Summer Fun Experiments

This is the summer of experiments.

Max was experimenting with the recycle box that we put in the dining room.

Renee's art class had an art show for all the students. They converted the studio into a beautiful gallery. Inside on the ground, the kids get to paint and Max had a go at it with Renee.

Renee also had a piano recital. It is interesting all the students here are Asian, probably majority are Chinese.

For father's day, Max made a giftcard for me. I always love reading what these two write on cards like this.

We went to the exploratorium the second time. This time we discovered all the things that we missed the first time, including this nifty play structure outside the building.

Renee went with Lianxin to the event they have at work, where the kids get to know what their parents do, and conduct some experiments. It is really well organized. I wish I could do that at work.

Max asked to spend his day with Sophia so we drove over there for the weekend. We spent the afternoon playing at this small water park.

Max is getting ready to have some fun with the water!

Summer outdoor and Exploratorium

We continue the outdoor activities for the summer.

Max had a concert at the Little Bridges. I figured out a way to get all the way to the front and sat with him while he was waiting for their turn.

This is Kanishk, Max's good friend at the school.

Probably influenced by her dancing classes, Renee knows how to pose for pictures these days.

Renee has a concert at school. She controlled herself well when her hat was knocked off by someone next to her accidentally. We both felt that she is growing up now.

Renee looks cute in her cowgirl outfit.

I took Renee to a hike one day during the weekend. I always enjoy the time with them whenever they are in the mood for an outdoor trip.

This area reminded Renee of the scene in the movie Frozen. She was singing "Let it Go" while marking forward.

Here is Renee posing on the rock.

I joined Max' school event to the zoo. He ran to this place and yelled "Ducky!!!"

Max has a couple of good friends where he is more of himself, fun and good natured.

During the Wind and Art Festival, Renee tried the helicopter. The pilot made a comment about how well she sat in the seat not touching anything.

Max had a try at the seat too.

I took Renee and Max to the Exploratorium at Pier 15. They both enjoyed everything there such that I bought an annual ticket when leaving.

We enjoyed the lunch and the view. The lunch was quite expensive. I will pack my own lunch in the future.

Here is the room where everything loses its color. Very cool.

Renee went with Max attending a birthday party of Max' friend, where they learned to make pizza.

On that same day, we went and had a good camping trip at Lake Chabot. We hope to do more camping this yea.

Kungfu, or not

With the weather getting warmer, we started the outdoor adventures again. This is also the month for Renee's dancing performance, and Max' time to shine as a young Kungfu student.

This is the month for Renee's dancing performance. As usual, she spent majority of one Saturday to take this picture, which will be used as the poster for the announcement.

This is Renee with her two friends in the neighborhood during the easter egg hunt event. They have moved out after this picture was taken. I think Renee will miss them a lot.

Max started Kungfu school and getting a little more serious about it. I am still not sure if he enjoys it or not.

One Sunday morning we went to take a train ride in the nearby park.

Max really loves trains, cars, planes. This train rides is actually pretty long and pretty fun.

Renee like posing for the pictures now. I think this is a new habit she got after posing for dancing pictures.

We had a company event to go to angel island. Renee happens to be out of school that day, so I took both kids to go with me. We all had a blast.

We walked around the island and sat at this location with beautiful view for a while. Renee posed a few more pictures.

What is an outing without some geocaching! We found one along the way hiding in the plain sight.

Max attended his first belt test. He took it pretty seriously.

Max got a green belt! Shifu put it on himself.

I could tell that Max was really proud of it. I was really encouraged so I signed him up for tournament. I wish I had some good picture for that event. However, what happened was that Max chickened out in the last minute. I was really upset with him that day, and many days later.

Max has finished learning staff. He is on blade now.

I think Max does the staff very well. I took a video of him in the backyard.

Here is another picture of Renee in the dancing custom.