Hello Kitty Backyard Birthday Party

Abby had her 2nd birthday party today.  It was a Hello Kitty themed party in her backyard.  Mama loved all the Hello Kitty stuff.  I think she's trying to live a youth she never had.  Mama explained that her love of Hello Kitty is probably related to the fact that she was deprived of all Hello Kitty and Sanrio things when she was a kid.  If she had a daughter, I'm sure she'd be buying all kinds of Hello Kitty stuff.  Someone should tell mama that Sanrio makes boy characters like Badtz Maru, Keroppi and Pochacho.  On second thought...maybe that's not such a good idea.

Abby's party was loads of fun.  We spent the afternoon eating and playing in her backyard. She has a super cool backyard.  There's a sandbox with lots of sand toys.  And she has a swing set!  It has 2 swings - one for infants and one for bigger kids - and a slide.  Turns out Uncle Jimmy built it!  He's so handy.  Did you know that he built mama's mountain bike?

Dada and Uncle Edric were talking to Uncle Jimmy about building a tree house in the tree in their backyard.  Uncle Edric even drew some sketches.  A tree house sounds awesome.  Do you think dada and Uncle Edric will be disappointed when they find out that grown-ups aren't allowed in the tree house?

Mason got to ride on the infant swing.  I don't think he liked it very much.  His expressions ranged from sheer terror to "Meh, this is okay." I have to talk to that kid and tell him how much fun swings are.  On second thought, it might be better if I don't say anything so I don't have to share the swings with him. =)

Happy 2nd Brithday Abby!  Can't wait to play in your backyard again!

Mason's first swim class

Today was Mason's first swim class!  Even though he's a newbie, he's in the same class as me.  Weird huh?  It works out okay though.  While us older and more experienced kids do our thing with our parent, my teacher works with newbies and their parents.

Since we're both in swim class at the same time and our class requires parent participation, that means both mama and dada have to swim with us.  Mama and dada let me pick who to swim with.  Mama figured I'd pick dada because I usually swim with him.  Nope, I chose mama.

I think her memory must be going bad because she asked me 4 times!  Every time she asked, I'd say, "Mama!" When dada asked me, I said the same thing.  So, mama asked me how come I wanted to swim with her: 

Me: Because I love mama.
Mama: Do you love dada?
Me: No.

Dada says that I only want to swim with mama because I can take advantage of her.  He called her a sucker. I don't think mama was happy about that.

Anyways, Mason did great!  He got dunked 3 times.  He didn't cry once.  But dada would have to wipe his hair out of his face cuz his hair is so long.  Way to go little bro!

Labor Day Holiday?

According to Wikipedia Labor Day is

• a federal holiday that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers
• the symbolic end of summer
• the last day it is fashionable to wear white or seersucker (applies mostly to high society...that would not be us)
• an important sale weekend for many retailers
• the beginning of the NFL and college football season (are you ready for some football?)

While mama and dada had a day off from the daily grind, they didn't get to take a break from their most rewarding job - being parents!  They never get a break from that job. :)

Anyway, we celebrated Labor Day by going to Gilroy Gardens with Matthew and Edison. We had a great time riding our usual rides. Edison and I enjoyed the water play area.  Mathew wasn't a fan of the water, even though he gave it a try. 

Mason rode more rides this time too.  Not only did he ride the "bumper cars" and the train again, he also rode the boats and the fire trucks.  Of course, being the big brother I had to drive the fire truck while he rode in back.  It's better for Mason to get used to being in the passenger seat since I'll be driving before him.

Day Trip to Monterey

I'd been asking mama about going to the "quarium" (aquarium) for several weeks.  She kept saying that she'd talk to dada about planning a trip with Henry.  Well, guess dada decided not to wait for Henry anymore and took matters into his own hands.  Dada invited grandma and grandpa to come with us.  Yay!  I love spending time with them!

We started out with octopus and made our way over to one of the touch pools. Mama and I touched a starfish and sea urchin.  Then we headed over to the Splash Zone, where Mason and I could play and explore. 


After that, we crossed the bridge (I love going over bridges after we rode Thomas over a bridge) to check out the jelly fish and the open sea.  It's a good thing I wore my light up shoes because I'd just take off and weave my way through the crowd without looking back for anyone. (Come on slow pokes there's a lot to see and do!) Grandma and Mama would look for my light up shoes as a way to keep track of me.

We also watched a magic show about sea horses.  I learned that seahorses are part monkey, kangaroo, horse and fish.  Wow!  I also learned a new magic word: "Hocus Pocus!"  Next time mama says, what's the magic word I can say, "Hocus Pocus!" instead of "please." The magician turned an adult man into a giant seahorse. Mama says it would've been funny if I volunteered grandpa for this trick.  But I don't think grandpa would've enjoyed that very much.  So I spared him.

After the magic show, we grabbed lunch at this seafood place a few blocks from the quarium.  I tried clam chowder for the first time. Guess what? I liked it so much that I helped grandpa and grandma finish their bowl. 

After lunch, we headed back to the quarium to check out the new Jellies Experience exhibit and the seahorse exhibit.  Mason, who slept through lunch, woke up by the time we got back to the quarium.  So, mama just fed him lunch while the rest of us explored the exhibits. 

After a quick stop at Pinkberry, we headed back home. Yup, there's a Pinkberry right across the street from the quarium. I love ice cream and mochi!

Dada purchased a membership to the quarium.  If any of my friends or cousins want to go, just let me know!

Despicable 3 Birthday Party

Chloe had a Despicable Me themed birthday party in the park today.  A couple of my friends came dressed like minions. Since mama and dada haven't seen the movie before (even though they own the DVD), they didn't dress Mason or me like minions.  Oh well.

The strange thing about Chloe's party was that her birthday is actually in July. But I guess it really doesn't matter. You can have a birthday party anytime. Hmmm...maybe mama will have Mason or my birthday party later so we can have a party at the park too. That would be fun!

The park is Sunnyvale, but we've never been before.  Mama was pleasantly surprised.  It had different playgrounds and lots of grassy areas. They rented a Toy Story 2 jumpy house with a slide inside.  I had a great time jumping around the jumpy house.  I even went down the slide, which was a pretty steep.  Mama also went down the slide too! 

Similar to Matthew's party, they served made to order tacos. It must be the latest trend in birthday parties. Dada must've been hungry because he kept stalking the taco station while they were setting up and getting the food ready.  The tacos were yummy!  Dada ate nine tacos this time.  That's one more than Matthew's party!

While we were waiting for the tacos, Daisy Mae entertained us. I have no idea who she is. Neither did mama.  But that's okay.  She sang some songs, including a Justin Bieber song.  Ummm...weird.  After the songs, she painted our faces (or legs or arms).  I couldn't wait for my turn, but I also couldn't decide what I wanted.  I flip-flopped between a car and train.  Eventually, I settled on a train, thinking I'd get Thomas painted on my face.  Let's just say she's much better at painting animals than trains. 

There was also a unicorn pinata.  But I wasn't interested in whacking a poor, defenseless unicorn with a stick. Most of the other kids took turns smacking the unicorn, until it was decapitated and the guts (aka candy) fell out.  When the candy hit the ground, I decided to get into the action and collect as much candy as possible.  I was partial to the Jolly Ranchers over the other stuff. Too bad mama and dada won't let me have any.

Happy Birthday Chloe!  Thanks for inviting me to your party!