The World According to Clara Shei

My hair

2012-01-05T22:44:00.000-08:00

Mommy has started taking me to Ms. Carolyn at Jovance salon in order to get my hair braded. I do it about once a month...and I LOVE it. They tell me that lots of kids don't like going there....I just don't get it?? Who wouldn't love to go? I always ask to put on my fanciest clothes (it must be a skirt and tights). I want to look my best for the ladies. Each time I go there are about 20 ladies in there who spend the hours that I'm there showering me with oohs and aaahs....treats and cuddles. Each time I twirl it is as if no one has ever seen such a perfect twirl in their whole lives. I LOVE it!!! I eat it up. I would go there every day and let them tug and pull on my hair for hours on end....

Here is Ms. Carolyn getting started.

And, here, is the finished project!

New Year....NEW ADVENTURES!!

2012-01-01T23:37:00.000-08:00

We started 2012 off right! Mommy, Akira, myself and Katy went away for our own family vacation. Mommy believes in starting off the new year in the way that you want the year to go. And, mommy wants 2 major things in 2012.....1) work she loves and 2) a new adventure with Akira and I in a new place.

SO...she planned an adventure to Ashland, Oregon's Little Creek horse farm for us and she brought the finals from her class to grade. It was truly an amazing start to the new year. I know I've only had a few of them...but let me tell you....this was the best so far. Mostly because Mommy was happy and engaged with us. We played puzzles and games and made food together and took walks and enjoyed being a family. It was fantastic!

Ice Skating

2011-12-29T22:46:00.000-08:00

We went ice skating in the city today for the first time. Mommy, Uncle Gogo and Bada took us into the city to Macy's, Union Square and the ice skating rink. It was so much fun! I am quite skilled....have lots of coordination (let's be honest...I always have had great coordination skills...I'm ahead of the curve!). Aki fell down a lot (NO surprise there), but not me. I am a natural.

Zoo lights

2011-12-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

Nothing better than a chilly holiday night, a light show, some wild animals and a good cup of hot chocolate. Guess who are the wild animals??? (hint - see below)

Santa Came!!!

2011-12-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

Oh My Gosh! Santa delivered! What an amazing Christmas. We woke up this morning to Santa's sleigh all decked out. Mrs. Claus even made us a gingerbread house....with her very own hands. Santa left us a note! I can't believe he gave us his sleigh. He's the greatest guy ever!
Apart from the sleigh and gingerbread house, Santa stuffed our stockings with new automatic toothbrushes (I LOVE it) and bath products. I also got a really cool kitchen set, and my first piece of big girl jewerly. It is a sterling silver bracelet with my name engraved on the front. On the back it says, "mommy loves you". I will have it forever and will really cherish it in years to come (or at least I know my mommy is hoping so). I also got some books, a poetry book, clothes and a guitar. Akira got a pirate ship and some food to cook in kitchen with. I got a lot of pirat accessories to help fill out Akira's new boat. Super fun!! I think it's my mom's way of ensuring that we share our toys. Each of us got one big thing but the other one got the accessories to go with it, so if we want to fully play with out toys we need to work together and SHARE. It's ok....it's way more fun to play WITH someone anyhow..
After opening our gifts, we got to play for a long time in the afternoon and then had a yummy dinner all together. I LOVED our Christmas this year! Merry merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve...

2011-12-24T23:16:00.000-08:00

And, aren't I fancy!

It's in my nature...

2011-10-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful fall day to spend time with nature...

Growing Tree

2011-09-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

Mommy wasn't going to start me in pre school quite yet, since I'm still 2. She thought she's wait until January when I was three. That way she and I could have some special time together while Akira was in school. BUT...then she started school herself. She's not a student, but she's teaching at a grown up school....all the way across the country. Because of that, she's gone for a few days out of the week. So...

Revised plan. I go to school when she goes to Washington DC. I still get 3 mornings a week with my mommy (Monday, Thursday and Friday)....plus I get to go to school! I LOVE my school. I REALLY LOVE Ms. Cynthia. I truly truly could stay at the art table all day long!

Santa Cruz

2011-08-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

Well, we couldn't just leave our summer beaching at Monterey! So....we had to have some fun times at Santa Cruz too. What a perfect beautiful summer day! School is just around the corner!!

The Beach

2011-08-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

The other bulk of our Monterey trip (when not at the aquarium and the park) was filled with yummy sea food, shopping and...THE BEACH!

Dennis the Menace...

2011-08-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

I think they named the park wrong...it should not be Dennis the Menace park, but Akira the Menace park. They clearly hadn't met my brother when they named this park.

Well, I shouldn't give him a hard time, because I did have the most fun ever playing with him in Monterey at this super duper fun park! PS - do you see me on the rock wall??? I'm FEARLESS....and super strong!!!

the Aquarium

2011-08-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

We took a family summer vacation to Monterey with my uncle, my mom, my brother and my bada (grandma).

We spent a lot of time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It has a reputation for being amazing...and it did not disappoint. From jellyfish to starfish, sharks to peguins to kelp and sea flowers....there was so much for everyone. I learned so much even at my ripe young age of 2.5. I especially loved the jellyfish and sea horses.

Take me back mom...take me back!!!

It's a Tanzanian Harvest Festival

2011-08-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Nane nane came again on August 8th. We would so so love to be in Arusha celebrating the day with our co-horts there, but since we can't, we celebrate in spirit right here in Oakland!

Happy Harvest Day to all!!!

shop till you drop

2011-08-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

Today we spent a sunny afternoon shopping in downtown Walnut Creek. We took the monorail (BART...but we love to yell MONORAIL whenever we see it coming), and then took the trolley bus to Walnut Creek and then mommy and Bada did some shopping. Aki and I had time to play outside at the fountain. Just another sunny summer day! Loving our lazy happy summer of 2011.

chugga chugga choo chooooooooo

2011-07-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had so much fun! We headed out to the train museum in Sacramento for a special evening event for members. We had special treats....got to watch a magic show, and even got to see them move the old steam trains in to the building for the night. Oh, how I love life on the rail...

Just like my big brother

2011-07-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

Look at me ride.....just like Aki!

Helicopters and Airplanes

2011-07-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

Today I had a playdate with Noah today at the airport. We have a really cool little airport near our house wth lots of small planes and helicopters taking off and landing. Not only that but this airport lets us sit out right by the landing strip and watch as the planes fly. Not only that but they actually put together a small play area complete with play toy airplanes to climb on, a tower to climb up in and even big umbrellas to shade us while we play. It was really fun to see Noah and his mommy today. I hope we do it again soon!

Summer Camp

2011-07-15T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today I got to go to summer camp with Bada. I was younger than the other kids there (as noted by the photos....I'm what you might call, petite!), but it didn't really matter. I can keep up with anyone! (remember I have a big brother....I can run with the big kids, no problem). Anyway, my favorite thing to do was the art projects. I spent a lot of time on my art projects today. Oh, how I love sticker fun...

