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.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

If Simon doesn’t take his afternoon nap, then those are the days I need a nap! Yesterday he napped about 15-20 minutes in the car and today he didn’t nap at all even though he complained he was tired. I would be okay with him stopping his naps if he is ready but he gets really fussy so I don’t think he’s ready to quit them just yet.

He was a bit frustrating today and overall just disagreeable. He hit me on the hand, he drew on the wall with permanent marker, he cried at the playground, and he fell asleep on the car ride to swim class but woke up to walk into the pool before deciding he didn’t want to swim then we had to go home. Then when we got to the car, he said he wanted to go back to class (but we left).

The playground incident might have been just because he was scared but he was screaming and crying extremely loudly which is not the norm. He’s still trying to figure out how to interact with other kids so maybe he was also frustrated and a bit lonely.

He’s really attached to us and doesn’t like to self play much. He will sometimes when we are busy cooking but otherwise wants us to hang out with him. Tonight he and Ron searched the Internet for LEGO instructions to build a train. He was really happy. He’s recently been really into building with LEGOs.

Smiley little Iris.

Iris seems to like yellow colored toys. On her play mat, she likes this butterfly with a yellow head.

I’m tired today… I hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Last week, we used my circle and square craft punches to make paper cookies and crackers for Simon’s kitchen. Today he wanted to make popcorn so we used a flower punch. He likes using the punch himself. Future crafter!

We went to Blackhawk Plaza again today for the Radio Disney event and the theme today was the kids’ show Phineas and Ferb.

We stuck around to have lunch, picking up some stuff from the deli section of the nearby grocery store. Here are the kiddos with our nanny Annie.

Then we went to feed the ducks.

There were a few ducklings swimming around.

The ducks were more eager for food today. They walked right up to us without fear.

Simon with his gentle smile.

Then we stopped by Grandma Tam’s house to try some yellow watermelon. Sweet and refreshing!

Grandma Tam with grandkids.

Iris holding into her bottle. Her little grip is getting strong. She likes to hold onto my necklace and hair. Also she can grab ahold of her musical toys that require a tug on a ring to make the music play.

Growing up too fast!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Some updates!

Sunday, August 18:
We made a trip to Costco for lunch and grocery shopping. Simon eagerly ate half a hot dog and some frozen yogurt. Iris could only longingly look on.

At checkout, Simon helped Ron to load the conveyor with all our stuff. It’s the first time I’ve seen him insist on helping and not wanting to sit in the shopping cart.

Shopping was too exhausting for Iris so she took a little nap.

She only takes little cat naps so was wide awake for most of the afternoon. Playing on her play mat. Love her smiles.

She is starting to be interested in the mirror. I’m not sure if she recognizes it is her reflection but she seems happy to see herself and me in the mirror.

After dinner napping, holding my hand.

Monday, August 19:
Simon and I took a trip into Berkeley to check out a children’s museum called Habitot. Although not huge, Simon seemed to enjoy himself and got to interact with other kids.

They have a cafe and grocery store area with play food, cash registers, shopping carts, menus, and cooking supplies.

Talking on a banana phone!

There is a water play area with water tables, a water pump and pretend car wash with different Cozy Coupes.

A large wooden fire engine complete with outfits.

A climbing wall.

An art room with a cool wall to paint on plus playdoh and other crafts.

Currently the museum only open 9:30am-12:30pm on weekdays but that’s plenty of time to do all the activities. There’s also a face painting area and train table. It’s a bit expensive at $10 for adults and $8 for kids but plenty fun for little kids. Seems like a lot of nannies with their charges and they mostly have membership and come everyday. We are unlikely to go back but good for a one day excursion.

We had our picnic lunch at some benches near a bus stop. Simon got to see lots of different cars and trucks pass us by. His “chooozzz” face.

We went for some frozen yogurt afterwards.

By the time we got home, he was pooped out and fell asleep easily for his nap.

Silly Simon playing with his afternoon snack of raspberries. He really likes them.

Little Iris stayed home today.

Tuesday, August 20:
Simon and Iris hanging out underneath the stars. Iris really liked Simon’s tent with the constellation sheet.

Our outing today was to Crab Cove Visitor Center in Alameda. I found this activity through the East Bay Parks and Rec called Sea Squirts where they have a themed activity almost every Tuesday. Cost is $5. Today’s theme was the smells of nature.

I think Simon enjoyed screaming with the other kids versus listening to the naturalist. We went outside to explore the herbs and the water. It’s actually a pretty nice place for sand and water play especially on a beautiful day like it was today. The kids smelled seaweed, checked out some sand bugs, and just explored.

Afterward we had our picnic and walk on the trail. The craft project of the day was a paper flower which he is holding in his hand as we walk.

We made a quick stop into Oakland Chinatown to pick up some boba drinks. First we stopped by the Pacific Renaissance Plaza water fountain so Simon could check out the koi fish. He insisted I take a picture of his back.

But still got one of his face, just making his favorite “chooozz” sound.

Yummy Sweetheart Cafe boba drinks! Simon had watermelon and I got avocado. As you can see, Simon loves his drink, he drank half just walking the 2-3 blocks to the car.

Iris always has smiles for me when we get home.

And giggles. My phone ran out of memory hence the abrupt ending.