Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
the dress up box
grandma sent evie all of those princess dresses that i just can't bring myself to buy. think she likes?
Monday, December 28, 2009
christmas dinner
we had a few friends over for christmas dinner, and evie's friends kyra and kijo joined her at the kid's table. while they all seemed to enjoy the beef tenderloin, the candy cane, chocolate chip ice cream was the big winner of the night.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
one more, this time an action video
yeah, i bought myself a little flip video camera when they were having a sale at amazon, so i'm managing a few videos over this vacation. here's evie's very first sled ride. enjoy the action.
snow!
we trekked up to arnold, ca in the sierra foothills the day after christmas. the next morning brought us evie's very first snow, other than the may 15 flurry in iron mountain.
evie approves.
evie approves.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
christmas morning
the joys of being two on christmas morning. favorite line around 40 seconds. sums up two perfectly.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
cookies!
year two of cookie-making fun with our friends. while i will have to admit that about a half a pound of raw cookie dough and two pounds of sprinkles were consumed by these little girls, this still went way better than last year. almost makes me look forward to next year.
click on the pictures from more sugar-induced shots from the day.
click on the pictures from more sugar-induced shots from the day.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
the christmas tree!
for the first time in 20 years i have real christmas tree. i've had lights on a ficus, but i've never bothered to go to the lot and get a tree. this year, we decided that evie would really enjoy getting a tree, and we were right.
we started by getting bundled up for the trip to the tree lot.
once there evie helped pick out the tree. she started by wanting a small "evie sized" tree, but mike had found one that was about five feet tall he liked, so i convinced her to change her pick by telling her a bigger tree could fit bigger presents. she was quick to agree to the tree daddy liked.
the next morning her friend marlon came over with his mom for pancakes, bacon and tree decorating.
it's starting to feel a lot like christmas.
we started by getting bundled up for the trip to the tree lot.
once there evie helped pick out the tree. she started by wanting a small "evie sized" tree, but mike had found one that was about five feet tall he liked, so i convinced her to change her pick by telling her a bigger tree could fit bigger presents. she was quick to agree to the tree daddy liked.
the next morning her friend marlon came over with his mom for pancakes, bacon and tree decorating.
it's starting to feel a lot like christmas.
Monday, December 7, 2009
the muddy playground
one of evie's very favorite places is the koret playground in golden gate park, aka "the muddy playground" with lots of sand and water to explore. we had a picnic there the sunday after thanksgiving with our friday friends.
click on the pic to see more shots from the day.
click on the pic to see more shots from the day.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
halloween, year 3
for the third halloween in a row, we got together with a group of friends to celebrate the day. evie had a fabulous time as a dragon, without a hint of fear when asking for candy.
the group is getting larger, with stella's little sister violet making her debut in the world last tuesday, and her debut with us on saturday, at just four days old. i can't even tell you how impressed i am that they all made it out of the house with her. they are my current heros.
well, actually, maybe that's a toss-up. charli's little sister will be coming around christmas time, and her mom was pretty heroic with the most popular costume of the night.
the group is getting larger, with stella's little sister violet making her debut in the world last tuesday, and her debut with us on saturday, at just four days old. i can't even tell you how impressed i am that they all made it out of the house with her. they are my current heros.
well, actually, maybe that's a toss-up. charli's little sister will be coming around christmas time, and her mom was pretty heroic with the most popular costume of the night.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
my two monkeys
evie's friend stella is about to become a big sister. as a matter of fact, everyone thought it was going to happen on sunday, so stella came over to spend some time with us before her grandparents arrived. unfortunately for stella's mama, sunday was not the day. rumor has it today will be though.
either way, turns out the girls have matching jammies. pretty friggin cute.
either way, turns out the girls have matching jammies. pretty friggin cute.
