Chinese New Year at the Bay Area Discovery Museum

Cute lion

All mothers dragon troupe

Dragon head

We spent most of Monday at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito, where they had a Chinese New Year celebration for the day.  We enjoyed the lion dancers and the all moms dragon troupe as well.  Alex liked the exhibits as usual, especially the stream where you can play with fish and frogs (pretend ones, of course).

Paging Dr. Chng

Checking Xena's temperature

Applying the bandage to "fix" her

"This will only hurt for a moment", his exact words

Using the stethoscope to check her out.  As you can see, she isn't that interested and would much rather just nap.

When I was making lunch today, I guess this is what Alex decided to do.  Play doctor with Xena.  Xena wasn't really bothered, but I think that really she just wanted to sleep.  He was taking great care in making sure she was okay though.  In the end, it was decided that she may have to stay in the hospital for a few days.

Our Little Valentine

Enjoying a valentine cookie at LaFarine this morning

Pineapple Tarts

Rolling out the dough to make the cookie portions

Putting the pineapple balls on top of each cookie very carefully

Counting all of the pineapple tarts

My little kitchen helper and I made pineapple tarts on Friday and then made another batch tonight.  He is quite the little assistant.  He loves to be in the kitchen, just like Mommy and we had quite a fun time making pineapple tarts and then eating them too!

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

At Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, CA

Sea anemones

A seastar!

Looking carefully for new creatures

It was a day well spent in Moss Beach today.  The tide was lower than any other time when we have been at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, so it made for alot of fun exploring all of the tide pools.  We saw lots of hermit crabs, some urchin shells, sea anemones, clams and a couple of sea stars.  It was another gorgeous day, which made for an enjoyable day at the beach.

The day was rounded out by another yummy lunch at Chez Shea (http://www.chez-shea.com/lunch) in downtown Half Moon Bay.  Their eclectic menu was again very satisfying for each of us, with a falafel, a shrimp po-boy and some roasted chicken and fries.  Definitely the place to check out if you want lunch which is yummy and affordable in downtown Half Moon Bay.  As always, there was an additional stop at the Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel to check out the chicks, rabbits, fish and crickets.  There is never a time when we go to HMB and don't stop by the Feed and Fuel.

Paper Dragons

Alex and I made some paper dragons last week as a Chinese New Year project and as you can see, they were a bit hit!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Super special valentine for Daddy.  Alex was the creator, I was just the one who helped to spell the words.

Having a great time making alentines on Friday

Special elephant valentines for his friends at school.

With all of the finished product

Alex and I had a fun morning making valentines on Friday.  His school party is on Tuesday, so we had 22 little elephants to put together for that.  Each one has its own unique characteristics, which makes them cool.  We also made some special valentines for Daddy and some of Alex's buddies, per his request.  Gotta love construction paper, stickers, glue and pompoms to make for a fun filled morning.

More Birthday Celebrations!

Enjoying some ice cream at Loard's on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Orinda.

Blowing out the candles on his birthday.

Helping himself to the dark chocolate peanut butter cup which was the raccoon's nose.

My little cutie pie

The birthday celebration continued yesterday, on Alex's actual birthday.  We spent time out and about on another beautiful day, looking at some open homes and eating some ice cream at Loard's.  In the evening, after a walk around the neighborhood, we celebrated with cake once again.  This time, Alex blew out candles, since it wasn't as windy as it was at the beach.  All in all, it was a great birthday weekend.

It is hard to believe that it has been three years since this cute little bundle of energy came into our lives.  He has added a completely new dimension to our lives, keeping us on our toes, making us smile and helping us work on our patience and negotiation skills.  It is hard to imagine life without him.  I put together a little synopsis of his year of being two for his photo album for the year.  It encapsulates many of his favorites during this time in  his life. 

Alex

Punk a Doodle, Ali Kat

Master storyteller

Little chef

Super dancer

Shy guy

Berry monster

Music lover

Loves garbage trucks and combines, Legos, birds and books, playing in the sand, hitting baseballs, and exploring in the "jungle", looking for jackfruit.

"Smash, Mash, Crash...There Goes the Trash", all Richard Scarry books, "Farley Follows His Nose", "One Dog Canoe" and "To Market, To Market" are favorite books, as are the beloved bird field guides.

Loves meat, tofu, prawns, boiled eggs, Trader Joe's frozen Mac and Cheese, rice, sharp cheddar cheese, corn, peas, Japanese rice crackers, all berries, ravioli with pesto sauce, mushroom soup, and especially strawberries from Rodriguez Farms.

Loves music in general.  Listens to Jack Johnson, Michael Franti's "Say Hey, I Love You",  loves to dance to Lady Gaga and enjoys jazz.

Curious, loves to sing, play piano and the ukelele, and go to IKEA, the park and the beach.

"I've Been Working on the Railroad", "My Favorite Things", "Do, Re, Mi", and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" are some of the songs you love to sing most.

Loves peacocks, raccoons, elephants and bears and Monkey George.

You are silly and funny and super cute and we LOVE you!

The Birthday Celebration

Climbing up to get some birthday lunch

Cooperation on the beach

Tadgh enjoying some time at the beach

Mommas ready for round 2

Lovin' his birthday party!

Raccoon cake per the birthday boy's request

Getting ready for the birthday cake

Happy family

Saturday was a gorgeous day in the Bay Area with temperatures in the 70's with a nice warm breeze.  After having the first two birthdays indoors because of rainy weather, we were quite excited to that the forecast was  looking like it was going to be a dry day.  It was the perfect day, in fact.  Given the nice weather, we picked Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda as the birthday party spot, since Alex loves to spend time there.  We were able to get a prime picnic spot, with great access to the beach and some shelter from wind and sun.  Everyone had a great time with some buckets and shovels on the beach, enjoyed a picnic lunch and then more time on the beach, followed by birthday cake.  What a great day!  Alex loved hanging out with his friends and enjoying the sunshine and all of the fun that the beach has to offer. It was the perfect way to celebrate our big boy!  Happy Birthday Alex!

Three?

Can it be possible that Alex is turning 3 years old this weekend?  Hard to imagine, but true.  His birthday celebrations have already started, with a super cute birthday crown made by Teacher Jill and his favorite frozen yogurt pops which we made yesterday to share with his friends today.  Sounds like it was a fun celebration, with Happy Birthday being sung two times.  Let the celebration weekend begin!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

The rabbits Alex decorated last week.

Gong xi fa cai!  We wish everyone a year of good fortune and happiness in the year of the rabbit.  Hoping that you are having a nice celebration to ring in the new year.  We will be making some pineapple tarts this weekend....yum!  Looking forward to the year and all that it will bring, especially with the upcoming arrival of your little girl rabbit.  Let's see how she likes living with a whole family of piggies.