Keeping Up With Zoe & Julian

Mess of Happiness

2012-02-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

A Candle for Papou

2012-02-05T22:15:00.000-08:00

Twirl Test

2012-01-28T22:25:00.001-08:00

Zoe is growing out of her clothes at an advanced rate.
So she and I went for a little shopping trip to The Gap.
We had a great time, and sort of just wandered through the store for a bit. Zoe really has a feel for what she likes- pretty dresses. She spotted this sweet little frock, and was not going to leave the store with out it. First though, we had to try it on. While Mommy checks size, wear and washability, Zoe gives it The Twirl Test. The best dresses will flare out beautifully at the bottom when twirled.

Morning Reading Time

2012-01-27T07:49:00.001-08:00

Sometimes morning can be a real pain.
People are tired. People have a lot to do before we can leave for school- eat breakfast, wash up, brush teeth, make lunches (Mommy), drink enough coffee (Mommy again), get dressed, brush hair, moisturize- all in about 45 minutes. There isn't a lot of time to play. The kids tend to get each other all riled up. Then the "to do" list drops from view, Mommy gets pulled away to play referee, and we wind up more stressed and wound up than ever.
But today, instead of playing a crazy game that gets everyone amped up, I set down my peanut butter knife to find this scene. Zoe quietly 'reading' to her brother on the couch. Oh if every day could start like this.
BTW, that is Zoe's 'Junk Art' propped on the edge of the couch. Those are sculptures made from media salvaged from the recycling bin. This is Zoe's favorite "choice time" activity at school. When Zoe is at school I have to deconstruct them, and return them to the recycling or our living room would look like Burning Man. As I keep saying, "The fun is in the making".

Woodminster Stairs

2012-01-16T22:46:00.001-08:00

Winter Sun

2012-01-16T22:38:00.001-08:00

Feeling snitty

2012-01-10T19:31:00.001-08:00

In The Magic Light

2012-01-04T21:54:00.001-08:00

Nosferatu or blueberry lover?

2011-12-29T21:06:00.001-08:00

So today Zoe has her hand up in her mouth, and she tells me, "Mommy, there's a bunch of skin on my tooth".
Why yes, this remark has my attention. So I slide a finger into her open mouth where she is pointing and I find a large, swollen pad of gums at the back of her mouth. I know it isn't right, but it takes me a moment for it to register. I look up at Marcia with my face of concern and she says quick as a whip, "6 year molar".
I didn't even know there were 6 year molars. We are busy expecting the front ones to fall out at any time. The other side of her lower set of molars feels similar, though not as swollen. So we go on with our day and Zoe doesn't eat much after her huge breakfast. She is drinking like a camel all day, especially snow slushies, but not eating much. Then after barely eating dinner, she's brushing her teeth and I decide to have another feel. Her lower left is twice as swollen as before and the other side is getting there. Then on top, the left one is halfway in, and the right is puffy. She has a mouth full of erupting molars, and I had no idea. So after starting and not finishing 3 different meals, I gave her a bowl of frozen blueberries from a local farm. She ate them all 3 times over and in the end was a blueberry mess, but her gums were finally happy.

Practicing Canadian

2011-12-27T22:50:00.001-08:00

Snow Day

2011-12-26T20:01:00.001-08:00

Just laugh with them

2011-12-25T20:32:00.001-08:00

High Tea

2011-12-21T21:01:00.000-08:00

Grammy invited Zoe and Mommy to Christmas High Tea at The Secret Garden in Vancouver. We dressed up and were treated each to our choice of tea, cranberry spritzers and a beautiful selection of petite goodies ranging from savory to sweet. Including the requisite scones with Devonshire cream and raspberry jam. All the lovelies were served on delicate mismatched china in varied floral patterns. We sipped our tea and spread our jam while a harpist played carols across the room. What a wonderful tradition for Zoe to add to her rich book of cultural traditions.

Sledding!

2011-12-20T20:57:00.001-08:00

These are my hands

2011-11-18T23:06:00.001-08:00

Fall ride

2011-11-07T20:51:00.001-08:00

The Roberts Gang

2011-10-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

Our buddies Kathleen, Liam and Casey invited us to a playdate at Roberts park with another friend of Julian's from Tot Zone, Miles and his mom. We picked Nana up from the airport, threw together a nice picnic lunch and headed up to the woods. We found our friends plus three more and had a great little group of moms and rugrats. The kids had such a great time together, Zoe leading the pack, running through the forest. Julian really liked reconnecting with his buddy Miles, who he rarely sees and those two ran through the redwoods on their imaginary pirate ship, pilaging treasure of unknown kinds from marauding pirates on the tree-sloped seas, swords at the ready.

