Staycation- days 4 & 5

We headed down to Monterey yesterday morning for a a fun filled day and evening. We first stopped into the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which Josh and I love. However, Jake was having absolutely none of the aquarium...he was treating it as a running track instead, sprinting all over the place, skipping over all of the amazing animals. We caught the very few moments when he stopped running below: Next we headed over to our wonderful friends the Bolger's new home in Salinas. Benny Bolger is only 1 month younger than Jake, so they absolutely adore each other. They played together all afternoon and evening and it was incredibly sweet to watch. Jake's tough day continued to the Bolger house however, where he threw quite a record breaking tantrum refusing to eat dinner and then refusing to share any of his toys with Ben. I'm really hoping that he just had an off day! Anyways, it was wonderful to see the Bolgers. They were amazing hosts as always, and we love their new fantastic house! One of the funniest moments was when the boys took their bath together. Jake was literally screaming with laughter and delight the entire bath!!!
I caught some great videos of them playing outside as well, which I'll upload soon. Thanks again Bolgers...can't wait to see ya again soon!

Staycation- Day 3

Staycation day 3 was a DATE DAY!! Jakey went to daycare for the day, and Josh and I spent the entire day on foot walking around SF. We saw TWO movies...yep, that was TWO! I haven't seen a double feature since I was 11 going to the old black and white movie theater with my parents in Palo Alto (yes...growing up without a TV made any sort of large screen experience very exciting, whether it had sound or color!!). We saw Crazy Stupid Love (highly recommend, but bring tissues) and My Stupid Brother (ok, funny, but a rental I'd say). It was so nice to just sit back and relax in a nearly empty theater. We fit in a little shopping and walking around too. It was a great day. Tomorrow we're off to Monterey for a night away yippee!

Staycation- Day 2

Today we ventured down to the South Bay for day #2 of our staycation. First we met up with Grandma Lee Lee and Grandpa Bill for brunch in Los Altos. It was great hearing about their nearly month long trip, and for Jake to see them again. Afterwards we headed down to Happy Hollow in San Jose. It had been described to me as a mini-Disneyland for toddlers, and it very much lived up to that description! We didn't plan it ideally, as we arrived just as Jake should have been taking his 1 nap, but oh well. Half of the park is filled with tiny rides for tots just Jake's size, and half of the park is a small zoo. In the 2.5 hours that we were there, we didn't even see everything. We definitely have to go back for a full day (bring a picnic and a stroller for nap time), as I was totally impressed. There were even the best jungle gyms I'd ever seen before there as well (Jake could have literally spent all day in just the large jungle gym area). Jake also went on his first ride all by himself like a Big Boy, and didn't even bat an eye. I highly recommend this place Bay Area parents!!!

Staycation- Day 1

Well....as our wonderful trip was cancelled, we are officially on a 1 week staycation. I'm still going to take the week off, and Josh is going to take most of the week off. We've decided to just make fun day trips out of the wonderful place that we live for an entire week, instead of trying to find some last minute deal and fly somewhere. So, Staycation Day #1- Exploring the East Bay. Yes, sadly, we really don't spend much time in the East Bay, unless we are visiting friends or family. We've always wanted to go to the Oakland Zoo, so today was the day to give it a try! Overall, we were quite impressed with this zoo. The big differences between the Oakland Zoo and the SF Zoo are: It's actually SUNNY there, they have elephants, it is smaller but truly a more perfect size for walking toddlers but the petting zoo is pretty pathetic (we LOVE the SF Zoo petting area...it's fantastic!). All in all, it was a great morning. At times, Jake felt like the wildest animal there though, as he was frantically running everywhere!!

After the zoo, we headed to Tilden Park. We've heard great things about this park in the Berkeley Hills. Well...it is enormous...we literally got lost driving around in it. We finally found an area with a small hike and animal petting area. Jake kept calling it Old McDonald's Farm, as it had everything from his favorite song there; cows, chickens, sheep, ducks, etc. We definitely have to go back to this park and find the train that we hear is super fun for little ones, as well as the lake. We ended up driving back home through the Berkeley Hills, which was just adorable! Phew...what a day it has been. Tomorrow we're headed down to the South Bay for more adventures!

Goodbye to Tia Erica!

Last night we had to say an early goodbye to Erica, as she is off to Vermont tonight. We were SUPPOSED to be on the flight with her, for a week long trip up to Maine, through Vermont, and ending in Boston, visiting friends and family along the way. BUT, a little thing called Hurricane Irene has ruined the entire plan. So...we are staying home, and she is leaving us today. So sad, but we know that she will be home for Christmas at least! Good luck Erica...we will miss you and we love you!

Goodbye Party for Tia Erica!

