Family bikes!

Today was a good day. Today was the first day that Daddy, Mommy and I rode our bikes together as a family. I made sure to slow down at all driveways. I stopped at each intersection. I looked in all directions for cars coming. It was a little like an obstacle course because there were a lot of people on the sidewalk that I had to go around. Mommy and Daddy were proud of me. I even was the leader part of the way!

We rode to City Hall! The building with the gold bump on it! There was an open house there, even though it's not a house. We got to walk around in the fancy offices. I had hot cider. And candy canes! Daddy and Mommy talked to the City Attorney's press secretary because they are running buddies. I was shy and didn't talk. I was thinking about eating more candy canes.

There was a lot going on. I ran into my friend from pre-school! And we hung out with Mommy and Daddy's friends. I played on the playground.

And I biked all the way home too! That's three miles I biked today!

Yay! I'm tired, but I want to ride more!

I like rain!

Sometimes I like getting wet. 'Cause it's fun! The other day it rained on my walk home from school. Mommy let me get wet! I like grabbing the leaves on the branches and shake the water onto my head. I like the cold water on my head. It feels nice. It's refreshing.

When I got home, I felt like I had been standing in the rain for a hundred googol years. Yay!

Piano

This is a picture I took of Mommy's hands. She's playing a Christmas song on the piano. I like this picture. I think it looks nice. It looks better than the song sounds.

Self-Portrait

This is a picture I took. It's me!

I love science!

When I grow up, I want to be a scientist that draws. I practice a lot of art and science. A couple days ago Mommy and I did a sciencey-art project. We grew our own crystals! You don't plant it like a seed. But it does use water.

First, get some pipe cleaners. I used red, pink, and my favoritist blue! Criss-cross them over the middle and twist around to make a snowflake shape. Make a loop in one of the ends of the snowflake. Tie a wire through it. Wrap the wire around a pencil.

Heat up 3 cups of water to a temperature of very, very hot. I think it's 100000000 degrees. Pour it into a container. Put 9 tablespoons of Borax powder into the water. I love measuring cups and measuring spoons. I especially love to level stuff off by running a butter knife across the top. Fun! Where was I? Oh yeah, borax is what Mommy uses to clean things. She puts it everywhere... the laundry, the dishwasher, the hole in the sink that eats everything, the toilet... Maybe I should put it in my room and see if it will clean my room for me....

Stir very carefully ('cause the water might splash and burn you. Ouchie.) the borax until it just about disappears. Some falls to the bottom of the container. Then put the pipe cleaner snowflake in the water. Be sure that it's not touching the container at all. Then wait.



Waiting is hard. That's why I did the project right before bedtime. When I woke up, it was ready!


How do the crystals stick to the pipe cleaners?



They look like sparkly boxes. So pretty!

Morning piano fun

I like to make up songs on the piano. Mostly first thing in the morning on the weekends! Mommy and Daddy say something about neighbors trying to sleep. I say silly neighbors! They should be up playing!

Drawings

The other day Mommy let me draw on her computer using her drawing pad thingy. I love that thing.

I drew Mommy with a birthday cake and balloons. I love birthdays.



I drew 7 cinnamon rolls. Because they are yummy.

Halloween

Do you know what my most favorite part about Halloween is? I'll give you some hints.
It's not the candy.
It's not that dressing up.
It's not staying up late running around outside.

It's the pumpkin seeds! I love them. They are yummy with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

I'm Seven!

Today is my birthday! I'm seven years old today. I hear that 7 is a lucky number. So far, I like being seven. Yesterday I was six and I had the flu. That was no fun. I threw up a lot. My barf tasted like crayons. And I cried because my tummy hurt lots and lots. Ouchie. I cried until I fell asleep.

But today! I woke up and felt good. I read on the couch (I slept there!). Then Daddy came in and said, "Happy Birthday!" and gave me a hug and kiss. He and Mommy said that I could stay home from school today since I still needed to get better. That means lots of rest. But I was healthy enough to take a cab to Daddy's office and draw on the whiteboard. He works across from the big baseball place where the Giants play. He said it's going to be crazy tomorrow when the World Series starts. Sounds fun!

For my birthday I got green stripey fingerless mitts that Mommy made. Also a flower ring. I love when Mommy makes me things. And for dinner, we ate my favorite food--Udon. That is Japanese slurpy noodles in soup. We had an inside picnic in my room. I set up the picnic on the floor. Yay! We eat in my room only on very special days. My birthday is a special day.

I wonder what fun things I'll do as a seven year old!

On the roof

I've always wanted to go up on the roof of our building, but Mommy and Daddy would never let me, saying something silly like I'd fall off. But yesterday they were in a good mood and let me go up there so I could see the Blue Angels fly in the sky. Daddy thought I'd be scared climbing up the skinny metal ladder. He followed right behind me so I would be safe. Then I made it up on the roof. I could almost see our old house in Emeryville from there. I could see the Bay Bridge. And I saw the Blue Angels fly around. They are blue! And loud!


I was very careful to stay away from all edges of the building. Because I didn't want to fall off. That would hurt!

