For a few weeks now, Mr.E has only taken a few steps between furniture, but now he's walking! He can freestand very steadily and if the mood hits, walks! This has been to Cousin L or me.
Here's the link:
Friday, August 31, 2012
Mr.E is walking!
Here's the big news: MR.E IS WALKING!
For a few weeks now, Mr.E has only taken a few steps between furniture, but now he's walking! He can freestand very steadily and if the mood hits, walks! This has been to Cousin L or me.
Here's the link:
http://youtu.be/seMNKodFxSg
For a few weeks now, Mr.E has only taken a few steps between furniture, but now he's walking! He can freestand very steadily and if the mood hits, walks! This has been to Cousin L or me.
Here's the link:
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco is one of the best cities to be a tourist! And because it's been 2 years since I've been here, I get to be a tourist! While I am here, there have been a few times I chuckle at myself for seeming like tourist (or country bumpkin). I take photographs of merchandise I find amusing at the grocery store (OMG! The variety too!) and can spend hours walking around Target (did that a few nights ago!).
Today's post is about Golden Gate Park. It's a place I remember fondly as a child, feeding ducks at Speckle Lake and rolling down the grassy hills too. We spent 2 separate days there, visiting the park itself and the next, California Academy of Sciences.
Conservatory of Flowers
We started the day with a quick visit to Clement Street (a second Chinatown). I haven't been there for a long time and I forgot how much culture is there with delivery men pushing overflowing trolleys, the soya chickens and roast ducks hanging in the windows and the delicious smells! We also went to 6th Avenue Aquarium which was fun for both E's: Eloise loves looking at the brightly colored tropical fish and was amazed to find a shark and stingray! Eden pointed at all the fish and said "shh!"
We had a (Chinese) picnic (yum, cha siu bao) and enjoyed the sunshine before heading into the Conservatory of Flowers. The special exhibit, Plantosaurus Rex: Prehistoric Plants, which was fun for Eloise. She ran around pushing buttons and watched to see which dinosaur would growl. Eden also joined the fun and growled too!
Next we headed to Speckle Lake to feed ducks, only there weren't any! Feeding seagulls isn't as fun despite Eloise having the chance to yell "Mine, mine, mine" (Finding Nemo reference).
We did see a City Dog-walker with 4 Great Danes, 1 Labradoodle and 2 Labradors! So of course we stopped for a pat and lick.
Our final stop was the Bison Paddock. Would you believe in 33 years, I have never seen the buffalo? Well, check that off the list! Both Eloise and Mr.H requested to see the buffalo after reading about them in the M.Sasek This Is San Francisco book. It was a nice way to finish the day!
California Academy of Sciences
We spent an afternoon here with my sister a few days later. I haven't been since I was in primary school and then only to the planetarium in high school for Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I really enjoyed Steinhart Aquarium and MissE's favorite was the Rainforests of the World with all the butterflies! Mr.H liked the Earthquake Exhibit with the Shake House. MissE was brave enough to go in too!
We had an early dinner at San Tung (yum!) and dessert at Polly Ann's.
Today's post is about Golden Gate Park. It's a place I remember fondly as a child, feeding ducks at Speckle Lake and rolling down the grassy hills too. We spent 2 separate days there, visiting the park itself and the next, California Academy of Sciences.
Conservatory of Flowers
We started the day with a quick visit to Clement Street (a second Chinatown). I haven't been there for a long time and I forgot how much culture is there with delivery men pushing overflowing trolleys, the soya chickens and roast ducks hanging in the windows and the delicious smells! We also went to 6th Avenue Aquarium which was fun for both E's: Eloise loves looking at the brightly colored tropical fish and was amazed to find a shark and stingray! Eden pointed at all the fish and said "shh!"
 |
| 6th Avenue Aquarium |
 |
| Hello Sharkee! |
We had a (Chinese) picnic (yum, cha siu bao) and enjoyed the sunshine before heading into the Conservatory of Flowers. The special exhibit, Plantosaurus Rex: Prehistoric Plants, which was fun for Eloise. She ran around pushing buttons and watched to see which dinosaur would growl. Eden also joined the fun and growled too!
