Visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Yesterday we went on a trip again. This time we drove south to Monterey where the beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium is located. We became members at the aquarium and can now enjoy the visits even more.

Lukas is familiar with the aquarium so he was anxious to see the big shark in the big tank and the penguins. The water play area is also very popular and the lunch at the cafeteria.

The three of us. Patrick was taking the picture.

Matilda couldn't get enough of watching the sting rays gliding through the water.

Afterwards we stopped at the beach and played in the sand. What else can you wish for?

Hot weekend

Last weekend (Saturday and Sunday) we had scorching heat so where is the best place to cool down? The pool! We went to Auntie Pauline's pool for two straight days and stayed for hours in the water. It was nice to keep cool that way and the kids enjoyed it. Matilda liked her little boat and Lukas must have jumped 177 times into the water. Well, what else to do when it's hot.

Baseball Game

Yesterday, right after dinner, we hit the San Jose Giants game. Lukas has attended one baseball game so far but it was the A's in Oakland at a big stadium. The SJ Giants are playing in a small and intimate place, you can't get lost there. We ate churros and cotton candy and watched few innings of the game. Don't ask me what team the SJ Giants' played against. I was glad no one fell off the stands or fell while throwing the ball or choked on the cotton candy. :)

Waiting for the ball to come our way! Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Next time.


There is always time to be silly!


The kids and me.

Yesterday we went on a trip to the Children's Discovery Museum in Downtown San Jose. Lukas loves this place because you can check out an ambulance and firetruck from inside, play with water, pretend to be a cook or waiter in a kitchen/restaurant, and run around like there are no parks in the world.

This time, the special exhibition is dedicated to Curious George. We love to watch videos and read books with and about George so it was exciting to explore George's world for real.

Matilda did some art work which involved paint that she sucked on and she wanted to wash hands for fun. It caused some tears to seperate her from the sink that is kid friendly and thus so beloved.

Matilda's first official time at the museum (she has been there once before but she was a baby so I don't think she remembers).

Lukas and Matilda playing with water.

Hike to Mission Peak

On Father's Day, we all went for a nice hike to Mission Peak in Fremont. It is a steep hike but with awesome views on the Valley and full with many surprises along the way. The cows are of course a big attraction, safely to watch from yards away. We saw squirrels running around and one was so close to us, Matilda almost touched it. The birds are flying over our heads and the air is hot.

Lukas was not thrilled to go up and he complained most of the hike. But he was hungry and that is not a good starting point of any hike. Matilda didn't complain a bit and marched strong up the mountain and down the mountain.

Visiting a farm

Today we went on a trip. Short one but nevertheless. We went to Prusch Farm in San Jose. It's free and it has few farm animals that you can check out. We saw many roosters and chickens, pigs and sheep, 2 cows and goats. Lukas especially liked the old tractor that you can climb on and the huge play ground.

Happy Father's Day

It wasn't a day packed with exciting activities or big gifts but with lots of hugs and kisses and knowing that we have the best Daddy ever. He is patient, loving, attentive, thoughtful and cool. He doesn't say "no" and he agrees to almost every mischief the kids can think of.

Life is good in our house.

Easy Friday Night Entertainment

Here we are: Friday night, Pho for dinner and Costco and Target run for late night entertainment. Only when you have kids, I think. But sitting in the shopping cart and watching us getting yummy stuff seems to keep them happy and quiet. Of course, what would a shopping sprea without sitting in the back of Mommy's nice car. At the moment, this is the hottest play yard in town.

Oh what a night.

Summer

Summer is here! Yay! The gray mornings and cold afternoons will be now bright and sunny, hopefully.

Since last week Lukas is out of school for the summer and I had to reorganize our usual schedule. I made a list of all the places we want to visit and will try to do each week a big outing and few smaller trips to the library or parks or visit with friends. The list is quite long so we should be plenty busy during the next two months. Work also fits pleasantly into the schedule, so everyone is happy.

To see me being lazy today, check out my photo blog: http://fragmentsbyedith.blogspot.com/

Home Depot

You probably don't know but Home Depot has a workshop for kids every first Saturday of the month. I think they have it all across the country but not sure. Lukas has been going to the workshop for years now and he loves it. They give you precut wood parts and instructions and the final outcome is a tool box or an airplane or firetruck.

Now that Matilda is almost 18 months old, we thought she can start to participate too. Doesn't she look darling in the apron?

Graduation

Today was Lukas' graduation from preschool. He has still one more year of preschool to go but officially his current class is graduating and most of the children will leave for kindergarten. That is very sad because he has made good friends and loves to go to school every morning. He gets along with the ladies and I think they like him too. I guess he is a kind and mellow person around them. It is different when I see him playing with the boys. Rough and loud.

Here he is with Ms. Juana, his beloved teacher.

Don't mess with... Matilda!

I know, when Matilda is 16, she will hate me for posting this picture. But I have to. She is just too scary looking and ready to fight. With anyone. So watch out people and don't mess with her!

In case you wonder why there are so many toys scattered around: this was the morning when we reorganized all the toys, got up news shelves, etc. Really, it almost never looks like this in our house (ahem).

Good read

Here is a nice book that we got from the library the other day. Big Kicks by Bob Kolar. After running through 17 aisles, looking for StarWars books (which I conveniently couldn't find, ahem) and chasing Matilda we found this one just standing on the shelf waiting for us. A nice story about a clumsy bear who is interested in collecting rare stamps, plays jazz and enjoys being by himself. I will not give away the story so go and find it! We love it.