Mommy of course had her camera glued to her face and took a picture of me when I wasn't looking. I hate when she does that.



I guess that's the price I have to pay to do fun things.

I love to swim!

I'm pretty good at it too!



When Mommy and I went to Orange County we swam almost every day. Even my baby cousin Ellie got in the pool. She can't swim yet, so she did some happy splashing on the step.



Uncle Eric and I swam around. We had fun being silly.



Mommy was silly too. I took her picture when she wasn't looking.



Yay for swimming!

My song for Ellie!

Mommy and I are going to see Ellie in a few days! I can't wait! Tonight, at bedtime I made up a song for Ellie. Mommy made a video. I'm in it. So are Snoopy, Cloud, and Lay-Lay the Ladybug. I hope Ellie sees it so she knows I love her!

My race!

On Saturday I ran at the San Francisco Marathon. But I didn't have to run for hours like those silly grownups. My friend and I ran the 100 yard dash! It's a run for kids! I had a lot of fun. I ran so fast my hoodie fell off my head! I'm the one in the red hooded sweater.




And we got medals!



Yay for running!

My twirly-stripey dress!

Mommy knit me a dress. I picked out the colors. I like the dress. I've worn it for three days in a row now. I even slept in it. It's like wearing a blanket. It's very cozy.





Here's a silly little dance I did while waiting for BART. You can see the twirly in action.



And guess what else? I can fly! (with Daddy's help)

On my way!

I'm on my way with Bachan and Jichan to see my cousin Ellie! Sometimes I call Ellie my sister because it would be fun if she was. Mommy and Daddy are sure going to miss me while I'm gone. I might call them if I get bored. That would make them happy. I don't think I'll get bored though.

My owie

On Father's Day I went on a bike ride with Daddy. We borrowed our friend's bike. It is a big bike with two extra seats in the back. It was really fun.



And then, somehow, I don't really know how. I got my foot stuck in the wheel. It was a few seconds before I realized that it really hurt. Really bad. I started screaming and crying. Daddy quickly got my foot untangled and then biked back. But on the way I saw lots of my friends out. I was able to say Hi to everyone and tell them that I got hurt. "Waaahhhh!!!! Hi, Grace! waahhhhhh!!! I hurt my foot! Waaahhh!! Hi Serafina! Waaaahhh!!!"

Yesterday I stayed home from Summer Camp because I couldn't walk well or wear shoes. I'm much better today and am able to go back to summer camp. I still have bruises and scrapes though. And it still hurts. But I'm better.

Happy Father's Day!

I love you! I'm so happy you're my daddy.

First thing in the morning

Me: Do you know what's the most important thing I do in the morning?

Mommy: No. What?

Me: To get my eye boogers out of my eyes!

Mommy: Why is that?

Me: 'Cause if I don't get the eye boogers out, I'll still be able to talk, walk, and smell, but my eyes won't be able to wake up for one, two, or three minutes.

My latest trick

After a bit of practice, I can now balance a spoon on my nose!

Me on Market Street

I like going downtown.

Daddy, Mommy, and me

Last week we went to a street. It wasn't a regular street. It was called Indie Mart. It was a walking street with lots of tables with people selling stuff. Like little shops. And there was a photobooth. We took a family photo. Fun! But my favorite part was digging through the suitcase of fun dressup stuff.

What's white with yellow on top?

Snow with dog pee!

Tomorrow is my last day...

...of first grade! I learned a lot. I read lots of chapter books now.


I know what 5 times 7 is. I know that germs on my hands can grow into many more germs in a Petri dish in one week.

I did so many fun things this school year.

Halloween school parade:


We built (and ate) Gingerbread houses:


I saw Chinese New Year lions dance at our school:


We had a Valentine's Day party!


A nice man from the Opera visited the class and helped us put on a show.



We learned about many countries for United Nations Day. It was actually two days! Our classroom was Ethiopia. They grow coffee there. Mommy and Daddy should visit Ethiopia since they love coffee so much.


Last week we had our Junior Olympics! I like the obstacle course. It's tricky!


On Tuesday my class spent the night at the Marin Headlands. We are the only first graders in the school to go on an overnight trip. Without parents! We hiked, learned new songs, and stayed up real late. I became a member of the Hard Core club. That's where you eat an entire apple -- including the core! There's a special way to do it. I can teach you if you ask nicely and bring me an apple.

And tomorrow we're going to have a party with the other first graders and kindergartners. And then after school the Taco Truck is going to come! And then after that I get to go get ice cream. With two scoops!

I had so much fun in first grade. I wonder if second grade will be just as fun. But I can wait. Because I want it to be summer vacation!

Participate

I like the word "participate" because it reminds me of the word "pastry," like puff pastry. Participate! Mmmm.

My rhyme!

I love the planet. And did you know that Earth Day was a few days ago? I made up a rhyme.

The air we breathe goes to the trees.
The air trees breathe goes to the... we's.

Things I did in March

I told Mommy that time is going by way too fast. She said, "Hey, that's what grown ups say!"

In March, I did lots of things.

