to each his (or her) own

Tonight the kids were each given three "oreos" for dessert. Truly they are Whole Foods brand "sandwich creams" and have one chocolate side, one vanilla side & cream filling. I was uploading some photos of today's climbing adventure (next post) and looked up mid-treat to see this completely un-staged arrangement of cookies on each place mat. Can you guess which belongs to each child?





Gage is the vanilla fan. He ate the vanilla part first but then finished up every last bite of the chocolate cream side as well. As soon as his crazy mom was done photographing them, that is.

Zuzu is the chocolate nut. She ate her chocolate cream side and swiftly left the table, abandoning the remainder of her cookies. Apparently she simply can not be bothered with vanilla. And apparently she is not the only one because I then tossed the three disregarded vanilla circles in the trash. Oops.

I do, however, find it interesting that both children ate their favorite part first. See if I was going to pick sides I'd eat my least favorite first, savoring the best for last. But that's irrelevant because I generally just shove the whole damn cookie in my mouth at once anyway.

big brother

I had nothing to do with this really. We were playing outside and suddenly the kids decided that "big brother" should give piggy back rides. Of course they tried it the other way around too but that didn't turn out so well...

There were a few rides before I gushingly ran for the camera so I do think Gage is showing off a bit but the absolute pride and joy in both of their faces just brings me to tears. You can catch a bit of the live action below. I love the way that, when her hands hurt, he asks her how he should hold them so that they don't hurt. And I just couldn't resist keeping the camera going as he feels compelled to stretch out after the vigorous exercise. Proud kids. Prouder mama. This one definitely hits the archives for three hours from now when they are beating the crap out of each other...

not me monday

I did not sit and think for far too long about whether or not it was actually Monday before starting to type. Summer. It will do that to a mom.

I have not avoided not me monday for many, many months. Did you not miss me?

I did not, in a dazed stupor, think it might be therapeutic to attend a 90 minute, vigorous yoga class with an oncoming migraine. Who needs drugs? I'll sweat it out! Yeah. Made it 60 minutes and ended up quickly popping the drugs and hitting the bed...still in my sweaty yoga clothes. Which reminds me, I definitely did not, not take a shower after all that today. Oops.

I did not have to google therapeutic after staring blankly at the screen with no clue of how to spell it.

I am not out of things to say already & my eyes are not forcefully closing on me at 10:10 pm.

Yup. I am. And they are.

What did you not do today?

o-dogg

Today was our Little League, Rookie Team end of season celebration. The boys and their families ate pizza & cupcakes, played soccer in the sprinklers (cause it was much more fun than playing baseball in the heat) and celebrated their first year as a baseball team. Coach Matt handed out baseballs to each boy and cleverly created nicknames for each player. Gage was dubbed "the vacuum cleaner" for his ability to swiftly scoop up balls from the outfield. Gage was also awarded the dog tags pictured above in honor of his sportsmanlike contributions to the team. It's called the "o-dogg award" and I couldn't be prouder. And yes, I cried. And if you really want to know, I'm still crying.

The following was taken directly from the Mill Valley Little League website:

Owen Moscone Sportsmanship Award

“Owen showed us all how to live big, laugh and never give up.”

In memory of Owen Moscone, Mill Valley Little League has created a sportsmanship award to be given out every year to one player on each little league team in Mill Valley. The Owen Moscone Sportsmanship Award (a.k.a. The O-Dogg Award) is intended to recognize the true spirit of sportsmanship and the passion for baseball.

Owen, nicknamed O-Dogg, was the kind of kid you always looked forward to seeing at practice and games. You knew he would always give his best and never give up.

The “O-Dogg” Award

Every player will vote for someone on their team they feel is deserving of the O-Dogg Award. Managers and Coaches will make the final decision. Sportsmanship is dependent on respect – respect for the rules of the game, for your teammates, coaches, officials and the other team. Sportsmanship is awareness that on the field or on the sidelines your actions affect everyone else positively or negatively.

Criteria for nomination:

1. Commitment to always compete fairly.

2. Respect for the rules and officials.

3. Respect for your teammates and opponents.

4. Always as good a loser as you are a winner.

5. Passion to always try your hardest.

Owen Moscone played baseball in Mill Valley from the Rookie League through the Minors. Owen always played hard. Owen was nine when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Twice pushing it into remission, Owen never gave up and battled this disease for four years. While in remission, Owen even returned to the baseball field in the minor leagues. Owen lost his battle in October 2008.

The Owen Moscone Foundation was established to provide funding for innovative cutting edge research for the treatment and cure of pediatric cancers.

Owen Moscone Foundation

35 Miller Avenue #156

Mill Valley, California 94941

mr. hustle

Need I say more? Probably not. But I will.

