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.