 |
| Conservatory of Flowers |
 |
| Plantosaurus Rex |
Next we headed to Speckle Lake to feed ducks, only there weren't any! Feeding seagulls isn't as fun despite Eloise having the chance to yell "Mine, mine, mine" (Finding Nemo reference).
 |
| Sailing at Speckle Lake |
Our final stop was the Bison Paddock. Would you believe in 33 years, I have never seen the buffalo? Well, check that off the list! Both Eloise and Mr.H requested to see the buffalo after reading about them in the M.Sasek This Is San Francisco book. It was a nice way to finish the day!
 |
| Where the buffalo roam... |
California Academy of Sciences
We spent an afternoon here with my sister a few days later. I haven't been since I was in primary school and then only to the planetarium in high school for Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I really enjoyed Steinhart Aquarium and MissE's favorite was the Rainforests of the World with all the butterflies! Mr.H liked the Earthquake Exhibit with the Shake House. MissE was brave enough to go in too!
 |
| Jellyfish |
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| Touch tank |
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| Rainforests of the World |
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| Waiters top and tailing green beans |
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| Are you brave enough to spin the dial? I wasn't! |
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| Looks like someone is enjoying her ice cream! |
Two E's & Me: Overseas Edition Part 2
This is part is known as P.D. = post-Daddy. We are minus Mr.H for 5 weeks until he comes to get us. Here's what we've been up to:
Camp Pau-Pau
Yi-mah is back to school, 2.5 weeks before M&L! Add the E's into the mix, and it's Camp Pau-Pau. We usually start the morning with homework. MissE practices her letters and numbers, and is also learning Chinese.
Yi-yi's Baking Class
I'm famous for my cupcakes at home, so I taught M & MissE how to make a basic vanilla cupcake (no boxes!) and my new favorite frosting. After lunch, we decorated and ate them!
Retirement & Daycare?
On another day, Gung-Gung said we needed to hang a sign outside the house 'Retirement Home & Daycare'! MissO joined us to watch Finding Nemo while her parents had a group date, making it 5 little people.
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Swimming Lessons
MissE has swim lessons twice a week for 4 weeks. Lucky for her, she is the only student do every class is a private lesson!
The Little Gym
Both E's are in classes at The Little Gym, Mr.E is a Bird and MissE is a Funny Bug/ Wonder Kid. Mr.E has never been in a class like this before so it took a class or 2 to warm up to the environment but he is enjoying exploring the equipment. He especially loves free play time when Miss Priscilla turns on music and bubble time.
MissE loved the class immediately, chatting with the other little girls and giving everything a try (high beams, balance beams, etc). MissE loved the class so much, she asked to do the longer class which is 4 hours of gymnastics, arts & crafts, and story time. Of course I let her!
Gold Medal
MissE had a 1-on-1 with Mr.Steven to earn her white belt to be a Mighty Monkey. I wanted to start taekwondo for her as soon as she could so I was happy when this program at Gold Gym accepted 3-4 year olds. This program is well worth the money! Not only is it teaching her to discipline and concentration, she is expending a lot of energy. I love hearing questions answered with "yes, Sir!" and MissE loves showing off her newly learned kicks. Plus she looks so cute in her uniform.
Raise Your Hand!
The Mighty Monkey program is a good segway to our new 'raise your hand' policy. MissE loves to talk. And while I encourage to talk to expand her vocabulary, learn correct sentence structure and interact with people, she talks non-stop. It's impossible for anyone else to have a conversation and well, it's driving us all crazy!
One day MissE was asking when she can go back to (pre-) school. I remembered that she has to raise her hand to talk at school so we are also implementing that. So far so good... Kind of.
Look Out Weekend!
Palo Alto Junior Museum
Any museum that is free, is great! We really enjoyed the small zoo with raccoons, bats, and bob cats to name a few.
Fort Funston & SF Street Food Fest
One our first weekend minus Mr.H, we headed to Fort Funston for a beach run with Charlie the Labradoodle. MissE LOVES Charlie because he's furry and floppy, and well looks like a stuffed toy! Typical SF beach weather, it was freezing!
