Can you tell me how to get...

...how to get to Sesame Street?

Parent Observation

I signed up for a parent education class through Mountain View Los Altos Adult Education. It's called Parent Observation. It's a preschool setting for Lucas so he can explore art, music, toys, etc and then there's parent discussion time. For me it was 1:1 time with Lucas and a chance to discuss issues and topics with other parents with kids the same age. I've read feedback that some parents have gone through the program with not only their first but second and third kids because every kid is different and your parenting style is always evolving. 

Today was Lucas' first day. I think he really enjoyed it. He sat in my lap during circle time, played with all the different toys, especially the water table. At snack time he ate his snack and while the kid next to him walked away, snatched up one of her strawberries. oops! He almost had a meltdown when he couldn't have more strawberries.

The theme this week was "Construction. He didn't really play with other kids but that's to be expected at this age. There was actually one point where all the kids were outside and Lucas ran back inside to play. One observation about Lucas - he has no separation anxiety and he definitely suffers from second child syndrome. He tripped up and fell. I didn't flinchd. He immediately got back up and continued on his way. One mom asked if he had older siblings. I replied yes and jokingly said was it that obvious since I didn't rush to his side?  She, another second time mom, and I all chuckled. It was a fun first day.

Random photos

I was looking at some pictures I took on my iPhone and thought I'd post some up.

Mesmerized by fish at Maui Aquarium. They're lying on the floor.

Lucas ate 90% of the fruit in this bowl.

Playing around the mall carts. I didn't even have to pay $5 to take the cart out.

Size 4 and already outgrown. I think the brown ones were worn maybe a dozen times total between 2 boys. 

The garage

Ever since we moved into our house (18 months ago!) we've never parked a car in the garage (a TWO car garage!). Moving when you are 36 weeks pregnant meant hiring someone else to pack for you and only taking stuff out of boxes as needed (if you could find it). Oh and not to mention we planned on renovating the house so things were still in boxes because they had nowhere to go. Why put up a painting on a wall that is eventually going away?

So now 18 months later our renovation is 75% done (I think) and winter/rainy season is coming. Did I mention one garage door is busted and the remote will open the other garage but it won't close the garage. Also when you press the garage opener, it closes the garage but once it hits the ground it doesn't stop it opens back up again until you press the button again. Depending on your timing the garage is always left a little open. It's a pain. So I told Jamie that I really would like to get a new garage door so I could park in the garage. I didn't want to schlep kids and groceries from the driveway to the front door in the rain again. Well that couldn't happen until we cleared out the garage. What a daunting task! I wish I had a picture of the garage with all our junk but it looked like something you would see on an episode of Hoarders: Buried Alive.It took several weeks of purging and sorting. We threw out and donated A LOT. And I even found some stuff that I needed.

At the same time we decided that our garage needs some drywall, some cabinets/storage system, and new garage doors. In order for the drywall to be installed the garage had to be cleared out of EVERYTHING - even the stuff we plan on keeping in the garage. It was a thrill being able to park the car in the garage even if it was only for 5 minutes. I have my heart set on being able to park my car in the garage by Halloween. I'm told it's an ambitious goal. I think it would be a great birthday present.

First time car is parked in garage!

Watermelon

At the Los Altos Hills Hoedown at Westwind Barn

Hawaii 2011 - Maui

Villa #6 Home sweet home for 5 nights

The flight from Kauai to Maui was smooth. We were all very excited to get to the Fairmont Kea Lani. We heard nothing but good things about it. But first the boys had to have lunch and then nap before exploring. Jamie's parents headed to the pool and called us to tell us that there is a wading pool for the kids. yipee!

Beach steps away from the villa

Cabana 11 situated perfectly between family pool and wading pool.

 Caleb was intrigued by all the tiki torches and the guy who comes around lighting them each night.

The guy that lights the tiki torches every night

Sunset view

 While Jamie's parents golfed, we took the boys to the Maui Aquarium. It was great. The boys loved it. Lucas pointed at all the fish and wanted me to pick him up to get closer. After that we headed back to the hotel to have lunch and nap. We got a babysitter for that evening so the adults could have a relaxing no kid dinner at Spago. Woohoo!

