The Library

Now that I'm swimming on Tuesday nights instead of Saturday mornings, mama thought it would be a good idea to introduce me to the library. 

When she was a kid, she used to love going to the library on Saturday morning with Po-Po and uncle Eddie.  And she and uncle Eddie would participate in the summer reading programs that the library would sponsor.  (What nerds!)  When daddy was a kid, he only went to the library if he had to do a book report.  Guess that's why daddy can't read.

So this morning, I went to the library with mama while Mason went swimming with dada.  I loved it! There were so many different books. There was even a corner that had some toys and legos to play with. Who knew the library could be so fun!

Mama and I read (and re-read) several books together at the library. And we picked out some to borrow (using mama's library card). I don't quite get the concept of borrowing books yet. I think they're mine, like when we buy stuff at the store. Mama's not quite sure what'll happen when it's time to return our library books.  Guess we'll find out on our next trip to the library!

Swimming on My Own

Since I'm going to be turning three soon, all kinds of things are changing.  First there was preschool. (I still cry every morning when my daddy drops me off because I miss him.)  And now there's a new swim class - beginner 1.  No more baby swim class for me.

It all started a few weeks ago when Ms. Lisa, my baby swim class teacher, talked to dada and told him that I'm ready to move to the next level.  So, she started to look for a class for me. Ideally, mama and dada would've had me in beginner 1 class that she taught.  But she only teaches beginner 1 classes during the weekday.  Boo!

Well, she found a class for me on Tuesday nights at 6:45 pm. When mama and dada told me about the new class, I was not happy. I did not want to go. I did not want to swim on my own. I did not want new teachers. I did not want a different day of the week. But they didn't listen to me. (They never do.)

Ms. Lisa told mama and dada that my swim friend, Pete, was also going to be in the same class.  Pete started baby swim classes around the same time as me. They probably thought it wouldn't be as bad if Pete was in the same class as me. You'd think they'd have figured out that having friends when I transition doesn't help.

So, today was my first beginner 1 class where I got in the water without mama or dada. How did I do? I cried...a lot. I wanted mama. I kept looking at the glass window where she watched me swim, pointing and crying. Mama said she could hear my crying on the other side of the glass. My new teachers, Sean and a girl who's name mama didn't get, were very patient and attentive. They carried me around the pool and showed me lots of toys. The swim center director even came over to see what was going on.

Eventually, I started doing some of the things I know how to do like monkey walk along the wall, and float on my back. But I'd still cry when I sat on the stairs or stood on the island. When class was finally over, I saw mama and the tears started all over again. But mama said that I did a great job and she was very proud of me and she would buy me froyo with mochi. That made me feel better and the tears suddenly stopped.

I love swimming by myself (froyo).  Sucker!

Super Franks is Super Cool!

We celebrated cousin Caylie's first birthday this evening.  She had a small family party at Super Franks in Pleasanton.  We've never been there before. And when mama told me it was time to go to Caylie's party, I protested.

Me: "I don't want go. I want to stay home and play."
Mama: "I think you'll have much more fun at Caylie's party."
Me: "No, I want to play at home."
Mama: "You don't even know where the party is. Once you see where Caylie's party is, I'm pretty sure you'll have a blast and not want to go home."

Well, she was right.  Super Franks is super cool! It's like Chuck E. Cheese, but nicer. There're lots of different theme'd rooms with slides, toys and things to ride on. There's also an arcade.  I had a blast on the inflatable slides and the non-inflatable slides. 

I also got to help Caylie blow out her birthday candle. I had to wait for her to eat her smash cake before I could have my cake. She seemed pretty excited about the cake because she clapped and drooled.  I think she did a pretty good job on her smash cake too. What do you think?

Happy First Birthday Caylie! I had a super time at your party.

Preschool - the First Week

So, I finished my first official week of preschool.  I cried a lot during drop-off.  In fact, one day I cried as soon as it was time to say good bye to mama at home.  I cried all the way to school and during drop-off.  I kept saying, "I want mama."

I'm not the only one who's having a hard time. One day, I consoled Henry.  He was really sad. While he was crying on the floor, I went over to him and patted him on the back. I told him, "It's okay. Don't be sad, Henry." My teachers made me walk away because they didn't want me to get hurt (Henry was kicking too).  We just miss our old routine and teachers. 

Preschool's not all bad. After I collect myself, I have fun and participate in group activities. I made a "Cat in the Hat" hat on Monday because it was Dr. Seuss week. I ran into the house and showed it off to mama.  On another day, one of my teachers helped me make a Shoe-asuarus! 

Checkin' out the Oakland Zoo

We checked out the Oakland Zoo today!  I've never been, but lots of my friends have been before. They all have good things to say about it. So when one of Mama's deal sites had a special offer for the Oakland Zoo, she took advantage of it.

We invited Greyson and Ethan to join us at the zoo. Uncle Edric is an Oakland Zoo expert. He went every week last summer for his art class.  We saw all kinds of animals: flamingos, tigers, monkeys, tortoises, pigs, a millipede and ants. After the bugs, we took a break and found a nice spot for a picnic lunch. Mama and auntie Char packed tons of food for everyone, including homemade chocolate chip cookies. Yum! They must've thought they were feeding an army because there was so much food.

After lunch, we checked out the petting zoo. We all had a good time brushing the goats. Then it was off to see more animals including: fruit bats, turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, lions, giraffes, eland, elephants and camels.  I liked watching the fruit bats hang upside down and eat fruit. Maybe I can try that sometime. When we were hanging out with the giraffes, they kept licking the trees. Mama thought it was really weird. Does anyone know why they do that?

I wanted to ride the train around the zoo, but the line was ridiculously long.  So, the only ride that I rode was they SkyTram with grandma and grandpa. I liked that ride. I got to see camels from the ride.

I had such a great time at the Oakland Zoo. I can't wait to go back and check it out. Who wants to come with me?