Clinging onto the summer vacation

*  Summer vacation to DC and NYC
    - IPP32
    - My favorite part of the trip was playing with my cousins -- Maya, Julia, Shea and Siena

*  Trip to the California Academy of Sciences

*  Getting a big, big boy bike with hand brakes and gears! (That was today and I am so happy!)

Moving on up to Summer!

Summer!  Summer!  Summer!

888 Monkeys
Pool parties

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Big Guy and Little Guy.

Breakfast in bed
Off to the Natural Bridges State Park to cool off.  Apparently, the marine layer got the memo earlier than expected.  We froze ourselves...until I saw my friends from school.
A little more lingering in Santa Cruz -- Kelly's Bakery and then el Salchichero - chicken bacon sausages, garlic, chili beer sausages

Helped Daddy with some gardening

Where did May go?

Once again, the month of May came by fast.

Busy April Like Busy Bees!

Wow!  April is gone.  What a month. Passover, Holi, Easter, T-Ball games, swimming, Happy Hollow and bike rides in the rain.  Of course, a trip to LA.  That is Los Angeles.  My great great aunt Kong passed away at the age of 94. Mommy, Halmoni and I drove down to LA to attend her funeral.  Mommy told me the funeral was to celebrate the full life that my great great aunt led and appreciate family.  I got to meet more aunts and uncles there.  I loved playing with Aunt Miri, Aunt Marian, and Uncle Albert.

We even went to Disneyland.

We ended the month with bees!  Yes, bees.  Honeybees.

Holi Easter!

This is a big weekend -- Good Friday, Passover, Easter and Holi, all squeezed into one weekend.

Yesterday, we went to the Holi Festival at Stanford with my friend Zoya's family. This spring festival of color is celebrated by Hindus. This is my second time at this fun festival where I get to use my water pistol and smear color on Mommy and Daddy.

Climbing Monkeys

My water pistol, the only "gun" Mommy allows me to have

My fine work on Daddy. Which do you prefer the pink or blue side?

Of course, Passover continues.  My multi-cultural lunch consisted of matzo/turkey sandwich and mango lassi.  Mommy even made me a matzo pizza today along with creamy apple-matzo kugel.

Today was Easter. Mommy and I went for a hike at Wunderlich Park and had play dates with Bryce and Roshan. I didn't have any Peeps or chocolate bunnies but I did have Sour Punch and Jelly Belly jelly beans.


Ah, that reminds me. On the way to school last Wednesday (4/4/2012), I asked Mommy for Easter Bunny.

Me:  Mommy, I have never had an Easter Bunny.  Can I pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaase have one?
Mommy:  Well, Jews don't celebrate Easter, you know.
Me:  I know.  But I'm Korean, too. So can I have an Easter Bunny?
Mommy:  I don't know...

I forgot all about that... Maybe chocolate bunnies are better.

Happy Spring!

Happy Passover!

Passover Seder Plate from Great Grandma Lillian

Boy, am I full.  Full of matzot, that is.  Happy Pesach (Passover) everyone!

We are finally enjoying some sunny days to celebrate spring.  My school's Passover break started on Friday and I helped Mommy make our Seder.  I was in charge or the nuts for the haroset. I crushed the nuts in the mortar and pestle while Mommy worked on the rest -- matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, apricot chicken, asparagus and very yummy dark chocolate mints. I didn't have any gefilte fish.  Although I really enjoyed the book, Five Little Gefiltes, I don't really like it. I do love matzot, however. I also love the two Passover books -- The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah and A Sweet Passover.

Here is my very own Seder plate that I made in school:

Class Project in Gesher

Ready to start our Passover Seder

I helped Daddy break a matzo so he could hide the afikomen.

I found the afikomen and guess what my reward was?!  Two dollars!!!  Now I have $9 in my piggy bank and when I have $14, I can buy a Hot Wheels track.  This saving (and waiting) is pretty hard, though.

I also read the four questions from our haggadah (on iPad.  Yes, how modern of us).

Four Questions

Chag Sameach!

Shana Tova

Is it October already?! I've been keeping very busy in the past three months. Before I tell you all about my first day of school, my first (professional) baseball game, my first cat sitting, my first soccer game, and my first Dr. John/Blind Boys of Alabama/Little Feat concert, I'd like to wish you a happy, sweet Jewish new year.

Shana Tova!

Blowing my shofar

Yep, that's an Angry Bird hat. And yes, again, that would be my Stormtrooper shirt. And finally, yes, I am a child of my parents. :-)

I do know how to blow the shofar. I did really well for Mommy but by the time she got her camera set up, I was getting a little tired. But here you go.

Wish you a sweet new year to you and yours.

A Successful Sleepover!

A drop-off play date and a sleepover?!  Oh yeah!  Now that I'm so grown up, I was ready for a sleepover.  I spent the whole afternoon with my friend, Bryce, and his family.  This is how my afternoon and evening shaped up.

• Swimming.  Lots of cannon balls and diving for my new diving toys
• Walk to dinner, yummy Thai food, walk back to Bryce's house (Do you think all of these physical activities were a part of the plan?!)
• Bath
• Sleep -- I slept through the whole night.  No need to call Mommy or Daddy.  Impressed?!

