Meet the Parents - My parents flew in from New Jersey yesterday, and will be staying with us for the next 10 days. They're here to see their new grandson, of course, and to pay a visit to some friends and relatives. They were happy to meet Russell, and we spent the first evening letting them get acquainted with the little boy. We had dinner at 168 Restaurant in Richmond (previously reviewed) and then my parents retired at an early hour (they're still on East Coast time).

Today, I drove them down to Cupertino to see Ling-Ling, our old neighbor from down the street in Whippany. She's married, had three kids and house in one of the nicer neighborhoods in the area. Like everyone of her generation from the old neighborhood, she doesn't have a clue about cooking Chinese food, so my parents first took her shopping at an Asian grocery store for the proper ingredients and then proceeded to give her a cooking lesson. I kept her kids (ages 6 and 8) occupied by playing hockey, baseball and riding bikes with them around the neighborhood. They were sad to see us go home before dinner. I like kids--I really do.

Tomorrow, my parents, Aunt & Uncle and I will be heading off to my favorite city in the world, Las Vegas, on a two-day excursion of binge eating and gambling, so I won't be blogging for the next 48 hours. My Aunt and Uncle are here from China to visit my cousin Lei-Lei, who is about to give birth to her first baby. I hope I bring them back in time before she gives birth. Jenny won't be going with us because she hates Las Vegas. We'll be staying at the Monte Carlo Hotel/Casino. If you happen to be there from July 23-25, look for us in the nickel (5 cents) slot area in the casino. My parents don't want to lose too much money.