Monday, October 26, 2009
picking just the right pumpkin
we spent saturday at terra firma farms (where we get most of our produce), for their annual farm day. we set out blanket under a walnut tree, listened to music and ate lamb. and perhaps, most importantly, picked our first family pumpkin (yeah, i know, i've had a few chances in the past to do this).
evie was very careful in her selection, and picked a pumpkin that she could carry. she seemed quite pleased with her selection.
evie was very careful in her selection, and picked a pumpkin that she could carry. she seemed quite pleased with her selection.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
the return of uncle ray
uncle ray had business in fresno last week, so he decided to swing thru san francisco for a weekend.
little ms. evie couldn't have been more pleased.
on saturday we met up with gaurav and zyla to watch the fleet week activities from their fabulous san francisco apartment. front row viewing for the parade of ships (pretty lame) and then the air show, which was very cool. unfortunately the blue angels cut things short due to weather, but it was pretty cool nonetheless.
on sunday we headed to the academy of sciences, where uncle ray was kind enough to buy evie her very own stuffed nemo fish. then we went out for dumplings and chicken wings.
perfect weekend.
little ms. evie couldn't have been more pleased.
on saturday we met up with gaurav and zyla to watch the fleet week activities from their fabulous san francisco apartment. front row viewing for the parade of ships (pretty lame) and then the air show, which was very cool. unfortunately the blue angels cut things short due to weather, but it was pretty cool nonetheless.
on sunday we headed to the academy of sciences, where uncle ray was kind enough to buy evie her very own stuffed nemo fish. then we went out for dumplings and chicken wings.
perfect weekend.
Friday, October 16, 2009
bring your evie to work day
evie had a great week, even giving her binkies over to dr. anderson as her transition to "big girl" enters full swing. the end of the binky was initially a little rough, with me playing pacifier for the first night, but things have been good ever since.
as a reward, i brought her to work with me today. i know this might not sound like much of a reward to you, but she has been asking to do this for over a month. odd. i know.
at the office, she pretended she was shy for about 30 seconds with new people. after that, she'd pull up her dress and show you her panties. that's my girl.
she even sat thru an hour long meeting with me. she was an angel. it didn't hurt that she watched finding nemo on my computer through the whole thing. many of my colleagues were jealous - they would have much preferred to watch the movie too.
as an extra special bonus for the day, she and dana rode home on the train.
good day.
as a reward, i brought her to work with me today. i know this might not sound like much of a reward to you, but she has been asking to do this for over a month. odd. i know.
at the office, she pretended she was shy for about 30 seconds with new people. after that, she'd pull up her dress and show you her panties. that's my girl.
she even sat thru an hour long meeting with me. she was an angel. it didn't hurt that she watched finding nemo on my computer through the whole thing. many of my colleagues were jealous - they would have much preferred to watch the movie too.
as an extra special bonus for the day, she and dana rode home on the train.
good day.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
friday of freedom
i finally managed a friday off of work, and evie and i took full advantage. after one pesky conference call in the morning, we headed out to golden gate park to play with our friends. sadly, i never pulled the camera out of my purse, so you will just have to imagine the joy of kids playing half naked at what evie calls the "muddy playground". water and sand, and endlessly fun combination.
after a few hours of play, we headed out for lunch. four wild girls, one sleeping girl, and four mommies - the other patrons loved us. i have become a very generous tipper when evie is in tow.
then the others headed home for naps, but evie said she wanted to go to the "music festival", so we made it three years in a row at the hardly, strictly bluegrass festival. evie fell asleep on the walk over, but woke up towards the end of tom morello's set. she was none too happy about the crowd and noise, so she wanted to go home.
ok, if that what she wants, we can go. then we passed a hot dog stand. turns out a hot dog and dad showing up, were just the combination she needed to keep her going. we managed to see john prine and lyle lovett to end an absolutely wonderful day.
i need to get me some more of those fridays with my girl.
after a few hours of play, we headed out for lunch. four wild girls, one sleeping girl, and four mommies - the other patrons loved us. i have become a very generous tipper when evie is in tow.
then the others headed home for naps, but evie said she wanted to go to the "music festival", so we made it three years in a row at the hardly, strictly bluegrass festival. evie fell asleep on the walk over, but woke up towards the end of tom morello's set. she was none too happy about the crowd and noise, so she wanted to go home.
ok, if that what she wants, we can go. then we passed a hot dog stand. turns out a hot dog and dad showing up, were just the combination she needed to keep her going. we managed to see john prine and lyle lovett to end an absolutely wonderful day.
i need to get me some more of those fridays with my girl.