At Sunset

2011-10-27T21:20:00.001-07:00

Buddies

2011-10-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today I started my bi-weekly volunteer sessions in Zoe's classroom. I spent an hour with the kids; first on the playground, then in the classroom for handwriting and Writer's Workshop. Their teacher has that classroom running like a well oiled machine. I was taking a lot of mental notes. The kids always knew what was expected of them, and how to proceed. They are all in varying stages of learning to read and write, as well as learning how to learn. It was fascinating to be there, watching it all happen.
Zoe was so excited to have her mommy there- but I needed to help all the kids, and I could tell Zoe wanted more of my attention. It was great getting to know all of her classmates- I hear about them in bits and pieces. They are a neat bunch of kiddos.
Here is a picture of Zoe, and her favorite buddy, Cyrus.

Fleet Week

2011-10-11T22:36:00.001-07:00

AKA Celebrate Invasion Day with the armed forces!

Pedal Pusher

2011-10-11T22:34:00.001-07:00

With the Fishes

2011-10-11T22:33:00.001-07:00

Sea of Sand

2011-10-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Little Amelia

2011-10-01T22:05:00.001-07:00

Mini meez

2011-09-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Monkey Bar Mistress

2011-09-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Zoe has been working at this for months... The monkey bars. Years ago, she would hang.
Then more recently, she would have me hold her legs, and I would rock her back and forth, and show her how to swing her weight and change her hands across the bars. This week, she finally mastered doing it all herself. She is so happy, and she wants to go to the park all the time to practice. I was looking at her hands today- and a big row of little red callouses are forming. The sign of a bar swinging little girl. The badge of accomplishment.

Birthday with mommy

2011-09-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

Julian on the stairs

2011-09-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

Julian! Look behind you!

2011-09-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Aaaarrrggzzzzzzzzzzz

2011-09-26T21:46:00.001-07:00

"Back, you scallywags! Or I'll brutalize you in 'yer sleep! I mean MY sleep... Aaargffmmmpzzz"

Back to School Night

2011-09-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Tonight is back to school night at Aurora. I met all the teachers, admins and specialists and learned about what they'll be teaching Zoe over the year. Then we went into the classroom and explored. I saw where she spends her days, and all the stories that she's told me over these weeks came to life. Here is a picture of her folder where she keeps her work.

Maritimes

2011-09-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Julian had so much the other day at "The Pirate Ship" (AKA, The Balclutha at Hyde St. Pier) that we returned today and met our friends Casey and Kathleen for a maritime playdate. After wandering around the ship, we walked over to the Maritime Museum to look at models of old tallships.

September Summer

2011-09-20T15:39:00.001-07:00

Captain Jubee

2011-09-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today, Juju and I headed into the City for a maritime excursion. It was beautiful and sunny, clear out to the Golden Gate. North Beach was gorgeous, the piers were warm, and best of all, many of the cold summer tourists have cleared out, leaving us with parking, empty buses, sweater free weather and line-free attractions. I love fall in San Francisco! I lured Julian to the waterfront with promises of a Pirate Ship tour. We walked over to the Hyde St. Pier for dock side sail on the tall sail ship, Balclutha. Many people aren't familiar with this huge vessel that is a great place to visit near fisherman's warf, Ghirardelli Square and the wonderful under-explored Maritime Museum. The Balclutha was a real working sailing ship from the time before steamers. With 3 tall masts in full rigging it traveled the world transporting goods, and sailed many times in and out of the port where it floats today. It is run by the City of San Francisco Parks and is not just a floating museum. Children take school tours where they spend the day and night onboard working, and learning about ship life circa 1906. They will sing sea shanties, learn to tie knots, lower and row a boat, make dinner in the galley and explore the boat as many many sailors have done above and below the wooden decks right there before them. As you walk the ship, you can see the what life was like aboard over a hundred years ago for all the people who sailed her- from the captains' quarters to the galley, to the workmans' bunks, to the tiny undership quarters where the Chinese worked in nearly slave-like conditions. You can see all of the items that Balclutha carried across the sea stacked up under the deck- from boxes of salmon to wood boards, to French furniture, Belgian Glass (that filled the buildings of downtown SF), and everything needed to build a tiny worktown in Alaska.
Not really a pirate ship, that didn't matter to Captain Juju, who took the helm and imagined himself sailing out to sea, through the fog that began to roll under the bridge, through the Golden Gate.