I went to pick Gage up from his fourth & final day at baseball camp today. I got there a tad early in an effort to catch some action on video (available to you below). After the game the group gathered by home plate for a farewell speech. Gage was still in the dugout with one of the coaches trying to get his gear together so I ran over to help. I sent the two of them out to the field while I packed everything up (cause that's what I do). As they left the coach said to me briskly in passing, "Gage got the Mr. Hustle award today". Cool, I thought. He's definitely a hustler. Then, in the car I started asking some questions....

So what other awards did they give?

This was responded to with a blank stare and a change of subject.

No really, Gage...what other awards did they give? Was there a Mr. Hitter & a Mr. Catcher?

And this was the response I got....

No, Mom. Just a Mr. Hustle. There were two Mr. Hustle awards. Just me and Jason #1. (Why they don't use last names is beyond me cause I wouldn't really want to be Jason #2) Mr. Hustle is for hitting and catching and running and everything else. There were only two balls. I got one and Jason #1 got one.

He was so humble. He had no idea what an honor had been bestowed upon him. And I really tried hard not to ruin that. But damn if I'm not going to announce my pride to the whole damn internet.

(Oh, and if anyone has any clue who signed the ball please let us know cause Gage and I have not a clue.)

Here's his last play of the week...

home run!

So yesterday was Gage's first day of camp. Ever. I really wanted him to play baseball camp so I begged the director to admit him even though he didn't meet the age 6 requirement. Since he did just successfully complete kindergarten, and he did just successfully complete rookie little league, they agreed. We were both thrilled. Until, that is, I arrived to drop him off yesterday. Who WERE all these big kids? Oh, yeah. They are the 6-8 year olds that are supposed to be here. Did I make a mistake? Am I setting this kid up for failure? Should I admit defeat and take him home with me now? And why does he look so damn little?

I sucked it up, walked away and called my mother. That's what any independent, free-thinking woman does. Right?

I did bow out of my yoga class for fear that 90 minutes with no access to my cell phone would be far from relaxing but I did not return until five hours later (ok, I got there about 15 minutes early). When I arrived Gage was playing way out in the field looking incredibly bored. Great, I thought. They stuck him out in the outfield all day. He's going to hate me! But fortunately, I was wrong. In just a couple minutes he was at bat. I yelled to him and I got a huge, "Hey Mom, I got a HOME RUN!". He was in heaven.

After we picked up Zuzu at school and devoured some full-fat ice cream we headed to the sporting goods store to buy him some new cleats & batting gloves. He proceeded to wear the gloves ALL evening. I even caught him in the backyard just before bed, wearing his gloves, swinging a bat, pretending to hit a ball & run the "bases". It was adorable.

Fast forward to today. Cause I know you're looking for the end by now. (well, everyone except my mother) Dropped him off. No problem. Sort of. He still looked so small. But today at least I knew he wanted to be there.

Again, I showed up about 15 minutes early to pick him up. I wanted to catch a bit of the game and see how everyone had progressed. An inning had just ended and Gage was running from the bull pen to the outfield. He swung by the bleachers to tell me that today was NOT a good day because his team was losing 12 to 8. He looked like he was going to cry. I tried to quickly cheer him up and shuffled him out to his position.

Just a few batters in to the inning I watched as one of the big kids hit an incredible pop fly out to center field. Gage was playing left. Both boys headed to the ball. I couldn't see exactly what happened from so far away but the next thing I knew Gage was laying face down on the grass. Arms and legs splayed out beside him. Completely. Motionless. How fast do you think a mother can make it to center field from the bleachers in tight jeans & flip flops? You couldn't possibly imagine. I wasn't sure if he was just down on himself for missing the ball or if he was injured. I was praying for an emotional breakdown as opposed to a physical one but I was preparing myself for a trip to the ER none the less. Now this is probably a good time to tell you that his is FINE. He was very shaken up. The ball hit him smack in the forehead but there was no welt and no blood. I think he really just got the wind knocked out of him. Fortunately I had a three-pack of Bakugan hidden in the trunk of my car that I'd purchased on sale today at Target. The mention of that resuscitated him pretty quickly.

I didn't want him to finish the game but he insisted. And he's anxious to go back again tomorrow. Still not sure how I feel. Glad he's happy. Glad he's passionate. Still confident that we made the right decision starting him young in school but slowly coming to the realization that he's always going to look little. And he's always going to play like he's big. Because that's who he is. And I'm so proud of him. My little all-star.

for our daddy

Dear Daddy,
We love you for giving us orange chips & lollipops. For your kisses & your shoulder rides. For your precise lefty aim & your strong belay grip. For your calm & your compassion. For your wit & your wisdom. We love you today for all these things and so much more. We hope you had a fun father's day with us cause we had an awesome time with you.
hugs & kisses...

one little fishy

Meet Christina. Our new best friend. Zuzu calls her "the blue lady" because she can't seem to remember her name (the fact that it's basically the same as mine somehow just doesn't compute). Also because when we arrived early for class we all placed bets on which teacher was Christina. "Is she the one in THAT black bathing suit, THAT black bathing suit, THAT black bathing suit or the blue bathing suit?" Blue. Sweet Christina wore blue.