Do you want to see a "then and now" picture of Bryce and me?

Then:  In March 2007, our play dates were fun but not as lively as now.
Now:  In March 2011, we are quite a pair, running, climbing, discussing the meaning of life, and most importantly, being silly 4 year old boys.

Then and Now at Monterey Bay Aquarium

My visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium on July 6th was my third visit there, one of my favorite places. My first time was in March of 2007. I was only 4 months old. I was hosting my cousin, Shea, who was twice my age then -- 8 months! He was visiting us from New York.

So do you ever wonder how much I've changed?  Here you go.

Then:  I was an adorable baby boy. Daddy carried me around and we shared similar hair styles. Mommy made sure I grew up big and strong.

Now:  I am an adorable big boy. Daddy still loves to give me big hugs and hold me up and we no longer share the same hair styles. Mommy is proud that I have grown big and strong!

4 months vs. 4 years and 8 months.  Do we look any different?

Now I can read "I am happy"

Jellyfish is still one of my favorites

I am not scared of squids!

Off I go -- to grow even bigger and stronger.  See you next time!

4th of July Week: Sun, Swimming, S'mores, Sequoias, Seahorses and Biking

After another week of summer camp, we packed up our car and went to R-Ranch in the Sequoias. When Mommy and Daddy told me we were going to a cabin, I thought, "Yay! We will see snow!" because every time I went to a cabin, it was for skiing. Little did I know it would be 100 degrees at the cabin.

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Warren invited us and Bryce's family to the cabin for the 4th of July weekend.  Thank you!  I had many first's on this trip.

Day 1, Friday, July 1: My First Bike Ride without Training Wheels

• After a 6 hour drive, we arrived at the cabin.  My first time sharing a house with 13 other people.  I love a big crowd.
• I asked Daddy to put pedals on my bike and I rode my bike.  Just like that!

Day 2, Saturday, July 2: Sun, Swimming and Sunburn

• Breakfast - Eggs and hash browns by Chef Uncle Scott and Aunt Susan
• More bike rides -- I practiced everyday!

July 2, 2011 - I was biking in front of the cabin every chance I got.

• Swimming, swimming, swimming and sunburn -- It was 100 degrees out so we played in the kiddie pool all day
• Fishing -- My first fishing "trip" -- I went with Daddy, Uncle Scott and Jack. I caught lots of weed "fish"  :-(
• S'mores

Day 3, Sunday, July 3: My First Horseback Ride

• Breakfast - Blueberry pancakes and bacon by Chef Uncle Warren and Aunt Debbie
• Horseback riding with Dr. Brown -- Dr. Brown is Grandpa Dennis' horse and he was very patient with all of us, kids! I'd tell him, "Let's go, Brown." Even Daddy got a chance to ride Dr. Brown.

Here I am riding a horse for the very first time!

Kendra, her Grandpa Dennis and of course, Dr. Brown

Bryce enjoying his ride.  "Let's go, Brown!"

• Swimming, swimming, and more swimming
• Building a dam -- Jack and Josh, the big boys, built a dam in a stream behind the cabin.  Hudson and I helped gathering sticks.

Aunt Susan taking a reading break with Bryce and Cooper while some of us are out building a dam

• More S'mores -- with some gourmet marshmallows 
• Playing with my "army men" and police men.

Hudson, Bryce and I had a great time with my army and police men.

Day 4, Monday, July 4: Happy Birthday to my cousin, Shea, and America!

• Breakfast - French toast and sausages by Mommy and Daddy

Early in the morning ritual -- All of the kids congregated around Josh and his DS, except Jack and Cooper

• Swimming -- Just can't get enough of swimming

Bryce and I were construction workers, fixing the pool.  We had to dive!  Boy, did we love diving!

• Lightning and thunder! A big storm moved in. Kendra and Hudson had to go home. After the storm cleared, Jack, Josh and Uncle Scott went fishing and the rest of us went for a walk.

Jack's big catch

Being silly with Bryce, spraying water in our faces

Day 5, Tuesday, July 5:  Giant Sequoia Trees

• Walk through the Trail of Hundred Giants & picnic lunch -- We saw giant trees, caterpillars, mushrooms, and a little waterfall.  Cooper loved finding walking sticks.

Josh is helping me up on one of the 100 Giant trees.  Can you see me?!

I just came out of this giant Sequoia tree.  Daddy and Jack are still inside!

We found lots and lots of caterpillars

Mr. Cooper and his stick

Everyone on the trail -- well, except Cooper, Uncle Scott (watching Cooper) and Daddy (taking the picture)

• On the drive back home, we decided we should head to Monterey instead.  I love vacations!
• Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey for dinner, dessert and fun

Day 6, Wednesday, July 6:

• Breakfast at First Awakenings in Monterey -- I shared chocolate pancakes with Mommy.  The pancakes were as big as plates!
• Monterey Aquarium -- I loved jelly fish, sharks, penguins, otters, puffins, sea turtles, seahorses, starfish.  Daddy let me take pictures with his camera.  Very cool day!

