Sunday, September 12, 2010

Summer sabbatical...

As H was marching through the leaves at our front step and then picking them up and crunching them in his hands, I was lazily thinking of all the autumns before this one. And then I suddenly realized - it is AUTUMN! I am not sure quite how it happened but I managed to take a summer sabbatical from our little blog. We spent the summer celebrating and traveling, cooking and cleaning, and having many family adventures, big and small. I hope to post pictures and stories over the next few weeks so that I can remember all of the things that have transpired over the past few months and so that those of you who are reading can know what sort of sunny black hole we fell into.

Until then, enjoy the beginnings of fall. H, J, and I certainly are. We have spent a good amount of time this weekend at the park or at the window watching the wind blow through the leaves in the trees. As the craziness of a new school year swirls around us, we are doing our best to stop and appreciate the beauty of it all as opposed to being swept away, as so easily happens with time.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Orange you glad...

H and J celebrate our bounty.
One of the amazing things about our little home is the abundance of fruit in the backyard. We have an orange tree, lemon tree, fig tree, pear tree, apple tree, apricot tree, cherry tree, and a quince tree. I love the fact that H can go out in the backyard and pick an orange and eat it. I did not grow up in a climate where that was possible and so it seems completely magical to me. H really enjoyed the time he got to spend with J this August. Much time was spent enjoying the wonderful outdoors in our yard, neigborhood, and city.

Family Portrait

H needed a family portrait for his classroom and our wonderful and kind neighbor took a few photos for us. So, for those of you who haven't seen us in a little while, here are a few photos to keep you up-to-date.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

To Come Home to Yourself

May all that is unforgiven in you
Be released.


May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquilities.


May all that is unlived in you
Blossom into a future
Graced with love.

~John O'Donohue

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Tahoe!

My first experience with Tahoe happened many years ago now and it involved a long journey, a very tired pick-up truck and an unexpected pit stop in Truckee. I swore I would never return. But lo and behold, after J took a fishing trip this spring swearing it was a stunning place worth revisiting, we took our first family vacation. Armed with some great locations from a Tahoe veteran we spent our wedding anniversary enjoying beautiful lodgings and the amazing outdoors. Thank you to each of you who helped us have such a wonderful family adventure. We really needed one.
Daddy goes fishing

We picnic while daddy is fishing

Trying to keep ourselves interested as the fishing continues

Just loungin'

What a cool park on the edge of Lake Tahoe

An unexpected dip in the lake

H loves the water
And has no sense of self preservation when it comes to water
Geese!
Donner Lake in the morning - cold but fun

Exploring with Daddy

These pinecones are amazing. And there are so many of them!
So beautiful

Figuring out how to use a straw

Last bit of fun before we head home.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Sunflowers

Badminton and weddings

A couple of our friends got married at a park recently and H, J, and I were excited and in attendance. The event was beautiful and casual and much fun.  Of course, these sorts of things are largely influenced by H. He was behaving like a little cherub which allows J and I to really be present and enjoy the festivities.

One of the activities at the wedding was badminton. J and a friend began a pick-up game and as soon as H saw what was going on he headed out onto the field. He marched right out there, grabbed a raquet (which he had never seen or held before) and went to join J. It is amazing to see a little person who has no knowledge of something go to join in without hesitation. It was as if H thought, "If daddy is out there, then it must be worthwile and I want to try."
Beautiful cake with white chocolate portrait of the handsome couple
The blushing bride

The game is in full swing
Nothing a little water can't fix
"You call this a racquet? It is very interesting."



Sunday, June 20, 2010

Second Father's Day




It all started with a card. H was super excited to use a pen.
Then H gave Daddy the prized card and gift.

Then H helped Daddy with his workout.

In the afternoon, we took a trip the Marina.

It was SUPER windy. H decided to hang with Daddy...
Until we found a less exposed area and a nice patch of dirt. Where we played for while until we decided to go home for dinner. Salmon cakes and corn and tomato salsa. Yum.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Water baby

The warm weather is here and H is in love with all the water time that comes with it. If you would please join me for a stroll into our backyard to see the water baby at work.
As we walk further into the back we can see...
H and J setting up H's water dispenser! We have been enjoying the hose recently but it involves a lot of adult involvement as well as a lot of water and so we went on the hunt for an alternative water set up. The hunt was not long or hard. Working in education has its perks from time to time and this is one of them. I feel like more often than not when I find myself needing help with H I can turn to teachers to give me tried and true solutions and sure enough we found it. This dispenser is cheap and just right for H. With a little work H can easily fill his buckets and watering can. He is in love with this dispenser and wakes up wanting to go outside to play.
I don't think we will have any trouble keeping the plants watered this summer. H is making sure everything is getting the water it needs.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

More kitchen fun


The table that we were using as H's art table is now being used for both art and kitchen activities due to limited space available. So, the most recent activity available is pouring water. H discovered this activity after waking up from a lovely afternoon nap and was thrilled at the sight of the little pitcher and glass. I showed H how to pour water from the pitcher into the cup and then drink out of the cup. After H waited patiently for my turn to be done he carefully took his own turn, thoroughly enjoying the entire experience.

To watch H gingerly pick up the pitcher and and attempt to carefully pour the water out was almost too cute for words. It is so amazing to observe him as he takes each step very carefully and deliberately. It feels like he is growing up so fast right now and gaining more and more independence each day.

Beautiful morning

At 7:10am this morning I awoke to sound of H playing with his blocks in his room. 7:10! Normally we would be awoken anywhere between 5:30 and 6:15am by H calling to us. But on this beautiful Saturday morning H decided to wake up and play instead of coming to get us out of bed. It wasn't until 7:30 that he came and got us. It was so awesome.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Growing up, kitchen style


H is simple crazy about the kitchen. He loves to wisk, splash, pluck, and dance. For well over a month H has spent a lot of his time with his basket of kitchen items sitting on the floor or working at his table happy and engaged. Often when H wants to be picked up it so he can see what is up on the stove top. If H and I are coming in the front door and he hears J working in the kitchen he goes running in to see what is happening.

A few week ago we asked H's teacher what she would recommend for H given his love of all things food related. She said that we should include him in as many ways as possible in the kitchen. Some specific recommendations she gave for a 14 month old are peeling bananas, pulling grapes from the vine, and pouring water. In addition I am trying to include H in as many cooking activities as I can. H helps tear spinach and lettuce for salads and sandwiches and I try to prepare and assemble things at H's level.
Stay tuned for more kitchen stories and recipes coming soon!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

A month through snapshots


You call this thing a backpack? Hmm...the straps feel interesting.

Contemplating life and the stove with my my backpack on.

Saddle up, cowboy!

Who are you lookin' at?

Tissue paper is always enjoyable

Who doesn't love morning hair?
More morning hair
Hard at work
One tired daddy

Hmmm...the window is open
These plants are AMAZING!