 We went to dinner at the Grand Wailea's Humuhumu restaurant. Caleb and Lucas had a lot of fun feeding the fish in the pond surrounding the restaurant. We sat at a table next to the pond where they keep all the spiny lobsters. Caleb got spooked by the waiter who pulled up the basket filled with spiny lobsters in order to take one out for a customer.

Nice and comfy

 On the day Jamie and his parents golfed, I took the boys to the beach. Our villa was steps away from the beach. It was FANTASTIC. Lucas didn't want to take a morning nap so we headed to the beach pretty early. It took a bit of energy to get situated - had to sign in for an umbrella and lounge chairs and then I set up the sun shade behind our lounge chairs so the boys could be shaded to play in the sand. It was a pretty awesome setup if I do say so myself. Caleb even called it "nice and comfy". I asked if Caleb wanted to go down by the water. At first he didn't but when I took Lucas down, Caleb decided to join in. To say Lucas loved the ocean and beach is probably a little of an understatement. I wish I had more pictures/videos to show for it but I figure one hand on each kid was probably safer than holding a camera. And even then there was a point where Caleb was sitting on the lounge chair while Lucas and I were playing in the water. Lucas lost his balance and fell in the water at the same time another wave came crashing in and swept Lucas up toward the beach. He was probably "body surfing" for a couple of seconds before I scooped him up. Thankfully there was no crying or whimpering from Lucas. He didn't even look scared. Maybe just a little bewildered at what had just happened. We took a break from playing in the ocean. After a bit more playing I thought it was time to head to the pool so we could have lunch there. The boys were playing in the baby pool for a long while. Caleb wanted to go in the big pool with me so I had to take both boys in the pool. We were able to walk around the pool for only a short while because Lucas started to get squirmy. I couldn't handle both of them for much longer so we got out and went back to the baby pool. By this time I was pretty tired, Lucas needed to nap, and it was getting close to lunch. Instead of having lunch by the pool I opted to go back to the villa and order room service.

Baby pool

Taking a break in the cabana

 

We had dinner at Mama's Fish House to celebrate Jamie's parents' 46th wedding anniversary. I had a delicious ceviche. I can't stop thinking about it.

The happy couple

Boys playing in the canoe in front of the restaurant

Jamie and I took a drive by ourselves to Kapalua. On the way we had lunch at Whaler's Village. Jamie's parents took the boys to the pool and they had a lot of fun. The boys took extra long naps that afternoon.

Loving the wading pool!

 

While Jamie's parents relaxed at the hotel on Labor Day, we took the boys on the Sugar Cane Train. Caleb loved it of course. While at the gift shop paying for a new toy train, the cashier told me that you could ask the engineer to toot the whistle. So when the train ride ended, we rushed to the front and asked. She let Caleb and Jamie in the very hot engine and he and Jamie got to pull down on the train whistle. It rocked Caleb's world.

Trying to keep both boys INSIDE the train

I love trains!

Choo choo!

After the train ride we took a drive to the northwest part of Maui and down to Iao State Park. During this stretch of the drive the boys took a nap and we enjoyed the scenery. At some points the road was one way and a bit bumpy.

On our last night in Maui (our anniversary) we ate at Nick's Fish House conveniently located at the Fairmont.The only time we ever thought to get a big group picture.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the trip! It was a memorable family vacation!

Hawaii 2011 - Kauai

We were very fortunate to go on vacation to Kauai and Maui with Jamie's parents. The trip started BEFORE the crack of dawn with a 4:30am pickup for a 6:40am flight. We woke up the boys once the car was packed up and they traveled to the airport in their pajamas. Naturally they were a little disoriented and Caleb even commented that it was still night time.

Our flight was from San Jose to Seattle and then to Kauai. Lucas stayed awake the whole flight to Seattle. But once we were settled in for the flight to Kauai he napped for about an hour and a half. The rest of the flight was spent entertaining him with various toys and snacks. Originally we didn't book him a seat but after a flight to LA we decided he needed a seat of his own. Towards the end of the flight they served free Mai Tai's and the woman seated next to me said I deserved one.

