Balance Bikes

We are shopping for a balance bike for Baby C's 3rd birthday. It's a cool concept that is popular in Europe, but catching on here in the U.S. What's a balance bike you might ask? Here is a short description off the www.littlerollers.com website:

"Two-wheelers with no pedals, otherwise known as balance bikes, run bikes, or strider bikes, allow kids to learn the basic fundamentals first (balancing, leaning and turning). Kids learn naturally how to ride, and going from a strider to a real pedal bike happens in no time."

We were first eying the "Skuut" (rhymes with hoot), but a couple moms in my mother's club turned me on to the "Strider" bike...and there is a distributor here in CV, and I could go over to her house and "test drive" the bikes in her culdesac (she only carries 3 models). So that's what we did! We test drove the Strider and KaZam bikes.

Here are some pictures of our test drive. Baby C's only request was that it was pink. She did not really have a preference to which model, they both fit her fine since the handlebars and seats are adjustable. I could not decide so I checked in with Daddy J and then went back that evening to buy a pink Strider. More pictures/videos to come as Baby C masters her new bike! Very exciting!!!

Baby C modeling the KaZam Bike.

Baby C modeling the Strider Bike.

Pirate Ships

"Pirate Ships...Arrrr!" ~ Baby C

"Yes, Pirate ships indeed! I like the green one with the sails."
~ Mommy

Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt

A Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt just opened up in Castro Valley. They were offering free yogurt all weekend...yes free! We finally got a chance to swing by on Sunday and it was pretty yummy, plus Baby C got a balloon to boot!

According to the website, the chain originated in SoCal and was one of the original pioneers of frozen yogurt. Anyhoo, I really hope the chain makes it in CV...we are def lacking any "cool" stuff here. =P

It feels like these yogurt places are popping up everywhere! In the area, there are already a couple I know of, I hope the market doe snot get over-saturated with fro-yo!

Zuckersuss in Hayward (organic)
Blush in Dublin (organic)
Yogurtland in San Ramon
Yogurt Shack in Danville

Bubbles and Giggles

Here is a video of the girls having fun. Baby B's laugh is just so contagious!...or maybe I am just biased! *wink*

I Want My Baby Back...Baby Back...

What's a Fourth of July holiday without some quintessential summer food? Since we did not go to any get-togethers this year, I thought I would whip something up at home.

I made some baby back ribs with BBQ sauce tonight, along with some Caesar salad, and some salmon bow tie salad from Coscto (good stuff BTW). We topped off our meal with watermelon and beers! Good grubbing!

Costco Run

We hit up Costco today for some basics...and walked out $330 poorer. WTH? I think they are partially to blame cuz they were pretty well behaved today...=)

Here is a picture of the girls in the shopping cart together for the first time. Though the Costco carts are "double wide", it was a bit of a challenge to get them in the cart with the "shopping cart condom" on (as I affectionately call it). There are only two leg holes, and luckily the girls are still small, so I had to shove two legs in each hole. I guess when they get bigger, I'll just have to freeball them in the cart...note to self: bring antibacterial wipes!

I am not a total germ-a-phobe, but shopping carts just get a lot of action, ya know?

BTW, Baby C is munching on a polish dog, and Baby B is enjoying some of the bun. Good times...!

Gorgonzola Crackers

Yummy find at Trader Joe's...they really taste gorgonzola-y!
So if you are into that, pick up a box, you won't be sorry! =)

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

Our fourth started with a BANG...or rather a BUMP...on Baby B's head! She was sitting on the bathroom floor this morning while I was getting ready and then I heard a loud BONK! She was reaching for something, toppled over, and bonked her left forehead. I was afraid it would turn into an "egg", but it was pretty tame, just a little swollen and bruised. I applied a cool washcloth to it as much as I could. Luckily her bangs covered the battle scar. By the evening, it was just a bruise (see picture below). Ah, a milestone - Baby B's first injury!