Learning to Ride

2011-09-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Now that we have Zoe up and riding like a pro, it's time to get Jujie pedaling.
He's a mean machine on two wheels, as long as his feet are moving him along- he has mastered the Skuut, but now we have put the pedals on his bike. His balance is perfect, but pedaling is a new issue- keeping his feet off the ground will take some practice. Zoe here, is showing him how it's done.

Family Bike Ride

2011-09-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

On the weekends, Daddy likes to take the kids on Family Bike Ride. It used to be that he took them to the store with the kids riding in the baby sit on his bike. But now, Zoe is big enough to take herself. She rode with Daddy and Julian all the way down to Fruitvale through the neighborhook to dinner. Zoe was so proud, riding along by herself, following daddy down the streets.

Making friends everywhere

2011-09-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Zoe has really blossomed into a social little girl.
She makes friends everywhere we go.
Tonight we went to Lanesplitter Pizza & Pub. They make a pretty good pie, and surprisingly, welcome kids. This place is pretty cool, and you will see all kinds of folks at the Emeryville location. Nerdy compu-types. Hipsters galore. Rockabillies unite. Hippies. Burners. Young and Old. Arty types. African Americans in their pretty hats and church best. Parents. Yes, us too. There is a great little corner where the wall is painted in chalkboard black, and a bucket of colored chalk welcomes everyone to pull up a mini stool and draw to their hearts content. Wall too chalky? Nowhere to draw? Don't worry, the lovely servers will come over and wipe it clean so you have a fresh wall!
Meanwhile the stereo blasts a little something for everyone. From Blues, to The Stones to Metallica to the Ramones. When Sheena is a Punkrocker came on, Zoe and her little friend were bopping around, holding hands and giggling away.
When the pizza arrived, Zoe wandered over, sat down and continued to wave at her new friend across the room between bites. She said, "She recognized us from the bagel place".
"Really?" I looked over. They looked familiar, but between schools, parks, grocery shopping and a past life in restaurants and bars, heck, half of Oakland looks familiar.
Then I remembered... one morning in the summer, we shared a table with a little girl and her mommy at Noah's on Lakeshore. They were nice, and friendly. That was a couple of months ago, and here they were, with the girls picking right up where they left off. So cute. Zoe manages to find friends everywhere she goes. I hope she takes that with her for a life time.

Sunday Walk in the Park

2011-09-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

We are trying to squeeze every last drop of summer out of our days. It's still beautifully warm and sunny here. As usual on the weekends, we find ourselves up in the Redwoods at some point.
Lately we've been working on getting Julian to use the pedals on his bike.
The pedals screw off and on very easily to go from a scoot bike to a pedal bike.
Today we put them on, and despite many protests, he gave it a try and did very well. He has skidding to a stop down pat, now we need to work on pushing the pedals forward.

Lago de Temescal

2011-09-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today after we picked up Zoe from school we went down to Lake Temescal to ride bikes and enjoy the late summer afternoon air.

Julian's Classroom

2011-09-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

Today was Julian's first day of school in Kristi's classroom. He has already had many happy moments here, while picking up his sister, but now it is he who belongs here. He knows where to find some old favorite toys, but now has more freedom to explore this magical paradise of exotic toys, cozy spaces, and new friends. One of his favorite things to explore is the kids' sized drum kit. Here, after class is over and we go in to pick up his jacket and lunchbox, he sits down to play. He carefully tries out each piece, methodically, intently, listening to the varied sound each one makes.

Sword play

2011-09-07T22:43:00.001-07:00

Our buddies Liam and Casey moved over to Marin this summer.
And while we miss having them right in town for last minute park fun or dinner dates, we love Marin, and look forward to visiting them there. So today, we drove over the Richmond Bridge and enjoyed a morning of hunting for swords along the bay.

Zoe's Classroom

2011-09-06T22:25:00.001-07:00

This is Zoe's new classroom. Yes, those are redwood trees outside the windows, and yes, that is a loft-fort for chillaxing with a good book. Yeah, I know you wish (just a little) that you were in kindergarten too. (Dr. Seuss, cookies, apple juice and a nap anyone?)

