The last day of the year

Mommy is just so excited that this is the last day of 2010.  Quite frankly, I had a great year and since she spent the large majority of every minute of this past year with little old me....I can't imagine how she is not THRILLED with this year.  Somehow though...she thinks it has been a really hard past two years (coincidentally...the two years of ME) and is really excited to move on! 

Well, I figured that if she was so unhappy with this year, I might as well be sure it went out with a bang.  I truly truly outdid myself today with the most naughty behavior ever. Mommy almost took me to my Aunt's house because there was a party planned at Meg's house and my Mommy was worried I would ruin the new year's eve for everyone.  She even put me in the car to go!  I was sooo upset though.  I might enjoy giving her a run for her money, but I didn't want to be without my mommy for the new year!  She relented and let me stay. 

What a night!  We ate so much fun food.  And, I stole a LOT of cookies and cupcakes.  And, we had a crazy dance party. 

The best part is that I got to drink an entire vodka and pomegranate without anyone noticing.  Afterwards I felt really funny and had a hard time staying upright....I also became very very very energentic an my Mommy was really worried and wondering what was wrong with me.  She had NO IDEA!  After she finally put me to sleep for the night, the missing drink was discovered and mommy came up to check on me and be sure I was still breathing.  What a new years eve!!!  By the time mommy put me down to sleep, I was so out of control that she had to lie in bed with me while I screamed and cried and yelled....and then, I sobbed, and then I breathed deeply twice.....and then I snored.  Whew....it's finally over!

Luckily Mommy DID wake me up right at midnight to come and watch the fireworks with everyone at midnight.  They were so beautiful....off of the space needle.  Great job Seattle and WELCOME 2011.  It's going to be a great year!

Just 4 friends taking a bath

After a long day playing at Meg and Cele's house.....it's BATH TIME!!!

Nordstrom, the Space Needle and all things Seattle

I LOVE this city.  As we drive through, I keep seeing the beautiful views of the city (the weather is cold and clear, the views are simply amazing) and exclaiming, "OH SEATLLE!"  It is fantastic....Mom....I want to move here!

I have managed to get quite sick and also keep telling my mommy how, "I'm not feeling so good".  But, I still want to experience what this city has to offer. 

We had just a bit of time today to explore, so we went to the downtown Nordstrom for mommy's sake.  She really loves it there.  Then....we did a really fun thing for Clara Shei and myself.  We rode the monorail from the shopping center to the Seattle Center and I got to see the Space Needle up close and personally.  It is REALLY big.  At the Seattle Center, they still had their Christmas train set up and I really had fun watching the various trains go around the track and seeing all the different parts of the town that they made up.  There were even planes flying in the air and a hot air balloon ride for the citizens of the town.  It was soooo cool! 

Tonight, we headed to Ms. Meg's house and I got to hang with Cele.  Oh, and she gets to watch so many fun tv programs that I'm not allowed to see.  C'mon Mom!  I had such fun sitting in the big chair with Cele to watch Curious George and many other shows.  She also has new fun toys for Christmas, like barbies and horses, the new little pet shop, a big lego table and a pirate ship!  It's like Santa's workshop has come to Cele's living room!  I LOVE it.  Mommy is slightly worried about my overstimulated little self, seeming to spiral out of control with all this fun....but c'mon, it's FUN!!!

Seattle bound

Seattle holds a special place in my mommy's heart and in our families tradition.  My Bada and Grandad grew up there and we have lots of extended family and friends there.  Mommy spent a good portion of her childhood in Seattle....every summer for a few months and many many Christmas celebrations. 

Mommy really wanted Clara Shei and I to experience the specialness of this great city.  So, we packed up the car and went on a road trip to see our friends for new years eve! 

