Tide Pool Field Trip

My kindergarten class took a field trip to the tide pools at Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Mommy came along as a chaperone so I enjoyed the trip even more. We were given a checklist of things to look out for: anenomes, urchins, starfish, crabs; but mostly we saw lots of seaweed, kelp, and sea barnacles - these squishy things that squirt out water if you poke them. My favorite thing was collecting shells along the beach. It was a neat place and we all had lots of fun exploring!

We found a giant starfish. I reached down to touch it but didn't realize the water was so cold!

Mother's Day 2016

I made so much artwork for Mommy this year! Colin and I also helped Daddy make this Hawaiian roll french toast with mango and bacon for breakfast. It turned out really yummy. Mommy got to sleep in, we went out for ice cream, and spent family time at Poh-poh's house. Mother's Day was a success!

Sweetheart Dance

Our school had its first annual Sweetheart Dance aka Parent-Daughter Dance. The theme was Candyland and I brought Daddy as my date.

I found my friends as soon as we got there, and then all the girls ditched their daddies and started dancing together. That's just how it is. There were also craft stations, a huge snack and dessert buffet, and a photo booth. Eventually, it got too hot on the dance floor and by the end of the night, my classmates and I were all running around outside and climbing the play structure in our party dresses. What a fun evening!

Me and my bathroom buddy showed up wearing the same dress! #whoworeitbest

Classmate photo.

Easter in OC

Better late than never - here's a recap of our Easter activities this year:

Easter Eggs!

My favorite thing about Easter is coloring Easter eggs. I don't mess around, just drop them in the dye, wait a few minutes, and take them out. I don't even bother with any designs. Just simple, solid color!

I did the first dozen so quickly that Mommy was nice enough to boil up another dozen. Good thing everyone in this household enjoys eating hard-boiled eggs (especially Brady)!

Easter Bunny:

We took a trip to the mall and Colin was so fascinated with the Easter Bunny every time we walked by him. He kept wanting to take a closer look and wave hello to him. Not surprisingly, as soon as we got too close, Colin refused to sit in his lap. Mommy couldn't even get him out of her arms, since he wrapped his legs so tightly around her waist. So here's this year's Easter Bunny photo, without Colin. 

I had to hold up the card I made for the Easter Bunny for the picture. Note to self: even if coming right after school, make sure to change out of my sneakers!

A little traumatized, but still wearing the bunny ears.

Easter Egg Hunt:

We were in Tustin on Easter but I was happy to discover that the Easter Bunny visits and hides eggs there too! 

I was a bit worried that the Easter Bunny wouldn't visit our house since we were on vacation, but thanks to some careful coordination between him and Mommy, we came home to find our baskets filled with goodies. 

Spring Break

Over spring break, we went down to Orange County and spent a few days at the Tans' house. It's always a good time when we all get together. Brady came along too and we're sure he enjoyed the extra attention, sleeping upstairs on the floor with us, and fetching toys out of the pool.

We took our usual trip to Pretend City.

And to Irvine Spectrum.

Beagle still goes everywhere with me.

We also visited Irvine Regional Park for the first time. It was huge and had lots of fun stuff for kids, including a $2 zoo, playgrounds, and pony rides. There was also a pond with paddle boating, a train ride, and bicycle carriage rentals, all things I wanted to do and that we'll have to go back for sometime.

This was Colin's first time on a pony! He really loved it.

Oh yeah, Colin had his first breakfast burrito one morning. He finished that entire half that he's holding in the picture!

According to this drawing, here was the most exciting part of the trip:

The exciting thing was my dog went in the swimming pool!

Two.

We celebrated by second birthday awhile back. It was a typical Tuesday. I woke up earlier than usual, went to music class, threw a few tantrums, and refused to nap. Aside from that, Kaitlyn and Mommy made sure to remind me that it was my special day. And when Daddy came home we had a small celebration.

We had ice cream cake! I love ice cream cake.

I also opened some presents. 

Kaitlyn drew me these birthday cards because she knows I love Elmo.

We were going to have a bigger birthday party but Mommy just got too busy to plan one. It had also been raining a lot so we couldn't have used our backyard anyway. Hopefully I won't look back on this blog post one day and say "man, I really wish I had a party for my second birthday."

23 Months

Just a few more weeks til I'm two! I've been a pretty happy kid lately, a bit stubborn and cranky when I don't get my way, but otherwise pretty predictable.

I spent most of the last month with a cold and runny nose that never seemed to stop. Darn day care! I also took my first visit to the ER for an unknown allergic reaction - I woke up from a nap with hives all over my body and my face swollen and red. Daddy rushed me to the ER where I was given Benadryl and then waited for a few hours while they monitored me. We still don't know what caused it but I'll be going to see the allergist soon.

Developments:
My vocabulary is expanding so quickly. I repeat everything I hear and usually only have to hear a word once and I'll remember what it refers to. Currently the most frequently-heard phrases include "Mommy carry you" (when I want Mommy to carry me, which is all the time); "my turn;" "me too;" and "funny!" (which I'll say whenever I find anything funny). I'm also pretty good at remembering to say "please" when I ask for something.

I've started to exert my independence a lot more and always insist on doing things myself, especially when it comes to getting in/out of the car, snapping the buckle on my seat belt, and climbing into my high chair. The tantrums have become a little less frequent, but when I do have one, it's usually over not getting to do something myself.

Interests:
Music class is still my favorite activity and I love singing and dancing along to songs and nursery rhymes. My favorite song is Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes - I'm always trying to sing it during dinnertime, during bathtime, and in the car.

And of course I'm always into whatever Kaitlyn is into. Lately there has been lots more grabbing and crying whenever we're together, especially during bathtime - even though there are multiple cups and toys to play with, I must always have the particular one that is in her hands. Somehow I always feel entitled to whatever she has. If we're both drinking milk, I always want to drink out of the exact cup that she has. Talk about difficult!

And since I can't get enough of climbing, here's another video of me climbing in and out of my crib - a favorite pastime!