Studmuffins

Yesterday, I took The Kids out to SF for a bike ride. On the weekends when the weather is nice, we've been doing this more and more. They can really ride well, even uphill and for longer and longer distances. We started out riding in Golden Gate Park, and then pushed further and further into the park, and once I felt comfortable we ventured out into the neighborhoods a bit. We practiced all the rules of the road in the Panhandle- using the bell, stopping at the light. Following each other carefully. Warning and passing pedestrians, stopping at stop signs. We took turns leading and following. We always park on Fell, at the start of the Panhandle, where it's easy to unload the bikes from the van (and we are close to their favorite pizza place). Next, we took a trip down into the Mission to visit Tia Michelle via a route called "The Wiggle". The Wiggle is an old route that is now marked by a special bike lane. It's known to locals as the easiest way to get between the Mission and GGP, while navigating the easiest slope. Going back and forth through the lower Haight and climbing up to the Panhandle. The kids loved it! It's so great riding through SF, looking at all the pretty houses, and winding through the neighborhoods. Next, we tried riding out of the park into the Inner Richmond. Zoe loves going to Green Apple (used book store Mecca), so we rode there, and back into the park. Yesterday, we topped ourselves. We rode from Baker St., all the way into the park to the Windmills, and finally Ocean Beach. After some sand play, we rode up Balboa, up the hills, and into the Inner Richmond to the bookstore. The kids were amazing. Ocean Beach is about 45th Ave or so. Green Apple is at 6th Ave. Then we stopped for a break at Toy Boat dessert cafe for ice cream cones before heading back into the park (up another hill 5 blocks over) and through the Panhandle to the car. I didn't map the miles, but I am so impressed by their effort. The craziest part? The kids want to do it again!

Greekfest 2014

Every year at Greekfest Oakland, Zoe sits in this man's line for her turn to request a balloon creature. I have photos of Zoe sitting here every year. Patiently waiting on her little plastic seat while he makes Elmos, and Nemos, and butterflies, and swans, and swords. Each little plastic stool made for a tiny bum has the photo of a famous personality taped to the seat. The Little Mermaid. Cinderella. Thomas. Oprah. And every time a balloon creature is finished the child stands up, accepts their prize and dutifully taps the bell, hits the buzzer, bangs a gong and then drops their tokens into the mailbox. At which point you'd better be paying attention because it's time to move down. Everyone stands up like the wave at the ballpark and moves down one seat. If you aren't paying attention, the man with the whistle in his mouth and flacid balloons in his hand will grasp your head and while gently tooting the whistle turn it back and forth until you realize that there is an empty seat to your left and a line of children waiting to your right. You'd best get up and sit down on Dorey before that line backs up any more. By now, Zoe knows the drill. And this year, as every year, she waits patiently for 30, 40 minutes or more to make her request and watch the balloon fill from one end to the other, softly bent and twisted by expert hands, folding, joining, until finally there it is, eyes drawn on with a waiting sharpie. Her swan, handed to her in swirl of whistles, whirrs and buzzes from the noise makers (Greek balloon man never speaks) is tucked under her arm while she taps the bell, hits the buzzer, bangs the gong and drops her tokens into the mailbox, as she watched 20 kids before her do the same. And the Swan will sit patiently, next to her bed for 3-4 days, slowly deflating, fading until someone asks me to take a pair of scissors and put it out of it's misery. Until next year, balloon man.

Heat Wave

Tennis Stars