Monday, October 5, 2009
cloudy with a chance of evie
we took evie to her first "big girl" movie on saturday - "cloudy with a chance of meatballs". she was fantastic. she especially loved riding the escalator up to the fifth floor. we probably could have skipped the movie at that point, and she would have been happy.
but of course, we didn't. and things got even better. evie learned the joys of movie popcorn.
i was surprised that she was able to sit thru the whole thing, only getting up twice to go to the potty. frankly i was pleased as punch that she wanted to get up for that, because i was afraid that she'd get so engrossed in the movie that she'd forget all about going to the bathroom - and i'd end up buying a new theater seat.
but of course, we didn't. and things got even better. evie learned the joys of movie popcorn.
i was surprised that she was able to sit thru the whole thing, only getting up twice to go to the potty. frankly i was pleased as punch that she wanted to get up for that, because i was afraid that she'd get so engrossed in the movie that she'd forget all about going to the bathroom - and i'd end up buying a new theater seat.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
ladies night
i got a call a few weeks ago from my friend karen. it started out with a "you can say no, but...", then came the request that we watch two little girls for the evening, so their parents could go out for dinner. turned out to be loads of fun with a movie, homemade peach popsicles and a group bath, followed by lots of stories and no sleep.
good times.
good times.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
gladys' last day
ok, i know i'm way behind on posting. i'm still adjusting to juggling full time work, commuting and spending good time with my girl. i decided that the posting could wait while i tended to evie time. i'll try to do a little better, though, because i know i'm not the only one who's interested in how things are going.
this pic is from a bittersweet day. our last day with gladys. after more than two years, gladys has moved on to a new city. the girls are getting used to their new lives, but they sure do miss her. there was a lot of love between the three of them. i will always feel grateful for the love and care that gladys gave to our families. she's definitely going to be missed for a long time to come.
this pic is from a bittersweet day. our last day with gladys. after more than two years, gladys has moved on to a new city. the girls are getting used to their new lives, but they sure do miss her. there was a lot of love between the three of them. i will always feel grateful for the love and care that gladys gave to our families. she's definitely going to be missed for a long time to come.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
the update
ah, so much to cover here.
let's start with childcare. evie's nanny gladys is moving to san diego in september, so her daughter jeannette moved here from north carolina to take care of evie and paloma. only paloma's parents decided it was time for paloma to start pre-school, so they decided that it was a good time for them to start with something new. so the plan became evie with jeannette three days per week and then two days a week with some hippies in noe valley (more on that later). well it turns out that jeannette was just offered a fulltime position back in north carolina, so she's going to move back there and work and be with her husband. all around a very good thing for her.
so now our plan with evie is changing again. i think our friday nanny share which was going to end this month is now going to be mon/weds/fri thru october when my friend spring has her second baby. tues/thurs with the hippies (i promise i'll get to that at some point) for now then full time in november, unless of course i can start a four day work schedule, then just mon-thurs with them. are you keeping up with this all? i think i may need a diagram.
all in all i think this is going to work out, but my head does spin a bit at this point.
ok, let's see next topic - potty training. overall it's going pretty well. we're running at about an 80% success rate. the problem seems to be when she's having too much fun playing she's not very interested in stopping to use the potty. we'll get there, though. of course not all accidents are created equal. let's just leave it at, a little pee is a whole lot easier to deal with than when you're out and about.
next up the big girl bed. still feeling like we made the right decision on this one. i loved that she bunked with grandma on the recent visit, and i just adore laying in there with her and reading. both mike and i have fallen asleep at her side. pretty damned sweet. she has figured out that she doesn't need to stay in the bed at night, and mike was awakened two evenings with her standing at his bedside. we were a little nervous that it was going to become a nightly event, but fortunately it seems to have been just those occasions - for now.