My sister Erica is once again heading off for more adventures. Friday she leaves for Vermont for a year of graduate school at SIT (School for International Training), from which she will earn a Masters in teaching English as a second language. Wow...yes...put that masters together with the "international training"part of her school, and you got it...she will be off again somewhere far away soon enough, teaching some lucky kids. We are very sad to see her go, as it has been incredibly fun having her home these past 11 months. Jake will miss her terribly as well (yesterday I asked him who his best friend was and he said "Erica"...very firmly!!!). We had a little goodbye party for Erica this past weekend with some of her closest friends in SF and the family. The highlights of the party for Jake were playing baseball with Granddaddy and Papa and the rainbow cupcakes that Erica made!

Nana's Celebration

Per Nana's request, we had a very mellow birthday dinner celebration on Kings Mountain for her celebration this year. Jake did not do well sitting through a nice dinner, and instead dragged me outside to pick up pine cones and rocks while my family ate...hmmm. Nana was showered with gifts as usual, and Jake insisted on opening some of her presents for her. Erica made this gorgeous berry pie for dessert...yumm!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Happy 25th Birthday Nana!!

We look forward to celebrating with you this evening!

Random pic

Caught this moment of pure delight when Jake found the play area of the Corte Madera Mall!

Big Boy Haircut

Jake has been about 4 weeks overdue for a haircut, but we have been holding off to get it cut until right before we leave for our trip back east. Josh had plans with his friends, so Jake and I headed down to our favorite spot in Burlingame by ourselves. I was getting more and more nervous the closer we got, as he was absolutely exhausted, and I was sure that there was going to be a crying episode the moment we sat down. Well...not only were there no tears for the first time, but he sat in the Big Boy chair ALL by himself, and didn't peep once when the awesome hair stylist went at his long hair with the clippers! The lollipop given to him the moment he sat down definitely helped, but still, I was so incredibly relieved. Looks like haircuts aren't going to be so bad in the future!

The Exploratorium

Tia Erica has been watching Jake over the last three weeks, as both Grandmas have been on vacation for their Tue/Thur "Granny Nanny" days. It is her last few weeks here before heading off to Graduate school in Vermont, so she enjoyed some quality time with her nephew since it will be a longgg time before she sees him again. Last week she and Jake ventured down the street to the Exploratorium. Erica and I both have very fond memories of this place, as we both love science experiments and gadgets. Josh and I hadn't taken Jake yet, as we weren't sure that he was old enough. Well, it turns out that he had an absolute blast. There were plenty of things/buttons for him to touch, and lots of space to run around. I can't wait to take him myself sometime soon!

Happy Birthday Clara

Our weekends are spent celebrating lots of birthday parties these days! Saturday we also went to little Clara Koch's 2nd birthday over in Piedmont. She is just the most calm, adorable, sweet little girl. The Koch's have a great house, with a fantastic backyard (yes...we are jealous of anyone with actual grass in their backyards!). Jake had fun playing with his good pal Riley Zimmerman and Clara. He even gave a few swings at the Mickey Mouse pinata, although he was still quite confused about running for the loot once it was opened. Great party Koch's!

Happy 60th Uncle Bruce!

Last night we drove up to Novato for another great Goines family party. Josh's Uncle Bruce and Aunt Lynda have a fantastic backyard, half filled with grape vines, that is prefect for parties. Jake had a blast running around the backyard, playing baseball with Papa and Uncle Marc and talking to Bruce's brand new puppy Bella. The big surprise of the evening (even for Bruce) was when the Carmen Miranda singing/dancing telegram arrived during dinner. With her fruit covered hat and bare belly, she danced, conga'd and sang for Bruce for a good 15 minutes. It was hysterical! (Jake loved the "dancing lady" too!).

Happy, Happy Birthday Bruce!

Bubble Bath

Jake's bath time has turned into bubble time! I'm not talking bubble bath soap, but literally, blowing bubbles with bubble wands. Blowing bubbles is definitely ranked in Jake's top 5 activities in life right now, and I'm done with him spilling bubble juice all over our house...so, we've made bath time, bubble time!

Jake meets Cousin Franco

Our cousin Franco came up for a weekend visit with my sister this past weekend, as he looked around the Bay Area for college ideas. Jake had never met Franco, but boy, he took to Franco really fast! (Franco has lots of nieces and nephews around Jake's age, so he is great around kids!). It was very sweet to watch, and it made me think that we definitely have to get down to Fresno to see my Mom's side of the family some time soon.

Happy Birthday Shay Shay!

One of Jake's best buddies from school is Shay (we all call him Shay Shay). Saturday afternoon (before Kate's birthday party), we headed over to a park in SF for Shay Shay's 2nd birthday party. Jake was surprisingly shy for the first half of the party, but soon got into chasing after Shay, and blowing bubbles with his buddy. Shay's Mom Kelly had a great idea for her party as well- instead of gifts (as Shay is the second boy in her family, she has all the boy toys anyone could ever want), everyone just brought a wrapped book, and then each kid got to pick out a wrapped book as their take-home gift! Great idea, huh?