Seasonal Denial Disorder

Insisting on capris, a T-shirt and flip flops despite the calendar and the cold rainy day.

Puzzled with Brian

Claire loves hanging out with Brian and Carly. One fine day this Fall, Claire and Brian sat down to put together a farmyard animals puzzle (gift from the Gilberts - thanks Gilberts!) This (and brewing) tired Brian who came closer and closer to napping on the floor.

Camp Style

We haven't had a kitchen for several weeks now (will share details when it's complete). Tired of microwaved meals and take out, we made a special Friday night meal in the garage using Matt's brewing setup. The meal was a treat but the cleanup is still joyless in the utility sink.

Daddybug

Claire's interest in hair accessories and hairstyles has increased lately. Matt with his buzz cut is ineligible for bows, clips and ponytails but cannot escape the headband. Here he was decorated with Ladybug Girl's antennae.

Happy!

Claire has her own take of what "happy" looks like. Matt took this video of her when I was in Minneapolis for Brett & Eileen's wedding.

Happy Halloween!

We went trick or treating in our neighborhood, Midtown Terrace, for Claire's first time. The little ladybug/Ladybug Girl had fun and lived ringing the doorbells. Sunapee came along for the walk in the light rain. We ran into some local friends, including Claire's preschool friends. She and Eva, the strawberry, spent the last bit joined together.

Target Practice

Claire preferred to help push the cart on this particular Target excursion.

"Ready to go shopping!"

Claire prepared herself for a Target outing by packing her backpack, buckling Monkey into the stroller and grabbing Geraldine (the green owl). First stop was the produce section, where she picked up her bag of faux fruits and veggies and announced "I'm buying fruit!"

Critical Eye

Claire had strong opinions about the cat food selection.

Great Uncle Tom

Matt's Uncle Tom was in town on business and came by to see Claire before we all went out for dinner (that is, Claire stayed home with the babysitter). Deb sent along some great books for Claire's library. Thanks Tom and Deb!

The Wind is Crying

After three glorious heat wave days, the fog has returned and with it the wind whistling in our one original 1950s window. Eating her dinner, Claire tells me, "the wind is crying, Mommy."



(The paper plate, odd island placement, and microwave mac & cheese are by-products if our full-scale kitchen renovation.)

Little Bitty Pedicure

Claire is a little under the weather so we get her just about anything she asks for (except the trip to a bouncy house). One request was to paint her toes red. Asked and answered.

Roar!

Outside our neighborhood playground

Treat for Me

I treated myself (at Matt's urging) to the thrill of watching the US Women's Olympic Gymnastics trials in June LIVE in San Jose. I was too far away to get any good action pics but loved seeing the event in person. The last gymnastics meet I attended was my cousin Gwen's when we were in middle school (give or take).

Grocery Store Exhuberance

Claire could not be more excited bout our post-vacation Trader Joe's restock the fridge and pantry trip last month.

Party in the Park

Claire and I had fun trying out all the activities at the Golden Gate Mothers Group summer party last month. They had bouncy houses, live music, kid yoga, cupcake decorating, flower planting, and all manner of crafts. She even ran into a friend from preschool! The bouncy house is a winner for getting out that energy.

Her Future's So Bright

Cob

Jus a little girl eating a half ear of corn. In her "summer" attire.

Bento Lunch Attempts

Claire's schedule at preschool, full day, everyday, requires lunch and two snacks everyday. We try to do healthy, creative, balanced meals, but we sometimes come up short on all counts. When I have the time and energy, I take inspiration from some blogs (primarily Wendolonia) to create a colorful and fun lunch. Tomorrow's lunch is one such attempt with a heart theme, foods C is known to eat and a special treat. We have a heart shaped pb&j sandwich (bread cutter from Mimi), babybel cheese (tiny heart cookie cutter also from Mimi), little tomatoes, pear and a special treat of a Trader Joe's version of nutella mini sandwich using the excess bread. I get more excited about her lunch on these days than she does.

3/10

"How old are you, Claire?"

"Three tenths."

Making Guacamole

With Auntie Gwen

What Wall?

Day one of true summer for Matt and we have one less wall in the kitchen.

First Day of Preschool

Claire started preschool on this cool, foggy, quintessential San Francisco day.

She expressed some mixed feelings about going for the last day or two. We have been talking about preschool for a while and she has been there three times to visit, so the drop off turned out to be a breeze.

One little boy proclaimed, "Claire's back!" Once Matt and I unloaded all her gear into her cubby and brought her to the main room, she sat right down at the table and started coloring as if she'd been doing that every day for a year. With an "I love you, too" sending us off, Matt and I left, with our own mixed feelings. Relief that she didn't scream and cry, sadness? nostalgia?  that our little girl is growing up and entering a new phase, and so proud of her for making herself at home there. I can't wait for pick up to hear all about her day.