Helping Nana pack. Sorry, Nana, the baby stays with us.

Bay Quackers

We took Nana and Papa on an amphibious city tour with "Bay Quackers" (http://www.bayquackers.com/). Quack! Quack!

Hyde Street Pier! 

Chinatown! 

Union Square! 

He seems to be enjoying the water portion of the tour. 

For his first birthday, we bought Julius his very own Castle. 

Julius adds a wicked bass line to Papa's Scott Joplin. 

Strollin' through the 'hood with my Nana and my Papa. 

Stopping for lunch at Alice's restaurant. (No, the other one.) 

Soundtrack: "Julius's eyes. Daddy's eyes. Julius's ears. Daddy's ears...." 

Fun! Cars that scoot away on their own. Thank you, Aunt Patty, Uncle Jim, Joshie, Jordan, and Amanda! 

Papa helps to demonstrate the proper car-scooting technique. 

Action! 

That's the thing about balloons. They fall up. 

This balloon is fun because you can smash it, and it makes lots of crinkly sounds. 

Balloons! And Spiderman wrapping paper! 

Dinosaurs! These are a lot of fun ... thank you Nancy! And the "Flower Power" mats will surely brighten our family table. 

Classical composer? or DJ raver? Either way, we'll trace it back to this Mozart Magic Cube from Uncle Jonathan, Aunt Susan, and Cousin Henry. 

Next time we visit Uncle Dave and Aunt Leslie, we'll be sure to bring the finger paints. 

Nothing like farm animals to bring a little country life into the city boy's world. 

Carol (a.k.a. "Gram") customized this "Julius the Green Dolphin" towel set to go with the "Julius the Green Dolphin" book. Wow! Thank you, Gram-Carol! We can't wait for bath time! 

Opening presents from Nana and Papa. 

First dump truck, complete with a load of meatballs. 

This time, there was very little wasting of the birthday cake.