I want to go on choo choo

2011-07-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

I kept telling and telling my mommy this for almost a week. And, FINALLY today she took Aki and I to Sacramento so we could go on the choo choo train. We had some lunch in Sac town and then went to the old town where the train museum and the tracks lie. It was sure hot (as most summer days in Sacramento are), but we boarded that train and were off on our ride.

The conductor of the train too me to show me the engine and even had me put my hands over my ears so the loud noises wouldn't scare me. He was so nice to us.

Thanks mom for finally getting us to that train. Now....take us back soon!

Happy July!!

2011-07-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

I loved the fourth of July this year. From looking for boat trailers (a new game that Aki and I have while in the car...ever since we learned about them in Tahoe) to seeing american flags up everywhere....I really got into the spirit of the holiday this year. I especially like yelling out to everyone, "Happy July!!"

HAPPY JULY!!!!

Bragging Rights

2011-07-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

I love the arts. I love to create. I love to draw. I love to color.

While my brother is rather uninterested in much of these sort of activities, I can keep myself occupied for hours just coloring, drawing, creating. Mommy is always very impressed with my coloring skill and the amount of thought and detail I put into my pictures. She says I have very developed fine motor skills for a two and a half year old, whatever that means.

In any case....this was my masterpiece before dinner tonight. Mommy has hung it on the kitchen fridge for all to see. I love my lucy goosy! Hope you enjoy her too....

Tahoe...Tahoe...TAHOE!!!!

2011-06-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

My family and I have just returned from a great trip to Lake Tahoe for a vacation with some of mommies oldest and dearest friends. Her friends Timber, Bradi and Sharla she has known from childhood. Now, they are all grown up and have kids of their own. And, I had the pleasure of getting to hang out and play with all those great kids all week. I loved playing with all my new friends, and cuddling with mommies grown up friends. I was just in heaven.

However, lest those ladies think I am only sugar, think again. I just know my audience. So...I am careful to behave in front of those who I want to impress. I was a little angel for our entire vacation in Tahoe. But...the devil on my shoulder was just waiting to get out...I just needed to be in my zone of comfort to do it. On our way home, only 10 minutes from home after a long day of driving and sightseeing, I decided to play a little mischievous game on my mom. I insisted that I had to go to the bathroom. Now...of course, we had been driving from Sacramento and I had gone twice while we were there. Mommy figured that Aki and I were pretty set for the one hour drive home from Sacramento. (ok...and honestly I was...but I was BORED). So, I insisted that I had to go. Mommy asked me to hold it as we were 10 minutes from home. NOOOOO, I insisted...I can't hold it. I cried, I pleaded and mommy bought it, hook, line and sinker.
She whipped off the freeway at the last exit before the bridge that would take us home...ha, ha, I got her! She rushed into the gas station/McD's parking lot. Bonus, she yelled at Akira to hurry getting out of the car because I was in such trauma trying to hold it in. She picked me up an rushed me and Aki through the line of fast food goers....ran into the bathroom, got me settled and up on the toilet, and then she waited. Nothing happened. She told me to go. She waited. Nothing happened. She looked at me, and then I looked at her laughed. "I don't go potty" I giggled. Realization sunk it. She had been bamboozled.
Uh oh...Mommy was not pleased with my joke. She began the lecture. How in the world does she think that the lecture works on me...I'm 2! All that does is irritate me. By the time I got to the car, I had had enough. Geeze...it was just a joke mom. But, she wouldn't stop....so I screamed, through a great little tantrum which ended with my grabbing her keys and ripping a key off her keyring and throwing it. Unfortunately, it was the car key. And, I threw it, and we just had no idea where it went. That didn't really make mommy any happier.
An hour later, we were all pretty unhappy. It turns out, if you don't have the key to the car, you can't run the air conditioner...and it was hot. Plus, Mommy kept telling me that if our dog died of heat stroke she was disowning me. That didn't really sit well with me either. The silver icing was watching mommy crawl all over on the ground and throughout the car looking for the key. It was really hot and windy and she had a wrap around skirt on....there was a lot of flashing the gas station patrons as she looked. She was sort of funny to watch as she tried to keep her skirt on to no avail and then became regularly horrified that she had flashed a whole new set of gas pumpers. Finally, Akira found the key! He thought he was magic...and Mommy seemed to think it to. What a turn around, I'm in the dog house and Akira is magic? Something is really wrong with the world.
In any case, thank especially to Flanny for taking such super duper care of Charlie and I during our Tahoe vacation. I hope I get to see you both again really soon.

Parlay!!

2011-06-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Pirate festival in Vallejo California. Now, should you be thinking that this is an event mostly for my brothers interest....shame on you! I am a lover of pirates and all things that wear eye patches and say ARGHHHH! I'm very good at it you know. It was hot today, but I still loved walking around and seeing all the pirate spectacles going on. I got on my mom's shoulders to see the pirate cannon battle out on the ships in the water. And, we got to see a modern day pirate fight between some knife throwing guy dressed as a pirate and two very drunk guys who kept yelling parlay. Mommy was mostly trying to figure out how to move us inconspicuously away from the exchange since there seemed to be knife throwing and some bad words involved....but she was amused by the drunk guys use of the word parlay and when the pirate guy told the drunk guys to 'grow up' and the drunk guys answered back, 'hey we're not the ones who go around dressed up like a pirate all day'....I saw Mommy snicker a bit. Bad form mom!

Mommy's friend, Monica, and her three kids joined us for the day. Even though her kids are a bit older (senior in high school, 8th grade and 4th grade) they were all really nice to me and pretty cool kids!

Wow...it's not every day you get to see a whole bunch of real life pirates walking around. At some point you really do want to say...."parlay...parlay!!!"

Crocodiles are my friends....

2011-06-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to see the crocs at the zoo today I rushed right in and began to look for them. Mommy suggested we have our picnic lunch first (because she was carrying our food around and trying to keep our water cups upright and I suspect she wanted to get rid of that chore), but I said NO....I wanted to see those crocs. Aki wanted to play on the kids structures that I usually love so much, but I said NO! I wanted to see those crocodiles. So....that's what we did. They were out of the water and sunning themselves today and they looked so happy and sooo cool! One kept stretching his legs like he was walking on air or bicycle riding without the bicycle.

Eventually we did have our lunch and play on the toys and see the other animals. Aki made noises just like the chimps and a lady said it was a good impression and mommy said he had lots of practice in acting like a chimpanzee and then they laughed. I didn't get the joke.

Back on track....

2011-06-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Starting tomorrow....we are back on track. Mommy lost her camera and got busy with work and life and we forgot to keep updating you on our life. But....I'm going to remember again. SO.....check back in with me tomorrow. I'll be here!

Green Bubbles!!!

2011-03-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

So....the Irish leprauchans visited us last night and played so many tricks on us. Our food was all turned green.....even our bubbles were turned green! AMAZING....I hope I can be as mischevious as those leprachauns one day. (mommy says I already am).

