Happy Hollow

We took Peyton back down to Happy Hollow on Monday for some fun. Thank goodness we became members in February!

Peyton has become interested in wearing sunglasses for short periods of time, so I was able to get a picture.

We started our visit with a required ride on the carousel. We usually have to ride it at least 2-3 times when we get there and another 3-4 times before we leave. He wanted to ride the tiger, but it was already taken, so we were lucky that the triceratops was available.

Next, it was off to the zoo to dig up dinosaurs. We walked past the jaguar and were excited to see that she was out in full view (this was our fifth trip to Happy Hollow and was the first time we got a close up view)! Isn't she gorgeous?

When lots of people are at the window, she can get super excited and starts pacing. We were told not to bang on the glass or make any sudden movements.

Next, it was off to dig up the dinosaurs. Happy Hollow "buried" two Allosaurus skeletons (fake, of course) and they provide brushes for the kids to unearth them. Peyton loves to dig them up, but changes the dinosaurs every time we go. This week, they were T-Rexes, of course.

We looked that the "BIG SEA TURTLE" (a tortoise) as he rested in his house to get out of the hot sun.

We had a Happy Hollow play date with Peyton's friend Dominic last month, and Peyton has been looking at those pictures. We have one of Dominic comparing his arm length to that of several birds:

So, Peyton agreed to take a picture for Dominic. :-)

Then we made our way to the petting farm. The sheep were recently sheared. They looked much happier!

James showed Peyton how to place the food in your hand to feed the animals.

Peyton figured out that if you place the food on the bottom ledge of the fence, you don't have to touch the animal and it will still eat.

Then it was off to the rides. Peyton is a total daredevil. He loves fast rides and to get butterflies in his stomach. This is the Frog Hopper ride which lifts you up about 30 feet off the ground and the gradually hops up and down until eventually bringing you back down.

You can hear Peyton's giggles. He's so funny! And then he stumbles when he gets off the ride. :-)

We went over to the roller coaster next. There was quite a line, which can be a problem with Peyton (he's not the most patient child, but what 3-year old is?). But, Peyton entertained himself by playing with James' sunglasses. He's so stylish!

And then, it was time for the roller coaster! James and Peyton are in the fourth car from the front.

President Obama Visited Redwood City!

Last Wednesday, President Obama was in town for a fundraising event. I was so upset that I only heard of the event on Tuesday and that tickets to hear him speak were sold out. How often does a president come to Redwood City? It's been 80 years since the last presidential visit!

The President had a private dinner at a philanthropist's home in Atherton prior to his speaking engagement in downtown Redwood City, so the motorcade was scheduled to take El Camino Real! We live off of El Camino Real, so we left Peyton asleep and my parents had the monitor, and James and I made our way down to the corner to stand watch.

Around 9pm, he came by!

Okay, so we don't know if he was in the first limo, the second limo, one of the SUVs, or riding on a motorcycle (yeah, probably not), but it's still something we won't forget! And, I look forward to one day telling Peyton about the time the President passed near our house! :-)

Peyton's 3rd Birthday Party

We chose to celebrate Peyton's birthday at his favorite place: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose. My cousin Darlene flew up on Friday to bake Peyton's special dinosaur cake, and I must say that it was a masterpiece - inside and out! Not only did she draw the dinosaur faces on the bottom layer free hand while looking at pictures for inspiration, but she brought dinosaur figures to be on the top landscape layer. The cake itself was a yellow cake with a fresh peach filling and sliced strawberries with a non-dairy whipped cream frosting. Delectable!

 

 

Peyton and his little buddy, Naoki, played "Stop and Go" for a little while. Naoki is Peyton's best friend from Stepping Stones. He adores Naoki and his baby brother, Koki, and James and I adore his parents too!

We arranged for Happy Hollow's signature character, Danny the Dragon, to come and visit the party. Peyton was so happy!

He brought a present for Peyton, a Danny the Dragon t-shirt.

We took a couple group pictures with some of Peyton's friends. We had a great turnout. In all, there were 36 people in our party. It was wonderful to see all of Peyton's friends come to celebrate.

Peyton wanted to see what "really sharp teeth" feel like. Of course, these were made of felt, so I think he was confused.

Danny played Peekaboo.

Peyton found Danny's tail!

Then, the fun really started. Dancing and games! They sang "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes", the "Hokey Pokey" and played "Freeze Dance". Everyone had so much fun!

A duck came to see what was going on too.

But, it didn't stay for long. It took off so quickly, that I felt as if a wing could have cut my ear off while I took this picture.

Danny tried to get everyone to play "Hot Potato".

While they were playing "Freeze Dance", Peyton started asking Danny the Dragon to chase him around the party area. I owe the person inside the costume a big tip for indulging Peyton by running around in that giant suit in close to 80 degree weather, FOUR TIMES!

Danny ended his visited (20 minutes later) with a round of Happy Birthday and cake. Peyton was excited to see his dinosaur cake.

But, he didn't like it when the frosting ended up on his hand. My little perfectionist. :-)

Danny posed for a great picture, but Peyton was still not pleased about the frosting hands.

Peyton perked up when we sang Happy Birthday.

And, he was so happy with the candles!

Peyton gave Danny a big hug when it was time for him to leave!

Our friends the Gumberts came with their daughter Emilia and a little brother due in two weeks! We were so thankful that they came.

Peyton's teacher from Stepping Stones came to the party with her daughter, Bella. She gave Peyton a Dinosaur Train card that sings the theme song when you open it. He loves it!

Peyton's friend Mia gave him a big hug before she was packed up to go.

Peyton showed Mia his card.

He was shy when Irena said goodbye to him.

My friend Jill from high school has a beautiful daughter, Paloma. Isn't she just adorable?!

After the party, James and Peyton went on a couple rides while my parents, Darlene, and I cleaned up the party and packed the car. There's a little roller coaster at Happy Hollow. James said they rode it five times! My little daredevil. :-)

I went back in, after packing the car, to return a cart our party coordinator had lent us to move out everything, and I ran into James and Peyton by the carousel. We waited in line for one last ride and Naoki's family was in line behind us. We were able to get them to ride together, and his mother Satoko, put his baby brother, Koki, on a lemur behind us. Beside horses, Happy Hollow's carousel has endangered and extinct animals to ride on. Peyton chose to ride the Bengal tiger.

Naoki's Dad, Aki, had fun with Naoki!

Naoki really liked all the fun stuff to see on the carousel!

Peyton and Naoki finally smiled for a picture together. Peyton adores Naoki!

It was a long day, but I wouldn't have changed a thing. It was a fun party, and I hope it will be one of Peyton's favorites!