't really want another child, but we believe that it may be important for you to have a sibling. I can hear you whining right now. I really don't want to smack you, but it seems like the only thing that seems to work. It worked for me too so maybe it's a timeless solution? We'll see...

TGIF

Today your Uncle Peter and I had lunch. He said he needed some fresh air. You should never turn down helping someone out if you can. And you should never turn down an opportunity to enjoy good food with good company. Life and time is short, but this is a worthwhile way to spend it.

I'm not saying that life and actions should be transactional, but you do need to be aware that life is like a bank account. Mommy and daddy have put a lot into your account, but it's not infinite. It's important that you also make deposits into your life account. If you ever run out, of course mommy and daddy will help you if we can, but hopefully it never gets to that point. You're young, but you can still make deposits by listening, being good, etc. Then you can buy all the toys and things in your binder of gifts. Which I still need to put together...

You Will Be Loved

There's a song by Maroon 5 called, "She Will Be Loved". Just like her, you will be loved. You had a rough night last night. Mommy took a later shift to take you to the doctor today. Daddy took time off work and watched you and loved you. I don't know if you're better yet, but I do know you will always be loved.

I know I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're lucky and loved. I think saying I love you has become a habit, but I do want you to know that it's not without meaning behind it. If you ever feel down, remember this and pick yourself up. Come look for your mommy and daddy. You'll be okay.

YouTube Star

Maybe that's one way we can retire early. If mommy or you become a YouTube sensation. Today we started watching videos mommy posted on YouTube teaching Vietnamese. Your Uncle Alex wanted to get in on the action too, but I'm not sure the topics are going to be of much use to him. Mommy didn't include frisbee golf in the sports...

Anyhow, today's lesson is that sometimes life is going to give you lemons. I don't know how I got all these stains or when on my jacket. Kinda embarrassing that I walked around a long time with it on. In any case, when life gives you lemons, you get to decide what you want to do. I made lemonade. I moved on. I got the jacket cleaned. Didn't let it get me down. Life is only partly about what happens to you. What you do and how you react is what really determines your life's path. Stop whining and make lemon juice.

Extra Work

If I have to keep posting from a computer, it's going to be an extra work, but for you it's worth it. I know that lately the posts have been short and random, but I hope you'll find these snippets from your life worthwhile to read when you're older. I also hope that I'm able to blog more profound thoughts, but I'm sure that will come with time and experience. Although it's been a few years now...

I bought this book to support one of your cousins. Sometimes it's okay to spend your hard earned money on others, especially if it's for a good cause. I think at some point we will have to start separating your money into savings, spending and saintly stuff. I also need to put together a gift binder for you so that you can start saving pictures of things you like. I'm officially caught up on your blog. Woohoo. Makes up for my lackluster work day today, at least my life day was productive.

So Behind

But I blame the website for not allowing me to access the photos. Anyhow I’ll post for today and work backwards. You did okay today. Still some whining, but for the most part you listened.

(It's So Yummy)

You asked for pizza. I know mommy wanted you to eat salmon, but the rice is too old for you. I’m gonna make sure you eat some fruit and maybe yogurt later so it’s a more complete meal. Keep up the good work. It’s Team Boba Milk Tea until mommy gets home super late…

Sunday Jam

Vinh: I want to go home

This applies to any situation. On the plane to Viet Nam. On the cruise ship. In Buffalo. Now at Monster Jam...

At least the tickets and parking were free. Unfortunately, your nap time was ruined. At least you enjoyed the event a little and my work office. If we ever go back, we'll go for the 2nd half so we can experience what we missed. At least you can say you've been...

Super Saturday

When you're busy we're busy. Today was a busy day. We have your usual Jiu Jitsu and My Gym. Then we had to go to a birthday party for Ryan, Riley and Ethan. It's too bad you don't like skating because everyone else seems to enjoy it. I saw some people I haven't seen in a long time. I wonder if we're going to be more busy once and if you start school at Edna Batey...

We also had a birthday party for Jade and Aunty Anh to go to as well. Too bad we didn't save our appetite for that. They had better food I think. Make sure you get some rest because the "jam" continues tomorrow...

Cutie Pa-Tootie

We got your photos from So today. They're not as great per mommy as Merryhill, but they're free and you're soo cute.

There's so many great ones too, but this is the one they picked for your school group. Unfortunately, no one fixed your hair, but even with bad hair you're still super dep trai. We even got free digital versions. I think mom is secretly going to download photos of other kids too. Don't be jealous :)

Gifts of Joy

That's what having great people around you gets you. Look what the Rosauros got you...

