One of the best parts of having Kekoa is starting family traditions with him. Last year we stayed in "the city" for a night during the holidays and had so much fun that we decided this would be one of our family traditions, to stay in SF every year during the holidays. The city is full of colorful lights and holiday decorations. Kekoa is so happy to be on vacation, to go to new places and see all the new sights. We took BART up there since we would be staying right in Union Square, at the Westin St. Francis. It was Kekoa's first time on BART and he thought it was pretty cool to be on the "toot toot". He sat in the seat the whole time, looking out the window, while I fed him lunch.
Once we got off the BART, he was SUPER excited to be in SF, all the people and excitement got him all excited too. We didn't bring a stroller with us, so Kekoa got to ride "piggy back" during our stay there. He got to cruise on mama's back, in the Ergo. He was so happy to travel this way, would reach out and touch people walking by, as if to say hello! The weather was a bit drizzly and rained pretty hard at times, but it didn't slow us down at all. It was actually really nice to have the drizzle on our first night there because it kept the crowds away from Union Square. It was just a really peaceful misty drizzle.
Union Square was a big hit. Kekoa was in heaven, waving at all the busses was his favorite thing to do. It was adorable and he put a smile on a lot of people's faces with his cute wave. I don't know how many times I heard him say "Oh wow" as he cruised around.
Such a good waver...
"Oh wow!"
Checking out the ice skaters with baba.
Baba chasing Kekoa in the drizzles...
We put our name in at the Cheesecake Factory for an early dinner and it was going to be a 2 hour wait and to come back in about an hour for the pager! Now this may seem crazy to you, but it actually worked out just perfect for us. After we put our name in, we cruised around Union Square, checked into the hotel, and by the time we walked back to get the pager, they were ready to seat us! It was perfect timing. Even without a book to read, Kekoa was a happy camper at the Cheesecake Factory!
Scott and Kekoa waving at the buses.
Taste the raindrop...one of Kekoa's favorite books right now, "What can you do in the rain?" has a page that says, "taste a raindrop" with an illustration of two little boys with their tongues sticking out. Now when we say taste a rain drop, Kekoa will stick out his tongue too.
Yum, let me taste that raindrop again.
Our room at the hotel was AWESOME (thank you Scott). We looked right out onto Union Square and all the festivities there. It was such a great view, Kekoa loved it too. He would insist on looking out the window, so we pulled the chair up for him to stand on. He couldn't get enough of all the lights and excitement. He also loved playing with the curtains, thought they were a cool new invention. We don't have curtains so they were a new discovery for him. It was the most adorable thing to watch Kekoa cruise around the halls in the hotel. He totally remembered where our room was, would actually lead the way each time we got off the elevator! What a smartie pants! The only thing that would stop him in his tracks was the cleaning cart, with all the towels and sheets on it. He was very scared of it!
Look at our view!!
Sunday we were so lucky when we left the hotel for breakfast because it had stopped raining. This meant we could walk, yay! We headed out for dim sum at Yank Sing. It is soooo yummy and Kekoa's first dim sum experience. He pretty much ate everything, but especially liked the sticky rice with meat. Actually the last time we ate there, I was pregnant but didn't know it yet! There is a really beautiful atrium there, water falls from the ceiling into a shallow pool and you can dine around it without getting wet at all. Kekoa was of course completely entranced with the water.
When we left Yank Sing, we were not so lucky, it was pouring. Instead of walking back and getting soaked, we caught a trolley back to the hotel. It was one of the super cool trolleys and Kekoa actually started to throw a tantrum when we got off! He wanted back on the "toot toot". The driver of the trolley was the best, super funny and loved his job, which made the short ride that much more enjoyable.
After Kekoa's nap (he napped really well in the hotel room, a 2 hour nap!!), we headed out to ride the cable car. Because of the weather, there wasn't really a line at all! We got really lucky and rode the holiday cable car and had the best seat in the house! Kekoa held on tight and couldn't take his eyes away from the window. He would get super excited when the other cable car would pass us. He also couldn't believe his eyes when he saw San Francisco Bay, he said "wa wa" over and over. We got dropped off at the end of the line, Fisherman's Wharf. After grabbing some chowder, we went for a walk so Kekoa could run around a bit. He just about gave me a heart attack when we went out to Hyde Pier. I thought he was going to run through the slats and go into the water. He had no fear at all. He threw a fit when we had to leave the pier but was ok once we started walking toward the beach. He didn't seem to understand that this wasn't warm water like Hawaii and really wanted to get into the bay! He threw an even bigger fit when we started to walk away from the beach...we are in trouble! :)
After finding our favorite chocolate store down on the Wharf and getting some yummy treats, we grabbed a taxi back to Union Square. Kekoa got to run around some more here. No rain meant there were tons of people out, taking pictures, ice skating, and walking around. Scott and I wanted to have a glass of wine in Union Square, but that wasn't going to happen on this trip. Maybe next time! :)
A cold and rainy Sunday morning. We lounged in the room until it let up a bit.
A little snuggly time with baba.
Riding piggy back to dim sum.
Yum, yum, dim sum!
Not so sure about these greens mama, but I will try them!
A very cool rocket ship down on the water front. That is the Bay Bridge in the background.
The super fun trolley that kept us from getting completely soaked!
What? Did someone say we were going to ride the cable car?
A little break for some dancing!
Making our way through the crowds on Powell street to get on the cable car.
Here comes our holiday cable car!
Can't beat this view!
Yay, we have arrived at Fisherman's Wharf. What an awesome ride!
The gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
Kekoa wants in that water which almost gave mama a heart attack!
Mom mode in full affect!
Kekoa gazing longingly at the water, really wanting to go for a swim!
L.O.V.E. the hands in the pockets. Too bad he wouldn't keep them in there...it was cold!!
Terrible twos? Not yet, but here is Kekoa in action, throwing a tantrum.
So tired from all the excitement!
A lovely view on Monday morning...
Two puffy jackets, so cute! :)
The hotel lobby was so beautifully decorated.
Kekoa loved this train in the lobby so much. It was at the base of the world's largest castle made of sugar. It was quite amazing. The "snow" at the base is actually all frosting! We had to say hello and good-bye to the train whenever we came in or left the hotel. Kekoa would walk around and around, following the train.
I love how the reflector on his jacket is lit up from the flash! :)
On our way home on BART. Kekoa was so cute, totally relaxed in Scott's lap the whole way back (an hour!). I told Kekoa to give me a smile, and this was his first time giving me a fake camera smile!
It was a super super super fantastic weekend. We got to do everything we wanted to and the best part was that Kekoa had the best time too. I can't wait to do it again next year! :)
Looks like a fun, grand time. Yay.
ReplyDelete