We arrived in Kauai at the Grand Hyatt in the afternoon. We had a quick bite and then headed to the pool to check it all out. I forced Lucas to take a nap and it took a little time for him to settle in and go to sleep. A LOT of crying was involved :( Grandma stayed with napping Lucas and we headed to the pool. Caleb was excited and loved going around the pool with Jamie. I loved the pool because it was only 3.5 feet deep and I could just walk around. After a quick clean up we went to a restaurant at the hotel and kept it an early night. It took Lucas a little while to go to sleep and then in the middle of the night he woke up crying. I had to bring him into bed in order for him to stop crying and go back to sleep. It was reminiscent of when he was a newborn.

Blue parrot living at the Grand Hyatt

We enjoyed the Grand Hyatt pool throughout our stay.






 Leading up to the trip we kept telling Caleb that we were going on a plane. He kept saying he didn't want to go on a plane. He wanted to go on a train. We told him to get to Hawaii you have to go on a plane. He asked why can't we go on a train to Hawaii. We said trains don't go to Hawaii... only planes. We then mentioned that we could find a train when we got to Hawaii. Luckily there was one so we had to make do on our promise. It was a short train ride around Kilohana Plantation. We got out at one point and fed some goats and pigs. There also were newborn pigs running around. They were sooo cute. Caleb loved throwing bread to the animals. Lucas fed a goat and I think the goat nibbled on his hand a little.

 


The second night in Kauai we went to the Grand Hyatt luau. We brought our matching Hawaiian clothes that we bought on our last trip to Hawaii. Technically Caleb's outfit was different but luckily he didn't notice. We got there early and got front row seats. The boys didn't sit still at all during dinner so we all thought that we would have to take them to the back once the show started. To our surprise every single time the performers came out they were mesmerized... especially Lucas. Once the emcee would come out and begin talking he would get antsy but then he would sit still the whole time there were dancers on stage. Caleb didn't take a nap during the day so for the first time in his whole life he fell asleep while sitting on Grandpa 's lap.

Caleb enjoying his fruit punch

Enjoying the show

Playing with a hula dancer's rope

The morning that Jamie and his parents golfed, I took the boys to the pool. It started out great because Lucas liked his baby float. I also got arm floaties for Caleb. Once in the pool I only had to hold Caleb and dragged Lucas around in his baby float. Unfortunately that didn't last too long and Lucas wanted out of the baby float and in my arms. I had both in my arms. Caleb wouldn't let go despite the fact that he had arm floaties. We ordered lunch by the pool and then by that time it was getting close to nap. I rewarded myself with a massage at the spa.

Jamie had an incredible round with 5 bogeys! He said it was a beautiful course.

Every morning we ate at the hotel restaurant Ilima Terrace for breakfast. The boys loved the fish swimming in the pond. We were given fair warning about the swan and that she bites. I think she nipped at Lucas' hand one morning and whenever she came around, Lucas would back away.

We have been on a helicopter tour on Maui and the Big Island and so we had to go on one in Kauai. Jamie chose to go on the tour that took you to the Jurassic Park waterfall since they land and you can go visit the waterfall. The pilot was very fun and would take these dips and basically had fun flying the helicopter. Jamie and I lucked out by sitting in the front.We really wanted to take Caleb on it but knew that he would not like how loud the helicopter is. When we told the reason he wasn't going, he even suggested that he could wear his headphones. We told him he could go next time but we felt a little bad.

Jamie  yelled "Dinosaur!!" so I pretended I was scared.

View of Na Pali Coast

After the helicopter tour we went on a drive to Kalalau point to see part of the Na Pali Coast. Jamie read that it gets misty but if you wait 10 minutes it'll clear up. When we arrived it was in fact misty but we waited and it cleared up. We headed back to the hotel after that.











 
Later that night we also had a chance to go on a date night to Merriman's.

OMG Mojito = yum-O

On our last full day in Kauai, we were able to go on a kayak tour of the Wailua River. The two man kayaks jokingly called "divorce boats" tested our teamwork. On the return trip there was definitely some moments where Jamie and I needed to effectively communicate. We kayaked a couple miles down the river then hiked for a bit through water and a damp path to a waterfall where we took a short dip in the pool of water, had a snack and then hiked back to the kayaks. The whole trip took a few hours. It was really nice for Jamie and I to get to spend some time together without the boys.

Jamie is in the guy in the black next to the waterfall

Jamie and I thought Kauai was beautiful and reminded us of Costa Rica because of how lush and green it is. It exceeded our expectations and may now be our favorite of the Hawaiian islands.We definitely want to come back and explore more of the island.