I went to Yosemite with my friend Izzy and her family. We went together last year, too. I hope we go to Yosemite together next year. And the year after. And the year after that.

I walked.


I hiked.


I sledded.


I didn't want to leave Yosemite. I found some really big rocks that made caves and told Daddy that we should move there. We could park our car next to the rocks. Daddy said it would be a long commute to school. Silly Daddy.

I guess Yosemite didn't want us to live in their rocks because we ended up back home again in San Francisco.

In school I made a penguin! And the secret part is that if you shake it you can hear the clay ball inside. It's a rattle! Mommy helped our class with the painting. That means her job was to make sure we didn't paint each other instead of our art project.



I cooked over spring break. Sabrina gave me a cookbook with recipes made just for kids. Yay! 'Cause I'm a kid. I decided to make Mommy and me lunch. I made pink lemonade. I went into the backyard and picked some lemons and then squeezed all the juice out. The pink part pink lemonade is food coloring. I just love those pointy food coloring bottles. I wish I had a collection of them. But all ours are full so I can't play with them. Yet!

I also made French Toast. I even used my special party napkins and fancy glasses to set the table. It was the best lunch I ever had. Mommy liked it too!



In March, I also played with my friends. That's one of my favorite things to do! It's so fun. Especially when the grownups aren't paying attention.




And I have a new friend! His name is Theo. He's tiny. But he weighs a lot more than any of my stuffed animals.



And those are some of the exciting things I did in March!

Holy Ears!

Mommy always told me that I could get my ears pierced whenever I wanted. And in order to get my ears pierced, a needle would have to go through my ear. Twice! Because it's one needle in each ear. I thought about it for a long time. I liked wearing pretend earrings like tiny stickers or dots drawn on with markers on my ears. I really don't like needles. Sometimes I think about when I got shots at the Doctor's and I start to cry because I remember how much it hurts.

Every day on the walk home from school we pass by the piercing parlor. That's where people get holes put in them. Mommy said that this shop would be the place to get my ears pierced. She didn't want to take me to the mall to get my ears pierced because Mommy wasn't happy with how her ears ended up when she got them pierced as a kid at the mall. I hear they use some kind of earring gun at the mall. That sounds scary too. Because guns can hurt people!

After thinking about this whole ear piercing thing for a couple years, I decide that I want to go inside the piercing shop to see what it's all about. Daddy is also with us. We all go in and see the people working there. They have lots of metal in their ears and face. And lots of tattoos. And guess what? They are nice! They say that I can come in anytime to look at the pretty jewelry and ask questions. And when I decide I'm ready they will pierce my ears. That makes me feel happy. But still a little nervous!

Two days later after going in, I tell Mommy that I am ready.

Daddy takes me to the little mini-market around the corner and we buy some bubble gum to have afterwards. Yay! And this was big gum! I'm excited! And nervous! But I really want this.



All three of us go inside. Mommy says, "My daughter would like to get her ears pierced." The man working there says, "Sorry, we can't do it unless she asks for it herself." Uh oh, I'm shy to talk to people! But I get brave and ask, "Can I get my ears pierced, please?" And then the man says, "Sure!" Mommy fills out some paper. And I even write my signature. That's a fancy word for writing my name. I feel very important. I pick out my pretty earrings, which are shaped like barbells. They are pretty sparkly blue, my favorite color.

This man named Kenny takes us to the room. Kenny has lots of piercings. I wonder if they hurt when he got them. The room looks a lot like a doctor's office. There's even that table-bed thingy with that thin paper stretched across, but this one has Dr. Suess characters on it! Fun! There are glass jars with cotton balls and other neat things that I want to look inside.

And then I start to get real nervous. Kenny is nice though. He tells me he's going to school to be a pediatrics nurse. He says that a lot of the kids he meets at the hospital play pretend doctor with their stuffed animals. It helps them feel better. I remind myself that I should practice piercing my Snoopy's ears when I get home.

Kenny draws little dots on my ears where the earrings should go. He redraws one of them because it didn't look perfect. Then we're all set.



I'm really, really nervous.



I get all woozy. I feel like I don't want to be there. I try to shrink inside myself and Kenny says, "I can't pierce your ears if you do that." So Daddy and Mommy help me relax. Daddy lets me squeeze his hand. Deep breath. And then the needle goes in.




Waaaaahhh!!!!! I didn't think it would hurt that much. And then I saw the needle in the mirror, just dangling in my ear. Yikes! That's weird, but I'm still crying. And then the earring is in. Then the other side. Waaaaahhhhh!!! But it felt quicker.


And then it's done. And two minutes later I'm outside feeling really great! I'm so excited and happy! I jump up and down and talk a million words a minute. "OhmygodmyearsarepiercedanditdoesntreallyevenhurtmuchanymoreandcanIhavemygumandletsgogethotcocoa!"



So I get to chew my yummy gum as we walk to the coffee shop to get a fancy hot cocoa. I show off my new earrings to the lady working at the coffee shop and she said I was brave. She said she cried when she got her piercing. I believe her because, boy, that really hurts!



And a few days later, I learned how to blow bubbles with my gum!