I like that Mama is only working outside the home half-time and more importantly that being a teacher allows her to take some time off over the summer. I’m sure it’s not enough time for either her or the children, but it’s wonderful that they get to play this summer and I can really see in both Sofi and Natalie how much they appreciate getting to spend time with her. Surprisingly, I am rarely jealous that they’re out having fun together and enjoying the weekdays without me.
Even though everyone has been sick for what feels like forever, there have been some well days and a lot going on in between. It’s actually kind of amazing at how much happens in our lives without really appreciating it. Sure, many of these events are very tiny in my eyes, but when I am able to step back and see them through my daughter’s eyes I can be truly amazed by their wonderment.
Most parents will tell you to enjoy your children as they grow up - and they’ll tell you that it all goes too quickly. Unless you’re living it, though, you really can’t understand how true those words are. This past weekend we celebrated Sofi’s fourth birthday (June 30) and Natalie’s third birthday (July 10), and looking back all I can think about is how quickly it’s passed and how my little girls are growing up. They’re people on their own now, and it tears at my heart just having them as a part of my life.
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Easter was an absolute riot this year. The girls are finally getting into the holiday spirit (mostly because they realize that every holiday comes with some little gift for them), and they were reallyexcited about Easter this year. Of course, because we don’t practice religion, they only think of it as the Easter bunny and candy and toys and fun, but that’s okay with me. It’s just wonderful to see them enjoying the moment and the excitement that they get from the anticipation. This year it was a whole week of excitement for putting out their baskets in preparation for the bunny to come and fill them up.
One of the local outdoor malls is Santa Row. It’s about 10 minutes from home and offers the higher-end and manufacturer stores as opposed to Valley Fair - directly across the street - which offers a more traditional mall shopping experience. One of the benefits of being an outdoor mall is the flowers, and on Sundays they offer a somewhat modest farmer’s market. The good thing about their market has to be the freshly made popcorn, which we enjoyed immensely.
Our local Home Depot is typically a pretty happening place on Saturday, and this week they even had some stuff going on Sunday when we stopped by. Miracle Gro had their sponsored car out by the garden section and they were starting it up from time to time. Not being race fans, we were all amazed at the amount of noise just starting this beast made. It was deafening, even from a few feet away, and of course the girls didn’t like the noise at all. All the same it was very fun. For those that are wondering, it takes a little over a half gallon to start and run these beasts for a minute or so. Ouch!
One of the local K-5 private schools off Union Avenue had a special Easter treat this past weekend, and after seeing the Easter Bunny announcing the event we swung a quick u-turn and decided to take a peak. We arrived with the first group of 15 or so children - most of whom seemed to be students of the school - and we got to follow the bunny himself before starting off on a very exciting Easter treasure hunt.
For the most part, the pictures on this site have been taken by either me or Mama, but I know that other parents take pictures of their children, and mine, when they’re together. Fortunately for us, Michele Shumaker decided to share photos that she took earlier this month when the girls went to Rancho San Antonio with Michele’s children. Obviously, we think the photos are great, and hopefully if you haven’t been to Rancho you will consider this an open invitation as it really is a great place to take your kids. Sure looks like mine had a great time - thanks Michele!
Papa
Some time ago I purchased two kites from Fry’s Electronics with the idea that we would go fly them. They were cheap, single string, plastic, barbi kites that I thought both girls would love and that would be easy to fly. Meeting all the base requirements for a first kite, they are bright, include string and a tail, and can be assembled in about two seconds. And, this past weekend, was the perfect day to fly kites for the first time. The wind was light, it was in the low 70s and the girls were anxious to give it a go.
If seeing the goats was fun for the group, I believe, for the kids at least, the beach afterwards eclipsed even that, and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. We started with lunch at the picnic tables beside Pompono beach just north of Pescadero (south of Half Moon Bay) and then walked across the parking lot to the sun, sand and surf. I hate to rub it in to anyone not experiencing the wonderful weather right now, but we were at the beach (some children in bathing suits) in early March! How cool is that?!?!?
