Long Beach

The Mommy took Zoe out to the Peni to have a little playtime on the beach. This time, she talked about the tractors, but didn't let them keep her from enjoying the beach and sand. She did walk out within sight of the waves, but not close enough to touch them, which is fine. We're making progress. I'm hoping she'll get over her fear of the ocean by summer.
We scooped sand ice cream cones, and dusted them with shell bit jimmies. We ate snacks, real and imagined, and felt the salty breeze on our faces, and warm sand between our toes.

Road Trip

Burger Stop in Salinas. Zoe has birthdays on the brain, and made a birthday burger for Julian.



A leg stretching and potty stop near Santa Barbara. It feels good to get off our buns and put our toes in the sand.



A 9 hour road trip to LA is a tough leg for any kid- but these guys do it a few times a year at least. We have developed our own little system with some books, some toys, some munchies, some naps, and some fun pit stops. The last hour can be rough, though.
Almost there, little ones.

In the Clover

Among the Daisies

Dolores Park

Adorable boy at Dolores Park's playground moments before spinning over the bottom rung on the jungle gym to a faceplant into the sand, open mouthed.
Ouch. Poor boy.

Joy Ride

Birthday Party

Harbor

Tonight, Nico had a meeting, so the kids and I went for a little drive to enjoy the clear evening down by the waterfront. Zoe likes cranes, so we went to see the granddaddy of all cranes down in the harbor next to Jack London Square. We talked about how the cranes lift the huge boxes, (containers) onto the big ships after the trains take them to the harbor. Zoe likes to realize how things are all connected. The next day, we were at Emeryville, and the train tracks run next to the parking garage- we've seen the train there many times. Zoe saw the train carrying the containers which I explained were headed to the harbor. Then another day later while crossing the bridge into the City, Zoe saw the containers being loaded onto a huge ship by the cranes we had seen earlier at dusk. Full circle.

Birthday Boy

Okay, now this picture is kind of unfair. Mr. is not a crybaby. He only really cries when A) Someone he hasn't seen twice in the last week comes into the house and thinks about picking him up, or, B) You try to put a birthday hat on his head.
For some reason, as soon as that paper cone touched his noggin, he absolutely had to bawl his eyes out.
Silly birthday boy.
Our little family celebrated his birthday with a quiet if not chaotic dinner at where else? Pasta Pomodoro.

At The Park

Abandoned

Oh, hello Mommy.
Don't mind me, I'm just pissed off that you thought you could leave me in here with a bunch of toys while you took the only shower you're going to get in a 4 day stretch.
Blocks? I spit on your blocks.
bouncy jingle cow? I think not.
Trucks? Sure I like trucks, but I'm not in the mood.
Singing birdie? Don't mock me with your fun loving toys.
It's your singular attention that I want. All the toys in the house can't fill the void left by your 15 minute absence. Nor my pants. The pants go too.
That'll show you.

Julian & The Chiccomobile

Romp and tickle

This is what a Saturday morning tumble in the sheets looks like in our house.

First Hair Cut

Everybody needs a haircut today.
By now, Zoe knows the drill. Yes, I loved the cute little pigtails too, but Zoe doesn't really love them, and hair was getting a bit long and scraggly, so off we went to Happy Cuts in Alameda. Julian's hair was getting a bit long in the back too so he was also treated to a haircut. He sat in my lap and we were both draped for the trim. The stylist saved some locks of hair, and presented us with a "first haircut" certificate.

Spoon

Oh messy baby! We have to start somewhere! Julian gets a spoon lesson.
This is a job for The Snacky Suit!

Well Rested

Lovin the time change. Sleeping in. Feeling groovy.

Dress Up

Swinging into spring

Zoe has graduated from the baby swings and is quite comfortable in the big girl swings. We had a little lesson on how to pump your legs in order to gain altitude.
It is just so great to be able to go to the park at all. Sure, we had a summery interlude in January, but since then it's been raining and cloudy, and we've had the flu, and a nasty cold virus brought to us via Phoenix that floored everyone in the house and clung to our lungs and sinuses like green muck in a bog. During the cold, damp weather we go from Kindergerm to Library to pool to Snot Zone, and frankly we all need a strong dose of fresh air and vitamin D to dry us all out.
Now the plum trees have bloomed and their little red leaves have sprouted. The trees along MacArthur have their white blooms on the otherwise bare branches, and along 35th they are just this week getting their soft green leaves. On the way to the park, I notice this and Zoe looks carefully for the leaves and flowers and asks, "is it spring now, mommy"? The daffodils brighten up the freeway onramp, for a short time breaking the monotony of chain link fences and weedy patches. The Oakland hills are an almost garishly bright green, and it seems that something is sprouting, growing up from every crack in this cemented, urban place. We are all green inside, just waking up and ready to sprout.

Irish eyes are smiling

At the Dentist

Zoe had her first official cleaning at the dentist today.
Last time we came, the dentist was lucky to get a tiny peek into her mouth. The dentist introduced Zoe to "Mr. Thirsty" (the little spit sucker) and the little mirror, but that was about it. This time, we bought a book about going to the dentist, which we read a lot, and brought along with us. Zoe went in, sat down, put on her bib and even opened her mouth! She let the hygenist do the cleaning and rinsing and flossing, all the time listening to instructions and gripping the chair with her legs. She was so good, I could hardly believe my eyes! After the polishing she reported that "there are crunchy fings in my mouth". Ah yes, gritty.
When the dentist came in to check her she received a squeaky clean report of excellent tooth health!
We celebrated with many high-fives, a few stickers and then went to GG park for a ride on the carousel, followed by a delicious burrito lunch (followed by a good brushing, of course).

Sunday Breakfast

"I'm making juice!"