We're In Trouble Now

Grandpa showed Juliet how to climb the stairs at Nana's.

Step 1: Make sure someone is watching (otherwise it doesn't count)

Step 2: Rest

Step 3: Still watching?

Step 4: She's Off to the Races

Best Friends Forever

Juliet is absolutely crazy for the poor cat. Nina is actually a good sport about it. We have decided that she is so starved for attention these days, that she will take what she can get (even when it comes in the form of mauling by an infant). Juliet likes to burrow her head into the cat with her mouth wide open (soaking the cat's fur if she puts up with it long enough). The other day, Nina returned the favor and gave Juliet's head a licking bath. Oddly enough, I think Nina is happy with her new playmate.

Trip to Tilden Park

Michael did some research online and planned an outing for us. We trekked over to the East Bay (we actually went there on purpose instead of just driving through), to Tilden Park. Michael and I have been there together before, but it was Juliet's first time. It turned out to be a gorgeous day. Our first stop was the steam train. This little train may just be the cutest thing ever. You can pick out the local kids when you go, because they arrive wearing striped engineer hats and Redwood Valley Railway t-shirts. We will have to get one for Juliet next time. Must instill that fear of looking like a tourist in her early! It costs just two bucks each and the ride is 12 minutes long. Juliet didn't quite know what to make of it at first, but was grinning ear to ear and kicking a few minutes into the ride (a sure-fire indication that she was excited about the trip). It is well worth the trip to the Raider Nation. We will definitely be back.


After the train ride we headed over to the Botanic Garden. What a gem hiding behind the unassuming entrance! The garden is absolutely beautiful, and so much larger than we expected. There are so many nooks and crannies and on a sunny day there are loads of places to set out a blanket and lounge in either sun or shade (we chose sun!). After taking a somewhat thorough tour we felt as if we had gone on a mini-hike. One could spend hours in the garden investigating all of the different types of plants, all of which are labeled. They do tours, but we decided that next time we have to bring Grammy Linda with us to teach us about the properties of all of the different plants.



After the garden, we were off to Solano Avenue to Zachary's Pizza to see what all the fuss is about. They have yummy pizza, but we couldn't figure out if it is "that good" or if the yummy quotient was increased due to the fact that you have to wait 35 minutes for it...

First Trip to the Zoo

We purchased a membership to the San Francisco Zoo. Michael has an uncanny ability to remember where everything is from when he was a child visiting the zoo (I, on the other hand, was completely lost). We watched the penguins being fed. Cute, though not entirely exciting. Her favorite part of the zoo was the African bird aviary where you walk into a large netted area and the birds are free to fly above and around you. We also had fun in the petting zoo. I got suckered by the goat who climbs up and eats the food out of the kibble machine before you can even get it in your hand. I vaguely remember learning that lesson before. Of course, we couldn't leave without taking a ride on the Carousel and sharing some pink popcorn. It doesn't really count as a trip to the zoo if you don't eat pink popcorn (in case you didn't know).