Not sure how long we're going to keep playing with it, but so far so good. We haven't even taken it outside yet. We can probably make it flyer super high like a rocket ship. It's pretty cold these days so it'll have to be a special day before we can do that. In the meantime, you and mommy need to do a better job of keeping the darts safe and accessible. Don't worry, I was able to get this down for you without hurting myself...

From the Mac Mini

Not sure how to fix the blog site issue from phone, but until I do, I need to blog from the Mac mini or at least add the photos later. I'm gonna catch up now though. 

I still need to figure out how to fix my dual screen when using the Mac Mini. Anyhow, you cried this morning when you woke up. I had to record you. I mean if you want to "sleep more" then you should probably go to bed earlier and faster when I tell you the night before? That would be smart...

Broken Blog

Not sure why I can’t access photos, but I’ll have to finish the photos on a computer maybe. Anyhow, look who showed up on the radio? You!!! 

It’s kinda nice to have the radio working back in the car again. I really need to adjust the rear camera, but for the time being, GPS and connecting to my phone works great. I hope you enjoy it too :)

MLK Day

I hope by the time you read this that our world (your world) is in a better place than it is today 🙏. There’s so much polarization and misinformation and we can’t respectfully disagree anymore because everyone takes disagreement as an attack.

Culture shouldn’t belong to any group. It’s something that shared and celebrated. I heard a black politician complain that a white republican was quoting MLK. It’s ironic that she would complain about someone exercising their freedom of speech. Anywho, I pray for your future. Hopefully mommy stops throwing recycling and green waste into the trash…

Rosauro Resort

I didn’t get to blog about it yesterday, but I’ll mention it today. You got to go to The Rosauros’ house. Emma was so nice to you. Mommy thinks uncle Mario may be annoyed with you, but I don’t think so. I can ask him…

Anyhow, I know the Rosauros live far, but I hope you feel it’s worth the effort. That’s life. You need to make sure you put in effort for things that are worth it and don’t waste your time with things that are not.

🦅 and 🐤

I got to golf today. I got an eagle and a birdie, but I really should have gotten more. 

(I used this soup base after 5 years 😂)

Anyhow, it was nice to get out and I haven’t been lucky enough to have an eagle in a while. Today was a good reminder that you have to keep persevering because luck is something you need and you make. You get a long break from So this weekend so I hope you enjoy it, but you don’t get used to it and regress like before 🙏. 

TGIF

Do you miss going to My Gym during the week? It seems like you don’t really like going anywhere. Sorry. Anyhow, I haven’t taken many photos lately, so this is a random one.

(waiting for PG&E and HVAC guy)

It’s nice that you like to be at home, but I feel bad you don’t get to take advantage of the places we go and could go. But I guess it goes back to my own experience with my parents. They wanted what was best for me, but what I felt was best for me was different and that’s okay. Hopefully it’s the same for you too 🙏.

Khon

That’s how your Uncle Thang described your action. You keep making up every reason on why you don’t want to go to So. Maybe it really is cause you miss us or they don’t have monster trucks there…

I also don’t know why you’re always hiding when no one is looking for you or us. You also keep saying sorry, but not changing your behavior. It’s very perplexing. So are you feeling sorry for me that I have to deal with you? Empathy as opposed to conciliatory?

Pay Day

Part one. Part two tomorrow. How you look when you got your cupcake the other day is kinda how I feel when I get paid. Not cause I plan to go on a shopping spree, but instead I feel closer to my financial goals. One check at a time. 

Money will be an important part of your life, but it’s important that you don’t make it your life. Almost as equally important is that, just like time, you spend your money wisely. Early on, you’ll focus on things. Hopefully soon, you’ll learn about people and experiences.

Daddy Daycare?

Wasn’t planned, but that’s how life goes sometimes. I’m just glad that my work allowed me the flexibility to have you home today. Hopefully we’re not ruining you further 🙏.

You’ve been repeating actions and words lately when you said you wouldn’t. I really don’t know if you understand or not, but saying sorry doesn’t make it better. Sorry is the beginning. What makes it better is what you say and do after saying sorry. 

Mondays

Someone really didn’t want to go to So today. Why not? And someone only cried a little bit. So said you were better?

