Goodbye, Lake Tahoe!

Julian and Daddy take their first, and final look (!) at Lake Tahoe before we hit the road. Next time, let's leave the viruses at home, 'kay?

de Michele Reunion

Aunties, uncles, cousins, oh my! It's the de Michele family reunion in Lake Tahoe.
Poor Jujubee was one sick puppy (along with his daddy) for most of the trip, but finally got the chance to play with his cousins Xavy, Bella and Alena on the last full day. Luckily, Zoe waited until we got home to get sick (along with The Mommy). They both had lots of opportunity to swim in the beautiful pool overlooking the lake and the weather was perfect for that. Zoe swam for hours, and had a great time playing with her cousin Alena (they have similar "strong" personalities!). While daddy & Julian rested, Zoe and The Mommy had great opportunity for walks among Sierra wildflowers, lilacs, pines and lupin. We walked on the pier, spotted snakes and jays, and dipped our feet in the cold, clear water. Traveling isn't always easy with two small kids, especially when illness lurks, but these experiences are great for all of us. I hope they'll grow up with great memories of the deep blue lake and tall pines, just like I did.

Rug burn

During the day, everyone had different schedules of activities and naps, but at breakfast and dinner we all gathered to eat and hang out. This was Zoe's best opportunity to play with her cousin, Alena. Their favorite game became "stair races", as they raced down the stairs on their bummies. Ouchie. Can you say, "rug burn"?

Rock climbing

Zoe had a great time scrambling along the rocks that line the lake at Brockway in King's Beach. Zoe and I walked down to the lake every evening to see the light, and dip our toes in the cold water.

On the dock

Snoozylandia

His favorite sleeping position

Lincoln Park, Alameda

Ouchie (Father's Day)

Today it was Daddy's wish to do the usual Sunday routine with his kids, to celebrate Father's Day.
Except today, he wanted coffee in bed. And for Zoe and I to make the run to Noah's.
Then Tiny Waves at the Y. The two waterlogged weasels both fell into deep comas on the way home clearing the path for Daddy's Sunday Afternoon Nap. Right on schedule.
Lunch. Then we all headed into SF for a frolic in GG park. The plan was to hit the playground, the carousel, then have a nice dinner in town.
Well, here is where things can get a bit wonky.
First of all, last time we went to the park, Zoe decided to go balls out down the huge cement slide that is the focal point to all park daredevils, ages 3-60. This slide made me think more than once before giving it a try. Think water park chute, with no water- just a battered old piece of cardboard to dull the friction of raw pavement speeding under your red hot buns. Zoe went down a few times on Daddy's lap, then next thing I knew, she was shooting down that crazy cement luge solo. She's been talking about it all week.
So today, Daddy came prepared with a fresh diaper box to use as her toboggan. That new, slick, painted box made Zoe look like she was flying down that slide on a track of Crisco. She splayed her arms out, probably as a brake, on the cement rails beside her and wound up with some road rash. She didn't seem to notice it until The Mommy said, "OMG, what happened to your arms?!" Smooth one, Mommy. Then it was tears, "I don't want to go again!"s, and "I want to go home to bed". Sheesh.
So we had to leave because she was very upset- not that hurt, mind you, but upset that she might need a Band-Aid (oh no! the worst!)
So we went to a great local noodle restaurant, and of course tonight is the night that neither of them could possibly ingest fresh, tasty, rice noodles, dumplings or chicken.
So we went shopping and Zoe fell in love with a cupcake shirt at Loyal Army on Haight Street. She insisted that she needed it, and Daddy caved like a virgin on prom night. It was really cute, I have to admit. The whole store was cute- as a matter of fact their catchphrase is "A Salute to Cute". So Zoe got her "Cupcakes Are The New Black" T-shirt, and then we all posed in front of their funny sandwich board out front.
And then it was across the street for a slice from Escape From New York pizza (because Asian rice noodles do not belong in either of their two food groups- Mexican or Italian). The Pizza made it onto their menus and once everyone's belly was finally full, we headed back over the bridge to home.
Happy Father's Day to one of the very best dads I've ever known.

Loyal Army

At the Lake

Friendly ducks visit us on the grass at Lake Temescal

Random Acts of Kindness

When we parked the car at the park, and were climbing into the stroller, and gathering belongings, it was late afternoon and some caterers were loading into their van after a party. Zoe saw them with their big bouquet of balloons and squealed in delight.
After our walk, headed back to the car, we noticed that same bouquet of balloons hovering over the car roof. The caterers were long gone, but their random act of kindness left us with big smiles.

3 Little Monkeys

After a fun outing to the museum in Esseff turned sour (puddle on the museum floor, no change of clothes) we gladly accepted an invitation to hang out with our friends Eleanor and Andre in the Richmond. New toys, old friends, snacks and drinks turned a gloomy day into a great afternoon.

Sunday in the Park

This was a very fun Sunday in Golden Gate Park. The weather was warm, the sun was shining, the ice cream man was busy and the kids were bountiful. This was Zoe's first run down the cement slide alone. Sweet!

Evening walk with Mister

At the Academy of Sciences

All she wanted was to see the rainforest.


African Hall


On the Living Roof


Over the sea

Zoe goes Click!

Step into my office