San Diego/Coronado Pt. 1

We took a 3-day trip to San Diego before Steve starts up summer school. Our first stop was the incomparable San Diego Zoo.


Sammy was in awe of most of the large animals and needed comfort items with him.


We stayed at Loews in Coronado, we got a great deal through priceline.com, where you name your price for a certain star-rating, then find out what hotel you get if your bid is accepted. We had a bay view from our window.


This was the king-size bed that we shared with Anna while Sammy slept in his playpen. I want to paint our bedroom at home the same color and find some similiar bedding, so relaxing!

Two Cute

Sam: "Enough already!"

IKEA mini-kitchen

IKEA has the neatest room displays, including this mini Japanese dining room set up adjacent to a tiny kitchen. Just the right size for two kids playing house.

Dorcas

We went to visit Dorcas after church this past weekend, she moved to Hollywood recently from up north, she now lives much closer to her daughter. If I'm not mistaken Dorcas is 91 years old but is still so alert and attentive as ever. We had a good time with her, talking and touring the area she lives, until Sam got so fussy for an afternoon nap.


Anna was smitten with Dorcas and her stories, as well as with her pretty vanity in her bedroom, bedecked with jewels and things like a movie star.


Believe it or not this coral-like necklace is made from painted corn!
It was a memorable visit and we hope to see Dorcas again soon.

Hungry?

Is this a fancy funnel collar preventing Michi from scratching herself on the head? No, she stuck her head in the wastebasket and got the lid stuck on herself.

Ojiichan (Grandpa in Japanese)

We dropped by my parents' house yesterday morning, it's been several months since we've seen my dad. Sammy was quite clingy, seeing an unfamiliar face and very ready for a nap. I don't know if I have a grumpier photo of Sam.

Well, Anna had fun, she likes drawing at my parents' house, as my mom has a large collection of pens.

My mom thought I'd gotten extra sun recently, but then realized it was the contrast between my skin and Sammy's. Hee hee...

Anna's Preschool Graduation

Today Anna "graduated" from preschool. Do you see her, in the front with the full white formal dress?
The graduation program included songs and dances, it was very cute indeed. Afterwards we had a picnic near the playground.


We have been so pleased with her school. She will still participate in the summer program activities through July so we didn't have to say goodbye to the wonderful teachers just yet.

Fashionista

This is a thrift store find from a teacher friend of mine. It's one of Anna's favorite dresses of the moment, she sure has come a long way from wearing all-red for 8 months straight.

Heimlich Train Part 2

This picture was taken a few weeks ago, Sammy's on the Heimlich train at California Adventure. By the expression on his face you'd think it was going faster than the 5 miles an hour that it does. Click here and scroll down for a look back at the first time he rode this almost a year ago.

Fore!

My friend Tracey was house-sitting last week and invited me and Anna for a dip in the pool. This home is in a gated community near Fashion Island. The backyard overlooks a golf course...


And this is the pool. A little unsettling having golfers wave at you, still, the view is amazing.

Little Hoopsters

Yesterday Anna started playing in Little Hoopsters, a coed, non-competitive league for kids ages 5-7. Steve is helping out with coaching the team. The kids worked on drills like dribbling and passing, then played in a "game". Steve appropriately designated Anna as center, as she is the tallest on her team.


Afterwards the group socialized and enjoyed snacks and drinks. Each child received a t-shirt and junior basketball. Little Hoopsters will be going on until the end of July, when everyone will receive a trophy. That's my kind of league!

Happy Face Potatoes

Whenever we go to California Adventure, Anna enjoys eating these happy face potatoes at the Daily Pilot Grill. She gets 5 per serving and savors each one. I did a little research on these potatoes and found this website. They sell them at retail locations in 41 states, not including California. Phooey.

Red head for how long?

The other day Steve took Sammy to get some take-out food from a local eatery. One of the customers, a nice-looking elderly man, looked quizzically at Steve, then Sammy. The man approached Steve and told him about the Sunday's Family Circus:

(Man asking one of the boys): Where does that red hair come from?
(Boy pauses...) I think it comes from my head!

I wonder how Sammy might answer that question if asked in the future.