on my birthday, evie and i went down to the san francisco main library to pick out a new book. in talking to the aforementioned hippies (don't worry, i'll get to them) a couple of weeks ago, they had mentioned that their three year old daughter would sit and listen to chapter books. i was intrigued by the idea, though somewhat skeptical. i decided that i wanted to try a copy of "charlotte's web".
unfortunately all of the copies were out, but the librarian suggested "mr. popper's penguins". she too was pretty skeptical about evie being old enough to sit and listen to a chapter book, but she thought that this one would be a good one to try.
let's start with childcare. evie's nanny gladys is moving to san diego in september, so her daughter jeannette moved here from north carolina to take care of evie and paloma. only paloma's parents decided it was time for paloma to start pre-school, so they decided that it was a good time for them to start with something new. so the plan became evie with jeannette three days per week and then two days a week with some hippies in noe valley (more on that later). well it turns out that jeannette was just offered a fulltime position back in north carolina, so she's going to move back there and work and be with her husband. all around a very good thing for her.
so now our plan with evie is changing again. i think our friday nanny share which was going to end this month is now going to be mon/weds/fri thru october when my friend spring has her second baby. tues/thurs with the hippies (i promise i'll get to that at some point) for now then full time in november, unless of course i can start a four day work schedule, then just mon-thurs with them. are you keeping up with this all? i think i may need a diagram.
all in all i think this is going to work out, but my head does spin a bit at this point.
ok, let's see next topic - potty training. overall it's going pretty well. we're running at about an 80% success rate. the problem seems to be when she's having too much fun playing she's not very interested in stopping to use the potty. we'll get there, though. of course not all accidents are created equal. let's just leave it at, a little pee is a whole lot easier to deal with than when you're out and about.
next up the big girl bed. still feeling like we made the right decision on this one. i loved that she bunked with grandma on the recent visit, and i just adore laying in there with her and reading. both mike and i have fallen asleep at her side. pretty damned sweet. she has figured out that she doesn't need to stay in the bed at night, and mike was awakened two evenings with her standing at his bedside. we were a little nervous that it was going to become a nightly event, but fortunately it seems to have been just those occasions - for now.
on my birthday, evie and i went down to the san francisco main library to pick out a new book. in talking to the aforementioned hippies (don't worry, i'll get to them) a couple of weeks ago, they had mentioned that their three year old daughter would sit and listen to chapter books. i was intrigued by the idea, though somewhat skeptical. i decided that i wanted to try a copy of "charlotte's web".
unfortunately all of the copies were out, but the librarian suggested "mr. popper's penguins". she too was pretty skeptical about evie being old enough to sit and listen to a chapter book, but she thought that this one would be a good one to try.she was right. the book is 139 pages (not very dense) and we made it to page 100 by monday morning! it's such a nice change from reading the same short books over and over (and over) again. it was written in 1938, but holds up well, mostly because of the penguins. i'm looking forward to another chapter tonight.
ok, now for the hippies, i suppose you'd like to know a little more about that, especially after the build up. our nanny share partner dana (as opposed to our friday nanny dana, who evie calls "different dana") met this couple through a midwife that she works with at the hospital (dana is a nurse practitioner). they have two kids of there own - henry, five, and iris, three. they've decided that what they really want is to spend as much time with their kids as possible. so duncan (the dad) has been home with the kids since birth, and jeannie (the mom) recently decided to give up her job teaching art in the public schools so that she could be home with the kids too. they've got a small apartment with an amazing yard. the yard is kind of magical with a playhouse, garden and a couple of chickens to boot. we took evie there to meet them a few weeks ago and she was in heaven. she was absolutely filthy by the time we left, and you couldn't wipe the smiles off of any of our faces. my kid needs to be familiar with dirt - it's the only way that i can assuage the guilt i feel about her growing up in such an urban environment when i was practically raised by wolves by comparison (um, no offense mom!).
that's all for now. fingers are tired. evie's asleep and i have a little time all to my self while mike is out. *smile*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)