We're all going to the zoo today

We've been meaning to get back to the zoo for a while, especially now that A is a little bigger. The weather's been pretty good the last few days as well. Though when we got down to the zoo it was awfully windy, so it ended up being jackets weather (probably on account it's right next to the ocean, so we were getting all that breeze). Anyway, A got a good look at the giraffes, including the new baby giraffe that was in the giraffe house. We got the usual takeout sandwiches from Picnix - which are always fabulous. But just as we were finishing up lunch we noticed the redness on Z's face had started to form into blisters. After a benadryl, we decided to push on and go to the carousel. As we were waiting, Z put his hands up on the railing and they were all red and blistered too. It's the first time he's ever had his hands react so badly...so off to the emergency we went. By the time we saw the doctor the benadryl seemed to have kicked in, so it's still a mystery exactly what caused the reaction. It doesn't seem to be something he ate, so it looks like it was something he touched or something in the air...so it's off to the allergist again this week to see if we can solve the mystery. Here's a couple of photos from the zoo. In the picture of Z on the carousel you can actually see how red his hand was getting - and that was the good side...

Hittin' the town

Today was the first day of Spring Break. I'd been talking to Z about going downtown and checking out some of the statues and art around the place, as well as the Macy's Flower Show which is on for the next couple of weeks. We were lucky as the weather held out - it's been raining on and off this week, and Z even got to see his first rainbow on Wednesday evening! It was quite spectacular as the clouds were quite dark, but the rainbow peaked out and extended across an area south of downtown - we got a great view from our roof.

Anyway, today we went downtown and checked out many of the statues and art pieces around town, as well as the Wells Fargo Museum, Macy's Flower Show, Union Square and the Transamerica Pyramid. Then we caught up with Dad for lunch at the great foodcourt at Westfield (it reminds me a lot of the one at Chatswood in Sydney). A was so excited to be in the foodcourt - she couldn't contain her excitement. Z has decided it's one of his favourite places to eat, alongside Mediterranee.

First Wave....

Little A is growing up fast. She's just started to get the whole hang of this waving thing. She tried her first wave on Tuesday, waving Mum and Dad good bye as they left to go to work. It's a full-arm action right now, but she's working on it! She's also scooting about the house using her commando-style crawl. Her favourite destination is Z's toy spot. Our lives will never be the same!

It's spring break right now (a whole 4.5 days of it!). School finished up yesterday with a half-day party. They organised for 'My Pony Party' bring in some baby animals so the kids could see them - chickens, ducks, rabbits, baby goats and baby pigs. Z took it in his stride, and was more focused on the Eater egg hunt, but A wasn't sure what to think of it all. She watched the animals with a degree of apprehension, but Mum helped her pat a couple before we headed out on break. Here's some of Z's great Easter artwork...as well as A's new look...

Blue Ribbon

Z has been progressing really well with his swimming. He's really gotten the hang of it. This week he achieved his blue ribbon! Well done Z!

Party!

This past Sunday was Z's 4th birthday party. The weather this time of year is unpredictable, so we narrowed down the options and then let Z decide where he wanted to go. He decided he wanted to take all his friends to see a local kids theatre perform 'Aladdin' and then have cake and pizza afterward. It was lots of fun and the kids had a blast.

Visitors from north of the border

We had a nice surprise on Friday night when Stephen's uncle from Victoria called to say he was just outside of Sacramento, and would be in San Francisco on Saturday as part of a longer road-trip. So on Saturday we lucky to catch up with B and B. Here's a photo.

Birthday Days

February is always a big month for birthdays in our house. Z turned a big 4 years old this past week. He's already reading books for much older kids, and doing really well with his letters. He's always got lots of hugs and kisses to go around, and loves entertaining his baby sister. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful little boy. Z had a great birthday on Tuesday, including not one, but two birthday cakes! First, a birthday at school with his friends. One of the other little girls shares the same birthday, so every year we have been sharing a cupcake birthday for the kids at the school. Then in the evening at home we had a special dinner from Mediterranee on Fillmore - Z's choice - and a birthday princess cake - not only mum's favourite, but Z's too! And as with any four year old on their birthday, there was soooo much excitement about opening all the presents. He wanted to open the gift from his sister first, which included books about the planets, Babar, Richard Scary, and pirates, as well as a batman helicopter to go with the batcave from mum and dad. Needless to say the rest of the week has been spent having a great time playing with all of his birthday gifts.

Another 'birthday' we celebrated this month was A's 6 month birthday. She's really growing fast and is now weighing in at 19 lbs. A's doing really well on solids, and now has a whole sporgus-board to choose from during feeding time. She's also just taken to some formula, which is a big relief all around, especially after her first reaction to the hypo-allergenic version, which definitely wasn't to her liking! She's able to sit up on her own (with a little help from the boppy pillow), she's blowing a lot of raspberries, and always has a big smile for mum and dad. Her biggest smiles and laughs are saved for big brother Z, who is a constant source of wonder and excitement. She loves playing with her little cat, her blue dolly, her sofie the giraffe and the monkey on her playmat. A is just the most placid and happiest of babies, and a joy to have.