fun tuesday

A couple of years ago a parenting book group started up in my area so I started to attend. It was once a month and we read some fantastic books. In the last year or so, though, the "core" group of us who kept meeting started to realize that we just wanted to get together because we really liked each other. So we made a plan to get together and have a potluck lunch. It was super nice, only three of the five of us were able to make it but my major goal was to see my friend's new (super awesome) house and also see my other friend's (super awesome) pregnant belly. I brought along some henna. I think it came out rather well!

Nina and Solana in an unguarded moment.

Nina fell asleep on the way home and slept until 5 minutes before circus class so she wasn't super alert here. I just think it's cool that she is up on the ball.

Nina asked me to put a bun in her hair.

awesome weekend

One day about a year after I graduated from college, my friend came home from class one day (I was still living in the college town) and told me that there was a little jewish girl in her German class, and she was sure we would hit it off famously. Though the basis for that opinion was tenuous at best, it was spot on, we did get along and over the next year or so we became better friends. Right about the time that we met she had started dating a really great guy, and I was delighted a few years later (once we had all moved on to different places) when I was invited to their wedding. Even more so when we arrived and it was very small and intimate. We had a great time and actually got to talk to the ridiculously attractive couple and their friends, some of whom I knew from "back in the day." To top it off, a few days later when we were at the airport flying back to Chicago, we ran into Chris & Abby on the way to their honeymoon. Extra bonus quality time!

When Abby told me that she had a conference in San Francisco and they were thinking of coming here I got super excited. They were coming from New York City; I was touched that they would add us onto their trip.

They got here on Thursday afternoon and left after breakfast on Sunday. It wasn't enough time but it was all fun and relaxing. Just like getting together with old friends should be.

Here's one of Abby taking a pic of Chris taking a pic in La Jolla.

Here Abby and I are laughing. I can be really real with this special lady. And I like to flatter myself that she feels the same. Some friends are for life.

star studded obama video

I love how optimistic this video is. I would like to be that optimistic about any future president. Are you optimistic?

who authorized this?

On Saturday we are getting on a plane to spend two months in the DC area, so tonight I helped Nina try on clothes this evening--both from her closet and from our stash of too-big clothes so that I could assess what to bring with us. Almost none of the 3T jeans fit and all the 4T ones were just the tiniest bit too big, all have adjustable waists, so you know what that means? My child now wears 4T. Seriously.

my delicious breakfast

Jealous?

And yes, I did spend the precious preschool time making it that I should have been using to finish cleaning my house before my guests arrive.

I just don't understand

How you could run over someone on a bicycle, drag them for 500 feet, then run away? This happened a few blocks from my house this afternoon; the bicyclist died. I hope they catch the driver (who abandoned the car with the bicycle stuck underneath it) but the police think the suspect is headed to the border. Whoever it is will probably disappear once in Mexico.

Very scary.

new pajamas!

Mima went to Costco yesterday and brought back these organic cotton pajamas as a present from her and Rochelle. They are so cute and soft, I went and got some more in bigger sizes as presents for Nina later (the ones she has on are 3T and have plenty of room to grow in).

In circus class Miss Cheryl always has them do "style" after they do a trick. So that's what Nina is doing here.

be still my beating heart

When I planted morning glories in with my wisteria I chose a color mix. I love the tiny bit of pink in this one.

What color do you think this one will be? I'm excited to find out.

our very own melon

I planted my cantaloupe and watermelon in accordance with the planting schedule that I found online. And watched as little tiny melons promised abundance but then fell off with the blossoms. I probably wasn't fertilizing enough, I do tend to forget (I use fish emulsion) and also don't like to use it when I am expecting company, it's pretty stinky. One day I noticed a small (softball sized but football shaped) green melon. How could I have missed it when it was smaller? Never mind, I was so happy to see it. Then I spent the whole of its growing time fretting about how I would know when it was ready. Was it when it got the size of a cantaloupe but was still green? Nope, the next day it had the laciness that is typical of cantaloupe. So now how would I know? I got down on the ground and smelled it. Hmm, no smell, now what?

Yesterday I went out and the bits that had been green with no lace on them were now bright yellow. And when I watered the smell that came floating back up to me on a wave of hot evaporated water told me everything I needed to know. I needn't have fretted or gotten down on the ground. I picked it and when we came home from playgroup the whole house smelled like delicious melon.

We're going to try to hold off on eating it until our friends from out of town come on Thursday. They're coming from NYC and I am expecting them to be suitably impressed.

Nina wanted to make sure I got a picture of her smelling the melon, it truly smells heavenly.

it's always good to have a new friend

There is a newish family in our cul-de-sac; them mom speaks some english but the littlest girl (I'd say she is 4 or 5) speaks only spanish. Nonetheless, she and Nina have played some when they are both in their front yards. For about half an hour today Nina rode over on her tricycle with a doll, showed it off, then rode back and got a different one. It was super cute. Here they are having a confab about something on their bikes.

And here's a super cute video of Nina riding back (sorry for the crappy camera skillz).

spinning

Yesterday at playgroup my friend was spinning the kids around--here's Oli.

And Nina.

fun day

Last Friday our local alternative pharmacy, Pharmaca, had a "natural kids day" which included lots of samples and trial sizes, balloons, free chair massages (for moms) and face painting. Nina didn't want to have her face painted at first, but ended up getting both arms and her face done.

Here she is admiring the painter's handiwork. Larry took her to synagogue later and apparently her painted face was quite the source of admiration.

We met up with some friends and had lunch at Organic to Go; it was good but not very kid friendly. We ended up eating outside picnic style, which was fun. They didn't have much for gluten free folks, so I ended up ordering a sandwich without the bread. Nina got a "protein pack" which was sliced turkey and some walnuts and dried cranberries.

wild animal park

My sister was here for a week before she went off to start her adventure in Costa Rica. When I asked her what she wanted to do in that time she said that she wanted to go to the Wild Animal Park. Despite the fact that we're members and get free parking I had never been so it seemed like a great opportunity. And our Zoo News had a coupon for a free guest pass this month so YAY!

It was SUPER hot that day (and it's inland, so hotter even still) so we were glad there was a water play spot to cool off.

And I was glad I had bought a water proof camera.

acupuncture

Nina has been getting acupuncture for a couple of months now for her breathing problems.

Last week it started to sound like it was when we decided to hospitalize her. But I think it's really working, Nina is sounding a lot better!

I bribe her with treats, this one is a Luna Tea Cake.

circus class!

A friend whose child is in this class at Sophia Isadora Circus Academy told me about it and while I think Nina might enjoy a dance class, I think circus is an amazing opportunity. I would have loved to learn how to do this stuff when I was little.

Here Nina is on the tight wood

Doing a forward roll up high

Then she jumps off

Always a good idea to get in some acting (especially with friends)

And this week Nina got up on a big ball (like a yoga ball only hard) and only held onto Miss Cheryl's little finger for balance. Fun!