Assessment

We are shopping Kindergartens these days- busy busy! We've applied, and now we wait to hear back. In the meantime, Zoe had an assessment at Aurora school today. She loved it. We loved it. We'll see what happens.

Chonie Time!

Presenting Mr. Big Boy Underwears! It's Gitch time for the big guy!
Today is Juju's first day officially wearing his undies. End of an era, people.

Mossies

What can I say, you should recognize it by now... Moss Beach. How can we stay away?
It's been so warm, even in January, sunny and bright. Nothing makes us all as happy as a day spent at the beach. So here we are again!

Sunset Ride

Lately we've been going up to the Greek church at sunset time, after the kids get up from their naps. We go up there with the wheels in the trunk, and drive around in circles as the sun burns over the horizon. They have a big plaza built on an overhang on the edge of the hill. The view is gorgeous, and it's big, flat and open- perfect for practicing on the bike.

Training Wheels

She's getting it. Slowly but surely. She is back on the horse- as long as the horse is on flat ground.

Park Playdate

Today we had a playdate at Dracena Park with our friends Liam, Casey and Kathleen.
We hiked, we dug, we chatted. Good times.

Stow Lake

Today we traced our footsteps through the City in search of Ma-Mo-Wah, but we did not find him. We sure had fun looking though! We looked all over town, going everywhere we went yesterday after the train, but no kitty. Then we headed for GGP and went for a ride around Stow Lake. I'm telling you people, the weather could not be more gorgeous! Sunny, bright, cheery and warm.

Bento Box

Nico went in to work a little later this morning. He came into the kitchen to find me busy at work making the lunches for school.
He leaned over my shoulder and asked, "Is that little mister 'poo-poo butter's bento box?
No wonder he only eats 4 things and has strict size and cutting requirements".

Hmm. Point taken.

Tains toomahwoah

Everyday, Julian stops and says to me, "Mommy, I want to tehw you sumteen."
"What is it Julian"?
"I want to go see de tains toomahwoah".
"Okay Juju. We'll see".
And well, it is Whim-day. So I decided to go ahead and grant his wish. We drove into the City on sparkling sunny day, and headed for the train tracks. We passed right by the Main Caltrain station south of Market, and headed for the P Hill stop at 22nd. We parked, and went down the stairs into the station. As we were descending, I was trying to decide if we would wait, and for how long and if we would just watch the train stop and go, or if we should hop on and for how long, because the train only stops once an hour. Just then, as I was still holding Julian from the stairs, the train pulled into the station. I know that you have to get your ticket before boarding, and I hadn't made any decisions or read the info- I didn't know if the kids needed tickets or not. As I glanced at the ticket machine and back to Zoe, I saw that she was already being helped up the steps of the train, so up I went. A gentleman who had helped Zoe up the stairs told me that we could not buy our tickets on board, but could "jump off quickly" at the next station to get the ticket. People, nothing in my life happens either quickly, or alone. I sat the kids in a seat amidst a cacophony of loudly asked questions that pierced through the silence of the commuter car. We went a few stops, then a couple more at the urging of the conductors for fear of leaving us in "the ghetto" to wait for the return train. We jumped off at Burlingame, where we walked up the main street for refreshments and a potty break at Starbucks before heading back 40 minutes later for the return train.
A real train ride for Julian!
Then at Zoe's request, we headed to the Haight for a slice or three of our favorite pizza, then up to GGP to the arboretum (which no longer free). I thought it would be nice for the kids to ride their vehicles along the little paths, but once inside began to worry about the noise of the Chiccomobile and the possibility of the kids running into some poor old lady. I tried to keep them on a short leash, but the hills and smooth asphalt paths were too much for them to ignore. Despite one nasty comment by a grumpy lady about "bikes" in the arboretum we continued around the park, taking the trails less traveled, and we had a great time. Another wonderful whim day!
After no naps, however, the kids hit the wall later- Zoe in the middle of dinner at the Japanese restaurant- all of a sudden, she fell out of her chair and hit the floor- literally. Then declared she needed to "go home now". Then Julian hit the wall right after downing his bottle on the couch. Oh he cried and sobbed and refused to brush his teeth, and had to have mommy lay down with him. Okay. He rolled over and said, "Ma-moh-ah". He wanted his kitty. Uh oh. Where was the kitty? We looked everywhere. I called EFNY pizza. No kitty. I called Stacey, no luck at her place. Not on the train, I see it in the pictures. Oh no, where is kitty Ma-moh-ah?

Beach Cruzers

This is the time of year (as opposed to July) when I jump up and down in delight that we live in California. Mid January, and we are dressed in light clothes, and romping on a sunny beach. What a gorgeous day! We took advantage of the weather and the holiday weekend and headed to Santa Cruz. The main draw at the Boardwalk this weekend, was obviously the beach. Our friends Brad, Caryn and Reed were also visiting this weekend, so we got together on beach for some visiting in the sun. This is the life.

Spring Break

Earth diggers and huge machines!!! Oh Joy!!!
Almost completely overshadowed our visit to the Cable Car Museum across the street.










