SofiandNatalie.com

Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners. ~Author Unknown

Mama and the girls having a standing Tuesday play-date which allows the girls to get together with their friends Audrey, Cole and Sydney.  Not everyone can make it every week, but it’s usually at least one group or the other.  And, with all the special deals going between the Zoo and the Children’s Discovery Museum, it always feels like they’re up to something fun.

Read the rest of this entry »

What an awesome weekend!  After an invitation and very little negotation we decided to make a trip down to Preson Ranch this weekend.  And What a great choice that was.  The weather was outstanding.  The children were (for the most part) very well behaved and the company, as always, was marvelous.  For those that don’t remember from the previous post, Preston Ranch is the family home of Jean and Victor, our friends in Paso Robles (which also happens to be where the ranch is).  It’s a log cabin and vineyard atop one of the taller rolling hills which offers commanding views and beautiful views of the mountains, other vineyards, and the city of Paso Robles.

Read the rest of this entry »

So I know that it’s been a while since I last wrote and I even said in my last posting that I would be getting back to it, but work has been busy and our extraordinarily fun life has been even more enjoyable the past few weeks.  We have been getting out and we have been enjoying everything the beautiful weather has to offer.

This past weekend we took in the farmer’s market and then took our feast home and made dinner with it.  The girls had a wonderful time and Sofi actually made her fist Boboli pizza while Natalie made the salad.  The food was outstanding!  Not to mention a heck of a lot of fun to make.  I enjoyed every minute of it, and since they cooked Mama and I even agreed to do the dishes while they snacked on some chocolate for dessert.

Read the rest of this entry »

 [display_podcast]

Note: this video is somewhat large and depending on your internet connection may take a few minutes to load. 

Some of the best trips that we’ve had as a family are to places that don’t cost a lot of money and don’t add too much other than a place for the children to have fun.  The Coyote Point Recreation Area, just outside of Burlingame, is one of those places.  I’m not sure how they started, but what it really ends up being is a combination golf course, picnic ground, beach (the San Francisco bay), playground, marina, and museum.  I’m sure there’s more there, too, but that’s what I saw during our day there and our travels.

Read the rest of this entry »

First, I should really apologize for the really long delay between posts.  I’ve been busy, which isn’t really a good excuse, and I was having a problem uploading photos to the site.  Fortunately for everyone, I have resolved the photo problem (woo hoo!) and I am back to writing.  So for fans of my children you can rejoice.

Better news is that we didn’t stop doing things while I was busy and struggling with Linux distros, but instead we go to enjoying a variety of different things.  One of our favorite activities continues to be the zoo and this time we went and met the entire Shumaker clan, who also joined and will hopefully enjoy their membership with us from time to time.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just a quick note to let everyone know that even though I haven’t posted many pictures lately, the girls have been busy as all get out.  Just today they went and saw the Alvin and the Chipmunks the movie.  This is their second movie and the first with Papa along.  It was loads of fun and even though some reviewers had given it as little as a 1/2 star we thought it was pretty good.  The best part was that our friends the Shumaker family joined us so it was a big ol’ giant party.  Babi came along too, so we nearly took up the whole row with the 9 of us.

Sofi and Natalie both had quite a bit of popcorn and an entire orange soda, so they definitely got the entire movie experience.  It was a great time. 

Papa

Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s taken me to get to writing about the holiday, but two children playing and carrying on can be an enormous drain and unfortunately we’ve also had a cold going around the family so everyone has been dragging a little bit.  Don’t worry, though, for those of you that are still reading, I will catch up and it’s going to keep getting better and better from here.

Christmas was a whirlwind and it started out with a fun Christmas Eve day.  We raked up some of the leaves in the back yard - I think they’re mocking me, because many are back.  Both girls got into the fun helping us do the work (raking) and playing in the leaves that we piled up.  Of course, in the midst of all that they were little princesses, too.

Read the rest of this entry »

I am always thankful that we live so close to downtown Campbell, because they have managed to keep the small-town heart while existing right in the middle of the Silicon Valley.  This weekend they had their annual downtown festival that included Santa, snow and a winter wonderland for the children.  It was extra special for us, because we were joined by Kitai (the now world-famous pooch and television personality), from http://www.cutestdogever.com/and his ”manager,” newlywed Stacie Tamaki .

Read the rest of this entry »

Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he’s buying.  ~Fran Lebowitz

Just a quick note of well wishes for everyone.  It’s Thanksgiving day and we’re getting ready to head out for good food and cheer with some of the family, but before we go we wanted to take a minute to wish each of you and your families a wonderful holiday.  We will be thinking of you and remain thankful that you are a part of our lives.

Papa

P.S.  Yes, I will have photos later, after the festivities, and I will be sure to post them.  Be patient!

We had a great time this weekend, and Audrey’s birthday party at My Gym was sort of like the icing on the cupcake… if you know what I mean.  I took over 500 photos, too many to share here, but there are tons in the gallery.  Feel free to check them out.  Definitely fun times for everyone.  The people were great, the fun was there, and Audrey definitely looked like a little princess.

Read the rest of this entry »