I love snow...until I don't

2011-03-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

So....this weekend I got to go to the snow....for the first time!

We went to Soda Springs in the mountains and stayed in a cabin. I got to sleep up in the loft! There was an iron fireplace in the corner and a little kitchenette. There was even a back patio with a bbq.

The best part was...the cabin came with built in snow! A whole lot of snow!! Right outside our front door. Right outside our back door! Snow...snow....everywhere snow!

We played and played, we made a snow man, we sledding down hills of snow, we threw snowballs at each other, and we made snow angels.

And, I loved it all....

Until I didn't.

Each time we went out to play, I had a great time for about 45 minutes....and then the thrill wears off. And, I get cold. And, I really hate it when I get cold. And I start crying....no I start shrieking. And....I don't stop for a long long time. But, before we reach that point....leading up to that point, it is fantastic.

Gymboree

2011-03-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

I wanted to give you a glimpse into one of my favorite times of the week. Every Friday is mommy and my special time. I get to go out for the morning all by myself with mommy for my gymboree class and a treat. I love this time because I love mommy and me time....and I love treats. But, my favorite thing about fridays is....the Gymboree class itself. I am it's very most enthusiastic member. The other kids get distracted easily and wander off to do their own thing...but not me. I am the kid at the front of the class with her hand perpetually popping up to answer the question FIRST. I LOVE my teacher Molly. I love all the activities. In particular, I love bubble time (and tummy bubbles) and the parachute time. I think that it is the funniest thing in all the world to run under the parachute, and it NEVER gets old. We do it every week, bu it feels exciting and new each time and I laugh as if it is the funniest thing that has ever happened each and every week.

My brother takes his own class on Wednesdays and then we also get to go to the gymboree facility to use it for play time. That is pretty great too. When mommy says we might get to go to gymboree....we both get so so so excited! I love it there so much!

Aren't I Pretty?

2011-02-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

I woke up a bit early today and while my Mommy took a shower, I got out of bed and raided the makeup. Aren't I beautiful????

No Mommy NO!!!

2011-02-26T15:38:00.000-08:00

Today was not my day. I had to sit and watch Akira play at the toys at the mall....because Mommy thought I was being too naughty. I do have some 'terrible two' issues, including (today), screaming 'NO MOMMY NO' and trying to hit her, kicking the wall of Nordstrom as Mommy tried to put me down and speak to me about my terrible behavior, and grabbing clothes and throwing them in the midst of a tantrum.

Geeze Louise...do you have to take it all so seriously mom? Look how sad you made me today????

Hat Model

2011-02-25T23:13:00.000-08:00

Sure, I rarely seem to wear the actual hats that mommy has gotten for me. I like to steal other people's hat. It's just that honestly....don't you think I look so much better in this hat than my mommy every could?

It's not my fault I steal everyone's hat....I'm just THAT cute!

I'm a massai warrior...

2011-02-19T23:44:00.000-08:00

or at least half of me is.

Today we went to see a massai warrior who has traveled from Kenya to teach us about the nature ways of the massai. The massai people are from southern Kenya and northern Tanzania and this lovely man spends time in Arusha and has even heard of the Sirikwas...Akira's side of the family tree.

He brought massai blankets, necklaces, jewerly, baskets etc to sell. We don't really need any more....but lots of people were buying them. He showed the crowd lots of things, like all the different weapons the massai use out in the bush to protect themselves and their cattle, the beautiful dancing and chanting that the massai are famous for and generally educated people about the life of a massai warrior. It was a great presentation. Aki and I loved the chance to spend time with our culture and to be reminded of what a proud and special people we come from.

Noah turns 2!

2011-02-19T16:11:00.000-08:00

And, he threw an awesome train themed birthday party to celebrate. We had yummy food, and trains to play with and he and his mommy even made a kid sized train out of cardboard.

All our church friends came to help Noah celebrate his big day! Happy Birthday little man. Can't wait to show you the ropes of being 2...it's a great age!!

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

Tonight, after a very busy day of birthday parties and east african culture....we headed into the city for a bit of asian culture. Tonight was the famous San Francisco Chinese New Years parade. It was freezing...and had been raining all day. Luckily tonight, it was a bit drizzly but not pouring rain. It was, however, crowded! Uncle Gogo and Aunt Resa were supposed to save a place for us on the parade route. I guess, in theory, they did. But, they saved it on the WAY other side of the parade where we could not reach because the parade officials would not let anyone cross over. So...instead we stuffed into a crowd and Mommy and Bada held us up as high as they could for as long as they could (all the while mommy was muttering ugly things about her relatives under her breath....for some reason she was not thrilled to be standing in the cold drizzly rain holding a 45 pound kid up over her head while manuevering a double stroller in a crowd full of people).

In any case....it actually was SO fun. I loved the parade and all the bands and the chinese dragons. After the parade finished we went inside and got some chinese food for dinner before heading home. Whew...quite a day!

Valentines Day - For Real!!

2011-02-14T21:32:00.000-08:00

OH, Valentines Day is about my two favorite things in the whole world....love and sweets.

And, today I was surrounded by my Mommy and all my family that loves me so much! AND, I got lots of opportunities for sweets. Often my Mom and I butt heads over this issue...Akira does not have much of sweet tooth and often would choose the squash over the orange. But....for me, I LOVE any and everything sweet and my Mommy wants me to eat other things besides just fruit. But, today she laid off a bit and let us have a sweet tooth. We had PIE for lunch!!! Can you imagine!??! And, tonight in our mailboxes we got cards that told us how much we were loved, and candy to give us some extra energy. Oh, and a few little surprises here and there....like my new sunglasses????

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Heart Day - A little early

2011-02-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

Today was SO MUCH FUN!!! The weather was beautiful, and the whole family was happy and having fun.

We started the day going to the growing tree preschool Valentines Party. Aki and I LOVED it...Mommy was a bit iffy on the whole thing. Mommy can be such a party pooper sometimes. Her biggest problem is that she does not like a mess. Who doesn't like a good mushy mess??? I sure do! Well, a pre school Valentines Part is bound to have messy elements. Yay for me.

We had a Valentine making table where there was glue and stickers and glitter and we could make our own Valentine. I loved doing that. Then, there was a table to make a valentine necklace with painted pasta. You wouldn't think that this would be too messy, but the past kept splitting in two and spilling all over the place. And, poor Mommy put down her coffee cup to help Aki clean up and I wanted to help too....but in the procss I knocked over her cup all over the necklace table. She looked rather dismayed....so did the pre school teachers in charge of that table.

Finally, the last table was a cookie decorating table. YUMMY Frosting!!!!

After our valentines party morning...we went on to an afternoon at the zoo! The weather was amazing...in the 80s and not a cloud in the sky....in the middle of February! At the zoo, we played and visited the animals in the petting zoo and even rolled in the grass with Mommy. What a fun, carefree time we had. On the way home, we even stopped at Noah's bagels for a snack and we sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful day.

