park time

The weather has just been perfect here in San Jose. Well, minus the smoke from all the fires. Tonight before dinner we all went for a walk to a nearby park. Cosmo got to run and chase a ball and Emma wandered around the playground. Emma would be pretty much self-sufficient if I could just get her to stop putting things in her mouth. I have no idea what she was chewing on tonight, but a least she understands "spit it out" and will stick her tongue out with whatever is in her mouth.

little people

I don't know if any of you have heard of Chubby toys, but they are pretty great. Emma likes to take the people out of her car and put one on each pointer finger and walk around with them. Of course it was hard to get a shot of her toting them around because she moves so darn fast now!

check this out . . .

Those of you who know me, know I like to "make" things. I love to knit, crochet, sew, bake. I found this wonderful blog of a very talented woman. The clothes she makes are so freaking cute, I hope that one day I will be able to make stuff for Emma that are just as cute.

Do you like my clothes? Do you want them for....free?!

Anyway, check it out. I'm hoping for a little inspiration.

father's day

We spent Father's Day at the San Francisco Zoo. I think we had just as much fun as Emma. It was pretty cold, maybe it hit the 60's, so I had to buy a sweatshirt to keep warm! Emma loved all the animals, I think she had the most fun in the petting zoo.

Here is Jens and Emma checking out a giraffe.

In the Children's Zoo, we saw neat things like an armadillo. Here we are checking out a salamander. They are kind of soft and moist looking, I don't think she knew what to make of it.

I thought her Great Aunt Pam would get a kick out of Emma on a saddle.

Thank goodness the animals in the petting zoo were friendly and gentle. I think Emma thought this was a close friend of Cosmo's!



What a happy dad and daughter!

hot date

That is, a playdate on a hot day! My friend Letty came over with her son Evan to play in with the water table. Evan is only a couple of weeks younger than Emma.

Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for the water table. We have enjoyed it every day, Cosmo too!


Emma has been eating a lot better than I ever thought she would. I think she is getting bored of pureed food so has been more adventurous at trying new things. This night she tried watermelon. I don't think she thought it was all that great, a little cold on the teeth. She was very curious of the seeds.

henry cowell state park

Hiking with Emma and Cosmo in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We like to put our dog to work. He was carrying his own water and Emma's food and water!

blink

I think this is a "trick" Grandma taught her while we were in Hawaii. Emma will blink (i.e. squint her eyes close very tightly) if you look at her and do it first. She thinks it is very funny. I also think she does it on purpose to make me laugh.

north shore, kauai

But first, a picture taken on the cliffs at Shipwreck Beach on the south shore. It really is a blessing that Emma loves to be in the Ergo.

The second half of our trip was spent just north of Hanalei on Kauai. It is incredible here. I think we could have spent the entire time here. The house we stayed at had 3 bedrooms so Emma got her own room and we all slept better. It probably helped that there was no construction noise and no car noise to wake her up. We were right on a river that flowed between us and the ocean. Absolutely beautiful. We snorkeled, hiked the Na Pali coast (without Emma and my mom this time), took a Zodiac boat ride along the Na Pali coast (again, without Emma and my mom), and relaxed. Jens and my dad also got to enjoy a beautiful kayak trip on the Hanalei River. You never know how good you had it until you leave!

Unfortunately at the house there were no bathtubs, only really cool walk in showers with no doors! Emma got to enjoy a couple of showers with Grandma, but Grandma eventually resorted to the kitchen sink. Emma loved being able to fill up tuperware and then drink from it.

Hanging out on the beach at Hanalei Bay waiting for the sunset.