E has pretty much been celebrating his b-day all month long. :) That is, in between allergies gone haywire and back-to-back-to-back colds in the household. Lots of friends, co-workers and classmates have been experiencing the same… It’s been another mild winter but the finicky weather seems to be taking a toll on everyone.

We had planned a small family party for him later in the month as that was when Angeline (our baker) was available… He requested a Batman cake this year. No surprise!

But Ah-Gong and Ah-Ma were nice enough to still get him a cake to sing to on his actual birthday.

We celebrated Kayson’s 1st. His birthday is close to Elias’. Shortly after this photo, he stuck his hand in the candle instead of blowing it out. Ouch!

This one loves to party!

…’specially when there’s cake involved. :) He knows he only gets to eat it on occasion.

Nice catching up with an old Gymboree buddy. You know, they go waaaaay back. Hehe.

Got to catch the Sesame Street pop-up Kindness tour with friend, Charlotte.

Watched from above, away from the crowd.

Elmo looked huge.

Hot pot heaven at this new place in town — similar to one we went to in SD.

After-dinner tea (dessert for him — grandparents like to spoil!).

Fun outing with the Tan gals when they were in town for their Spring Break. Train tour, playground and then a stroll through downtown Plano. First stop was for cakeballs!

They are kinda color coordinated. Think it was St. Paddy’s Day so green was in order.

Serious chocolate tasting went down…

Sugar high? Yes, oh yes!

Coffee shop love at XO Coffee Co. — the new kid on the block. We later found out it’s owned by David Hasselhoff’s nephew?

Met up another day at the library, joined by the Wu girls. (Couldn’t corral them all for a group pic this time.) E was the token male. :)

Picked up E’s official birthday cake. Auntie Angeline never disappoints! Batman, however, toppled over a few times in the car. :D

Guess where?

Hard to believe that 4 years have passed… It keeps getting better and better with this one. Happy, Happy Birthday, our little dark knight! You shine so brightly in our hearts. :)

Similar to last year, a beheading took place.

We saved leftover cake and the fondant sugar pieces and E has been noshing away on them bit by bit.

Batman bites Batman! Lol.

Freebie #1 on the first official day of Spring.

And #2… How fitting they were, given it was already feeling pretty balmy that day.

And many congrats to Uncle Jong and Auntie Pui Yee on baby Ethan Kao, born March 9, far, far away in Guernsey in the English Channel. Yay for March birthdays and a new British cousin. :P Can’t wait to meet you, hopefully sometime soon…

After several failed attempts (mostly due to different weather conditions) over the years to make it out to Hot Springs, AR, we finally embarked on the Bill Clinton hometown over Spring Break!

Got there around dinnertime and don’t we gotta be all Asian and try the local Chinese buffet in Smalltown, USA? :)

His first time inhaling Bluebell… not in TX! Haha.

Our AirBNB was sweet and quaint. :)

Delish little coffee shop for breakfast the next morn.

We need more of these independent holes in Dallas.

They had their hearts set on pancakes so they walked to a diner while Mommy did some shopping. :)

Ambled along Bathhouse Row.

We toured Fordyce Bathhouse, once a fully operating bathhouse, and now a restored museum and also the Visitor’s Center for Hot Springs National Park.

People came with all sorts of ailments for the “healing waters.” Some were in such dire condition they had to be lowered on that wooden stretcher.

After therapeutic treatment, many of the patrons would be asked to go exercise in the private gym.

Daddy was really interested in an educational talk one of the guides was giving but this one was ready to move on so Mommy followed him outside.

Then inside. Make up your mind, fella. ;)

‘Course we had to dip into the springs. Yes, HOT!

Then off for a hike!

Yawning already?

We walked past the Grand Promenade to the Dead Chief Trailhead, part of a historic fitness trail for those who had come for the thermal waters. Daddy of course had to pick one of the strenuous ones. :P

It was quite steep…

But we stopped along the way to ‘lax (as E calls it).

The path joins up with the Hot Springs Mountain Trail which we wanted to follow to go up the Hot Springs Mountain Tower.

Met all kinds of friends along the way.

Views from the small pavilion beside the tower.

Then we went up!

Ambitiously, we took the stairs all the way down!

Hiked back to the bottom via Gulpha Gorge Trail.

This is a popular fountain where people fill up their bottles and gallons.