Labor Day Party

2011-09-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

Today we were invited to celebrate the labor day weekend at a back yard party by some friends. They supplied large cuts of salmon and encouraged guests to bring their best salmon recipe to the kitchen for a salmon iron chef cook off.
We don't go to a lot of parties anymore, as it can be really difficult reigning in the kids, or keeping them entertained while having a conversation with adults at the same time. We wind up just getting exhausted, stressed, and not really having a good time. But we went, I brought my best salmon sauce, and there were lots of other kids there too. And parents. And we had a great time. The kids entertained themselves with basic supervision (no one runs into the street, screams INSIDE the house, or throws anything at anyone/thing not looking). My salmon didn't win first prize at the party, but that didn't matter. We had so much fun and Nico said that mine was HIS favorite.

The End of Summer

2011-09-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today, now that we're home and getting settled into our new routine, we decided to celebrate the end of summer by going to Santa Cruz. We took our beach stuff and our boardwalk passes and... froze our buns off! The fog moved in and shrouded our end of summer visit in a haze of cold breezes and marine layer. Waaaaa.
We made the best of it, we rode rides and nibbled snacks, and wandered around town, and napped the whole way home.

3rd day of school

2011-09-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Zoe can not wait to go back to school, every day. She loves it. Today was Daddy's Friday off, so we all went together to drop Zoe off at school.

Zoe's First Day of Kindergarten

2011-08-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

We've been looking forward to this day for a long time. And it was a wonderful day!
Zoe was so excited, so happy. She was a real trooper. Some kids cried, but not Zoe. She was right where she was supposed to be. It was a little hectic, after our lazy summer of sleeping in and wandering around the entire west coast. But she was great, it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and her school is a warm, happy place.
She went skipping off to her new class, blowing me kisses as she turned to walk away.
Oh yeah. Mommy teared up. Then Jujie and I went to Cafe Trieste to have some breakfast. It was a very calm morning, just Jujie and I. We went to story hour at the library, we did some shopping. We chatted. It was all very mellow and... nice.
Juju and I will have some really nice time together this year his days off from school. In the meantime, Zoe was adapting well to her new environment. And she didn't forget about her brother. When we picked her up from school, she came bounding down the steps, and showed us the crown that she made for her brother. It was covered in hearts, "for love" and drawn in his favorite color, red. She put it on his head, and he beamed with pride. He wore it the entire rest of the day. Everyone beamed with pride.

Last day at the beach

2011-08-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

Cousin Fest 2011!

2011-08-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places of my childhood?
The Sawdust Festival.
So cool to now share it with my own kids. We met Pammie, Heather, Alena and Bella then met more old friends there. It felt just like home.
Thanks to cousin Heather for the great pic!

More Beach!

2011-08-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

Nene joined us at the beach today. Another gorgeous day at Divers Cove in Laguna. One of our favorite places, anywhere. The kids dug up sandcrabs, scrabbled over the reef, chased the waves, and played in the surf. Total happiness.

Beach Break

2011-08-25T22:29:00.001-07:00

In Ashland, again

2011-08-20T23:24:00.001-07:00

Our final push home begins today, starting from Ashland. We came along way yesterday, leaving John, Diane and Aiko and Robbie in the morning before heading past Mt. St. Helens, past Portland, where we sat in miserable traffic for hours, and on on on, many movies later into Ashland in time to eat some Japanese food and collapse in our cozy beds. In the morning, we found it hard to leave- what a great town, and a beautiful warm day. We spent some time in the pool, some time playing in Lithia park, which runs along Ashland creek, even providing lovely spots for wading, and falling, into the creek.

Almost home

2011-08-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

Almost home, but not quite. How often do we travel through volcano country? We decided to take one last rest stop at Castle Crags state park near Shasta. We walked a lovely trail that led to a lookout of the crags and Mt. Shasta. No one else was there and it was a peaceful and lovely respite.

Cousin Aiko leads the way

2011-08-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

Sun Yat Sen

2011-08-13T21:58:00.001-07:00

Ferris Wheel

2011-08-12T19:21:00.001-07:00

Dundrave Beach Picnic Dinner

2011-08-11T20:26:00.001-07:00

Slithered out of bed

2011-08-10T22:44:00.001-07:00

Back to Lynn Canyon Bridge

2011-08-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

Ferry Boat

2011-08-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Raven & The Spirit Train

2011-08-09T00:00:00.001-07:00

Riding The Spirit Train

2011-08-08T23:59:00.001-07:00

At the aboriginal village in Stanley Park

Through The Labyrinth

2011-08-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

The Labyrinth is only down the block. It makes Zoe feel accomplished when she goes through it, meticulously, every day.