We got in very late last night and stayed at some friends home who are gone for the next few days.  Bada came with us and is going to see her sister and family while we visit our friends.  Today though, she explored with us.  We went to Kirkland where she lived in the house my great grandfather built for much of her childhood.  Mommy drove us by the house and then to all the fun sites of Kirkland.  She took us to Wendy's for our first frosty (even though it was about 20 degrees and FREEZING outside).  Mommy used to go to that restaurant with her Grandma when she was a little girl.  It has been a few various names and restaurants but the building has remained as has my mommy's great memories.  I loved going there with my grandma (my Bada) and my Mommy....and especially I loved my first frosty.

After we headed out to feed the ducks at the lake.  Mommy also has done that almost every single day that she spent in Seattle since she was a little girl.  She told me about the time the geese attacked her and she cried and had to be rescued by her dad when she was a little girl.  There were no geese this time, but the seagulls did try to steal the bread from the ducks.  I did NOT appreciate it.  I had so much fun today at the lake.  Mommy promised we would do it again before we leave Seattle. 

After that....we went to the Bellvue mall.  Mommy and Bada shopped and bought me TWO new hats.  I was starting to feel pretty sick though...so we thought we had better head back home for the night.  We got back to the house and I took some medicine (mommy was pretty sure I had a fever and I was REALLY tired and lethargic) and I headed to bed.  Don't worry though....I won't let a little cough and cold slow me down....it's SEATTLE BABY!!

The Day After Christmas

Well, some might think it would be a let down....but how can it be when there are SO many new, fun games to explore.  Today was cold but clear outside....perfect for going outside to explore our new outdoor toys.  Clara Shei tried out her new trike, while I put on my new helmet to keep me safe while riding my bike.  We also tried out my new jump rope and Clara Shei's new soccer ball.  Oh, how much fun it was.  I LOVE to play outside.  And mommy loves it too!

He Came...

Santa made it to our house.  So did my fire truck...and lots of presents for everyone.  I had so much fun today with my family opening gifts...listening to Christmas music....playing with my sister...and eating!  I also had a lot of fun watching (and trying hard to help) other people open gifts. 

I should mention that this Christmas season, I also learned why we celebrate Christmas.  I read a book most nights about a bright star that helped shepards and kings to find their way to baby Jesus in a barn with lots of animals.  I love to put all my stuffed animals around me at night when I am getting tucked in a pretend I am baby Jesus. 

I hope you all had a Christmas as good as ours....Merry Christmas Everyone (I loved to walk through public places throwing my arms open wide and proclaiming this phrase for everyone in the near vacinity). 

It's Santa's Big Night

Everyone is so excited about Christmas....but let's face it....the main event is the fact that SANTA will be flying tonight.  I am ALL ABOUT Santa.  I have read and read and read about this guy.  I have asked questions and explained in depth the process to my mommy.  I might even consider myself a 3 year old expert on the man at this point. 

Well, before we get to the reindeers flying and the portly man himself stuffing himself down the chimney....there are a few other Christmas eve events. 

First...Mommy always takes me and Clara Shei out for a special Christmas Even lunch.  It was quite an event.  She wanted to go to Indian, but I won out and we went to La Tapatia mexican food!  Yummy!!!!  It was a perfectly fine lunch, though Clara Shei was her normally cranky-two-year-old self.  The problem came when the balloons came.  Let me preface this by saying that my Mommy HATES balloons.  I have heard her say that they must be the invention of the devil himself.  She gets really frustrated when we go places and they immediately hand out balloons, stickers, crayons etc.  We like them a lot....but I will admit that they do cause quite a stir at times.  Inevitabely my sister will make a fuss (IT WOULD NEVER BE ME, I"M AN ANGEL).  We will argue over who gets what color or a sticker will get ripped or lost, or a balloon will be let go of and rise slowly and dramatically in the air to the sounds of hysterical screaming.  You know....all the FUN times.  I don't get why my mommy cringes in such pain when she sees a waitress coming at us with balloons or some other fabulous activity, but somehow....she's not a fan.

