Beach Blanket Baby

Our weekend of fun (before the stomach bug hit) ended with a trip to Crown Beach in Alameda. Virginia loved playing in the sand and checking out the sunset. She can't wait for her trip to the beach in Charleston in a few weeks!

Domo Arigato

We took Virginia on her first visit to a Japanese restaurant last night. She chowed down on white rice and edamame (along with unauthentic Cherrios). We think we may have overdone it with the new food - when we came in to wake her up the following morning, her crib was covered in vomit - yuck. Virginia apparently slept right through being sick. No noise or crying. Just puke. The joys of parenting. But she sure did look cute at the restaurant, so it was worth it.

Children's Fairyland

This weekend, we took Virginia on her first visit to an Oakland institution - Children's Fairyland. It is a play park for young children that has rides and play structures out of the classic fairy tales. It was built in the 1950s, and hasn't changed much since then. Nothing high tech and nothing commercial, so it is a great place to just let kids have some old-fashioned fun.

Virginia had a blast! We took her through the Alice in Wonderland maze and she climbed aboard a Peter Pan pirate ship. She especially enjoyed the petting zoo. Since Fairyland is just a 10 minute trip across the tunnel from Alameda (and admission is cheap!), I have a feeling we'll be visiting often.

In Her Easter Bonnet

Virginia paid her first visit to the Easter Bunny (a.k.a. the Easter "Button") this weekend. She got all dolled up in her Easter best - a white smocked dress from her great grandmother, Nanny. Since she's been battling some occasional stranger/separation anxiety, we were a bit worried that she would not be pleased when being handed off to a perpetually-smiling oversized rodent. Our worries were unfounded - she was all smiles. We think he reminded her of her stuffed animals back home.

Computer Nerd

Virginia really, really likes our computers. She offers her assistance every time we need to check email, load up photos, write blog posts, or basically do anything else remotely close to a computer.

Laugh In

Virginia is laughing more and more recently. She has begun laughing when we play games that she knows and likes, like peekaboo and "Where's Virginia?" A good old tickle on the belly is pretty reliable too.

National Corndog Day!

Today is that most special of holidays, National Corndog Day. This year was the best ever. New house, more space, more people, more fun. We had over 50 participants at our house. We set a record for number of baby participants (15) and boxes of corndogs consumed (10).


Usually we like to post a few action shots, but this year it was so busy we did not have a chance to take any. You'll just have to imagine the beautiful scene.


After a feast like the one we had today, I always take a moment to think of those who are less fortunate and did not have a chance to consume corndogs, tater tots, and beer all day long while watching the NCAA basketball tournament. To all such people, I would simply remind them that they too can sign up for a party next year at the official Corndog Day website, www.corndogday.com.

Mrs. Lawnmower Man

Virginia has been attending a public scheduled playtime for babies in Alameda known as "Wee Play." At the Veteran's Memorial Building near Park Street, the Parks & Rec Department sets up little play areas in the playhouse and lets the kiddos wear themselves out. Virginia has loved these events from her very first visit.

Today at Wee Play Virginia found herself a little lawnmower walker. This was her first experience with a walker. It didn't take her too long to figure it out and take it for a spin. We're going to have to put her to work in our own yard.

Carpe Anything

Virginia is a busybody. Here is one of the games we try to wear her out before her bath.