Caught Taking Rice Krispies- Elmo Behind Bars!

Sunday, October 28


And if that wasn't enough, Elmo Kai was also caught snatching pumpkins!


Here's Kai trying to conceal his true identity from the press.


We went to Moraga to attend a Halloween school fair.

But it was a bit overwhelming for him. There were so many kids, and too much noise that he preferred to be outside. Plus I think the Grim Reaper on the stage in the back may have intimidated him.

Elmo Kai watches everyone with curiosity.

VIDEO: Running after Elmo Kai is a tiring task.

Kai's Godmother Ale turns 43!

Yup, I just broadcasted her age all over the internet and she will probably kill me for it, but she did turn 43 and she looks great! Better than the majority of women up to that age!

So we got Kai hyper before going out to dinner with Alejandra and her hubby/ godfather Martin on the past Friday night. We went to our favorite Indian restaurant in Pleasanton, with the hostess whom, we believe, kept giving us the evil eye because of a very loud boy that could not sit still in his highchair. I was having a difficult time trying to prevent him from putting his feet on the dinner table, throwing food, and from being too loud. He also tried to go through the barricade of chairs that Ale set up, which to prevent him from running around in the restaurant.

When I no longer could tolerate Kai, I quickly gulped my meal down and took him outside to run and scream all he wanted. He screamed and laughed even louder when Auntie Ale would jump out from between cars at him, or holding his Elmo costume to scare him with.

Well, wouldn't you run and scream also, if you saw this jumping out at you from between the cars?

Kai wore this terrific glow in the dark top that said " I Love My Mummy" given to him from his other godmother Cheri (my sister) back in Chicago.

After dinner, we went to their house and ate her birthday"boob" cake, a Swedish cake of marzipan that covered a white cake with a jelly filling. YUM! And eventually Kai fell asleep in my arms.

Elmo parades around in Orinda.

While I was in the bathroom, I could hear Kai shriek in anger. Lo and behold, he put himself into a tight situation that he couldn't get out of. I could have left him there for awhile just to keep him contained but you now how that goes...

Later that morning we went to the Orinda Community Center and walked in a parade with at least a hundred other little kiddies dressed in their Halloween attire.

Mama and Kai.

Elmo Kai parades around the park fascinated with the other children's costumes.

Again, kids were pointing out to Elmo Kai as were their parents.

Elmo tries to get a drink from the water fountain.

Elmo Kai tries to make a quick getaway.

Afterwards, there were cookies and apple juice. A photographer from the Contra Costa Times came along and took pictures of Elmo trying to grab cookies off the table, the pictures may be in tomorrow's newspaper in the Lamorinda Sun, as he wrote down our names.

Kai then had a pumpkin tattoo placed on his hand and cheek.

And off to daycare we went with balloons to share with other children there.

Whew! Another day packed with fun for Kai (and me).

Trick or Treat with Elmo and the Lion

Kai and Lukas see each other for the first time in their Halloween outfits.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Kai and Lukas appeared to be entertained by the other's Halloween outfit. With Kai dressed as Elmo and Lukas as a lion, they toted their trick-or-treat bags and walked from store to store for some goodies in downtown Lafayette.

Kai learned to grab the good stuff...chocolate bars! Good boy, Kai!

In no time, Kai and Lukas learned to grab candy from the bowls on their own. Kai is happily sucking on a lollipop soon followed by 2 others... and of course had a sugar rush after that!

Several kids recognized Elmo and were fixated on him. Some repeatedly chanted his name, and others just stared. A mom took a picture of Elmo Kai next to her son whose eyes would not leave him. Lucky for me, I found another successful outfit for Kai just like the Cookie Monster outfit he wore last year.

Taking an outdoor candy break!

Ute wears her cow pants but is missing the top half and her utters. ha ha. Lukas is being trailed by Kai's daddy, Greg, who holds his cup to a sugar rush.

Ute and Lion Lukas, Arleen and Elmo Kai.

A polaroid taken at the event by the Lamorinda Moms Group.

Family Dynamics in Chicago

This is the family life I grew up in...yes, it was a bit crowded, noisy, cluttered, cramped, we argued, we fought...but we had many a good times together, and a heck of a lot of laughter! And just with as many family members around, we could have a party of our own without involving outsiders. I am thankful that my family is very close and I still see (and get along with) every one of my siblings (all four of them to this day!)

Video: This kids do karate!

Video: Kai takes a bite!


After much entertainment from the little ones...mom retires to Cohen's bedroom. Yes, that is her all snuggled up with Mika in a toddler's bed! GOTCHA MOM!

Clayton Pumpkin Farm

Sunday, October 21, 2007
The following morning we met the Greger family in Crockett and carpooled to the Clayton Pumpkin Farm.


Kai immediately took to playing a little tic-tac-toe,

and then walked through this haystack maze with Brennan. Following them was no easy task as I was forced to stoop over as it had a roof. In a few minutes my back was getting sore. Greg complained of the hay "dust" that could be seen when light filtered through it.

The boys then played in pools of lima beans. So this is where they all go, when no one cares to eat them- I certainly don't like to!

Daddy buries Kai.

And of course, I had to get my lima bean spa treatment also. The disadvantage I had was lima beans stuck to me under my clothes and in my underwear. Kai also had a load in his diaper when I had to do a poop change...what an interesting mix!

Then the boys took to rolling basketballs down the sewer tube.

Daddy and Kai pumped water down the funnel to assist the rubber duckies to the other end. Brennan retrieved it and pumped it back their way.

We rode the trackless train and had a tour of the pumpkin grounds.

Finally we settled down for a lunch picnic that Uncle Joel made consisting of deli meats, cheese, fruits, salads, and loaves of bread. Kai and Brennan had a great time chasing each other around on the grounds, while we kicked back and had our little feast. Thanks Greger family!