Our morning was also interrupted by an ant attack in our kitchen. It just ain't summer without a few ant episodes in our house...ACK! Of course we ALWAYS seem to get out ant attacks on a Saturday mornings, so I always have to wait until like Monday or Tuesday to get an appointment with the Orkin guy. We've had a contract with them for many years, yet we get ants every summer...I am beginning to lose faith in them...or is it just normal? *SIGH*

This year we did not hit up any festivals/fairs/events, but just had a chill day. We went out to SF to have dim sum with the in laws and hang out a bit.

As you can see, Baby B was not phased by her morning bump on the head.

After the kiddies napped on the way home, Baby C and I baked some holiday cupcakes. A bit on the sweet side, but fun nonetheless!

Oh, and in the afternoon, I got a call from my friend SM, who had her baby boy today! How patriotic of them! *wink* She was on bed rest for like 10 days until she reached 36 weeks, and one week later, Baby WM decided to make his debut on the Fourth of July! Funny because big brother TM's 3rd birthday is tomorrow! I guess the July Fourth holiday will always be doubly special for them! Welcome Baby WM!

Full Friday

Ahh...the beginning of a long weekend!

Today we (Baby B and I) slept in a bit, then my cousin stopped by in the AM to drop off a cool walker/bouncer thingy for Baby B. her son ZR had already outgrown it. We never had a walker for Baby C, but isn't it cute?!? Baby B seemed to like the newfound mobility...she is quickly learning how to move forward, backwards, and sideways.

Then we headed out to grab lunch and run some errands. First we checked out this Korean BBQ place in Dublin called Tri Valley Korean Restaurant BBQ. We've driven by it a couple times but never tried it. Looks like it did not get great ratings on Yelp, but we thought it was decent. Dishes/sidedishes are smaller than our usual Korea House in Hayward, but the service and food was good. Clean and kid friendly (although the place was pretty empty). Daddy J had a short ribs "box" lunch, and I ordered dolsot bibimbap.


After lunch, we stopped by Dough Boy's Donuts for some treats. Baby C chose the biggest chocolate covered doughnut she could find (a twist), and later had it for dinner (basically). We'll have to go back next time and try their crepes.



Then we went to Armstrong Nursery to look at adding some color to our front and back yards. After speaking to the lady their, we realized we have much planning and research to do. We usually just randomly buy plants/flowers and have about a 50% survival rate. the lady at the nursery encouraged us to do a bit of planning to save some money and to look at the big picture. She had a point. I guess that is the difference between going to a real nursery vs just a Home Depot/Lowe's, etc...you may pay more, but you get better service/advice at a real nursery. Anyhoo, hopefully I'll be posting before and after photos soon. I really want the front yard to look nice for Baby C's upcoming birthday party...

After a fruitless trip to the nursery, we hit up a local AT&T and Sprint store to check out some new phones/plans for me. I am looking to replace my Iphone and have my eye on the new Palm Pre, but I would have to switch cell companies...more to come on that.

To end our errand run, we stopped by Yogurtland in San Ramon for some yums. Flavors I tried today: strawberry, green tea, and cheesecake. Toppings: strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, and mochi. Just load up your cup with yogurt and toppings of your choice and you pay by weight!


Sooo...quite a productive day I must say...Now let the REAL weekend begin!

More Cull Canyon

Today I met up with some friends and their kiddies at Cull Canyon. It was a great day, not too hot, not too cold. We lasted almost 3 hours, which was record time for us...but had to leave cuz Baby B was getting grouchy...wish she would just sleep wherever....*sigh* My friends stayed a bit longer, and by the time they left, the place was really getting packed.

We packed a lunch and of course Baby C did not eat any of it. She only ate some goldfish and managed to get sand all up in her lunch...I hate sand...it just gets everywhere! =P

Here is a picture of Baby B and her little friend KB, he just turned one. Funny how they look almost the same size....?! LOL!