Jam Jam Jam

Maya started her first official music and movement class this month. The Jamboodas classes, which have a strong theme of "jammin,'" are taught by a local musician named Charity Kahn. This kids (and their parents) sing songs, play instruments, and dance around. Maya loved the music and had a lot of fun imitating the moves, dancing freeform, and following Charity around endlessly.

After some circle songs, time for instrument free-for-all.

Playing the big drum.

Maya dances with Charity.

Maya doing a scarf dance.

Maya loves to jam jam jam!

Dueling Harmonicas

Maya is very impressed by her cool friends, Sophie and Jake. They have a great apartment with cool stuff like a piano, a guitar, and a furry rug. On this particular morning, Jake showed her his latest musical instrument, the harmonica. Maya eagerly coated the entire thing with saliva and then managed to get a few notes out. We headed out for brunch in Noe Valley and stopped en route at a music store to replace Jake's harmonica with a less drooly model unknowingly setting the stage for a musical collaboration of epic proportions.

Maya and Jake.
Maya loves the harmonica.The cover shot for Maya's new album.

Here's a little sample of Jake and Maya's musical genius...

The duel continues on the sidewalk.

Maya with Sophie and Jake (holding up some fabulous artwork created by Maya and Jake on the receipt from the restaurant).

"Where's Maya?" video

Maya likes playing various versions of hide and seek.  In this version, Maya runs away and we ask where she is until she returns triumphantly.  Maya loves to build suspense, so you'll see how LONG she makes us wait for her return.

Happy Birthday Allie

Maya loves a good party and Allie Tubach's first birthday did not disappoint. There were numerous thrills at the party including cupcakes that looked like mice, goldfish (the crackers), and Tim Cain playing the guitar.

Tim Cain singing to his ecstatic fans (Maya is in the pink shirt and blue dress).

Allie blows out the candle on her birthday cake.

More musical mayhem (check out Maya next to the girl in the pink dress)...

"Letters" video

Maya has become very interested in the letters of the alphabet. We bought a set of alphabet magnets for the refrigerator a while ago and Maya would point at the letters and we would say what they were occasionally. Then, to our surprise, she came up to us one day with the letter B and said "Beeeeeee." From then on, she started saying more and more and noticing letters on everything. We've been fairly weirded out that she can now identify and say all the letters of the alphabet. Here's a little demo:

Ducks and Giraffes

The weather was nice Maya and Mommy decided to visit the zoo. This time Maya was very excited about feeding ducks and watching the baby giraffe.

Maya and ducks face off.

Cutie!

Maya loves this photo because you can see GIRAFFES!

Pixar

Mommy took Maya to Pixar Animation Studios for the first time in over a year. Mommy worked there for many years before Maya was born, but has been remiss in visiting all her old pals. Maya's head nearly exploded as she discovered all the characters and bizarre decor throughout the place. She loved meeting Mommy's weird work buddies. Maya especially liked Kate who went with us to exotic Chevy's for some Fresh Mex after our visit.

Pixar's super dense green lawn...how luxurious.

Hmmmm...Chuck E. Cheese guys surrounded by fake plants in a hallway...these guys really know how to decorate.

Maya, Luigi and Guido.

Maya meets Mike.

"Hi, Kitty."

Maya and Kate (expecting her own little lady in July).