JuliaBlog

Julia started kindergarten at Emerson School in Berkeley on August 27, 2008. She was SO excited! She got to walk to school with her best friends, Katie and Clara.


They're such big girls now!


She got there in time to hang out with Erin, Clara, Katie and Isa.


We're so proud of her. Mom was a wreck (and I think Dad was too, though he might not admit it....)


Waiting in line is a critical kindergarten skill. We think Julia aced it on her first day. (Jeorun's mom Erica is on the left).


Off she goes with Miss Jeannie, her wonderful kindergarten teacher.

At the end of August 2008, mom organized a "pet parade" as part of the Willard Neighborhood Association's annual street fair.

Julia brought her most prized pet, Hogsy.

We had about 22 entrants, and were led by Claudia, owner of Your Basic Bird (in full bird regalia). Julia made the Pet Parade poster, and mom manned the megaphone as we marched up Hillegass Street..

Julia showed Hogsy to the judges. She ended up winning the "most resembles owner" award (the judges said her dress mimicked Hogsy's stripes). Our girl is always a winner!

In August 2008, we went to the California State Fair with Grandma Elaine. The Ferris wheel sure was tall! (Dad took this picture.)

Daddy took Julia on the little roller coaster, which went forward AND backward. Mom went with her the first time and got pretty nauseous (no fun!).


We went to a show in the animal pavilion, and Julia got to hold a hairless cat.

She also petted a REALLY BIG bunny.

Mom won the game where you blow up a balloon with a water gun. Julia picked this cool wolf.


The bumper cars were also a hoot (watch out for mom, heading for Julia and Dad).

On our last day in Lassen (August 2008), we decided to hike around Manzanita Lake. It took us about three hours to hike three miles, because there was so much interesting stuff to see along the way. We spotted a water snake, and dad caught it. Julia loves to play with snakes. Of course we let it go and watched it slither away...

On our way back from Bumpus Hell, we noticed lots of big white bugs hopping and buzzing around. It was a challenge, but dad caught one. Back at the campground, we decided to fry it up for a snack.


Julia tasted the locust. Brave girl! She said it was kind of salty.

After we returned from Bumpus Hell (Lassen, August 2008), we had a picnic next to a really big rock. That rock would have fallen over if mom and Julia weren't so strong....


This one reminded Julia of Simba at the end of the Lion King. She just had to try it out. Roar!

When we were at Lassen in August 2008, we hiked to Bumpus Hell, an area of geological activity where Mr. Bumpus fell in and lost a leg more than a century ago. It was a pretty hot day.

Julia thought it was SO SO SO stinky at Bumpus Hell!


Why are you making me pose in front of a huge STINKPOT?

Isn't this pretty/interesting/fun? Yeah, and STINKY too!


Julia was pretty glad to get out of that stinky place.