Watch us grow!
Auntie Stephanie traveled back to California with her family this weekend! The kids got to hang out with Sophie, Avia, Vivian, Henry, and Hudson just like old times! We also met Vivian’s little brother Ethan for the first time.
They played “Just Dance” on our Nintendo Switch with the dads while Mommy got caught up with her old friends from Children’s Hospital.
Today we celebrated Janie’s 5th birthday with friends and family. It was nice to have a house with lots of space outside to throw a party. This year, we had a Paw Patrol Party!
We set-up the warm food inside and the snacks and drinks outside. The front door was decorated with a big banner and balloons.
The kids brought their bikes and scooters to ride around the greenbelt.
We all ate outside together and enjoyed the nice weather.
We also had sidewalk chalk and a bubble station set-up for the kids to play.
Janie had one little spill and had to take a moment to get patched up. Then it was back outside she went!
The kids gathered around to sing “Happy Birthday” and then it was time to eat cake!!
Peanut still wasn’t so sure of what he thought of cake.
The rest of the kids loved it though. We even rounded them up for a group photo with faces stuffed with cake and frosting.
Janie scored a bunch of Paw Patrol loot today and had a fun time at her party.
Happy Birthday, Big Girl!!
This evening, we went to Mommy’s co-worker’s retirement party in Oakland. Everyone brought their kids so it was kid-a-palooza. Peanut hung out and shared toys with Hudson.
Janie played with Mako, Sophie, Henry, and Vivian.
By the end of the night, Janie took out her flashlight, turned off the light in the playroom, and the kids had their own little dance party. Miraculously, we also managed to get a group photo of most of the kids together.
This morning, we went to Walnut Creek for brunch with Sophie, Avia, and Vivian.
Janie packed her Legos and shared with her pals while we waited for the food to arrive.
After our meal, the kids got to run around and play together. Peanut was busy walking up and down the ramp while the girls took a really cute photo together.
We also took a short walk down the Farmers Market before going our separate ways.
It’s that time of year again! Every year, on the Friday before Thanksgiving, we go to the Embarcadero Center to watch them light up the buildings and shoot off fireworks overhead. Auntie Stepanie and Vivian also went with us.
Peanut was a little scared when it got really loud.
After the fireworks, we had some ice cream from the shop next to us.
Even Peanut got some ice cream!
After ice cream, we walked next door to the Hyatt to see the tree. They used to do a lighting ceremony in the atrium but the new owners decided to discontinue that tradition. We were pretty bummed. At least we got a cute family photo in front of the tree.
Before heading home, we went to the patio at Sens to check out the view and hang out for just a bit longer.
What a fun evening!
This afternoon, we drove to Lafayette to celebrate Vivan’s 3rd birthday. We arrived early so the kids played at the playground just outside of the gym.
Janie and Peanut enjoyed the firetruck the most.
https://youtu.be/sKF3Tb2DkrU
The party took place inside a kid’s gym. All the kids had a blast climbing, jumping, swinging, and crawling.
https://youtu.be/PFxVGwV-Ufw
Peanut spent some time with Sabrina on the rocking dome. Both were a bit unsure of all the movement.
The big girls tried the trapeze swings and had a fun time swinging, hanging, and crashing on the mat.
https://youtu.be/QVTvhmhpzIw
https://youtu.be/aWZPbE06g7Q
Even Avia gave it a try.
The party continued next door in the party room. Auntie Stephanie made some tasty food and everyone got a cupcake!
After the party was over, we hung out at the playground a bit longer.
https://youtu.be/DRRPizOxBiE
Then we headed to Vivian’s house and the girls played together.
Happy Birthday, Vivian! We had a great time!
It’s that time of year again and we were able to attend this year’s wheelchair basketball tournament again after missing it last year.
Peanut rode one of the wheelchairs for the first time and figured out how to make it move.
https://youtu.be/C8Pml4OCwJY
Some guy handed him a basketball and Peanut was fired up!!
https://youtu.be/BN_LxYsCv2s
Janie also tried to dribble a basketball today. She’s gonna need some practice.
