Cycle Hayward Regional Shoreline

30 March 2008

Kai sits on top of just another torpedo at the San Leandro Marina.

The white building in the far background is the Oakland Airport. We enjoyed watching several airplanes fly over head and land.

We cycled along Bay Trail from San Leandro to Hayward's Shoreline Interpretive Center just off the San Mateo Bridge.

Low tide and a lot of marshy areas.

Conch on display at the Interpretive Center.

Vertebra from Gray Whales.

Kai checks if he can fit between a full set of shark teeth.

After 17 miles of hard riding on and off paved trail and against strong wind, we rewarded ourselves with a margarita at El Toritos. We devoured our Mexican dish and deep fried ice cream while watching planes land and take-off through the panoramic windows facing the bay.

Cycling to REI

I'm wearing my Xmas gift from Lukas and Kai. On the front is a handprint from both boys, and the back a footprint from the same. Isn't that cute? Makes me think of those babies that once wanted boobies all the time.

Look at how much bigger Lukas' foot is! Geez what do they feed that baby?


Kai plays with his Cheerio book.


We cycle to Berkeley marina for crab! And then to REI for a new pair of Keene shoes for Kai. Kai now has the same shoes as daddy.


He's gotten bigger feet. He now wears a size 8! This is an Easter gift from Nana (instead of purchasing more Thomas trains with the check she sent, we got much needed shoes. Thanks nana!)
And I also discovered his 3rd back molar just broke through on the top right!

Looking for a house

29 March 2008 Crockett

(Entrance with snake door handles)
The Greger family invited us to check out this foreclosed home in Crockett. They had seen it just last night and wanted to see it in the day time. So we headed out there and came upon this sorta odd but interesting house.


(inside the entrance)

(Kai and Brennan on the stairwell)
It appeared to be worn out and definitely needed a lot of exterior and interior work. It was obvious the previous tenants were an artsy group. However Greg thought they were a bit on the gothic side due to the obsession with the dark faux wall painting in "every" room.

I thought it had a lot of Southwest influence due to the big heavy doors, cabinets, and metal hinges.

Marla looks a bit skeptical here.
My opinion? I would take another 100 grand to get this place in ship-shape. The (3-level) deck outside is about ready to fall apart, the garden will take a lot of maintenance as the cobblestone is falling apart (Kai pulled one out), and the (3) bathrooms are not finished. All the walls need to be painted, the rooms appear to need re-wiring, and the windows need to be replaced. Due to the big windows also, the place will need central heating or cost a lot in heating. But I am not the expert. I just followed also what the other experienced folk found.

A castle door, medieval door? hanging for show on the wall.

But hey, you never know-maybe the Greger's would take up on the challenge if they have the time and are willing to spend the bucks! I would love to see it go through the remodeling phase.

A Kai Monet

Kai's first fingerpaint artwork- a Kai-Monet! Now framed and hanging.
~
If you want to buy it-state your price, because this is the start of something big! (wink)

Bowling with Foster a Dream

28 March 2008 Friday afternoon

Kai and Lukas pick out bowling balls for us and then set up the score board.


Then they got together the team members from Foster A Dream

...and then mama Ute showed some fancy foot work to get that strike!

Mama Arleen was concerned that Kai would get in the way of a moving bowling ball,

...and decided to hip-carry him and in high hopes to get that spare!

Unfortunately, that didn't work- as I almost tossed Kai with the ball also! And I missed the spare!

Afterwards we had pizza with the 26 other kids...

...and enjoyed this 17-years old's birthday cake! Yummy!

~
(In the meantime, Greg had flown to Columbia, CA with Dr. Bob and cycled in that area. He returned just in time to cook us dinner).

Spin Me Spin You

At zoophonics class he appeared to be more quiet but only for a brief moment, before standing in the center for attention. Again his fingers were in his mouth and he was distracted by the other kids instead of paying attention to Ms. Renee. However, he did say his A-B-C and M sounds.


Today was the Hawaiian dance. Each child got a lay to wear.


Kai is starting to understand colors when you ask for a particular crayon. But is still does not understand the concept of coloring inside the lines.
~
Later that night, we settled down in our PJs and became quickly bored- so we spun each other...

Easter Fun

Kai for some strange reason decided to take his morning nap outside in the swing. That's daddy who is keeping an eye on him while working on the computer.


Later on we go to the Bienert's in San Ramon and the boys immediately begin to bicker, fight, and wrestle over toys. All us adults had turns being referees. There they are eating Easter bunny buns.


So on this beautiful day we cycled to Danville and the boys ransacked Trader Joe's for juice... a mistake since they were into running around loose, pulling food off the shelves, and tearing up store decorations.


We hung around at the public library's big lawn after cycling 6 miles to get there.


The Bienert Family.

The Thomas Family.

Back home again. Eating watermelon indoors was prohibited since they are so messy!

We later have an egg hunt before the sun disappears and Kai is excited to get eggs with M&Ms in it. Lukas has a better way to collect his eggs (in the truck) and is already eating the candy while the hunt is not over.

For dinner, Ute baked a mean dish of leprechaun (with boot, buckle, and everything)- haha it is actually a Turkish dish called Lahmacun . I just cannot pronounce it! It looks like a pizza but has no sauce. A layer of seasoned chopped lamb meat spread over bread dough and oven-baked -made an excellent dish.

Kai admires the egg Lukas decorated for him before demolishing it and eating it for breakfast. Thanks! Yummy!

Easter Egg Painting with buddies

March 22, 2008 Saturday
Kai's buddy Brennan comes over with a belated birthday gift. What could be better than an outdoor toy involving some sand and water and boats?

Later, 7 year old Anthony joins them and they paint eggs outdoors on this beautiful day.


I try to assist Kai but he is too interested in trying to break the eggs open.

Which he is successful and bites into this egg that was dipped in vinegar. ugh.

These expert boys know what they are doing.

Then I collect the eggs and put my touch of art talent to it. hee hee. Brennan's daddy tells me I should have been a Cub Scout den mother. ME? (This is where I got my egg idea... for a good laugh check this link out http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/381/Easter/Happy_Easter

Brennan and Anthony take home their egg bunnies with much enthusiasm.

And as for Kai,

all he wants to do is eat them!

When his buddies left, I got to pick up 100 plastic balls they used to attack each other with, later that night Kai fell fast asleep with no difficulty next to me while I watched tv.