See?!

I'm snapping away.  And you wanted to see pictures of the seahorses?!

More of my adventures coming soon!  I'm sure my support staff (aka Mommy and Daddy) will post more pictures of our vacation.  

How I Spent Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day!  (Hey, I am still catching up.)

Mommy told me that on Father's Day, we are extra nice to Daddy.  So I helped Mommy make M&M pancakes for Daddy.  We let him sleep in and surprised him with breakfast in bed!

Here I am pretending to be a baby animal sleeping while Daddy talks to Grandpa.  3 generations of Pawligers together -- virtually!

We ended the day with Los Gatos Music in the Park.  The band was fun.  I also ran into some friends from school.  We had a blast playing with our guitars.

Daddy and Me

My unique guitar playing style

Girls vs. Boys.  I think we were out-powered...

Archer and I thought we were winning.  Little did we know...

Happy Father's Day to Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle Gary and daddies everywhere!

Pictures of the Week

Oh my! Where does time go?!

Once again, I have been too busy to keep this blog up to date. Here is a quick recap of this past week:

• Summer camp started this week at JCC. I swam every day and on Friday, we had a "snow day". I've been having lots of fun with my friends, Catherine, Leora, Amanda, Max and Holden.
• On Thursday, we drove to San Carlos to see Mommy's old friend, Janeen, and her family. I got to play with Isabella and Francesca which is always a treat! There was even a farmers market where we bought and finished 3 baskets of strawberries. I must have had a whole basket of berries all by myself.
• Daddy has been teaching me how to ride a balance bike. He took the pedals and training wheels off of my bike. We went practicing this weekend. I can go really, really fast!
  
  
  
  
• I went to my very first DCI (Drum Corp International) competition. Daddy let me wear his Blue Devils T-shirt. It was so much fun! (It was at Stanford. Mommy said I should wear my Cal shirt next time we visit Stanford. Go Bears!) Oh back to DCI. The Blue Knights, Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanguard were awesome!

Here I'm enjoying the competition in my Blue Devils shirt. It is a little big.

This is Blue Devils Group B. The A corp was much larger and much, much louder!

Blue Knights are from Denver and had a very rich sound. Maybe I will get to visit aunt Janeen and her family there.

• I ended the weekend with a trip to a real movie theater to see Cars 2. I loved the popcorn and gummies. I didn't like the movie very much because it had too many bad cars.

Another week of camp starts tomorrow. See you soon! Love, Adam

Happy, Healthy New Year!

While I am still catching you up on 2010, I wanted to wish you a very happy, healthy new year.

These pictures were taken on November 14, 2010 at the Winchester Mystery House, an unfinished Victorian mansion built by Mrs. Sarah Winchester. The photographer was Jing Chen, my friend Veronica's mom.  Thank you!

Happy Holidays!

Wow!  How time flies when you are having fun!  I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season.  I have been enjoying the relaxing pace of my winter break.  I have enjoyed many play dates, swimming, museum visits and of course, shopping.

After Halloween come my birthday, my birthday parties, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year.  Here is a short recap of the holidays.

Daddy was in charge of roasting our 18 pound bird on Thanksgiving.  He used Alton Brown's recipe for the turkey and I enjoyed two different kinds of sparkling ciders -- apple and cranberry.

I was in charge of the dessert -- chocolate chip cookies.  Mommy and Uncle Joon Ho (aka Sam-chon) helped or was it the other way around?!

This year Thanksgiving was closely followed by Hanukkah.  On the first night, we all went to Santana Row for the Hanukia lighting.  We also lit our Hanukiah at home every night.  On the fifth night of Hanukkah, we hosted a Latke Fest.  We fried up 15+ pounds of potatoes (with our secret ingredients, carrots and zucchini).  Our "side dishes" included matzo ball soup and beef brisket.

This year I had my very own Hanukiah which I painted.  (Thanks to Catherine and Holden for the Hanukiah!)  Daddy also let me hold the shamash because I am 4 years old.  A big boy!  

In the middle of Hanukkah, Daddy's work, Google, hosted a holiday party at California Academy of Sciences.  We enjoyed a nice leisurely lunch at Kingdom of Dumplings (don't you just love the name?!) and a little play time in San Francisco before the party.

Here I am checking out the museum directory while Mommy tries to talk "adult" with aunt Susan.

Jellyfish, sharks, chrysalis, butterflies, and dinosaurs are all fascinating. But one of my favorite things from the party was decorating a gingerbread house.  A big thanks to Google for making tons of goodies available.

On Christmas eve, we were back in San Francisco.  Actually, we have been in San Francisco practically every week in December.

We enjoyed playing tourists in Union Square.  We didn't ride the cable car since the wait was too long.  But I saw how they turn the cable car around.  It was very cool.

Union Square is a mini-Rockefeller Center.  You can find a tiny ice skating rink, big Christmas tree and of course palm trees.

Although I didn't have patience to wait for a cable car, balloon animals are a different story.  After almost an hour, I got a turtle from Sunshine, a storytelling, Yiddish speaking, balloon lady.

Happy Holidays to you all.