At the Pool

2011-08-06T15:50:00.001-07:00

Going to Kitsilano Pool

2011-08-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Apples

2011-08-04T22:36:00.001-07:00

Feeding the Ducks

2011-08-04T22:25:00.001-07:00

By the River

2011-08-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

In downtown Ashland. One last romp on the riverfront before jumping back in the car for the trip to Portland.

Juju in Ashland

2011-08-01T22:43:00.001-07:00

In Ashland

2011-08-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

Pizzaiolo

2011-07-15T22:36:00.001-07:00

Pee wee soccer camp

2011-07-14T22:30:00.001-07:00

Juju went from sobs and tears to giggles and goals this week at soccer camp. He has really adapted well to his new routine and has made the most of it, playing along with the group games, goofing with camp mates, and has even picked up some tricky moves. In the mornings, Zoe, juje and I kick the balls around a bit before we say goodbye, and they both are showing a keen interest in soccer. Zoe runs off like a gazelle with the ball, barely looking back.

Snooze Buddies

2011-07-12T23:23:00.001-07:00

Did I mention that these two have become fast friends? I don't know who is more possessive of who.

Julian and his Kitty

2011-07-10T20:18:00.001-07:00

Summer Ride

2011-06-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

From South to North

2011-06-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Today we made our way back to the Bay Area via 101. I know it's a long road, but we love so many of it's parts. We flew through LA without any traffic, hit the Whole Foods in Santa Barbara to buy a picnic lunch that we ate in Nojoqui Park before hiking out to the waterfall there. Then back in the car, we stopped for a beach frolic in Pismo, and finally hit up the Jamba Juice in SLO before the final stretch home. Between movies and frolics and beaches and waterfalls, beautiful scenery the whole way, it was a lovely drive- and we'll do it again!

Mother & Sick Child

2011-06-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Mister started his summer vacation with a nasty flu. He only ingested popsicles for 3 days. Fever near 104. Not fun. Mommy was sick with worry. No one likes to see a sick child.

de Micheles

2011-06-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

Bella teaches Zoe how to use the iPad

I love getting together with my favorite de Micheles when we're in SoCal. A garden party was a great opportunity to visit with family, and get the cousins together. so cute! Thanks to my cousin, Heather, for the cute picture of Alena & Zoe, and for ongoing support of this blog! XXOO

Refugio Beach

2011-06-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Kids' first camping trip! With Nana and Mommy at Refugio Beach, near Santa Barbara. The kids did great! They made friends, played on the beach and help set up tents.

Taking the Waters

2011-06-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Zoe enjoys a sulfury mineral bath at Sycamore Springs, near Avila Beach on our trip down to SoCal.

Drawing of The Zoo

2011-05-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight I brought crayons and a notebook to the Sushi Place so Zoe could color before dinner. I looked down and saw that Zoe had drawn the word Zoo at the top of the page. I asked, "what are you drawing?"
"I'm drawing a picture of the zoo. See, there is the sign that says 'zoo'."
"I see that, but how did you know how to spell it?"
"just like when we go to San Francisco and we see the signs with the owl that say 'zoo'. You spell it just like that sign says."
I know that she noticed the signs with the owls, and she always asks about them, and I'm sure they caught her eye because it looks just like her name, but still I thought it was so cool. In her world of pictures and giberish symbols that she can't read yet, she remembered this and used it in the correct context. #proud mommy

The Whimmy City

2011-05-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

We love our Whim Days in the City. Today, more freaking rain. But we didn't let it stop us. We hit up the Academy of Sciences, and then we went for a muni train ride through Cole Valley (you can guess who was pushing for that one). Then I thought I'd take the kids to see the mosaic steps out in the sunset. Julian and I followed Zoe up the steps, then at the top, Zoe wanted to go higher. So across the street, and up again, we followed Zoe. Then more, Zoe wanted to go higher and higher and higher, until we were at the top- top of the world, top of the City, looking out over all the places we had been today. Beautiful. The clouds drifted by, the rain had subsided and there we were, soaking up the view. A new place in my beloved city, that I had never been. A quiet little spot all to ourselves. King of the mountain. And Zoe led us there.

Playdate At Dracena

2011-05-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Playdate with Liam, Casey and "Kapeen" at Dracena Park today. Always an adventure! Good thing they wore helmets!

