Cal Academy of Sciences

I have been wanting to take Kekoa to the Cal Academy of Sciences since November, when I first heard about this special exhibit they were having....snow flurries, live reindeer, and a huge stuffed polar bear.  The exhibit was going to be gone by January 6th, so today was the day.  Scott decided to come too (thank goodness) because I don't think going alone with the 2 kiddos would have been so much fun.

The best part for Kekoa was still seeing the divers in the coral reef exhibit.  He loves divers, will be exciting to see if he gets certified to dive one day.  My favorite part was going inside the rain forest with Kekoa.  It was the best time I have had in the rain forest.  Everything was awake and moving, the snakes were climbing, there were SO many butterflies everywhere, and oh the birds with feather colors that didn't even look real.  

Malia had a good time too.  She liked looking at the jellies best.  She is amazing, took a nap in the double BOB stroller while we ate lunch.  I say amazing because Kekoa never did stuff like that.

After we left the Cal Academy of Science, we walked across the way to the De Young Museum.  It was another gorgeous San Francisco day and I wanted to show Scott and Kekoa the viewing deck.  The view is just breathtaking, especially on a clear day like today was.  Kekoa hasn't been up since he was 4 months old and Scott has never been.  The best part...it is free.  I didn't get any pictures, unfortunately...guess it means we will have to go back! :)

Very large beetles.

Staring up at the diver in the coral reef tank.

Looking down at Baba and Malia from the rainforest.

My little man and I inside the rain forest.

yum yum

Malia loves to eat now, she scarfs down so much food. She has really gotten the hang of this swallowing thing! :)

first time in the shopping cart

Malia didn't quite know what to make of it, she was riding in her Ge Ge's seat!  After she was over the initial shock of it all, she loved it and couldn't stop smiling and laughing.  I think almost every person in Trader Joe's stopped to tell me how cute she was or I caught them smiling at Malia. :)

ysi

Today we really needed to do something different, we have been stuck in a rut over this break with our routine, or should I say, lack of routine.  Funny how not having school or music class in our lives kind of throws us off a little bit.

After Malia woke up from her nap (she woke up early, which is why we could go somewhere fun), we headed to ysi in Los Gatos.  Kekoa was very excited to see all the animals, once we got there.  He was so confused when we first arrived.  I parked so we would have to walk on the trail to get there.  I should have warned him, I sometimes forget how little things like the unknown freak toddlers out.  He thought when he got out of the car that we would be there, he wasn't too thrilled about walking until he found a perfect stick...then all was good.  He was excited to be on the "secret shortcut trail" too.

I can't really say what the highlight was for Kekoa....petting all the animal furs, looking at snake skin and feathers under the microscope, seeing crawdads or watching the chinchillas take a "bath" (they roll around in volcanic dust).  The chinchilla bath was definitely my highlight!  Malia just enjoyed being in the carrier and looking at everything.

I was very nervous about the walk back to the car and the car ride.  I was expecting full on meltdowns from both kiddos, but nothing like that happened!  Simply amazing.  Kekoa was actually very proud of himself for walking up the hills all by himself.  Great job little man.

At dinner, I asked Kekoa what the best time of his day was.  His answer, "right now and going to the...." He didn't know the name.  When I told him it was called the "ysi or youth science institute" he said, "why ask why???", which he thought was very funny.  We tell him "why ask why" when he starts asking crazy why questions, now when he tells himself, "why ask why" when he is asking crazy why questions!

Guess who Kekoa is super excited to take back to YSI?  Yes, his Baba.  He really wants to take him on the "secret shortcut trail way" to get there.

Kekoa checking out the informational signs.

Learning all about the water cycle...actually told me what was going on by looking at the picture.  I was impressed.

double stroller

No more car seat adapter for Malia, she is riding big girl style in the double stroller!  We tried it out today for the first time.  Notice how they are sharing a blanket...sweet Kekoa, he really wanted to share.  I did miss seeing Malia's face the whole time on the walk home from the park though. 

Kekoa showing off his bell from Santa.  He's a little upset because Baba had accidentally put Malia on his side of the stroller.