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.