Visiting Aurora

2011-05-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

Today we were invited to a little "meet and greet" at Zoe's new school. We met the other incoming kindergarteners, and the teachers read a story, then the kids played in the room, exploring what will be their new domain come fall. Zoe loved the dress up clothes, the play kitchen, and of course the library corner. We love Aurora!

Zoe & Ruby

2011-05-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Zoe and Juju love playing after school with their buddies on the playground.

Zoe in the Grass

2011-05-21T14:06:00.001-07:00

This was a test!
And it worked!
I finally figured out how to upload pictures to my blog with my iPhone.
Ta-da!! So happy! And I know you all will be too!

Pedal Pusher

2011-05-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Today Zoe finally did it! She put her feet on the pedals of her bike, and pushed! She's been so close for so long, but today she did it- all by herself, and then there was no stopping her. As if she'd been doing it for years she leaned into tight turns, picked up speed and grinned her way through the parking lot at Lake Temescal. She is so proud and so thrilled, and we are too.

Tot Lot Fun

2011-05-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, enough raving about all the fun stuff to do with kids in Vancouver. But the totlots are pretty cool... it's really great when you find one that is different from all the others, like this one at 2nd beach that has a great obstacle course and a fire truck play structure, AND a saucer swing. Good times.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens

2011-05-10T11:24:00.000-07:00

Only Chinatown stands between Grammy's house and this beautiful classical Chinese garden. It's a lovely walk through a few colorful garden filled blocks, then past murals, senior apartments, a Buddhist temple and straight into Chinatown- one of the largest on the West Coast. Just a few more blocks into the center of this densely populated neighborhood, and we found this peaceful walled garden. We came here at Solstice time for a lantern festival when it was lit by candlelight. Now it's spring, and despite the rainy sprinkles it's alive with gentle creatures basking in the symmetry, taking in the variety of views that peek out from behind angles, and corners, through lattices and trees, beyond flowers and over walls, finally soaring out over the glassy skyline above.

Lala's Birthday Treat

2011-05-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's Layla's birthday, so this is the reason (as if we need one) that we walk down the street to the gelato parlour. The streets on the way are lined with trees dripping cherry blossoms. It looks as if the sidewalks are lined with pink snow. Off we walk through the pink streets, to the big pink building to buy pink ice cream. Though Layla eats vanilla, and Julian holds her leash on the way home. "It's my responsibility to hold Yay-yuh."

