Kicking Peanut
https://youtu.be/ydsdKC33Ang
This second baby is very active. I suppose that’s expected from a boy. This afternoon while I was trying to rest during KK’s tea party, he was squirming around like crazy.
Sibling Love
I’ve read that bonding starts even before a baby is born. At 33 weeks, Peanut has the ability to hear my voice and some sounds outside of the womb. He’s been very active lately – lots of rolling, kicking, stretching, and hiccups. This evening, he was awake during the Warriors game and KK came by to give him a big hug and kiss. I later told her to sing to Baby Brother and she started right away with the ABC Song. Then, he kicked and she was so delighted. I got some of it on video and love seeing her responses. She even hangs around after the song to just talk to him. She kept saying, “what’s up?” to him. So sweet.
https://youtu.be/nAWx9U65WuM
Oahu: Day 4
Day Four: 3/8/15
Our 4th day in Hawaii started out with a walk down to Eggs ‘n Things for my favorite coconut waffle. 
We managed to get a table for the whole family and we were all stuffed when we were all done.
After a failed attempt at taking the kids to the zoo (they both fell asleep), we ended up at the Moana beach bar where I got a virgin lava flow that had banana flavor in it. Yuk. The real kind doesn’t usually have it but mine did.
For lunch, we went to Marukame Udon and I got the udon with a soft egg on top with a few sides to take back to the hotel.
After lunch, we all went to the beach and it was warm enough to go for a little dip in the ocean.
https://youtu.be/LgQo-X772G0
I took the GoPro out there and caught Jes floating – his favorite thing to do in the ocean.
This was Jes’ attempt at dunking me. Luckily the water was super shallow all the way out there and I managed to escape.
Of course there was time in the sand and Brother dug a moat for KK. Too bad the tide was coming in fast and flooded every time they were making progress.
Before heading back to the hotel room, we took the kids to the pool and they hung out in the shallow area together.
After a little break in the hotel room, we went downstairs to watch the Honolulu Festival Parade. 
This was our favorite performance – it was about 230 Japanese students all dancing their hearts out with high energy and big smiles. They looked exhausted but also looked like they were having the time of their lives.
The night was finished off with a really good fireworks show over Waikiki Beach. We got a really nice view from our hotel pool area.
https://youtu.be/kcrFperfS58
Christmas Eve and Disneyland 2014
For the third year in a row, we went to Disneyland with the family. This is a fun tradition that just keeps getting better every year. I grew up going to Disneyland multiple times a year and both Brother and I worked there. Despite that, it never seems to get old and it seems even more fun now through the eyes of our kids.
As usual, we got up early and opened some presents. My brother had a giant photo of Koa printed on wood for my parents. Aaawww…we all still miss him.
Once we arrived at Disneyland, the tram, ticket line, and getting into Disney’s California Adventure were easy. Our first stop was to get a FastPass for the Elsa and Anna Meet and Greet.
Then we headed out to Cars Land for a fun ride on the racers. 
The single-rider line was empty so we all hopped on quickly and still ended up in the same cars together and racing against each other.
For a tasty snack, we headed over to the Cozy Cone. 
We shared a pretzel bread cone filled with chili, cheese, and Fritos (of course!).
It’s one of my favorite treats at DCA and big enough to share.
At Bugs Land, we rode this funny caterpillar ride that takes you through a giant watermelon and animal cracker box. They both had yummy smells inside.
I like how Little Alice can barely see out of the car in this picture.
The best part of being at Disneyland together is that we get to watch KK and Alice interact. KK is starting to understand what it’s like to be the big kid and held Alice’s hand down the street.
Alice just wanted to do everything KK did. SO cute.
What’s not surprising is that when it came time to meet all of KK’s favorite characters that she shied away. This was the best photo we could get of her with them. What’s funny is that as soon as we got out of the room, she said “I want Elsa and Anna”. *sigh*
She also was not a fan of Santa again. Oh well.
For lunch, we feasted on fried chicken, green beans, and mashed potato.
Both kids ate very well.
On Main Street, everything was decorated for Christmas – including the castle.
KK also said “hello” to Chip and Dale.
During nap time, we rode the newly refurbished Thunder Mountain. Not much was changed aside from the addition of more explosions inside.
The carousel was a hit for everyone. Alice especially enjoyed it and cried when the ride was all done.
On the Casey Jr. Ride, we passed by the new tiny model of Arendelle.
Ever since I was a kid, a big part of our day at Disneyland is scoping out the perfect spot to watch the parade. This year was no different and Brother came prepared with a blanket to sit on this year. We all took turns sitting around while the others wandered around. The kids loved hanging around on the street and KK had fun dancing and twirling in the street before the parade started. You’ll see it at the end of the video below.
The best part of Christmas Time at Disneyland are all the extra twinkle lights around the park.
The Christmas Parade is also a favorite – even for Jesse. 🙂
Here is “It’s a Small World” all lit up. It’s pretty gawdy but so cool at the same time.
They also have all the dolls and scenery decorated for the holiday season.
We also stayed long enough to watch the fireworks and snow.
This part gets me all choked up every year. I know, I’m dumb.
What a fun day at the “Happiest Place on Earth”. I hope we can keep this tradition going.
http://youtu.be/0m4nCmtR4fc
Here’s a video that Brother put together from the day. We had a blast – oh, and so did the kids. Heh heh.
Thriving
What once was an innocent trip to the pet store for a couple pet fish for KK has now turned into a full-blown project. It looks like we have unearthed Jes’ long-lost hobby from college: fishkeeping. Dum dum DUUUUUM!!! On Tuesday, the bigger tank arrived from Amazon and the two adult fish were put into their new home.
Meanwhile, the baby fish were having a party in their tank. With the adults nowhere to be found, they all emerged from their hiding places and we counted up to 20 baby fish!!!
http://youtu.be/4z0IkbkbX00
Where did they all come from?! We only counted 12 the other day. Now they’re all swimming freely around the tank and having a blast. Each day they seem to get a little bigger and they all now have black markings on their tails. This is so fun!!
The next step is to find some more plants for the big tank and it sound like Jes has big plans for it. I guess we’ll be spending more time (and money) at fish stores this coming year. It’ll be just like college all over again.
It’s a Platy Family!
Last night we went to the store to buy some fish. 
We came home with two sunburst wag platys and they adjusted well to our little 5-gallon tank.
This afternoon, I was checking on them and found a tiny little baby fish!!! I had a feeling one of the fish we bought was preggo because her belly was so big and round! FYI, baby fish are called “fry”. Haha.
When I looked closer, I saw two more, then a fourth…wait, there were at least 7 baby fishies!! Here is a picture of two on the leaf and two more (blurry) down below. Aren’t they so cute?!
http://youtu.be/sC1Gf1A-CLc
Here is a video of them hanging out.
We made sure to keep the adults fed so that they wouldn’t be tempted to eat the babies. We also added more plants so that the babies had more places to hide. Hopefully they will survive the next few days and grow up big enough to fend for themselves.
Update!! I just checked again and counted ELEVEN of those little guys!!
Another Update: I just counted TWELVE! These guys are sneaky.
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