In any case, when the balloons came, there was a bit of upset with who gets which one and why she made us tie them on to the chairs rather than hold them while we ate....and for some silly reason, she was not a fan of me trying to bang the balloon into the plates of food on the table.  I just don't know what the problem was...it's Christmas eve for heavens sake. 

In any case....I will admit....in the midst of the balloon craziness I got my boots stuck in the slates of the chair and when it was time to go....I was stuck.  And.....well....I through a bit of a screaming fit in the middle of the restaurant.  Mommy was mortified.  I know because she told me so....using that word extensively in the car after the episode.  Well....she was sure angry with both Clara Shei and I.  I just listened and listened and listened.  When she was finished yelling....I waited a moment.  And then, I said in my most sincere voice ever, "Mommy....I'm sorry.  I'm going to smile now, knowing tomorrow will be a better day".  Well.....Mommy immediately melted.  I saw it in her face in the rear view mirror.  She had no response.  So she thanked me for my apology and said we would just leave the whole episode back in the restaurant.  Whew....I dodged a big bullet there. 

The evening of Christmas eve is set aside for family.  We hung out at home with Bada and the whole family and ate our traiditional Christmas enchiladas.  And, then....we headed on to Christmas eve church service.  We sang my favorite Christmas carol (I call it the King song), Joy to the World.  And, the whole church lights candles to sing Silent Night.  Again, however, Clara Shei and I were just too excited about the holiday spirit and got out of control at church.  So...when we came home I had to write a special note to Santa to go with his tea and cookies to apologize for my bad behavior at church and hope he might overlook my transgretion.  I really am a pretty good boy most of the time.  I just get a little crazy when my routine gets upset or there is too much stimulation.  Let' hope Santa will excuse me today.  I'm just SOO excited about tomorow.  Good luck Santa.....dont get stuck in any chimneys....we need you!

Zoo Lights

Yesterday we spent the day in the city...shopping, lunch, and Christmas decoration and cheer.  I am loving it!  And, while this season is buy and cray and can get me too wound up....my Mommy and Bada and Uncle Gogo keep talking about how they are noticing me growing into a big boy.  I am able to listen a bit better and am learning how to calm myself down.  I am doing good at helping out with my sister and being a good role model for her.  So...it's getting more fun to have these big family outings because I am being such a big boy. 

Today, I spent the morning with Uncle Gogo and Bada since Mommy took Clara Shei to visit a friend in Sausalito.  This evening we went to the zoo to see the Christmas lights.  It was pretty cool!  It's getting close now....tomorrow is Christmas eve!  Can you believe it??

Christmas is the time for merry-go-rounds...

Tilden Park.  Hot chocolate.  Thomas the Train.  Merry-go-rounds.  Christmas decorations. 

It doesn't get better than this!

Twice in one season

I met Santa twice this year!  I got to ask for a fire truck twice!  I don't think Santa will forget since I got to remind him twice. 

We had to wait in line to see him for 2 hours today.  But, it was worth it, he was really nice and took about 5 minutes with us, really talking to us about how to be good girls and boys.  I talked to him about all his facial features and his outfit.  I think it's pretty cool.  I made sure to tell Santa that Clara Shei wants a soccer ball, in case he didn't understand her (she's sometimes hard to really understand).  So....all in all, I think our visit today was a complete success, not only did we communicate fully our special Christmas hopes but we charmed the pants of the old man! 

Merry Christmas to all....

Santa Clause is comin to town...

 I MET SANTA!!! 

Can you imagine? We went to a Christmas party at Zabrae, Will and George's house.  It was so much fun.  I made gingerbread cookies with Clara Shei, George and my new friend Jordan.  (ok, let's face it... didn't make the men as much as I poured frosting ALL OVER the place and licked it off my cookies before stuffing them in my face. 

And then....

Santa came to our party!  AND, he brought me a gift. And, he knew that my name was Akira but sometimes people call me Aki!  AND, I talked to him and sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  I LOVE SANTA...he is a very nice man!