Brunchin’ and Beachin’ in Alameda

Last Saturday was sunny and hot, so we took Mio to Alameda Beach so that she could have a fun beach day! We invited our friends Tarrin and Jason along, since they live in Alameda, and they suggested the delicious idea of having brunch at Off the Grid which is now in Alameda on Saturdays. Off the Grid is a gathering of food trucks and tents selling all kinds of yummy street foods, and we’d actually never been to the weekly ones in San Francisco nor Berkeley, so this was our first time!

Yay for street food! — Excited to eat delicious street food!

Cool Mio with her shades — Mio staying cool with her shades.

Excited to try this! — I decided to try the Hiyaaa! truck.

My bulgogi on a roll from Hiyaaa. There was kimchee inside, too!

Peruvian burger and fries from Sanguchon — Dan got the Peruvian burger and potatoes from Sanguchon

Tarrin and Jason also got some delicious andouille poutine from Fins on the Hoof for us to share, and we picked up a lemon lavender cupcake from a cupcake truck and a chocolate cream puff from Pacific Puffs for dessert, and headed over to the beach together.

We’ve taken Mio to the beach before when we went to Santa Cruz last Labor Day weekend, but she was young and not very mobile so she couldn’t really get the full experience, and it’d been cold so we didn’t put her int he water at the time. So this was Mio’s first true full experience of the beach, where she could walk around and play in the sand and water!

Trying to coax Mio into the water... — Trying to coax Mio into the water…

Taking in the beach — Mio is stunned by how vast the ocean is!

With Tarrin and Jason — We changed her into her bathing suit and got her in the water!

Mio's first time in ocean water! — Mio’s first time in ocean water! She was loving it, and kept trying to move into the deeper water.

Mio kept lifting her legs up! — She kept lifting her legs up so they were flat against the water… lol.

As you can see from the video below, she’s quite the waterbug! She was really loving the water, and later the sand… definitely a beach babe! 😉

Mio hanging with the guys... — Mio finally had enough of the water, and started walking towards the shore…

Mio having fun in the sand! — First time playing in the sand… and eating, it too! ::sigh::

Walking about, exploring the sandy shore… she was really interested in the other kids.

A very contemplative Mio. — A contemplative Mio, deep in thought as she looks out at the ocean. As Jason put it, “very Hemingway.”

Her expression...! — There are no words to describe how much her expression here tickles me!

Falling asleep in Mama's arms. — She soon fell asleep in Mama’s arms and took a little nap on the beach.

After all the fun in the sun, it was eventually time to go home…

Making our way back to the car. — Mio riding on Tarrin’s shoulders as we head back to the car.

Mio on Tarrin's shoulders :) — Auntie Tarrin is so good with Mio… Mio really loves her!

Thanks Tarrin and Jason for making our beach outing so much more fun and memorable! We loved that we could spend the day with you. 🙂

5 Comments

Amy
June 19, 2012 @ 12:11 pm

off the grid! always wanted to go!
Tarrin
June 19, 2012 @ 11:03 pm

We had so much fun with all of you, too! It’s official: Mio is a lil’ waterbug 🙂
- Tarrin again
  June 19, 2012 @ 11:08 pm
  
  Just watched the video… so cute, and I’m amused that my monologue about the merits and pitfalls of Vegas is going on in the background of Mio playing in the sand–ha! At least the conversation was rated PG :-p
- Misono
  June 20, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
  
  Yes! She really is a waterbug! 🙂 I’m still impressed with how much she loved the water. A little nervous but for the most part totally fearless! heehee*
  
  haha* Sorry about the conversation in the video – Dan tried to find a way to mask it with different audio, but he just ended up lowering the volume on it. 🙂
  - Tarrin again
    June 20, 2012 @ 2:56 pm
    
    It’s okay about the Vegas convo! I’m just glad I kept it clean in front of tiny ears :-p