We had lunch at SF Street Food Fest which was fantastic! It was 4 blocks (and some) of booths. It was hard to choose but we did well. Happy bellies!
While I have been all about trying new foods lately, I stopped at Don Bugito... although part of me is curious.
Marlin Park
Okay, technically not the weekend, but we spent one Friday here. It's such a fun park because there is a play gym, swings, beach and lawn. We just moved from zone to zone throughout the day. Both E's enjoyed playing with Mr.O & Miss.P.
We ended the day with a treat at Snowee (shaved ice). YUM!
Until next time...
Camp Pau-Pau
Yi-mah is back to school, 2.5 weeks before M&L! Add the E's into the mix, and it's Camp Pau-Pau. We usually start the morning with homework. MissE practices her letters and numbers, and is also learning Chinese.
 |
| MissE also drew a picture of Pau-Pau on her tracing sheet |
Yi-yi's Baking Class
I'm famous for my cupcakes at home, so I taught M & MissE how to make a basic vanilla cupcake (no boxes!) and my new favorite frosting. After lunch, we decorated and ate them!
 |
| Baking cupcakes |
 |
| Eden enjoying cupcakes too! |
Retirement & Daycare?
On another day, Gung-Gung said we needed to hang a sign outside the house 'Retirement Home & Daycare'! MissO joined us to watch Finding Nemo while her parents had a group date, making it 5 little people.
.JPG)
Swimming Lessons
MissE has swim lessons twice a week for 4 weeks. Lucky for her, she is the only student do every class is a private lesson!
 |
| Elementary backstroke: monkey, airplane, soldier! That takes me back to 1996! |
The Little Gym
Both E's are in classes at The Little Gym, Mr.E is a Bird and MissE is a Funny Bug/ Wonder Kid. Mr.E has never been in a class like this before so it took a class or 2 to warm up to the environment but he is enjoying exploring the equipment. He especially loves free play time when Miss Priscilla turns on music and bubble time.
 |
 |
| Wonderkids |
Gold Medal
MissE had a 1-on-1 with Mr.Steven to earn her white belt to be a Mighty Monkey. I wanted to start taekwondo for her as soon as she could so I was happy when this program at Gold Gym accepted 3-4 year olds. This program is well worth the money! Not only is it teaching her to discipline and concentration, she is expending a lot of energy. I love hearing questions answered with "yes, Sir!" and MissE loves showing off her newly learned kicks. Plus she looks so cute in her uniform.
 |
| My Mighty Monkey |
 |
| 1-on-1 with Mr.Steven, axe kick to break a board! |
Raise Your Hand!
The Mighty Monkey program is a good segway to our new 'raise your hand' policy. MissE loves to talk. And while I encourage to talk to expand her vocabulary, learn correct sentence structure and interact with people, she talks non-stop. It's impossible for anyone else to have a conversation and well, it's driving us all crazy!
One day MissE was asking when she can go back to (pre-) school. I remembered that she has to raise her hand to talk at school so we are also implementing that. So far so good... Kind of.
Look Out Weekend!
Palo Alto Junior Museum
Any museum that is free, is great! We really enjoyed the small zoo with raccoons, bats, and bob cats to name a few.
 |
| Eden getting up close and personal with the 2 raccoons |
 |
| Cousins |
Fort Funston & SF Street Food Fest
One our first weekend minus Mr.H, we headed to Fort Funston for a beach run with Charlie the Labradoodle. MissE LOVES Charlie because he's furry and floppy, and well looks like a stuffed toy! Typical SF beach weather, it was freezing!
We had lunch at SF Street Food Fest which was fantastic! It was 4 blocks (and some) of booths. It was hard to choose but we did well. Happy bellies!
 |
| Kella's Soulful Kitchen BBQ chicken sliders, Endless Summer funnel cake, and Kung Fu Taco mushroom taco |
While I have been all about trying new foods lately, I stopped at Don Bugito... although part of me is curious.
Marlin Park
Okay, technically not the weekend, but we spent one Friday here. It's such a fun park because there is a play gym, swings, beach and lawn. We just moved from zone to zone throughout the day. Both E's enjoyed playing with Mr.O & Miss.P.