Crossing Over

2011-05-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

"Where are we going?"
"To the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge."
"How high up is the bridge?" (scowling)
"It's pretty high up."
"Well, I'm not going on it." (more scowling, arms crossed over chest)
"Why don't you wait until we get there to make up your mind about that."
And so it goes. As it goes with everything new, challenging, scary, difficult, or foreign. And Zoe.
A drive over over the Burrard Inlet bridge, up the mountain, into the little town, through a little neighborhood, and boom, you're at the edge of civilization- and a cliff.
Tall trees surround the small provincial park parking lot. There is a short walk to a very modern wood and steel building that houses a cafe with a cozy fireplace, large, clean bathrooms and the coolest looking chemistry set/barista station I've ever seen. Directly across from the 'warming hut' is the trailhead for the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Only a half hour from Vancouver, it feels far away from anything urban, hiding in an ancient forest, surrounded by lacy green tree tops, and the sound of rushing water.
Only a few yards down the path, and you can see the bridge- behind the trees, it drops and swoops (just as your stomach will) down in to the narrow canyon before gliding back up to the other side of the forest. The tapered lines of steel cables and wood steps act like an arrow slicing through the dense, cool forest. Clean and sure, it points the way to go... down and out into the thin air. I push past the tourists haggling with their second thoughts on the last step of terra firma before adjusting my balance to wavering, metallic braid beneath my feet. My first instinct is to look down at what is dashing underneath my shoes- I can feel every footstep, every movement, every breath of every other being on that bridge, and we are now intertwined. I look out ahead of me: That woman with the uneasy smile headed my way, running- "stop running!" I plead to her with no more than my eyes. As she comes closer, I can see she is in a hurry to be off of this experience. Like a spider on it's web, I can feel everything- and I sense something foreign. I scan the crowd ahead of me. There are many people grouped in the middle, the lowest part of the suspension bridge. The walkway is only wide enough to allow two people to pass each other. Some walk slowly, some quickly, some lean to pass others tipping the rest of us slightly. There, at the middle among the bipeds is a dog. A large German Shepard, I could tell something felt different further out. I kept going, pitching slightly as I went, swinging back and forth, vibrating. A pre-teen boy, crying, gripping the hand rope, his braces glinting in the light. Surrounded by his siblings, encouraging him on. I looked back for Zoe- would she jump off, follow me? No. But she is watching me, partly scowling, partly worried. Worried that I might be scared? I smile, "I am having SO much fun".
At the middle, I look down over the ropes. I remember why there is such a noisy roar coming from below. It's the river. Full from the recent (and seemingly constant) rains the water spills along the bottom of the canyon, over the mossy boulders, from one deep pool to another. There are several places where smaller creeks join, and it seems as if there are waterfalls everywhere you turn. I'm getting dizzy. Not from the view, but from the constant sway of people moving over the bridge, every move tied to everyone's every move. Pulling, swaying, lurching, returning, rising, falling. Time to continue, up the far grade into the woods on the other side. I step off, and can still feel the movement of my path over.
Just as quickly, I head back down, into the fray of people laughing, snapping picutres, all marveling at the sights, giddy with the easy thrill of it, this feature of the forest. As I pass the center, the sway calms slightly. I look up and realize that most people have moved off the bridge, down the trails that veer off
into the trees. There is no quiet in the air with the water rushing below, but my body feels the quiet in the decrease of footsteps that rock the bridge. I quickly finish my jaunt, and reach Zoe, waiting for me back at the threshold to the bridge. Julian has already been over with Grammy, and Grampy Ted, who "doesn't do bridges like this" was patiently waiting with Zoe and the others. I could tell Zoe wanted to go out, but was working up to it.
"It's not very wobbly now, because there aren't many people on it."
Zoe took my hand, and made her way over the trail to the entrance of the bridge. Slowly, she took tiny steps to the small metal plates, and then down, step by tiny step towards the middle of the span. The view caught her eye, but they were really focused on the prize- the other side. Slowly and surely she made her way past smiling Japanese picture takers, neighborhood joggers, and little toddlers, all pushing themselves over the abyss, past their comfort zone, to the other side. Once on the dirt trail opposite her starting point, she lept off and jumped up and down, thrilled by her own feat. We walked back hand in hand, looking at the waterfalls, pieces of driftwood trapped in their violent currents floating in joslted circles.
Zoe and I arrived to applause from our family, and Zoe immediately turned around,
"Again!!"
"okay, I'll take you again."
"No! Stay here! I want to go by myself."
And with that, she jumped onto the bridge, sure and straight as an arrow, darting to the other side.

Yeah, it rained a little

2011-05-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

To say that it rains a bit in Vancouver is an understatement. But it is a small price to pay for the emerald mountains, the fuzzy moss, the abundance of bright flowers that pop against the misty air in the diffused light. Though in between garden walks, some like to go for a nice bike ride through the skate park. Today, not so much. More like a swim.

Set Them Free

2011-05-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

Today we drove out to the end of Burrard Inlet, the waterway that separates the city of Vancouver from North Vancouver. It's used as a shipping channel, and has a large harbor for loading grain, sugar, and goods from Canada and unloading all sorts of cargo from everywhere. Beyond the seaplanes, the railyards, the bustling harbor, the water narrows between the forested mountains and becomes a lovely, quiet bay where several small, cold rivers rushing with fertile water feed into it. Beside one of those small rivers, alongside the community center in the town of Port Moody lies a small fish hatchery. Every spring, they host a fingerling festival, and the community at large is invited to help deliver the small fingerling salmon to the river, and eventually, the sea.
The community center was large, and full of families escorting their kids to regular meets of Lacrosse, skating, hockey and various activities. In addition, there was a large area where Bobs and Lolo were performing (a singing mommy duo who seem to be everywhere, all the time in the greater Vancouver area) many booths were set up to encourage an eco-friendly lifestyle and support healthy marine life awareness in general. A representative from the Bob Barker anti-whaling ship was there too. Then behind the buildings, past the hot dog tent, over a bridge, across a wildly rushing stream, down a path lined with fresh green shoots, flowering bushes and full trees was the little hatchling pond, and a shed, filled with volunteers who passed little white buckets of fingerling chum salmon to every hand that reached out to take it.
In the sprinkling rain, we took our buckets to the stream a few yards away. Julian stopped to look down toward the thin, finger long fish. They were dark against the stark bucket. He gently dropped his little fingers down among the fish, and tenderly waved them through the water, feeling the fish dance between them, and pulling them up to reveal the silvery sides and keen black eyes. We knelt at the sandy streamside between the patches of grass, and the smooth stones and gently tipped the buckets into the clear, icy water. The little fish wriggled back and forth, back and forth between the safety of the white bucket and the infinite water filled world of their destiny. Until finally, the bucket pulled slowly away, they swam off into the rushing current, toward the sea.

