20 Pictures from 2008

We just got back from our trip to New York, but before we update you on that, we want to wish you all a Happy New Year! I'm going to be 3, Aki's going to be 1, and mommy and daddy will still be old.

The year began with me, the only child, turning 2.


I blew out the candles on my Nemo cake.


I got a new bed. Sadly that laptop did not stay in my room.


It was cold and snowy in the beginning of the year.

Then a few months in, something happened.


Aki came along. I wasn't the only child anymore.

Not too much changed for me at first.


It did get warmer eventually.


Then we went to San Francisco for a big fat Chinese wedding.


Aunties came to visit.


Aki got bigger.


And Daddy went to his college reunion. I think I had more fun than he did.

By the time the weather really got nice, we took off for Hawaii.


Aki touched the ocean at Sandy's.


Ah Gu, Ah Gong, and Ah Mah came to visit us there. Here we are having shave ice at Waiola's.


Aki learned to sit up about when we got back.

It got cold again a little while later.


We went off to Storyland for Daddy's birthday. Ronak and his grown-ups came along too.


Aki learned how to crawl backwards.


We had Halloween.


Ah Gu came to visit us in Boston.


Aki met Santa. I stayed home.


Aki learned to be super cute.


It started snowing again.


And we went to New York City and hatched out of eggs.

We had a great 2008! Happy New Year! See you in 2009!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Electronic beeping toys!

I hope everyone had a fun day opening presents and eating yummy foods! Aki and I sure had fun opening our mountain of presents from all the aunties, uncles, and Santa. We're off for a few days on an adventure, and we'll see you when we get back!

Oobleck

Last weekend when we were trapped by the snow, we had to do some indoor things too. Daddy looked in the toddler activity book and decided to make me some oobleck! I'd played with oobleck at the Museum of Science before, but I never thought we could have made it at home!

We mixed up some cornstarch and water until it got to be just right. Then...


Pouring out the oobleck onto my tray


Is it liquid? Is it solid?


Is it food?

No, oobleck is not food. Oobleck is also not easy to clean up, as daddy found out. Next time, he said we do oobleck outdoors.

Blizzard of December

It was pretty nice when Daddy left for work on Friday.


Here's the train station when he got to work

But while he was at work, it started snowing. They canceled all his work so he came home after only a couple of hours.


Here's the train station when he left work

When he got home, we had to go play outside in the snow...


Me and mommy sledding in the dark


Aki can't do much in the snow but look cute

On Saturday we had to do some shoveling.


Here I am with my blue shovel, ready to work!

Daddy helped me shovel out the car then we went for a walk through the snow.


Walking through the snow is hard work

It was still snowing today so we couldn't go anywhere but outside again.


It was still fun to play in the snow


Mommy even made a snowman


It snowed a lot this weekend!

Hopefully I can go to school tomorrow!

More gingerbreads

We were invited to Auntie Joy and Uncle Carl's Gingerbread Build-off on Sunday. In prepation for the event, mama and daddy spent a lot of time in the kitchen this weekend baking. Here are some pictures of their creations.

Daddy wanted to make a gingerbread ukulele. Here it is in the dough - to be cut and baked.

Mama making gingerbread men.

Big brother Owen also wanted in on the fun too. He and daddy helped each other make holiday cookies. Owen had fun punching out the shapes. He said it's just like doing play-doh.

Holiday cookies before glazing. 

Holiday cookies after glazing.

Daddy's finished gingerbread ukulele.

Mama's gingerbread house and its cardboard model. Mama is very proud of her first gingerbread house made from scratch.

While the rest of the family were busy in the kitchen, I was busy entertaining myself and eating my shoes. Maybe mommy and daddy need to pay more attention to me instead of baking. By the way, happy nine-month birthday to me!

Gingerbread at Peabody Essex Museum

Saturday morning, we took a long drive in the morning. I fell asleep as usual, and when I woke up, we were at this big museum. 

There were a bunch of people working on a big house.

Giant gingerbread house.

The inside of the house.

After we admired the big house for awhile, the people gave us some gingerbread cookies to decorate. 

Daddy helped Owen make gingerbread men. 

Owen and the gingerbread men.

While we had lunch, daddy spotted a family with matching sweaters.

 

I think he's trying to hint that mama should knit us matching sweaters. I don't think I want a sweater that matches daddy and Owen.

Owen and mama also did some painting with watercolor and salt to make snowflakes.

Watercolor with salt.

I got to check out art with daddy.

Antarctic Explore - Darkness to Lightness by Nathalie Miebach.

We saw this giant origami penguin.

And I played with an Orca's tooth.

Maybe next time, I'll get to explore more of the museum on my own!