All in all the day was practically perfect in every way!

Hanging with the boys...

2011-02-05T22:47:00.000-08:00

...and my Bada!

We went to Tilden Park today for a picnicand some fun. Just a sunny Saturday in February with my Bada, brother and Uncle Gogo.

Thanks for a fun day!!

Hats

2011-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Whether I'm sporting my brothers winter hat or an upside down watering can.....

I am rockin the hat these days!!!

Auntie Resa came for a visit!

2011-01-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

She was her for 4 whole days. We didn't do anything particularly special....but boy, was it a special time.

We got to eat out at lots of yummy places. Auntie Resa used to live in the East Bay but she moved to Disneyland (yes, literally....I believe that my Auntie lives AT Disneyland). So, she doesn't always get to go to yummy East Bay restaurants..she had to take advantage while she can. Disneyland is so so cool, for so so many reasons..but one must admit that they do not have the most amazing food choices on the planet.

We also got to go to the park with Auntie Resa...and we got to go on the swings and on the slides and everything. It was so so fun.

Come back again soon, Auntie Resa....we sure do love you!

Happy Birthday Gogo

2011-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

Last year we made our Gogo a birthday cake in Arusha.

This year, we made him a grasshoper pie! Oh my goodness. We had to go hunting for grasshopers! Aki and I looked and looked for grasshoppers. We heard frogs croaking and we found lots of dirt and mud....but the grasshoppers knew we wanted to eat them and they hid!

So, Mommy told us we would have to use the frozen grasshoppers we already had in the kitchen. Why in the world would Gogo want Grasshopper pie? I understand the oreo cookie crust...and I totall get the mint ice cream....but why would you put grasshopper pieces in the mint ice cream? Huh....I guess it's the protein, but Gogo's never been what I would call health consious??

Well, to each his own....your wish is our comand Gogo....Happy Birthday. I love my GOGO!!!!

Bradi

2011-01-07T22:39:00.000-08:00

We got to spend some time with the Ross family in Portland. I had so much fun! There was Bradi....the head of this household. She is Mommy's friend from childhood and from what Mommy tells us, she can handle the job. She's one tough cookie!

Then there is Ron, Mr. Ross! We didn't get to spend too much time with him since he has this pesky JOB thing I've heard about before. But, when we did see him, he seemed to spread a calm presence around the house. He's so nice and he and Bradi make a pretty great team.

Then, we have Emerson. He's super fun and inquisitive and smart...and he can speak Chinese though he's shy to do it in front of an audience. He's a super great sharer and made sure I was included in the fun. What a really nice boy.

Finally, there is Flannery. She is fun and full of flirt! She is girly through and through. And, she put me in my very first tutu. I so wish we lived closer and could play with Flanny more often. She woud easily be a big sister for me to look up to. And, she's bossy too! Just like my brother...

Thanks so much for having us stay Ross family. I loved playing with you and laughing and cuddling. I hope you'll visit us soon too.

The Donleys

2011-01-03T22:38:00.000-08:00

Jen Donley and my mom have been friends for many years...since they were freshman in college (whatever THAT means). Jen moved to Portland with her husband and son many years ago and mommy moved to....a lot of other places. So, they haven't seen each other in a lot of years. So...while this visit was supposed to be so that Jen could meet Aki and I....it sort it didn't feel very much about us at all. Those two just wanted to talk and talk and talk.

Don't worry....we found our fun....two words - shea butter!

Thanks for taking these beautiful photos of me Jen. I really loved meeting you and can't wait to see you and YOUR beautiful family again soon.

Ouch!

2011-01-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

Hey ducks....I'm trying to FEED you. Get it...I'm being NICE!

Please stop biting me. It hurts!!

2011 - So happy to see you...

2011-01-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

I woke up today and it was a whole different year. At least that's what mommy told me. Quite frankly, I have no idea what that means and everything feels exactly the same. Whatever...Mommy sure seems excited.

This afternoon I got to go to my great Aunt Lin's house and spend time with my family. We only missed having my mommy's cousin Sarah and her husband, Evan and Auntie Resa there....oh, and of course, we missed having Grandad there.

To start the new year off right, Akira and I got to get some very clean, fresh, BRISK air at the local park....I loved it and there were tons of kids out playing so lots of others must have had the same idea.

Tonight, we went back to the house for a yummy dinner and time spent with family. It included a dance party to music by Akira, Lin, Tom and Joe. I thought they made a fantastic band. Only, when will I be big enough to join in??

Well, with such a great start to the new year, I can't wait to see what is just around the corner this year. Yay for 2011!

End of the year shananigans...

2010-12-31T00:32:00.000-08:00

Today, I was still feeling quite under the weather. I spent much of my day in my Mommy's arms, cuddling and sleeping. My brother spent most of his day driving my Mommy to drink (or drinking himself....geeze, Akira....what's in that water you're drinking???)

In any case...I ended the year with my family and friends....just where I want to be. I can't wait for the next year! It's going to be a great one.

Happy New Year to you all!!!!

Bath Palooza 2010

2010-12-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

A bath is ALWAYS more fun with a crowd!

From left to right:

Me, Akira, Cele, and Culder

Exploring Seattle

2010-12-29T07:33:00.000-08:00

Poor Akira is really a sicky today. But, he is not going to let that illness slow him down. Today, we went exploring into Seattle. With only half a day at our disposal, we couldn't do everything and Mommy nixed the Public Market as being too cold for Akira and since we did not have much time....well, we saved it for our next summer visit.

We did get a chance to visit the downtown Nordstrom though....one of my mommy's happy places in the world It was fun and busy and everything you would expect it to be. We also took the monorail over to the Space Needle and the Seattle Center. Wow, that space needle is BIG. Inside the Seattle center it was still decorated for Christmas and they had a huge model railroad system set up, complete with villagers ice skating, horses pulling carts of people and gifts, stables....you name it. That was so much fun to look at. And, Akira and I always love a good monorail ride.

After that, we headed to Meg's house, where we will hang out hats for the next few days. We have met Ms. Meg this past summer in Napa, but it was soooo fun to see her and Celeste again, as well as to meet Grammi, Ms. Meg's mom. Meg and Cele live in a really lovely house on west Seattle, overlooking the lake, the ciy and the space needle. They also have a great dog named, Zadie (named after Zadie Smith). I can tell it's going to be one wild ride over the next days....so much to do, so little time. Cele has the most fun toys....stay tuned!

ducks

2010-12-28T22:43:00.000-08:00

There are ducks all over the country...all over the world really. But, Mommy is certain that the ducks on Lake Washington in Kirkland, Washington are the best ducks out there. So...she thought we should feed them.

