Watch us grow!
Before heading home, we stopped at Dennis the Menace Park.
It has lots of fun slides and places to climb.
This rolly slide was pretty funny.
They also had swings and the cousins played side-by-side today. Here’s a video:
Here’s the statue of Dennis the Menace!
Before climbing back in the car, Janie went to see the train. She really wanted to ride it but it was only there for show.
Then it was time to say goodbye to everyone. Here she is saying “Sawasdee” to Yai and Ta.
On Friday night, Janie slept on the pull-out bed underneath a bunkbed that Mommy slept on. She looked like such a big girl sleeping on a big bed all by herself. This was Mommy’s view of her from above.
Once she woke up, there was time to play with the family before we had to pack up and leave.
Before heading out, Janie took a picture with Cousin Alice and her family too.
After checking out of the house, we stopped for breakfast at a local cafe.
Janie went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the first time today. Our first stop was the sea otter exhibit.
Next was the Splash Zone with lots of penguins, slides, riding toys, and a tunnel with fishies inside.
Later, we went to see the jellies and the new “tentacles” exhibit. The cuttlefish were her favorite.
Before lunch, we got a few good photos of Janie with the grandparents and the rest of the family.
This one cracks me up every time I see it.
We had lunch at Johnny Rockets and then it was time for a nap.
We all went back to the aquarium but Janie didn’t see any of it in the afternoon.
After dinner, we went to visit Mr. Ocean. Janie was super excited and said “play sand too!” Unfortunately, when we arrived, she had forgotten how loud the waves are and needed some extra time to warm up to it.
Alice was super excited too but has been to the beach much more often than Janie.
Eventually, she was able to walk on the sand with Ta and asked to go toward the ocean.
We got some nice photos of her with Ta and Yai. She was relaxed enough to smile and cheese-it-up for the camera.
We also managed to get a family photo taken too. We don’t get many of these.
We got a photo of the grandparents and their two grandkids.
Alice loved giving Janie wet kisses. Funny girl.
What a fun evening at the beach. I’m also glad Janie warmed up to Mr. Ocean.
Mommy was at a class today and got out a little early. So, Janie got a train ride down to the Ferry Building to meet up with Daddy for snacks in the sunshine. The short Muni was such a treat for her.
We sat out on the patio where it was nice and warm. Janie borrowed Mommy’s hat for a little shade.
We also took out the little purse of sea animals that Mommy bought at the Waikiki Aquarium back in April. She got to play with them for the first time this evening and it was such a hit.
“Ooh…starfish, Mama.”
For dinner, we had burgers at SuperDuper. Janie had some of Daddy and Mommy’s burgers.
For dessert, we shared a soft serve cone dipped in chocolate. Yummy!
On our way home, we had to stop at Daddy’s work for a minute.
She was entertained by all the pictures on Daddy’s desk.
After the Cal Academy, we visited the Japanese Tea Garden, which is right across the street.
It’s so pretty inside with lots to see and explore.
We stopped at the tea house for some tea and snacks.
This week, Janie just mastered the ability to make the number 3 with her fingers.
Here she is proudly showing off her new trick. Please excuse the blueberry fingers and teeth.
After our tea break, we explored the big koi pond.
Every time she saw a fish, she put her hands together and waited. I think she was actually waiting for one to jump into her arms.
She did it over and over again each time we stopped to see a new set of fish.
It reminds me of this old clip from Sesame Street. She’s never seen it but she’s pretty much got the same idea.
Yay! That was fun!
Janie came to hang out with Mommy and Daddy in bed this morning. What a nice way to start the weekend.
Janie had her first real cooking activity today and helped make pizza for lunch with Mommy. We took a video of the process and I edited it to a shorter length for viewing.
She was a pretty good helper until her favorite toppings came into play.
She had lots of fun and enjoyed the pizza when it was all done.
Here’s a follow-up video a few days later (7/12/14) of her reenacting the cooking activity with her tea set. She also wanted to wear her bib as an apron.
Janie attended her first opera. AT&T Park hosted a live simulcast of La Traviata this evening and it was free!
We had a picnic on the field before it started and also watched a Bugs Bunny cartoon on the giant screen.
At one point in the evening, she didn’t want to share her book with Uncle Jason. Here she is being a Pout Pout Fish.
Janie was actually very well-behaved during Act I and did a good job keeping her hood on. It got pretty cold after the sun went down.
We left during the intermission after Act I because it was getting too cold out there.
Janie had a good time anyway and got home in time for a tea party and story with Auntie Jia before going to bed.
This evening, Janie got tickles from Daddy after dinner.
Janie and Mommy also wore matching shirts to sleep this evening. Thank you for the shirts, G-Auntie Jeanie!