We ended the day with a treat at Snowee (shaved ice). YUM!
 |
| Here lizard, lizard! |
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| Passionfruit Snowee |
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Two E's and Me: Overseas Edition Part 1
Greetings from California! After 4 weeks and only 1 blog post, I am officially behind! And I sure have a lot to write about from playing tourist to foodie photos to date nights to a magical Disney adventure! Mr.H has returned Down Under and with both E's snoozing (hopefully!), I will have more time to write, as a few of our "day-ventures" are worthy of their own posts. In the meantime, here's a recap:
Meeting Gung- Gung
Mr.E loves his Gung-Gung. They laugh, sing Chinese rhymes and look at the airplanes outside together. Mr.E screams in excitement when he sees him.
Hello, again!
We had the opportunity to have 2 lunches hosted by my sister to see friends again and The Shiu's. We had 2 years of little people to meet!
We flew all the way from Australia to attend Miss P's 3rd birthday party! It was great fun, especially seeing a few Bearcats again!
Splish Splash Pool Fun!
We were thrilled to leave behind the Australian Winter for Summer! It means pool time every other day!
Around Town
Mr.H and I have certain places we have tovisit eat when we are here. One of them is Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay. It was one of the first places we went and we made a half day of it, spending a few hours playing at the beach.
I love going to Farmer's Markets, so one Saturday morning before brunch, we strolled around a fantastic one: Mountain View's Farmer's Markets.
Date Nights
Mr.H and I had 2 date nights in 4 weeks... that's as many as we get in a year!
Date night 1*:San Francisco Giants v. New York Mets
We enjoy watching baseball as much as we enjoy eating at AT&T Park! I also made us grab Cracker Jacks on the way into the park. Cracker Jack reminds me of $1 days at Oakland A's games! We dined on Gilroy Garlic Fries, a hot dog, a San Francisco cheesesteak (chicken & mushrooms), and a Ghiradelli sundae. The Giants lost but it was a great night out for us anyway!
*This was only the 2nd time someone else has put Mr.E to bed- he did fine!
Date night 2: Double date
Our second date night was a double date with Mr. & Mrs. Martin. Mrs.M is one my oldest (not oldest in age!) and dearest friends. We had a fantastic meal at Donato Enoteca recommended by Mr.M. I was feeling adventurous and tried Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia e Bottarga (spaghetti with squid ink sauce). DELIZIOSO!
Mr.E is 13 months
Mr.E is 13 months. He is a little boy now, or so it seems! He is free-standing all the time and has done a few steps between furniture. He loves going for assisted walks, in fact you have to sneak outside! And climbing! Everything can be climbed on, in the world according to Mr.E.
He is enjoying his time with his Pau-Pau and Gung-Gung, and cousins, especially L. He screams in excitement and immediately lunges for him to shower him in wet kisses.
He is eating well, who wouldn't with Gung-Gung's cooking?! He has added 2 teeth (upper left and right). And babbles non-stop. Some words are clear, like "hi", "more" and "duck". Unfortunately Mr.E is a screamer. He's very loud too. I know it's because he is trying to communicate but oh my ears! We are trying to re-teach sign language for more food versus screaming murder at us.
Most importantly, he is sleeping very well again, in turn so are we!
MissE says the darnedest things: overseas edition
Channeling Homer Simpson
Returning from a day out, Mr.H asked me to stop to grab and a coffee and a donut. From the back of the car MissE pipes up: "Did someone say donut???"
Call Me Maybe
Okay I am almost as sick of hearing this song as I am hearing about the Fifty Shades trilogy (BTW, read it, kind of entertaining but horribly written and overrated!) but MissE loves this song (it's her new Firework). She was singing it one afternoon:
MissE: And all the other boys, try to chase me
Gung-gung: The boys were chasing you? Where?
Me: Dad, she's singing a song.
He's IN the computer
Me: Eloise, are you going to miss daddy when he is gone?
MissE: Yes... but it's okay, I will see him IN the computer.