Sorry your Christmas gift never came from daddy. But Aunty Rain got you the same thing and you seem like you’re over it. Anyhow, I’m starting to think it might be you and not school. You didn’t want to go to Merryhill and now you don’t want to go to So. I wish I could stay home with you, but I need to work and you need to learn to deal with challenges in your life. We’ve spoiled you too much. Sorry, we ruined you. I think I spoiled your mommy too much too. It seems I’m the problem…

On Time

Sometimes means being early, rather than late. I realized that after we had you, the idea of being on time was unlikely and more realistic decision is whether we want to be early or late. 

Your mom seems to like to be late for everything, including work. I prefer to be early. It’s about respecting other people’s time and having boundaries for my own time. I’m not sure where you’ll end up, but I hope you won’t be late foe the important stuff 🙏. I’m posting this kinda early 😂 

Bac Tao and Susie

I didn’t get a photo, but this is where we went today. It seems like they’re happy to see you and that’s what they say. That being said, it’s really important to nurture your relationships with others (unless they’re not important).

I worked today. You also got to go to JJ, UC, and Ella’s. What a busy day for you. The worker said you were behaved…I dunno…

First Golf of 2026

And it was birdieless for me. But it’s always better to be golfing than not golfing. I am fortunate enough to have a great group of friends to enjoy the time with. I hope you’re able to find and develop great relationships too.

I also hope you find healthy hobbies as well. If you pick up golf, we can spend lots of time together (if that’s what you’re in to). If you’re into food, we can all enjoy that as a family. 

Not Too Bad

I was only 2 days behind. I went to the carwash the other day. It’s supposed to be 25 days without rain according to your uncle Eric. I need to get new windshield wipers for the car.

I really hope your life isn’t as busy as mine. Hopefully you will be better about managing your time and setting healthy boundaries. My only advice is to not procrastinate. You never know what will come up in the future, so get things done as soon as you can.

Behind Again

Sorry. It’s Friday. But I’m sorry like for reals. Not like when you say sorry. I think you say sorry to acknowledge you did something wrong, but I don’t think you understand that you need to stop doing it.

I haven’t taken many pictures. I’ll let mommy take the lead on that. Sorry you busted your head in VN. 2026 is gonna be a better year. 🙏 

Christmas In January

You’re still getting treats and surprises into January. I can’t emphasize enough how lucky you are. It’s the fruit of our relationships with others. You’re cute, but your attitude sucks often. 

That being said. It’s a new year. Let’s work on being better. If so, there’s a shiny garbage truck in your future. And less smacking and yelling by your parents. You can do it!!! 🙏 

The Grind

Back to it. Seems like you and mommy had a hard time getting back to it. I’m hoping you aren’t starting a bad slope. I hope it’s not the terrible 3s… 🙏 

The year is still early. You can make positive changes for 2026. It’s gonna be a great year little buddy. We can do it!!!

Slow Sunday

And there’s nothing wrong with that. You didn’t have a good night. What’s the deal? Either you love us and you want us to stay or you hate us and you don’t. You can’t be like I don’t like you, but I’m gonna cry and ask you to sleep with you…

Do better. We can’t deal with this all the time. We need to all get rest. I always have to wake you up in the morning. “I can’t sleep a lot” 🤦‍♂️ 

Happy Birthday Aunty Ly Ly

We missed Ba Ban, but at least we got to see everyone else and I got to eat crab. You also got to skip Jiu Jitsu and see Aunties today. I’m sorry you got hurt while brushing your teeth. You really have to be more careful.

Anyhow, you need to remember names better. At least you remembered Aunty Kim. She’s so nice to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t sleep with you and you were sad, but I’ll make sure to spend more time with you.

Day 2 of 2026

“I don’t want to go anywhere” is how the day started…At least it’s Friday.

I’m sorry you have to go to So. If I didn’t have to work, I would totally spend the day with you and do super fun stuff. Unfortunately, we need money to buy things and pay bills. If you could help us win the lottery, we could hang out all the time. Until then, you’re gonna have to get used to being away from me. Also, remember consequences. You didn’t get Yoggie bites on your way to school today because you didn’t reply when I asked if you wanted anything. Remember that for next time…

2026

On track. Day one, not one day. Same goes for you son. You can make today the beginning of a good journey.

Mommy cooked today. Hopefully she also makes today day one as well 🙏. Anyhow, it’s a good time to remind you that you can’t control what other people do, but you can control how you respond. Don’t let others make your life hard. And remember that life is give and take. Don’t always be taking…