Browse Category: kumquat

Dragon Party!

DSC_3308We went to Zoe’s 1st Birthday Party on Sunday afternoon in Alameda.  There was a dragon theme and there were lots of dragons (including Kumquat) at the party!

DSC_3283DSC_3299Eleen and Jimmy worked very hard to make this party decked out in dragon stuff.

DSC_3348Kumquat scored some crayons and lots of other goodies that day.

DSC_3286Oh and we can’t forget about the Zoe cookies they had made for the party.  Hilarious.

DSC_3323When it was time to sing “Happy Birthday”, Zoe really enjoyed herself.DSC_3328She soaked in all the extra attention and hammed-it-up for the crowd.  So cute.

DSC_3353Here is Zoe and her happy parents.

DSC_3351Jimmy’s mom also flew up from Cerritos and it was nice to see her again.

DSC_3344The cake was a rich red velvet with super sweet frosting.  Kumquat and I got a couple bites and then we had to call it quits.

DSC_3304Keenan was there and giving his dad (flying solo that day) a hard time during lunch.  Funny kid.DSC_3302The Bangs came too and Isla was NOT a fan of Uncle Jimmy that day.  She literally cried every time she saw him.DSC_3314This is little Athena, Aylang and Dave’s 12-month-old.  Look at those curls!

DSC_3361What a fun birthday party!  I’m sure this is just the beginning of these kid-infested parties.  It seemed like there was almost one child per adult at the party.  We’ll wait for Kumquat to grow up a little more before she can have her face painted.  Until then, balloons and crayons will do.

Happy 38th!

IMG_4933Yesterday was Jes’ birthday so Kumquat took him out for a nice steak dinner at Hillstone after work.

IMG_4937Cheers!!

IMG_8333Today, Jason picked us up and we went to Sonoma for the day.  (Thanks for driving, DiDi!)  Our first stop was Sebastiani and we shared a tasting while Kumquat wandered the tasting room with her snack.

IMG_4967For lunch, we went to the girl and the fig, which features rustic French food.

IMG_8336Apparently I made the right choice for lunch because he wanted to order almost everything on the menu.

IMG_8340Here are the profiteroles that we ordered for dessert.

IMG_8344After lunch, it was too hot to stop at Train Town for Kumquat so we went straight to a second winery called Cline Cellars.  It was 98 degrees out in the sun so we spent the afternoon on the porch in the shade sipping wine.  Kumquat’s looking extra sweaty in this photo.

Happy Birthday, Jes!  We love you!

Wandering the City

Mirian had to take Karla to the doctor so I had Kumquat all to myself for the day.  It was a very sunny day and perfect for a stroll through the city with my little girl.  After I finished my errands, I went to Sai’s Vietnamese Restaurant and got a table for 2.

IMG_4914Here’s my lunch.  Yum.  It was pork with vermicelli noodles, veggies, and imperial rolls.

IMG_4915And here’s my lunch date.  I didn’t bother getting a highchair for her since she had already eaten and she had a very comfortable time kickin’ back with her feet up on the stroller tray.

IMG_4924On our walk back home, it got very warm so I pulled the shade for Kumquat.  She was supposed to be napping but instead she laid back with her feet up again.  Aaaah…she’s got a good life.

The Fort is gone.

DSC_3256This morning, Jose, one of the maintenance guys that works for our building, came by to pick up our beloved couch and chair.  We bought it from a sketchy knock-off furniture store in Torrance 10 years ago and was made after a set that I saw in a Pottery Barn catalog.  It has been one of the most comfortable places for me to sleep and when I was preggo I slept on it every night.  After a while, I called it The Fort since I spent so much time on it.  When Kumquat was born, my mom slept on it for 6 weeks.  I’ve also taken numerous photos of Kumquat and Koa on that couch.  It has lots of sentimental value to me but it was time to get rid of it.  It was starting to show its age and I was pretty embarrassed of its condition when people would come over to visit.  This morning, I took one last photo of them.

DSC_3276Here is what our livingroom looks like now.  It’s nice to have more space but it’s kinda sad too.  We ordered a smaller leather sofa from Costco today and it should be delivered in a few weeks.  Until then, we will enjoy the extra space and Koa and Kumquat will have a nice view from the window.

Cooling off

IMG_4792 It’s been so hot in Southern California this week – especially in Cerritos.  To escape the heat, we went to Brother and Joy’s (in Gardena) for the day.  As soon as we dropped off some of our stuff, we drove over to Manhattan Beach for lunch and then a little visit to the surf and sand.  I had my ice cream in a cup so that Kumquat had something to use in the sand.  IMG_4797Afterward, we hung out with the apartment.  I got this funny photo of Kumquat comparing her tummy to her uncle’s.  I think Kumquat wins this contest.  Thanks for letting us crash at your house today!  It was AT LEAST 10 degrees cooler there.

Slowest. 5K. EVER.

IMG_8126But it was so fun!!!!  On Saturday morning, I got up at 3:45 am and Brother and Joy picked me up at 4:30 to get to the start line. We wore our race tees, which were 1) not very flattering and 2) not very breathable in the heat.  At 5:00 am, it was already 72 degrees and humid.

IMG_4735The beginning of the race took us backstage where we were running in darkness.

IMG_8134Then the race course entered from Carsland at Disney’s California Adventure.IMG_8139Here we are at the boardwalk and they even turned on the World of Color fountains for us!

IMG_8143Next was across the courtyard to Disneyland!  IMG_8147There were Cast Members ready to snap photos for us at each photo op location.  What fun!IMG_8151Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is so pretty at dawn.

IMG_8154The Dumbo ride was running as we passed through Fantasyland.  Kumquat would love this ride!

IMG_8157In Frontierland, we found the chipmunks!!!

IMG_8161

The last part of the park route was through Critter Country.

IMG_8169Here we are with our medals at the finish line.  IMG_8170It’s a rubber medal with the Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit on it.

IMG_4750As a special treat after the run, we picked up some coffee and freshly fried beignets.  Yum.

IMG_4753We also had some time to kill before the Diaper Dash so we hung out inside the Grand California Hotel to watch some cartoons.

IMG_4749The course was super fun and I’m kinda glad that Joy couldn’t run.  It gave us an excuse to just take it easy and enjoy the unique experience of wandering the parks at dawn.  IMG_8167I also bumped into Michelle, my good friend from high school and college.  I think she might be running the half on Sunday.

IMG_6616Kumquat also ran in her first fun run – a 100 meter dash!  For a recap of that part of the morning, click here.