She packed us up in the car very early yesterday morning and we drove and drove and drove to Seattle Washington. This morning, we woke up and headed for Kirkland where we explored Mommy's childhood memories and ate our first frosty's at Wendy's (I sure hope they won't be our last). Then, we finally got to the main event. We fed those ducks. I loved it! I am fearless and felt no nervousness though the ducks did get mighty grabby. Oh well...I figure they are special ducks after all, they are entitled!

So far, I am loving Seattle. It sure is cold though....

soccer balls, trikes and everything nice

2010-12-26T22:23:00.000-08:00

I love all the outdoor sporty fun equipment Akira and I got for Christmas. Akira has been playing outside for months on his bike, but I haven't had much to do but watch him...and I do not appreciate standing by the sidelines. I want to be IN THE ACTION. Now, I can!

Can't wait for spring to come....I'll be a riding maniac.

I was Right!

2010-12-25T20:09:00.000-08:00

Santa thinks I'm cute enough to forgive my TERRIBLE two behavior (generally consisting of turning my head away when being told I must finish my dinner, screaming NO at the top of my lungs on a regular basis for fun, pointing my finger at my Mommy and saying, 'no, mommy, no mommy, no', hitting when I don't get my way and laughing about everything as I'm getting into trouble in the first place), and Christmas morning was as it should be. Santa even gave Akira a slide-by today and brought him his fire truck. For me, I got a stocking filled with a new music wand, a tooth brush and toothepaste (case Santa loves our pearly whites), lots of yummy snacks from Trader Joes, tangerines, new BIG GIRL panties AND my soccer ball. Oh how I love that soccer ball. Bada bought me a trike! Now I can go riding outside with my brother. Whew...I was getting mighty cranky just watching him. He got a new helmut for his bike.

In other news, Bada loved the toy snoopy dog we picked out for her (old school, exactly like her favorite childhood pull along snoopy) and Uncle Gogo was gaga for his wolf named Lindsey (we made her at Build-a-Bear and named her Lindsey because he volunteers at the Lindsey Wildlife Center and loves wolves). Mommy was REALLY impressed by the Christmas tiles we made for her....she says she will cherish them forever!

More important than Santa (only a little though....Santa, if you are reading this, I think you are VERY important), was time spent with my family. I really love them all so much and laugh and have so much fun when we are all together.

I hope you spent the day with the ones you love too.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

2010-12-24T19:22:00.000-08:00

And the kids went CRAZY!

Ok...so the excitment of this season may have finally gotten to be a bit too much. From our anual lunch date with Mommy during which she considered that this tradition be picked up again in 2030 when we might know how to behave out at restaurants (I blame the balloons!) to our less than examplary evening at church...we gave her a run for her money today. I can blame my terrible twos (and the balloons), but I don't know about Akira.

I figure I'm very cute and generally adapt at smiling and charming my way out of any trouble I find myself in...so probably Santa took one look at my cute little cheeks and checked me off on his good list. But, if I were Akira...I'd be worried! Good luck big brother...

Cool at the zoo

2010-12-23T00:56:00.000-08:00

Today was so fun. First, Mommy and I went on a special date to meet friends in Sausalito. I met Jack, a little boy just a bit younger than me and Mommy met her friend Lindsey and her husband Kurt. We had such a fun time.

Then, time to go home for a good rest. When we woke up, Mommy got us ready to go really quickly and we headed out for the zoo! The Oakland zoo has a special event at Christmas each year during the evenings where the whole place is lit up with Christmas lights and music. Aki and I got to play on the animal toys and peruse the light displays. Also, we generally made Mommy crazy with our over-excited-due-to-the-season-and-the-fact-that-we-are-both-experiencing-the-terrible-twos-behavior. Maybe next year will be easier Mommy. In the meantime....we had a blast!

Tilden Park at Christmas

2010-12-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

Boy have we been doing a lot of shopping the past few days. No too much buying as I think Mommy and Bada have most of their shopping done. But, they are sure enjoying being out in those malls. I'm not at all sure about it. Seems to me that there are too many people, it all really makes me tired. BUT....

tonight, we got a break from the malls and headed outdoors in the cold rainy weather to the Tilden Park Merry-go-round. There were so many fun Christmas decorations to look at, and so many trees all decorated. And, of course, we got to ride the merry-go-round, which was so fun! And, on top of it all, we got to drink some cozy warm hot chocolate. yummy!

Giddyap!

2010-12-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

Santa Baby...

2010-12-18T23:15:00.000-08:00

...Hurry down the chimney, will ya?

I asked Santa for a 'ball please' today and he talked with Akira and I about how important it wa to be good kids so that we could go on his nice list. We'll make it.....just look how cute we are, that's got to excuse a little bad behavior, right???

Gingerbread and spice...and all things nice

2010-12-11T22:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight Mommy took Aki and I to a party at Zabrae, Will and George's home. We had such fun! There were tons of kids there to play with and lots of yummy cookies to eat. We got to decorate gingerbread cookies and eat as many as we wanted (mommy helped me decorate mine...and then gave up trying to police our gingerbread intake....so we got to eat a LOT). And then....

Santa came to visit. He brought each kid a gift! Aki got a book of Dr. Suess stories, including the Lorax and The Grinch Who Stole Christams. I got a puzzle of animals who are pets. Santa was so nice to us and even sang songs with us. My brother was more bold than I and went right up and talked to Santa about his glasses. I was a bit more shy, but I wasn't scared. Santa is such a nice man...who could be scared of him?

Merry Christmas from sunny CA

2010-12-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

Life in Cali is not so bad. It's Christmas time and we are hanging at the beach....not too shabby for a girl from Arusha, Tanzania.

Home for Christmas

2010-12-03T23:23:00.000-08:00

Mom....

can we live at Disneyland? I love it there!

And, I would like to anounce that I did not have an accident all day long and made sure to go on the potty chair whenever I needed to go. I am VERY proud of myself (so is everyone else).

My Great Grandmother

2010-12-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

Lots of people never get to meet their great grandparent. I am a VERY lucky girl. I got to meet my great grandmother by way of my Mommy's Dad's Mom. Wow! She seemed pretty nice to my brother and I.

Mostly I'm really glad I got to meet her!

Trimming the Tree

2010-11-30T00:16:00.000-08:00

All part of the holiday experience. I love it! WOW...I keep exclaiming (it's one of my new things...I say, WOW to everything with a deep breath in as if it is the most amazing thing I have ever heard, seen, experienced etc. EVER).

I love putting decorations on the tree. I even got a special one to add this year. Akira got a squirrel (cause he can be pretty squirrly) and I got a chipmunk. Mommy often calls me her little chipmunk since I have a habit of storing food in my cheeks for long periods of time.

Happy Holidays....and it's just the start of the season....just wait till you see what's coming!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T23:52:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had as good a dinner today as we did. Yummy!!!

What being two means

2010-11-24T22:31:00.000-08:00

So, it turns out that turning two isn't all pizza, rocking giraffes and cake. There are responsibilities that come with becoming a big girl too.

