Around and Around
On Saturday, we drove out to San Rafael to watch James ride in the San Rafael Twilight Criterium. It was a series of races that took place in Downtown and the cyclists went basically around a block 40 times as fast as they could. Since they went around so many times, it was a fun race to watch and I got lots of opportunities to experiment with my camera settings.
It was a pretty warm day out but since James is on a team that’s sponsored by Muscle Milk, we got to hang out under their tent for some relief. Kumquat did rather well that day and only napped at the beginning. It was too exciting for her and she seemed to enjoy the noise and all the hustle and bustle around her. It was also a good trial run for us for Hawaii. We experienced what it was like to have warmer weather with a sweaty baby and no stroller. 
This is us in the Japanese restaurant where we had lunch.
We had to take turns holding and entertaining her while we ate. It’s an interesting challenge – especially when she’s hungry too.
I managed to get a couple of decent shots of James in the race. They zoom by so quickly that you have to be just as quick with the focus, pressing the shutter, and moving the camera with the rider.
After James’ two races, he and Jes went to the beer garden while Kumquat and I hung out on the curb watching the other races go by. We also found a Starbucks along the course and got a really good corner window seat to watch the action in the air-conditioned shop. I also had to be creative with where I changed her diapers too.
Later that evening, we had dinner at a restaurant that was along the course and saw the pros zoom by from the window.
We finished in time to catch the last half of the race and they were so fast that it was just a blur and a huge gush of wind that would blow by every 30 seconds.
I’m surprised I managed to capture this rider with my camera.
Here’s a video of them going by. Jes had a good time watching right up front with his trusty cowbell.
This morning, Kumquat and I made an impromptu trip down to San Jose to see the Chammys. Pish and the family flew up for July 4th and Ishya and Billy came over too. I was also there in time for lunch, which was my aunt’s home cooking. Awesome.
Ishya and Billy didn’t bring the twins but Katie and Kyle got to hang out with Kumquat for a bit.
It was nice to just hang out in my uncle’s house for the afternoon and catch up with the family. Wish I could do it more often.
On July 4th, we went to the Bangs’ for a BBQ. When we arrived, it was swimming with kids. On the grassy area, there was a blanket laid out with 3 babies seated with their respective parent and there were at least 3 toddlers (including our host, Rowan) wandering around the patio area. Then there was Jack, the leader of the bunch playing bocce with his dad. I was so overwhelmed and still felt a little out of place even-though we had an infant there too.
Kumquat hung out on our laps and watched the kids around her.
It was also fun to watch Jack and Reese playing and Jes was even involved in some of the rowdiness.
After we left, we realized that we actually had enough time to pack up the baby and head out to Aquatic Park for some fireworks. We caught the shuttle bus at the Caltrain station and then walked about a mile to the viewing area.
Made it with about 10 minutes to spare and got a pretty decent view. Kumquat hung out in the front carrier and slept through the whole journey over and the fireworks show. 
On our way home, we stopped for pizza. Despite all the activity and noise, our little chubbawub slept through it all. She’s definitely my child.
Ryan invited us over for dinner last night and it was just like old times…except we had a new family member to bring along. The last time we had dinner with them was in 
Reese was off the hook last night and it was fun to see her running, playing, and talking. She was also pretty interested in Kumquat that night. She would sit next to me and Kumquat and say “baby” over and over again. It was also pretty funny to see her get a bit jealous when Michelle or Ryan were holding or even near her.
Jack was his usual rowdy self but it’s so amazing how much a boy he is now. He helped set the dinner table and by the end of the night he was sitting quietly in the corner drawing.
Kumquat and I visited hula practice today and it was great to see everyone again. I also had a great time watching their routines for the Aloha Festival that’s coming up in August. Makes me want to perform again but all the dances look really hard this time around. Kumquat enjoyed it so much that she was drooling. 😉
Kumquat LOVED watching the uli uli routine and seemed mesmerized. I wonder if the rhythms sound familiar to her since I was pregnant with her at the time I was dancing with them. This is a photo of me at 
I still remember watching the little girls perform last year and was so excited to have my own little girl that may one day be able to join them. Judging from how she responded today, it looks like hula may suits her just fine. 😛
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