TwoTall

TwoTall
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Anna looks especially tall here, especially considering her pants were designed to reach the wearer's ankles.

BackyardFun

BackyardFun
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Sometimes it's fun riding around in tight circles in our small backyard, especially if you're the passenger...

GleamingTheCube

InTheCube
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Here is one of our few family photo shots, again at the museum. You can see this massive sculpture from the 5 freeway, close to where it crosses the 22.

TheEyesHaveIt

TheEyesHaveIt
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

I don't want to sound superficial but I hope his eyes stay blue!

WeightOfTheWorld

WeightOfTheWorld
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

This is an illusion, Anna really isn't holding up all these sponge blocks... another fun exhibit at the Discovery Science Museum. We adults had fun putting this together.

BedO'Nails

BedO'Nails
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Today we went to the Discovery Science Museum in Santa Ana. It was a whole family outing, Sam slept most of the time. Of course Steve wasn't sleeping when he was laying on this bed of nails!

Toothy

Toothy
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Look carefully, it looks like Sam's got a few teeth! In reality he is sprouting his first tooth, but it's barely peeping out of his lower gums, it's just a tiny white dot.

MariRobSam

MariRobSam
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Yesterday to my confusion Anna was repeating over and over, "It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss..." and then I realized I have been listening to "Mr. Brightside" quite a bit, my favorite song of The Killers (whose band name I cannot repeat to Anna!). Coincidentally Rob and Mari went to their concert last week in Long Beach and once again I was jealous and living vicariously through the details. Listen to this, at the end of the concert Rob caught the lone drumstick thrown into the audience! Oh, to be young(er) again!

I Love You, Baby!

I Love You Baby
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

...and if it's quite alright I need you baby... (can you sing along?), ok I digress. Well, I took Anna and Sam to Main Place Mall yesterday, my first outing alone with the two of them, other than the neighborhood park (yeah yeah, I know, a mall, but I didn't want any sun exposure and also wanted extra stimulation to keep Sam calm, it's amazing how much background noise a mall has!)... Sam cried almost the whole drive over and I was about to turn back but then he fell asleep, whew! Even though we were at the mall I spent minimal money, only on lunch (ok, and Mrs. Fields cookies too), and we were there for a total of 2 hours just walking around, window shopping and eating and chatting (with Anna that is)... but what was an unexpected surprise was this new "family lounge" where you can change/feed the baby and warm up formula, and in the adjoining restroom there's a kid-size toilet next to the adult one which is great for toilet training, also a nice tv viewing/toy area for kids, so Sam and Anna were equally entertained, in fact we were in the lounge for more than 30 minutes. I love these family-friendly touches in a mall. (As I reread this it's pretty funny what excites me.)

MardiGras?

MardiGras?
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Last week Anna, Yumi and I went to the Rainforest Cafe where Anna got this amazing balloon hat. It was the second one made for her, as the first one popped and I almost cried. I told her once we got home we'd take a picture so that even after the hat popped or deflated we'd always have a photo memory.
Anna currently enjoys eating lots of fruits such as apples and strawberries, and now likes drinking plain old water. She also insists on brushing her teeth at least twice a day. I guess the story about the two silver front teeth got to her... and she goes to school more eagerly now, as dropoffs haven't been traumatic these past two days. Don't pinch me if I'm dreaming.

SiblingLove

SiblingLove
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

I had a tough time at school yesterday so I was really looking forward to coming home to anything, to a crying baby or a loud little girl. Instead, Steve, Anna and Sam were quietly sitting out in the backyard telling stories.
Sam seems to track Anna's almost every move when she's in the room. She is smitten by him as well, calling him "Little Sammy". Anna tells us Sam's full name is Sam Sunshine Brown Goeller, I love that.

FutureMaryLou?

FutureMaryLou?
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

This afternoon Anna went to her classmate Mikayla's birthday party. The invitation stated it would be a "gymnastics party", so Anna was very excited. Steve and Anna strolled over to her house at noon. A party company brought over trampolines, balance beams, and exercise mats among other things which filled up the front and back yards. It wasn't a free-for-all for the kids, as a coordinator led them through the activities while the kids took turns. There was also a pizza lunch, balloon sculptures, not to mention a large snake for even more entertainment. Anna had a great time, as was evidenced by the 115 digital photos Steve took of the event.

BlogWorthy

BlogWorthy
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

"Anna, what is your favorite place?"
"Disneyland and Ralphs (the supermarket)."

To encourage Anna to brush her teeth daily, I told her about a boy who has two front teeth that are silver because of cavities (no joke, this first grader was my student a few years ago).
Anna then asked, "Why don't he love himself?"

When we leave for work/school, Anna says, "When you are sad just think of me."

TheGoellers

TheGoellers
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Here are some of the Goellers, from left to right, Grandpa Ted holding little Sammy, Grandma Marilyn, Steve and Anna. They came over to visit as part of Steve's surprise weekend.

GrandmaMieko&Me

GrandmaMieko&Me
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Grandma and Sam are reading a Japanese magazine together. Grandma is starting him off to be bilingual early, hee hee... In reality, Sam is beginning to "AhGoo" a lot, and laugh on occasion. He also likes to make clicking sounds with his mouth. Sam can also roll part way on his right side. He's a round roly poly boy.

BestBBallCakes

BestBBallCakes
Originally uploaded by MinaG.

Today we celebrated Steve's birthday, the theme was basketball! Yumi picked out the decor, and with Mama's chicken katsu and rice, and an amazing dancing video made by Rob (with input by Mari :), followed by great 3-on-3 basketball, the day ended with these amazing cakes handcrafted by Rob, he must have used some measuring tools and stencils for the precise frosting job. It was a terrific day.