My mommy explained to me that morning after I turned two that you don't wear diapers when you are two. Can you imagine? Weird...

It turns out that I really really like this potty trained thing. I LOVE going potty on the big girl potty chair, and especially going in the same bathroom as my big brother does. I'm also really good at it. Right from the beginning I understood what it meant to go potty in the potty chair. When we are home right now mommy is having me not wear any bottoms in order to help me feel when I need to go potty and not be dependent on a diaper or pants to soak up any accidents. But, there are so very few accidents. I had basically no accidents on Monday, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Otherwise, I'm loving it! I'm such a big girl and I'm so so proud of myself! No more diapers for me...no siree. I'm a big two year old now!

It's My Birthday...

2010-11-21T21:25:00.000-08:00

....And, I'd cry if I wanted to, but there is just no reason. I'm having SO MUCH FUN BEING TWO!

This day is ALL ABOUT ME! My brother doesn't like it, I'll tell you that. But, you know what? I love it! Finally, it gets to be about me. Plus, I don't know what he's complaining about? I let him come to lunch with us, he got to make a reindeer at the Build-A-Bear, he got to play, he got to go to dinner with us? Geeze...seems like a pretty decent deal to me. But...enough about him, let's talk about me.

Today my Bada took us to lunch at Nordstrom! I love it there. Aki and I split a pizza....yummy! Then...on to find my reindeer, Clarice. I really love her. I got to stuff her (though Mommy had to help cause I just wasn't sure how to use the machine), I got to give her a heart, and a bath and even make a birth certificate for her. After all that fun, we went out to play on my favorite play structure. And, with this wet weather it was packed with kids. I made a friend and she made my brother very jealous. They were even fighting over me for a while (both had my hands and didn't want to let me go...literally). Then, we went out to dinner at Chipolte which is another favorite of mine. After all that celebrating....we went home. Bada had made me a super yummy birthday cake...I got to blow out my candles and the open up all my presents. I got so many fun gifts....jackets and dresses and toys and even a giraffe rocking horse that is just my size!

More than anything I did or got today though....my day was made perfect because I could feel how very much I am loved by my family. I'm so glad I've found my forever family!

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T22:55:00.000-07:00

What a weekend. I am having so much fun, though not always 100 percent certain of what is happening, it seems to involve a LOT of people talking about how cute I am as an elephant and ooing and awing over me. I'm ALWAYS a fan of that.

Today we spent the day at the zoo, riding on the train and visiting the animals. We even got to participate in a costume parade (whatever that is...I just think we sort of walked around the zoo following the leader with a bunch of nutso parents running to get in front of their children to take photos....my Mommy included in this madness).

After the zoo, we went on a trick-or-treating extravaganza....first at the local mall and the in the neighborhood around us. We got a LOT of loot. The only thing is that Mommy doesn't appear to be letting us eat much of it. HMMM....I believe the next few days of my brother and my life will be dedicated to finding a way to get to that candy. Good luck Mommy! The battle begins...

A spooky kooky weekend

2010-10-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

It is a Halloween weekend extravaganza! Today we went to a cemetary......

....for a Halloween carnival! We went to a Haunted House. We crawled through hay stacks. We got our faces painted. And....we laughed!

We got to wear our costumes today. All the kids were dressed up and we saw some pretty great costumes out there. Mommy told us that we were the cutest (she could be just a bit biased though).

So far, I'm loving this Halloween thing. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Happy Carving

2010-10-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

It's carving day 2010. This year I got a pumpkin too! Boy, pumpkin carving is a very messy proposition.

But it sure is FUN!

One year ago today...

2010-10-27T22:43:00.000-07:00

...Mommy and I walked down the courthouse steps in Arusha, Tanzania and we were a family.

Today we celebrated with some special treats and some spooky fun!

Potty Chair

2010-10-25T00:21:00.000-07:00

Well, Mommy's been a bit slow on the potty chair plan with me. But, finally we are cracking down and getting this show on the road. Today, I went potty on the potty chair just like a big girl! YAY for me....

Shopping Day

2010-10-24T23:18:00.000-07:00

Today was a girls day. Mommy, Bada and I went to the mall. We shopped and shopped and shopped....till we nearly dropped. We had to take some time out to refule....

Yummy lunch at Nordstrom and then....back to our shopping marathon!

Pumpkin Tour 2010

2010-10-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

Lest you might worry that we might have passed up the opportunity to enjoy yet another pumpkin patch, do not worry we could not resist.

The lure of the corn maze and hayrides drew us right in. We may actually be able to start a pumpkin patch on our front portch with all the pumpkins we have collected on our pumpkin patch tour this year.

But, who can resist....just look at all the fun we had!

Who will I be for Halloween??

2010-10-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

Well, you will have to wait until we get a bit closer to see me in my actual Halloween costume. But, tonight at the pumpkin patch I became a kitty cat and a bus driver.

In real life, I'm just a really really happy girl!

Getting ready for blastoff!!!

2010-10-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

Today we went to explore yet another Children's Museum in the Bay area. This time we went to Habitot in Berkeley. It's smaller than the other museums we have visited but still pretty darn fun!

My favorite station was the makeup station....where I could paint my face to my little hearts content. Akira liked to paint his face too, but he gets bored easily and couldn't sit still for too long. Me....I'm different. I can stay in one place for a very long time and stay focused on one project.

But, I did explore some other stations as well. I was a space explorer, a wall climber and a water worker today.

Happy Columbus Day everyone!

Little Pumpkins

2010-10-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am a little pumpkin and I wanted to find just the perfect pumpkin for me. So, this weekend, to start off our Halloween season, we went to wine country in search of the perfect pumpkin (dont worry, no wine was consumed, though Mommy sort of thought the whole thing would be easier with a little wine....she refrained).

I had fun pounding on the pumpkins....but after a while I wondered why were so interested in the pumpkins when there was all this amazing dirt surrounding us. In the end, Mommy wouldn't let me take much of the dirt home (though I managed to take a little), but I did find the perfect little pumpkin, just for me. And, I had so much fun with my brother in the process.

It's my Mommy's birthday!

2010-10-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

Fall is the season for celebration at our house. First, we have Akira's birthday to start us going, then Mommy's, then my adoption celebration day, then Halloween, then my birthday, then Thanksgiving, then Akira's Gotcha Day celebration, and then Christmas. So, we are now immersed in celebrations galore.

Yesterday we celebrated my Mommy's birthday. We did it with a LOT of sugar, which is a little funny since she is not very addicted to sugar. Luckily for me, I LOVE sugar. I definitely have THE sweet tooth in the family! Oh, ice cream and cake....I wish it was a birthday celebration every day.

Happy Happy Birthday Mommy....I love you!

It's a Small World After All...

2010-09-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

It really is a small world when a little girl from Tanzania ends up flying through the air on Peter Pan's magic ship in Disneyland, CA.