5 Weeks & Counting
As I mentioned, Mr.H returned Down Under after spending 4 weeks with us. MissE did not understand what was happening until we were saying goodbye at the airport and was in a mess of tears, asking to go home too. (For the record, I did ask her and try to explain the situation as much as possible but she is 3). It took careful diversion but she is okay now. We are making a calendar so she can count down to when daddy will be back and we will also mark down Skype calls too.
Until next time...
Meeting Gung- Gung
Mr.E loves his Gung-Gung. They laugh, sing Chinese rhymes and look at the airplanes outside together. Mr.E screams in excitement when he sees him.
Hello, again!
We had the opportunity to have 2 lunches hosted by my sister to see friends again and The Shiu's. We had 2 years of little people to meet!
 |
| Hannah, Amelia, Miranda, Eloise, Eden, Logan & Olivia |
 |
| The Shiu's |
We flew all the way from Australia to attend Miss P's 3rd birthday party! It was great fun, especially seeing a few Bearcats again!
 |
| Let's go Mateo! |
Splish Splash Pool Fun!
We were thrilled to leave behind the Australian Winter for Summer! It means pool time every other day!
Around Town
Mr.H and I have certain places we have to
 |
| Sam's Chowder House |
 |
| Miramar Beach |
I love going to Farmer's Markets, so one Saturday morning before brunch, we strolled around a fantastic one: Mountain View's Farmer's Markets.
 |
| I love these vibrant red tomatoes! |
 |
| Baby mixed green salad with edible flowers! |
 |
| Purple cauliflower |
Mr.H and I had 2 date nights in 4 weeks... that's as many as we get in a year!
Date night 1*:San Francisco Giants v. New York Mets
We enjoy watching baseball as much as we enjoy eating at AT&T Park! I also made us grab Cracker Jacks on the way into the park. Cracker Jack reminds me of $1 days at Oakland A's games! We dined on Gilroy Garlic Fries, a hot dog, a San Francisco cheesesteak (chicken & mushrooms), and a Ghiradelli sundae. The Giants lost but it was a great night out for us anyway!
*This was only the 2nd time someone else has put Mr.E to bed- he did fine!
Date night 2: Double date
Our second date night was a double date with Mr. & Mrs. Martin. Mrs.M is one my oldest (not oldest in age!) and dearest friends. We had a fantastic meal at Donato Enoteca recommended by Mr.M. I was feeling adventurous and tried Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia e Bottarga (spaghetti with squid ink sauce). DELIZIOSO!
 |
| Multitasking: standing and reading! |
He is enjoying his time with his Pau-Pau and Gung-Gung, and cousins, especially L. He screams in excitement and immediately lunges for him to shower him in wet kisses.
 |
| Eden & Cousin L |
He is eating well, who wouldn't with Gung-Gung's cooking?! He has added 2 teeth (upper left and right). And babbles non-stop. Some words are clear, like "hi", "more" and "duck". Unfortunately Mr.E is a screamer. He's very loud too. I know it's because he is trying to communicate but oh my ears! We are trying to re-teach sign language for more food versus screaming murder at us.
Most importantly, he is sleeping very well again, in turn so are we!
MissE says the darnedest things: overseas edition
Channeling Homer Simpson
Returning from a day out, Mr.H asked me to stop to grab and a coffee and a donut. From the back of the car MissE pipes up: "Did someone say donut???"
Call Me Maybe
Okay I am almost as sick of hearing this song as I am hearing about the Fifty Shades trilogy (BTW, read it, kind of entertaining but horribly written and overrated!) but MissE loves this song (it's her new Firework). She was singing it one afternoon:
MissE: And all the other boys, try to chase me
Gung-gung: The boys were chasing you? Where?
Me: Dad, she's singing a song.
He's IN the computer
Me: Eloise, are you going to miss daddy when he is gone?
MissE: Yes... but it's okay, I will see him IN the computer.
5 Weeks & Counting
As I mentioned, Mr.H returned Down Under after spending 4 weeks with us. MissE did not understand what was happening until we were saying goodbye at the airport and was in a mess of tears, asking to go home too. (For the record, I did ask her and try to explain the situation as much as possible but she is 3). It took careful diversion but she is okay now. We are making a calendar so she can count down to when daddy will be back and we will also mark down Skype calls too.
Until next time...
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