This was one of the bestest Wednesday Whim Days ever. A break in the cold and rainy weather turned into a Spring-like break. It went from freezing and rainy to gorgeous and sunny overnight. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and went into the City. We started in North Beach and took a cable car ride to the cable car museum in Chinatown. Julian was a little scared, but Zoe put her arm around him for comfort. Then we headed to El Mission for some burritos, then around the corner to Bi-Rite for gourmet ice cream.
Then I followed a whim of my own, and remembering the suggestion of an old friend, went looking for path into Glen Canyon. A dozen years ago I was told that there was this great canyon in the middle of the city where one could walk grassy paths and even go rock climbing and bouldering. The entrance is in a sleepy maze-like neighborhood where the streets are named after gems, tucked in between some more lively neighborhoods. I knew it was there, and that is was big, but didn't know how to access it. Well, armed with a map, plenty of wrong turns and some patience, I finally found it. I spotted a tiny footpath from the car, and we parked and walked in. The sight that welcomed us into the canyon was amazing.

After our hike, we should've been headed back over the bridge, but the weather was so warm and beautiful, we hated to waste it by sleeping, so we took a vote and decided to forget the naps, and continue with our city tour. We popped over to The Haight to visit Stacey and Vicar for a bit and refuel on snacks from the healthy market.
Then we went to GGP for a sunset romp at the playground. We were about to meet some friends to dinner, when we suddenly went through our last diaper at hyperspeed, and decided it would be best to go home, and have a bath. What a fabulous day!

Young Elton

Zoe at Playschool.
Don't you wish University was this much fun? Oh wait...

Princess Hell

Yes, Mommy, there is a Princess Hell. It's called Crazy Frank's.
This proves that I will do anything for my sweet Zoertins.

I would not have been caught dead in this much pink when I was a child, but these are different times. And I did wear the hell out of my rainbow shirt and surrounded myself with more rainbows & unicorns than a fantasy sky could offer.

This fun little outing was Zoe's friend Leah's birthday party. Leah really wanted a princess tea party at Crazy Frank's. Zoe had a great time hanging out with some old schoolmates and running around playing princess. Good times.

The dinner that EVERYONE ate

I wondered when the day would finally come.
When I wouldn't have to eat Mac & Cheese or Stars Soup for dinner again.
The night when I could make a real dinner with a protein, a carb and vegetables all on one plate, without having to make two other dinners first (because I don't have the oomf to make a "real" dinner after making two other kids meals).
This great steak dinner did the trick. I made the meal, I set the table for 4, I cut tiny bits of steak, poured condiments and make the declaration, "eat it or starve".
And they ate.
We're lookin' for a repeat.

Bad Photo Day (or why sometimes, there are no posts)

"Why haven't you posted?"
"Where are the new pictures of my grandchildren?", you ask?
Well, some days are simply bad photo days.
They tend to come in swarms, like locusts.
Sometimes, there's a lot of rain, or bad light, or boring times, or I'm feeling unenthused... let's face it, sometimes The Muse is fickle.
Well, this blog stars my favorite muses, and you know, sometimes they are uncooperative. They won't mug for me, or way worse yet, they won't hold f&*^ing still.
Or look at me, and then I get a bunch of pics of blurry kids or lots of shots of their backsides.
On this lovely day, all I can blame is bad photo-mojo. Nothing turned out well, but not due a lack of some effort on my part. Oh well, at least you get a new peek at your grandchildren, even if they do look sickly, annoyed, or in a hurry.

Homeward Bound

Our last morning in Vancouver was a frosty one. But beautifully sunny. After many chilly days and frozen nights in a row, the ground was very crunchy this morning. The grass has been crunchy for a few days now, especially in shaded areas, and each day brings another layer of dew to freeze. The park across the street was very white and frosty this morning, and as the sun rose higher, a fog began to lift from it. It was really beautiful, this foggy frosty landscape with the bare trees. Grammy, Grampy Ted and Layla took Juju and Zoe across the street to run around while Nico and I gathered our belongings and packed bags. The flight south was lovely, clear all the way over the snowy mountains.

Squamish Railroad Museum

Another one of Grampa Ted's brilliant itineraries for Juju.
So around the turn of the last century, Canada was trying to lure immigrants to populate the provinces and built itself an amazing railroad system through some beautiful country, and Squamish, B.C. was the western terminus. Squamish also thrived on mining copper and logging and paper products until recently; now they attract rock climbers, mountain bikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and folks headed to Whistler, less than an hour away. We came for the railroad museum, which was impressive to say the least. It is indeed a train lover's dream come true. There are trains of literally every size- from the Thomas train table inside the roundhouse (next to a lovingly restored Victorian-era private train car) to retired locamotives, boxcars, snowplow cars, coaches and every other car I know of. They just sit there, on the tracks, open with little stepstools to invite you up inside. Each car has something different to offer- some have old pictures, collections of railway silverware and pottery, badges, antique telegraph equipment, maps and communications systems. One car had been outfitted with a miniature model train system behind glass that ran the entire length of the car- miniature village after village. Then there was also a wooden train climbing play area, and the tracks for a small train for kids to ride on- unfortunately, it was out of service for the winter season. I cannot imagine how many retired train lovers have poured their hearts and souls into this place. And almost nothing was closed- you were welcome to walk around the tracks and inside the old trains, welcome to sit in the engineer's seat for the driver's view, welcome to poke at the old metal and peer the windows- from the inside. Julian was obviously in heaven. Finally, someone was hearing him when he requested day after day, "I want to see the train tomorrow".

After the train museum, and lunch at a local brewery, we went for a walk at Porteau park, also on Howe Sound. Even though it wasn't yet 3 o'clock, the tilt of what seemed like a weak sun nearly blinded us as we walked through the forest at the water's edge, watching the frost sparkling on the beached logs, and blowing on our mittened hands, to keep them warm.