Bubbles

How could I resist to post this photo of Matilda! She was watching the bubbles flying through the air that Lukas was making with the bubble machine. Simple pleasures bring the most smiles. Muah little girl.

Rock Star

If this is any indication, Lukas will be a Rock Star! Or an engineer for Lego. Or Transformer Bumblebee, which is his own wish to become. Whatever he will be, he will be cool. And hopefully always happy.

Jack and Lily Shoes giveaway

I went to Sandy's blog to enter an awesome giveaway!! Jack and Lily's shoes are up for grabs and I hope I win. They would look awesome on Matilda. :)

Bye Bye First Nap

It looks like the first nap is leaving us. For months, I have enjoyed the morning break and did some housework or serious work or focussed on my Etsy shops. 10 am til 11 am was an hour of the day when the minutes slowed down a little bit. Not anymore. Since few days, Matilda is not falling asleep even though she is in her crib for a long time. She plays, she talks, doesn't cry, but she doesn't sleep. So ade first nap! We will never see you again.

I guess bad news is sometimes good news. Now the afternoon nap is prolonged to over 2 hours. Yay!! :)

Roundest

Roundest eyes. Roundest face. Pure cuteness.

Art in the kitchen

My kitchen is my art studio. My most precious photos end up on the wall for few months so that we can all enjoy them. The tulips from two weeks ago are now printed in 11x14 and framed.

Lukas' drawings

Lukas drawing skills are getting better and better. Check out our family pictures. What an improvement in skills and imagination. :)

Family - May 2009


Family - August 2008

Yoga

Every now and then, Lukas performs yoga after dinner. Here is his attempt to do the Urkasana pose. He is pretty good, I think.

Popsickle

Yesterday, finally, Matilda had her very first and her very own popsickle after dinner! She has watched Lukas for months already when he was enjoying his treat and yesterday, she got lucky. Daddy couldn't say No.

She enjoyed every drip of it.

pretty

Few days ago, I received my special order of thank you cards that I was looking at for a long time on Etsy. Takenote has simple but beautiful and stylish note cards that I had to have. I ordered few gift sets as well and now I am set for the birthday season. Or just-because season.

Mother's Day

We had a great day yesterday! I woke up and got lots of kisses from Lukas and Matilda. Already on Thursday I have received two cards that Lukas prepared in school. But the one below is my favorite. He wrote and draw it himself.

Lukas loves Mom.

tulips

Yesterday, to celebrate May 5th for a special reason, I bought myself tulips. Orange tulips.

I love tulips because they are plain, fragile, and beautiful to look at.

Of course, I couldn't resist to take some pictures. I didn't take 2 or 3, no. I ended up with over 30. But no worries, I will not post all of them.

Here, dear blogger readers, for your viewing pleasure, orange tulips:

Roses in May

I can't believe it's May already! And I can't believe that all my roses are out already! Didn't I just cut them few weeks ago? They are beautiful now and here is a picture from today. It's gloomy and rainy today but the roses look fabulous! Made me smile and that is all what matters.

How I get around

Introducing new way to get around: Mommy's shoulders!

Busted!

By now, I should know. Quiet + kids = no good.

Few days ago after lunch everyone was enjoying quiet time playing and reading books and hanging out. I was in the kitchen to clean up after lunch and didn't think much of the peace surrounding me. But after few minutes I realized the kids are probably up to something. Well, it was only one child. Somehow little Matilda got hold of big brothers fruit roll ups which are messy, sweet and have a magic attraction built in. Here you can see how good the sweet stuff was.

Busted!!

Picture Day

Today is picture day in Lukas' preschool. That meant drama in the morning, crying and complaining. It would have been a pleasant morning but no luck here. Few weeks back when we went shopping at GAP we bought Lukas a nice shirt and he agreed to wear it on picture day. Oh well, so much for a 4 year old keeping a promise. ;)

Can't wait to see the outcome.

My brother makes me laugh

Fun before the nap! Lukas was making funny poses and was dancing around to the Wiggles and Matilda loved watching him doing that. She can laugh hard.

Lukas' musings

Last week we have visited Disneyworld. It was a hot day, the park was packed and we had to wait long time for the rides. Both kids still did very well. There was barely any complaining (well, Matilda wouldn't because she can't yet) and we stayed until 6 pm or so.

After we left the park, the kids got quiet in the car and Lukas said "I don't like peoples". Yup, just like that. It was so funny how he summed it all up for himself.

Had to share this one with you. No fortune cookie truth but the real life. Found it on Stephanie's blog:

"Your toddler will do what they need to do, and not necessarily what you say. If you're patient, then they will be patient. If you speak gently, then they will be gentle. Whatever you want them to be, you have to start becoming."
-Helen Hunt

Just got up!

Matilda - shortly after the afternoon nap. The eyes are still sleepy, the cheeks are pink and her lips are plumpy. Delicious!

Florida Spring 2009

Family photo. Unfortunately, Matilda was sleeping. :(


Kiss kiss.


Lukas trying on Mickey Mouse hat.


Matilda with Mickey Mouse Hat! They have them in pink.

Lukas was excited about meeting Mickey Mouse. He wrote it himself in his book. Picture by Mommy. :D

My beautiful son!!

Every lady needs a hat!