Memorial Day 2012

 We spent the day today in Santa Monica.

 With the lola and the lolo.

 Mama and me.

It was a fine day to play at the beach.

***********

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me. 
-Lee Greenwood 

***********

Many thanks to the men and women who gave their lives to protect our country.

2012 Pasadena Half Marathon

My mom ran the Pasadena Half Marathon today.  After training since January and overcoming some pain and set-backs, the day has finally come.

We woke up at 5am to take her to the starting line at Pasadena City College.  6:30am...BANG!  She started running.  (Actually there was no actual bang, it was just in her head.) Daddy and I continued sleeping in the car while mommy did the 13.1 mile course in green above.

 She finished 2 hours and 28 minutes later.  Here's how we found her: sitting under a palm tree with her coconut water texting daddy to find out where we were.

Exhausted out of her mind, but made it to the finish line.

We met up with my Auntie Mylene who did the 10k. 

 I played with the water in the mirror pool as we waited for more people to arrive. 

 Picture time, but I can't resist dipping my toes in the cool water.

 Here we go.  My stiff pose and my exhausted mom.

Aunties, cousins, uncles...oh my! They all decided to run and have fun.  I'm proud of all of them.  When I'm older, I'll do a marathon, too.

********

My mom wants to give special thanks to the following peeps:

Lola and Lolo: For watching me after school a few times a week, so she can sneak in a run after work.

Daddy: For his support, patience, and putting up with mommy's weekend run schedule.

School Camping

 Our school held a family camp night out.

 We came to join in on the camping fun.

We set up our tent along with the other families.  I met up with my buddies and we ran around like crazy.  The school staff cooked burgers, then we joined the night walk along the trail.  After that everyone settled around out handball court for a movie under the stars.  Families set up their chairs and blankets to watch "The Adventures of Tin-Tin".  S'mores were being made by the campfire behind us so we enjoyed those too as we watched the movie.  We woke up early today as the pancake breakfast was cooking.  It was an enjoyable overnight camping stay.   

Mama's Day

Earlier this week, I asked my mom if she could sleep in on Mother's Day.  She said she didn't know.  Sure enough, I woke up this morning and she was gone.  I'm sure many moms got the breakfast in bed deal or spa treatments.  Well, my mom woke up early and clocked in 12 miles in 2 1/2 hours by running and walking.  I guess moms have different ways of celebrating Mother's Day. Hehe...  Anywho, I decorated this recycled bottle with colorful transparent paper for my mom for Mother's Day.  She likes it a lot.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!!

Tea Time and Literature

My mom, auntie, Kayla, and my Lola went to have tea today.

Here's Lola's lemonade with hibiscus petals.

Our tea sandwiches arrive.  Mmmm...

My lemon raspberry tea.

 Mom's plate.

  The ladies.

I plucked some bougainvillea flowers and put them on my hair.

After tea, we were walking around and a guy handed my mom a postcard flyer.  Let's go!

 We listened to stories told by a lady in a fairy costume.  Then we walked around the bookstalls.  We came across the Little Junebugs tent and got a couple of books: Coco Levine, Cupcake Queen and Ladybug Girl at the Beach.

It was a beautiful day.

Walking the llamas

There's a trail by my school where people walk, run, ride their bikes, walk their dogs, and occasionally, walk/trot their horses. But this morning, we saw a lady walking her llamas.  Yup, llamas. I want to see one walk their ostrich.

Kayla is 4!

 Today, my cousin Kayla turned 4 years old!

Here's the birthday girl enjoying just the frosting off of her cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA!

I love you.

San Diego Visit

We visited my family in San Diego this weekend.  My Auntie Arlene is having a baby in July so we had a baby shower for her.  I'm looking forward to meeting my new cousin, Eva.  After the shower, the whole family decided to go to Ocean Beach to have dinner and have a leisurely walk on the Ocean Beach Pier.  It was great to see everyone.

 People strolling the pier.

 It's also 'super moon' night.  It's when the moon is closest to the earth and about 14% bigger.  It's beautiful. It doesn't look too big in this picture, but...

...oh boy, it caused above normal high tide.  The swells were pretty crazy and were touching the bottom of the pier!