After a little warm-up time, Vivian and Janie were playing together until it was time to go home (aka nap time).
Today we had Janie’s 4th birthday party and it had an Octonauts theme complete with sea creatures in a tub filled with water beads and hot dogs made into little octopuses.
We had a “buncha muncha crunchy carrots”, “seaweed chips”, and “coral pieces” as well.
For the birthday cake, Janie wanted chocolate so we turned them into Captain Barnacles’ favorite drink, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows!
Peanut had a fun time hanging out with Yai and Ta. He had his own little ocean-themed play area but didn’t stay on it for very long.
Daddy made sandwiches for everyone and Janie had a small one of her own.
Peanut rode on Uncle Johnny’s shoulders for a bit and was amused by how much hair Uncle had on his head. There was plenty to hold onto up there!
https://youtu.be/ssxL-A4zuCM
The cake was the best part of the party and Janie was very funny toward the end of the birthday song.
I guess she hasn’t quite outgrown her Daddy’s scowl yet.
All her friends thoroughly enjoyed the cake after the singing. Here’s Vivian and the very little cake she had left.
Henry gobbled up his cake in his own way and wore half the frosting on his face.
Sophie licked all the frosting off before chomping into the cake.
Cousin Alice was very dainty and took small licks of the frosting off her finger.
Janie also enjoyed the frosting the most and wore some of it on her face as well.
After cake, the kids went back outside for some more play time. This was the scene at the play dough table. Vivian and Henry had a standoff for the same chair. It was so cute to see how equally stubborn they were.
Janie and Isla also sorted the water beads by color and each of the took home their favorite color.
What a fun party! As an added bonus, Janie got a scoop of strawberry ice cream after dinner. This kid is really making the most of her 4th birthday!!
We bought a Groupon to Oakland Zoo a while back and since everyone we know has a membership, it was the perfect time to meet up! Sophie, Avia, and Vivian joined us this morning for some fun and Janie was so excited to be there! She even wore her safari hat.
Janie rode the gondola for the first time with Dada and got to see lots of animals you can only view from above.
Little Guy got to meet the giraffes at the zoo today.
And Peanut saw an elephant for the first time. Not sure if he could actually see him.
These two girls ran around together throughout the morning.
It’s not Hawaii but the zoo is not bad too.
We watched an elephant grab something to eat out of the tube hanging above. I think the kids and grown-ups were equally amused.
Peanut was a little fussy today but his big sister came by to check up on him once in a while.
At the children’s area, Peanut got to ride in the carrier for a bit and then posed with a tortoise statue before it started to rain.
The morning ended with a ride on the train.
There was a nice view of the bay from there.
They also had some carnival rides nearby and Janie was fired up to drive the car. Vivian also got to drive from the backseat. I love how every seat has a steering wheel.
https://youtu.be/HQrKLOcNFho
Not sure why she had such a mean scowl on her face during the ride.
Looks like she’s tall enough to fly the plane!
She flew all on her own and it’s funny to see that she still has the scowl that we all know and loved when she was a baby.
What a fun morning at the zoo! We’re so happy that our friends could join us too!
On Friday afternoon, Peanut went with Mama to Auntie Teresa’s house to hang out before heading to a going-away party.
He met Uncle Aaron today once he got home from work and was all smiles.
Later in the evening, we headed over to Auntie Nicole’s house to have a going-away party for Tia Patty. He loved sitting on Tia’s lap.
Of course, there was snuggle time with Auntie Teresa while Mama got to eat a little dinner.
He also loved hanging out with Mama’s co-worker Donna who fell in love with him. She was so happy to see how interactive and social he was.
Then there was some sofa time with his pal Vivian. He was eyeing her milk.
Happy Trails to Tia Patty. Even if she won’t be working with Mama anymore, we’ll still get to hang out.