On our way to grab a late lunch, we stumbled on this interesting antique shop with all kinds of knickknacks. Daddy talked up a storm with this retiree that was working there.

We were all pretty famished so even this sort of sketchy taco place had to do.

Took it to-go and it was the real deal. ;-P And tasted cactus for the first time — it’s okra-like.

That long and winding hike wiped E out. He napped for 3+ hours!

For dinner, we tried this authentic and homey German resto.

Ice cream from Kilwin’s for dessert.

Nice quiet morning from our balcony.

Back at Kollective for breakfast. The bathhouses don’t allow children so Mommy let Daddy go try a soak since his back has been bothering him.

HIS breakfast was a Fat Bottom Girl’s cupcake (as seen on Cupcake Wars and FoodNetwork!).

Wah, he picks like the worst one — a Trolls cupcake???? Okay, no judgment.

He savored every bite of that colored baby. ;p

Then we hung out for what seemed like forever at Toy Chest. What a neat toy shop, though — been there for years and the owners/workers were just dolls!

Daddy finished up and he wanted to try another local coffee shop before we headed to Mid America Museum. The owner roasts his own beans here and their whole family lives right next door. Oh and his wife makes soaps, which we bought some.

Chill and laid back vibe.

We got kombucha on tap, coffee (of course) and a bagel.

On the way to Mid America Museum, we saw a sign for West Mountain, which we had wanted to see the day before but he napped too long and we couldn’t make it before dark.

Pretty views of the city on a clear day.

Then they did some climbing amongst the rocks.

Mid America Science Museum is nestled in the woods and it turned out to be both a serene and educational place to visit.

Cranking The Wheel was one of his favorite things there.

Sand art.

He wasn’t quite as crazy about this as previously in other museums.

He wasn’t too sure about entering the dark cave maze that explores the state’s underground but he felt so accomplished after coming out! It was hard on Mommy and Daddy’s knees to climb through that thing. ;D

He was mesmerized by the interactive 3D topographic map that would change in color and landscape as you moved the sand around.

Conducted his own story time in the cutest tree trunk reading nook. Number in attendance: 1 (Mommy). Hehe.

It was one of those places where it’s much bigger inside that you thought when you walked in.

Special little touches throughout.

We ventured outside to the skywalk and forest canopy.

The tree house was most inviting!

They lounged on the ropey-hammock and enjoyed the natural beauty around.

He said we were pirates. :)

Made us think of our Gymboree days!

He technically wasn’t tall enough for this structure but insisted on trying.

It was getting late and Daddy wanted to stop by at this food joint he had been eye-ing on Yelp before we hit the road back home so we had to call it a day. We easily could have spent more time there, though! E was disappointed to leave.

Next Level Kitchen was in an unexpected location but it doesn’t matter when people seek out your food!

Daddy was most blown away by the brisket waffle sandwich. :)

Y had a playoff game the next day so we made it back to TX later in the evening… Polished off the rest of the Next Level Kitchen goods and called it a night. Wish we could’ve stayed longer but Daddy’s team won the Winter League championship so we suppose it was worth coming back for. :D

Made the rounds for National Froyo Day. :) We don’t have it often but can’t resist when it’s free…

They STILL have energy to play after school.

Checking out a sort of new indoor play space not too far from us. Too many of these are popping up everywhere with all the families moving into the metroplex. Mommy talked to the owner for a bit — always cool to hear why people start up small businesses.

STEAM Stop at the library.

He had a very involved convo with these two high school volunteers about… BATMAN!

His mind was on the Batman Lego Build we were going to right after at the toy store. We arrived early to see a “campout” line. Seriously? The things you will do for your child. ;P

Lego Americana Roadshow at the mall. The structures were impressive as always!

Waited in an even LONGER line…

To get the parts for this little White House… :P He added Joker to the top of it and Daddy was certain that E was making a social commentary, hehe.

Stormtrooper back-scratching at the Lego store?

Ended with another Batman Lego movie event at the bookstore. Phew, Mommy sure was Lego’d out that day!

Getting artsy fartsy for a change of pace…

We learned the art of Ebru (marbelized paper) and were captivated. Each piece turns out completely unique and one of a kind.

Still hi-yah-ing.

And this is the most disturbing thing ever but Daddy hearts it!