When everyone was talking about taking a trip to Disneyland, most of the focus was on my brother. He was the one that everyone expected to love it and they mostly thought I'd be along for the ride. As usual....everyone underestimated me! Believe me....I'm a little girl who RISES! And, this weekend I rose.

Akira had a great time...don't get me wrong. But he gets scared pretty easily. Not me. I'm fearless and I love love love rides! From Peter Pan to Pirates of the Caribbean, I relish the excitement. I LOVED the carousel (when the stroller round the corner and comes in view of the carousel, well....I just go crazy with excitement). And when I see those Small World boats....I start screaming, "that, that, that". And, I DANCE to the music...both Small World and The Tikki Tikk Tikki Room. There is just so much to see and do at Disneyland....I can't wait to go again. We'll be back soon!!!!

Birthdays are cool...

2010-09-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

Even when they aren't mine. This weekend was Akira's 3rd birthday celebration. I got to go to Chuck E. Cheese...and on a boat ride, an to the zoo and on a train ride. I got to eat cake and play with new toys....

Happy Birthday to my big brother and thanks for letting me share in all the fun!

Vegas Baby!!

2010-08-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

I'm going to like this town when I get older...I can tell. I actually like it quite a lot and I'm not even two.

Came to see my cousin Sarah get married. For some reason I was not invited to the Bachelorette party and she left me off the party bus on the way to the reception....guess she just hasnt' gotten to know me well enough yet....cause I KNOW how to party!

Like a fish to water

2010-08-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

I am amazing! I am brave and talented....and I am about 2 second away from being my own little swimmer. I can kick up a storn (oh, and I'm STRONG) too and I don't mind being free from anyone holding me up for a few seconds at a time. I could do it better and longer if they didn't insist on me wearing this crazy pink life jacket....it impedes my movement and worse, if they let me go for more than a few seconds, this silly jacket floats me right onto my back! Still....I am a swimmer!

Tilden Park

2010-08-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

Summer has finally come to San Francisco. It's only set to last a few days....so we have to take advantage of it. Today was really really hot. The highs were 105. Wow!!

So, today we decided to go to Tilden Park to see the animals, ride the merry-go-round and have a picnic. It was fun...but hot. We couldn't even play on the playground today because it was so hot that we would get burned!

I sure do love animals....

And, I sure do love a good merry-go-round!

Members Night at the Oakland Zoo

2010-08-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

I wish every night was members night at the zoo. We had SO MUCH FUN! And, Akira and I each got a stuffed animal at the gift shop. I LOVE stuffed animals and I got a lion...and I love to roar like my lion.

I loved seeing all the animals so excited tonight! We all had so much fun...

Lindsey Wildlife Museum

2010-08-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Today we went to another museum. I like this one much better than the last one though....and it's really close to our house. Just a few minutes drive and we were there. They rescue animals from around the area and help them to get better. We saw lots of cool animals like owls and snakes and ravens and eagles. And, they have a play area just for kids so Akira and I could run and play. This museum was just my style.

The Terrible Twos

2010-08-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Oh my, I have certainly had a fun time of late getting into mischief. For the many of you out there who have met me and think I'm oh so sweet and quiet and cuddly and cute....I am! But, I am also a bit shy. So....you rarely see the 'other' side of me. I have quite a mind of my own and am independent, tenacious and stubborn. All of these qualities are very good, when used for good, my Mommy keeps reminding herself.

However, right now....it is so much more fun to use these qualities for EVIL. The evil can come in many forms, from throwing tantrums in church, to digging elbow high into the gopher holes, to my latest feat of disgusting amazement today. When Mommy came in to get me up from my nap, she found my dirty diaper on the ground and me (and my bed and all our surroundings) covered in poop. Oh....and I'm thorough too! I made sure to smear that poop EVERYWHERE. Mommy's favorite place was all through my hair. It took about 8 washes to get it all out, and we still aren't sure if it all is. Mommy contemplated cutting off all my hair, but thought we would at least try to salvage it first.

Oh, how much fun is it to make mischief? Unfortunately, not as much fun as the consequences. Everyone is pretty angry with me tonight and there is NO fun to be found, no books to be read and no toys to play with. Ah well....soon all will be forgotten and I'll be on my next evil mission.....how I love these terrible twos (even though I'm not even two yet!)

Playing with Gogo

2010-08-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

Today we had a lunch picnic at the park near our house with Uncle Gogo. He's so much fun and plays games with us and runs with us.

But then, at the end of the picnic, he decided to walk home on a walking safari with Akira. Note - with Akira, NOT Shei Shei. I was MAD about that. I screamed, but to no avail. Man, why does Akira get to do all the cool stuff?

An all day art-fest

2010-08-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

well, today we spent the day at the De Young museum. Now, I like going places with my family and I love all the attention I get from other people, but the pictures on the wall...hmmm....don't really care too much.

I did this through some of the day!

The best part of the day was after we left the museum. We stopped at a cafe downtown for a bit of light dinner and there was a very nice older gentleman at the next table. He laughed and waved at Akira and I and we laughed and waved back. Then, partway through our meal, he got up and came back with two miniature cupcakes for Aki and I. Oh my gosh....I loved that! (I have a huge sweet tooth and love fruit, smoothies, etc, while my brother prefers veggies like squash soup). What a nice man! Boy, I'm going to remember this. Random acts of kindness are good for the soul, and the tummy!

Anything HE can do, I can do better...

2010-07-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

I'm certain of it, I'm convinced of it, and I'm going to prove it to everyone!

I am turning into quite a big girl now. I've felt it for a while, but no one was paying much attention. They just kept thinking I was a baby. "oh, she's so cute", "oh, look at her sweet little baby curls", "such a sweet little baby". Yuck! What were they thinking.

Finally, they are starting to pay attention and take note. I'm growing up! I'm not a baby anymore, I'm a full fledged toddler. I'm running, I'm talking (be it in my own language....I throw in a few of their words everyonce in a while to comfort them, silly that they don't just 'get' my language!), I'm definitely throwing tantrums. I'm a big girl! (isn't that what big girls do? Throw huge tantrums when they don't get their own way...Mommy keeps telling my Bada it's her fault for spoiling me, but it's not....I like throwing a screaming fit, it's good for the soul).

Mommy keeps saying that I've decided to turn 2 a few months early and I've entered my terrible twos ahead of schedule. I may be ahead of the curve, but it's because I've got a big brother to keep up with. And, he's an active little man. However, I am convinced...ANYTHING he can do, I can do.....and I can do it BETTER!

Just Another Day in America

2010-07-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

At the mall!

Wow....who knew shopping could be this much fun! Actually, I love shopping. Mommy is a bit worried. She is not a fan of the Disney Princesses and is terrified of weird purple and pink tutus invading our home. So, when she sees me entranced by new clothes at the tender age of 21 months...well, she gets worried that I will become a clothes horse. I love to get a new outfit or accessory (and yes, I know the word, accessory already) and I wear it proudly, strutting through the room and pointing at it for all to see!

