Browse Category: outings

Wet Weekend

IMG_9748We had lots of rain this weekend and it was so nice.  On Saturday, I wanted some rainy-day food so we took the bus to Chinatown for our favorite porridge and noodle place.  IMG_9741To add to the adventure, we took the bus with Kumquat unbuckled and unstrapped. IMG_9751She sat in her own seat and walked up and down the Chinatown hills with us in the rain like a big girl.  She’s growing up way too fast.  It’s so fun to see the world through her eyes and she had a blast.

IMG_9746The porridge, Chinese doughnut, and warm soy milk really hit the spot.

IMG_9742Jes got the Singapore rice noodles and Kumquat had a little of everything we ordered.  We also ordered two dishes to-go so we wouldn’t have to cook or leave the house for dinner.

IMG_9806On Sunday morning, Kumquat and I walked down the street for brunch.  I didn’t take the stroller and we braved the rain together on foot.  On the walk home, it started to rain harder and Kumquat a fun time playing in the rain.

IMG_9711The Sochi Winter Olympic Games also started on Thursday and I’ve been watching it online thanks to my Brother who gave me access with his cable account.  Thanks, Brother!  It’s was the perfect thing to watch on a rainy weekend.

Day Off

IMG_9603I stayed home today and it was so nice to have a day with Kumquat.  In the morning, we had brunch at La Boulange Bakery.  This is one of my favorite things to do with my little girl.  She’s such a good little diner.

IMG_9618I was in major decluttering and purge mode this weekend so we went over to Target to pick up some containers and other household stuff.

IMG_9614With some time left before her nap, we stopped at the Yerba Buena Playground, which has a bunch of huge slides.  We went up and down several times before heading home.

IMG_9630The rest of the day was spent at home while she napped and I cleaned.  In the evening, we played a bit and went to Safeway.  By the time Kumquat went to bed, I was exhausted.  I realized that I hadn’t really sat down all day.  Well, at least I was productive.

Lunar New Year Super Bowl Weekend

IMG_9527Boy, we had quite a weekend!  It started a little early when Mirian asked if I could come home early on Friday because Karla had a fever.  I managed to get home by noon to relieve her and I had an unexpected half-day to hang out with my little girl.  It was sunny outside so I took her down to the courtyard for some water fun with her tea set.  She LOVED it and I got some free time to pay bills and balance our finances.

IMG_9544That evening, we went to SOMA Streat Food Park for their version of Lunar New Year.  All the food trucks had special dishes for the night, they played Bruce Lee movies on the big screens, Tsing tao was $3 all night, and they had a DJ playing Asian Hip-Hop music.  They also had Chinese acrobats performing at 8pm but we left before that started.

IMG_9552 IMG_9560On Saturday morning, we took a trip to the zoo for a quick 1-hour walk around the Savanna area.  The giraffes and zebras were all so active that morning and Kumquat was so pleased to see her “GG” pals.IMG_9274That same evening, we all gathered at Ryan and Michelle’s house in Orinda to welcome the Year of the Horse.  We celebrate together every year and I was impressed at how civilized our dinner was this year considering we had 5 kids present.

IMG_9280At one point everyone was seated, eating, and enjoying each other’s company.  IMG_9281We’ve come a long way from the year we had Jack, Reese, and Rowan together for the first time.

IMG_9283We had a potluck of “bring something from your homeland” so we pretty much had two dinners: my dish (chicken gravy over rice) first and then Michelle’s kalbi, spicy pork, and chap chae.  For dessert, we had Vyl’s red bean pancakes and pecan pie.  Yum.

IMG_9273The kids received red envelopes and I loved Reese’s expression when she discovered there was actual money inside for her.

IMG_9285Kumquat had a fun time playing with all of Reese and Jack’s toys and at one point Isla joined her.  By the end of the night, she was falling asleep in Bang’s comfy lap.

IMG_9293After we got home and put Kumquat to bed, I mustered some energy to change my clothes and put on some heels(!) for Mai’s Bachelorette Party.  Jes stayed home and I hailed a cab to Asia SF where the party had started since 5.  I didn’t get there until 10 but I got there with enough to celebrate with the girls and get a good laugh.  Amazingly, I was home by midnight.  Thanks for the ride home, R!

IMG_9577On Sunday morning it was raining!  Finally.  We opted to stay in our PJs for as long as we could and it was great.  I spent the morning archiving a bunch of our old bank and health insurance statements while reorganizing our files too.  Victor and Susie were hosting Super Bowl so we joined them in the afternoon for all the tasty food that Susie prepared.

The game was not very exciting but Bruno Mars had a good half-time performance. And of course, the commercials were fun. These were my favorites:

  1. Budweiser puppy/horse spot
  2. Doritos time machine spot
  3. Bud Light up-for-anything spot.

Overall, this was a fun and productive weekend.  Unfortunately, Karla is still sick so I’m going to have to stay home tomorrow.  Yippee!  Er, I meant Aw shucks.  These unexpected long weekends are going to spoil me!!

Napa Date

IMG_9255Jes and I both had today off but this is one of the holidays that Mirian does not have off.  So, we had her come in as scheduled and the two of us went to Napa for a little wine tasting and lunch.  We went to Robert Craig for our free club member tasting and bought a bottle of their Zin.

IMG_9262For lunch, we went to The Pear, which is also in downtown Napa and located just a couple doors down from Morimoto.  They feature southern food and we shared the cheddar jalapeno tater tots, root veggie salad, and chicken and waffles.

IMG_9261We also had two glasses of wine each with lunch so I was feeling pretty good afterward.  To sober up, we went shopping at the outlet.  I bought a bunch of $4 shirts for Kumquat while Jes picked up some work shirts.

IMG_9260Today was quite a treat.  It’s so rare that Jes and I get to go out to eat by ourselves let alone have a whole day!  Wish we could do this more often.

Girls’ Night Out

IMG_9151This is what Girls’ Night Out looks like for me nowadays.  We had been cooped up in the house all afternoon and Jes was still at work pretty late.  So, we packed up and went next door for margaritas/milk and tacos.  Eventually, Jes met up with us but it’s nice to know that I have someone to go out with now when the husband is out late.  We were still home in time to settle down and get to bed at the usual time.

BART Adventure

IMG_9069 The girls planned a Happy Hour this evening and I was up to the challenge of going home, packing up the baby (and her stuff), and taking her to Oakland by Muni and BART.  It was easier that I expected and actually pretty fun.  I enjoy my girl time with Kumquat and love seeing the world through her eyes.  IMG_9087Something as simple as an escalator is like a new adventure.  It was also neat to see how she was able to figure out when to step off the moving steps at the top.IMG_9071I was afraid she would want to wander off each time I had to let go of her hand to unfold the stroller and I thought she would mess around or turn into a potato on the floor while we transferred trains.  Instead, she held my hand and stayed put when she was supposed to.  She even managed to walk up the stairs at to the Rockridge station platform all on her own power without pooping out.  IMG_9083Having a toddler is tough sometimes but I can’t describe how proud I am of her each day.  She’s becoming such a big girl and while she impressed me at my Work Holiday Party, this adventure impressed me even more.