Fans of the Roundhouse

2011-05-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Ted's Vancouver Tour for Boys

2011-05-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Every time we visit Vancouver, Ted has taken it upon himself to plan a special outing favoring Julian's preferences.
This time, Ted took us to a great viewing plaza near the convention center that overlooks the Burrard Inlet. From this location, up above the water and jutting out away from the city a bit, there is much to watch in the form of transportation. Julian loves ALL things transportation.
We saw a giant cruise ship docked at port. We saw cargo ships heading in and out. We saw helicopters. We saw sailboats, and ferry boats. But best of all, the real focus of our outing was to watch the seaplanes take off and land, right in front of us. Those things are like mosquitos- they are ALWAYS buzzing overhead. Coming and going to the many isolated little communities among the islands and fijords that fill the region. Most of them probably go over to Vancouver island. They each only hold a handful of passengers. Their "parking" marina was right next to our lookout perch, so we watched them motor out into the inlet, rev up their engines and take off into the sprinkling rain filled sky. A moment later, another one would circle above and land right in front of us, then motor over to the marina to park alongside the dock. Julian was mesmerized.
"Let's go, Jujie. It's starting to rain."
"No no! Wait! I want to watch him park da pane!"
And there we waited until the plane motored slowly to the dock, tied up, and killed the engine.

Best. Pool. Ever.

2011-05-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

I know that this picture doesn't really do justice to the experience, but you get an idea.
We arrive in Vancouver, and honestly, it felt like going back in time two months. At home in Oakland, we were in full swing spring, and we had just enjoyed a beautiful sunny weekend at the beach here at home, our veggies are growing in the garden, and our sundresses and sandals are getting some use. Then we land in Vancouver and it's all tulips, daffodils, and rain. Rain. Rain.
But let me tell you, that there is no better place to be in all that rain! This town knows how to live in it's climate! One sunny hour? Everyone in town is riding their bike in short shorts and sandals and tank tops. The gardens are the most beautifully kept- and honored - gardens of most cities I've experienced. And the community centers ROCK. Not center, but centers- there is one in every neighborhood. There are playgrounds with open space and play structures every few blocks in the entire city. There are so many places to take your kids in the rain as well as for those moments when the rain breaks. Case in point: Pools.
What, are these people raised like fish? Pools are everywhere! In the summer we hang at Kits pool that overlooks the inlet (though we have a choice of many beautiful pools) and in the winter, we'd been going to a great little pool, but good ol' Grammy, always with her feelers out for the next best thing, found a great new pool. It's a whole community center with a hockey rink for skating and yes, CURLING, a gym, a playground, and the most awesome pool I have ever seen. I believe it was built for the recent Olympics so it's brand spanking new. It's modern- all soaring wood and glass. It's HUGE. There is a pool for laps. A pool for swim classes. A pool for diving (3 heights). A pool for wading (of enormous size with multiple entries and steps, and tons of little toy boats, noodles and paddle boards). A Jacuzzi the size of most community swimming pools- no really. And the kicker: a "lazy river". It's a spiral filled with jets that floats you along in a big circle letting you ride the current with many points to enter and exit along the way. All under the same roof. There are tables for sitting and resting your things, chairs to relax in a dry spot, and the whole giant area enjoys floor to ceiling windows on at least two sides that allow natural light to fill it, making you feel almost like you're outside, but safe and warm from the rain outside. I didn't miss playing outside in the sunshine for one moment. Wonderful.

Lazy Afternoon

2011-05-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Umbrella

2011-05-04T23:39:00.000-07:00

Mini Travelers

2011-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

SFO->YVR

Back to the Boardwalk

2011-05-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Sunny weekends in Santa Cruz and the Boardwalk is open for the season. We all a great time going on rides before it became too crowded, then we drove off into the woods to ride around at Henry Cowel Redwoods.

Go Fly a Kite

2011-04-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Taking advantage of a beautifully sunny, breezy weekend morning.