The mall is a fabulous place, I can buy more clothes AND play to my hearts content. It's an oasis really...

Lions, gazelle, zebra, oh my!

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today, the family went to the CA Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. What a day. We got a bit of a late start, and by the time we arrived, it was a 2 hour wait to get in the door! And, it was FREEZING. Now, I know what you are thinking. It's July, it's California - what are you talking about little girl? But, I'm serious.....it was freezing.

In San Francisco, in Golden Gate park, it is very cool and cloudy with the fog coming off the water. It was in the 80s at our house in East Bay, and in the 50s in that silly 2 hour line. ugh! However, Akira and I, luckily, have the best uncle in the world. He took off his nice warm jacket when he saw us shivering in our stroller and he wrapped it around me and then stuck Akira's legs in his arm holes to keep us toasty warm. He was really cold and shivering.....that's love!

Inside, there was so much to see. We saw real live penguins, which was so fun. Akira and I love to walk around the house like penguins. Mommy showed us how to put our arms at our side and not move them, and to keep our legs straight and to make a waddle walk. We even have a silly tune (from Mary Poppins and the penguin waiters) that we sing while we walk. So, it was sooo fun to see real live penguins today.

We also saw a rain forest with butterflies and birds and frogs and creepy crawly critters. And, animals from Africa....oh it was all so fun!

Here We go Again...

2010-07-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Mama Mia! Boy, do we hear this music a lot! Akira asks for it nearly every day and we dance a lot to these great tunes.

Tonight we got to sit down with the family, eat some treats and watch these songs come to life on the big screen.

The best part was really the popcorn though. Yummy! I actually loved picking it up out of the bowl the most....and then dropping it all over the couch! Fun times

Discovering Saulsalito

2010-07-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Today Mommy, Bada, Akira and I went to the kids museum in Saulsalito. It is right near the Golden Gate Bridge. What a fun museum. We all had such a great time.

There was a toddler area with streams, and fish and ducks. There was a boat area where we could climb on the boat and even help steer. And, there was a galaxy exhibit all about space. Boy....Aki and I did some exploring.

Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue

2010-07-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

OK....I gotta be honest. I really have NO IDEA what today was about. People all seemed quite happy and there was a lot of activity going on. We had a great picnic of bbq salmon, potato and macaroni salad and watermelon, and I definitely liked that. Everyone was wearing red, white and blue and waving these flags around.

Well, in any case, I didnt totally get what all the excitement was about, but I sure enjoyed all the fun around me. The parade was a bit boring, and I was more interested in the carrots that mommy brought for me than the parade (it was HOT), but I sure had fun at the park afterwards. I like all the tumbling stuff. And, I had fun being with my family for a picnic and the fireworks. They were really beautiful. I sat on my Mommy's lap for part of it and I kept saying, 'wow', 'wow', everytime a firework went off.

So, thanks for another great day in America!

zoo days...

2010-07-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Ah, just another day with the monkeys. And, yes, I do mean my family. They are just wacky. However, I did have a GREAT time hanging with them AND all the monkeys at the zoo today. We picnicked, frollicked and romped through the zoo until the grown ups were all tired out. Can we go again tomorrow Mom??

Our Temporary Bedroom

2010-06-30T23:27:00.000-07:00

Akira and I have sort of been squatting in Uncle Gogo's room since we came to America.

Now, with our 'stuff' having finally arrived from Tanzania....we are getting a bit more settled. We are still semi squatters, but at least we got out the crib. Akira's big boy bed is still in storage, there just isn't room for two big minga wood beds, but we have the ellalel crib out. And, we have some of our special toys from Tanzania like our rocking horse and wooden train set. Tomorrow Uncle Gogo is going to build us a special play table to run our train and trucks on.

Thanks to the whole family for helping us to feel a bit more 'at home' here while we are waiting to decide where we will be headed next.

Pig Races and Cheese on a Stick....what could be better?

2010-06-22T23:14:00.000-07:00

What a day at the county fair. There were lots of farm animals to see....cows and pigs, turkeys and rabbits. There were pig races and amateur art exhibits. The grown ups ate lots of good looking fair fare, but Akira and I were lucky enough to get edamame and blueberries to snack on throughout the day, as well as a yummy sandwhich and string cheese at lunch time.

It was so fun to be with the whole family for a day at the fair....I hope we can do it again, really soon.

raw fish, really?

2010-06-20T00:21:00.000-07:00

REALLY!!!

It is soo good. I love sushi, crab, avocado, cucumber and rice rolled in seaweed. It does not sound nearly as good as it tastes. If you haven't gotten a chance to try this amazing treat for the tastebuds, do so immediately. I feel sad for all my friends in Arusha who do not have the opportunity to experience such bliss. Yummmmmmmm

Jazzercise

2010-06-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

I'm learning at a young age that these thighs may need a work out in the future. Jazzercise is making a comeback right?

Ponds, Ducks, Turtles and other natural phenomenon

2010-06-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

A picnic at the lake while searching for swimming turtles and (OVER)feeding the one and only duck we found, well, it's WAY better than staying home at lunch.

Thanks for the fun outing Mommy....let's do it more often. I'll even try to refrain from picking up all the cigarette butts on the ground.

Special People

2010-06-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

Of course, my family, both in the US and in Tanzania are very special to me. However, there are other special people out there, some of whom I haven't even gotten to meet yet.

I got a chance to meet some of them this week. One of Mommy's very dearest friends, Meg came to Northern California. Akira, Mommy and I got in the car early on Tuesday morning to drive up to Pope Valley and spend the day (and overnight, it turned out) with Meg, her daugher, Celeste, her friends, Penny and Karen and their son Culder.

I really had fun. I loved spending a lot of quiet time with Meg. I can see why Mommy loves her so much. She is very special and she was so patient and spent lots of time cuddling with me. And, Celeste is such a nice big girl. She was quiet and gentle, a very different experience than spending time with Akira. Penny and Karen are firefighters and they were so fun. All the adults there were so patient with us kids and that felt just great.

Thank you to one of my new favorite people...my Auntie Meg. And, thanks Mommy for having such good taste in friends. I hope we'll see them all again soon in Seattle!

swim party

2010-06-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

I have a new bathing suit and a renewed interest in learning how to swim. Pretty soon, I'll be just like a fish in the water! Watch me swwwwiiiimmmmmm.......

Little lambs on memorial day

2010-05-31T23:56:00.000-07:00

Today we spent the day at Ardenwood Farm here in California, a beautiful old working farm with lots of kid friendly activities set up for the holiday weekend.

Thanks for the fun everyone!

Bada's Birthday

2010-05-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Today was my Bada's birthday. We ALL got to celebrate. We went to the Oakland zoo for the day and we had an American style Safari.

Zebras, baboons, lions, ellelas and giraffes, they were all there along with a lot of other animals and plants, and places to run and play. The best part of all? We got a year membership so we can go there any time we want! I can't wait!!!