Friday, August 30, 2013

The many expressions of Simon.

Daddy Ron using a Baby Bjorn with Iris for the first time. She seemed a little perplexed that she was not being held and sort of “floating”.

Today we had orientation at Simon’s school so we could see his classroom and meet his teacher. Simon didn’t sleep well last night so was napping in the car on the way there and when we woke him up, he was really cranky. He fussed the entire time and screamed himself a bit hoarse. I hope the first day of school will be better.

Then we went to get lunch at Cheese Board Pizza, pick up coffee at Philz, and had a picnic at Live Oak Park. Today’s pizza of the day: Roasted potatoes, chile pasilla, onions, mozzarella and feta cheese, garlic olive oil, cilantro, limes.

Maybe sleeping beauty here needs some of my mint mojito coffee!

Simon eating his favorite part of pizza, the crust.

Perfect lunch with our family. Delicious pizza, yummy coffee, and beautiful day at the park.

Our lunchtime visitor.

Iris after her cat nap.

Then to dinner with the Chungs at Fusion Peruvian Grill. Unfortunately Iris was overly tired and the restaurant too bright and noisy for her so she was super fussy. I had to go to the car to calm her down before I could eat. I missed seeing the dishes arrive so these pictures are from Auntie Betty. The food was cold when I ate but everything seemed like it tasted good but would be better when hot. The sangria was like juice so very sweet and the fruit on the bottom seemed like the canned type so not very good. But everyone was stuffed which is always a good indication that the food was pretty okay.

Dinner was to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Chung’s birthdays so we went back to the house to sing Happy Birthday and eat a delicious mango sorbet and taro gelato ice cream cake. Simon helped to blow out the candles.

So driving to the Peninsula wasn’t too bad considering the Bay Bridge closure. The San Mateo Bridge wasn’t a parking lot but moving pretty well. Everyone must be avoiding going out or at least not traveling far. But there are still three days left if this long weekend and the closure so we will see how it goes v

Thursday, August 29, 2013

The Contra Costa Library offers free or discounted passes to many Bay Area museums. You just have to have a library card and sign up in advance. It’s pretty convenient if you sign up early but still have an okay selection for last minute. The program is called Discover and Go! So a few weeks ago, I signed up for free passes to the Oakland Aviation and USS Hornet Museums.

We started the day at the Oakland Aviation Museum which is close to the Oakland Airport. Some of the planes are housed inside a hanger while some are outside in a side yard. They are older planes that have been restored or in the process of being restored. Here is Simon standing next to a plane painted with an awesome green dragon.

Simon sitting in a child sized model plane.

Outside near a fighter plane. I overheard this is like the plane used in Top Gun? Not sure but pretty cool.

They also have open cockpit days so you can sit inside one of the planes. The next one is September 15th I believe but check out their website to be sure.

They have a play area in the front where you can get inside some planes and pretend you are in the control tower. Simon really liked being in the control tower, pretending to tell the planes when and where to land.

Next stop, the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda. We parked right near the water (but not too close because Simon was afraid our car would go in the water).

Welcoming us.

We didn’t really see much of the museum since it is HUGE. We walked on the hangar deck where a few planes, helicopters, and a space pod were housed then went up to the flight deck (lots of stairs!). Beautiful day out so beautiful view of the city.

We walked from the middle of the flight deck to one end to the other end then back to the middle again.

Simon was exhausted and didn’t want to walk to the car but he made it and we went to lunch. By 2pm we were back in the car and he asked what we were going to do when we got home. I asked if he was tired and he said no. But by 2:02pm, he was out like a light. When we got home, I carried him to his bed and he continued to sleep until I woke him up at 4:30pm.

Kiddos hanging out together this evening.

Iris tummy time.

With all the walking we did today and Iris waking up every 2-3 hours during the night for the last two nights, I am exhausted. Iris must be going through a growth spurt or else she wouldn’t be waking so often and refusing, during the day, to take naps in her pack n play. I hope she sleeps better tonight so I can sleep better too.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Mommy, why do you keep taking pictures of me?

Today was the last week of Radio Disney at Blackhawk Plaza and the theme was End of Summer Bash. They had tissue paper lei making, a puzzle, surfboard limbo, and beach ball toss. Simon participated in dancing with the DJ too.

The prize of the day was a beach ball.

We also made some free crafts that were set up by a company called Nannies and Tutors. They had been there each week but never promoted themselves during the Radio Disney event. Just quietly set up their craft tables and wear their shirts as advertisement. Anyways, Simon had fun making a mask and playing with foam stickers. I made one of each for Iris too.

Grandma Tam treated us to lunch later at the cantina nearby. We strolled over there.

We ordered and waited for our food. Iris napped for about 20 minutes. Bright eyed again.

Simon making a funny face while eating their delicious chips.

Baja shrimp salad. Delicious grilled shrimp and a light vinaigrette.

Grandma ordered a carne asada soft taco and an enchilada with tomatillo sauce.

Asleep at Grandma’s house.

Simon only napped the 20 minutes it took to drive home but it was enough I guess since he did go to swim
class and had a good time. Here he is after class admiring his LONG shadow (that’s what he said).

Trying on a hat that I got from Uncle William a few years ago. Looks good on him, don’t cha think?

Dinner at Pinky’s Pizza. This is Lilly’s special.

Can’t believe summer is almost over! Time has gone by too fast.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

My morning wake up call.

We now have a pack and play downstairs so Iris can nap there diring the day. We received this Hello Kitty mobile from cousin Tina and finally have a place to use it. She and Simon love it!

By Simon’s special request to visit an aquarium, we went to Pier 39 in San Francisco to visit the Aquarium of the Bay. We arrived in SF by BART then took the F Market to Pier 39.

The aquarium is small but good for little kids so they won’t get too tired walking about. For admission, I got 50% off because we are Oakland Zoo members. Simon was free. I probably wouldn’t go to this aquarium if I had to pay full price. But I think Simon enjoyed it, especially the tunnels.

We went to lunch downstairs at Boudin. Simon liked their Asiago cheese flower petal bread. Plus he also ate half a grilled cheese sandwich.

Then we went back inside to watch the Turtle 3D movie ($5 per ticket) then headed home. Bye Pier 39!

We were lucky in catching the F back to the BART station in a special streetcar that had an open top. It sort of looked like a boat on rails. It was a gorgeous day out so fun to ride.

We caught the BART home.

Simon was asking me what we would do when we got home? Were we going to play more? Then he leaned over and put his head on my lap and, although fighting it, he dozed off.

I ended up carrying him out of the train to our car in the parking garage and he was totally knocked out. He woke up as we got to the car but he definitely didn’t have enough sleep. When we changed and were already parking the car for swimming lessons, he suddenly decided he didn’t want to go. So we left and he almost fell asleep in the car as well. While playing with Daddy in the evening, Ron decided to lay down and close his eyes and Simon did the same. I found both of them dead asleep after Iris went to bed. Simon is still wearing his swim gear.

He was so tired that even changing his clothes didn’t wake him up. Guess he got his exercise today!

I’ll end here with one more picture of happy Iris getting ready for her bath.