Christina will be attempting to teach our strong-willed daughter that it's loads of fun to put her head under the water. My concern is no longer how long this will take but instead how we will ever get her to actually leave the pool once this task is accomplished.

The little fish that can't yet swim. But will she ever...

daddy's little girl

I am daddy's little girl, always will be, and I'm damn proud of it.
And this...is my daddy.
Wish him Happy Father's Day why don't you?
He deserves it.
I love you with all of my heart, Daddy.
(and the little monkeys do too!)

anatomy lesson anyone?

I'm thinking that the alphabet song (see this post) can wait.
Body parts. Yes, learning our body parts is our new goal.

mac attack

Tonight as my girlfriend was leaving with her two darling children we started talking about how scary it is that we spend so much time deliberating whether or not we should be working...for who...for how long...and who would watch our children...that we are not always using the time we have with them NOW to actually appreciate them. So instead of sitting down at the computer and facebooking, or twittering, or blogging, or surfing... I grabbed both children and we went on some wild adventures together. Courtesy of Mac. We went on a roller coaster ride, swam with the fishies & even floated our way through the clouds. All in the comfort of our own kitchen.

We hope you enjoy the pictures. We enjoyed taking them. And we're going to make sure we continue our little adventures. Every. Single. Day.

wordful wednesday. storm free.

Well, actually not that wordful 'cause I'm beyond exhausted tonight.

If you have been keeping up you are well aware that, as of today, Gage has officially completed kindergarten. Coincidentally, Zuzu officially completed her first hour long tap, ballet, gymnastics combo class with me looking in from BEHIND the glass. Double whammy, right? Yes... and no. Of course I bawled like a sappy soap star behind my shades when I picked up Gage at the sweetly segregated kindergarten area but I felt something else too. Liberation.

See my timing was actually quite perfect. An hour earlier, as I sat at The Little Gym, looking through the glass, I saw the flip side. I did, I did. (Sorry, we've been watching a lot of looney tunes) All it took was one peanut butter covered toddler and one annoyingly negligent mom for me to think....I'm done with that (now scoot you dirty little rugrat). I get to sit here, on my iphone, reading my US Weekly with my feet up on chair for ONE hour and YOU are NOT my problem. Go to your mother now. And have her wipe your face while you are there. My kids can walk and talk and wipe (almost) and, while I clearly understand that my job is not over, I felt...accomplished.

So Zuzu finished her class, we picked up Gage, ate some free ice cream, ravaged Toys R Us and hit the beach. Where, thanks to some good playmates and the independence of our rapidly growing children, I barely had to move.

the calm before the storm

Tomorrow is the last day of kindergarten. Oh my. I promised myself that I wouldn't actually cry until tomorrow. Today, instead, I celebrate the fabulous event that was "field day". Complete with foot races, egg races, sack races, bean bags between the knees, flippers on the feet & bouncy balls under the bums. Such simple adventures that made children and parents alike drop everything, forget everything and just plain laugh. The perfect end to a perfect year. And there I go again...

Checkout some of the comedic action on my poorly shot video below and I'll be back tomorrow night with my sob story of how our baby boy is growing up too fast...

monkey business

Gage is truly the monkey of all monkey bars. But apparently this was a set that his kind had never seen before. The metal rings were so far apart that dad barely made it across... but that did not deter monkey boy. No sir. Apparently, the third time is a charm. That and the fact that this perfectionist wouldn't have stopped until his hands were bleeding. Sad. But true. Hopefully that trait comes in handy when I put him on laundry duty next year.

armed & dangerous

say what?

Mom: Guess who I saw yesterday? Your old teacher *Skippy*!
And guess what? She is going to be 80 years old in August and Zuzu is going to be in her class next year. Isn't that exciting? I LOVE Skippy!

Gage: Is she pregnant?

Clearly we have not gotten to the birds & the bees discussion just yet.

i'm baaaccckkk...

Yes, I'm definitely back...
with bugs (really, who's child is she anyway?),
bakugans (yes, he got two more today and I plead the fifth),
and just plain bizarre behavior (I had nothing to do with the pillow jumping but it did draw me off the computer and out to the backyard pretty quickly).
aren't you glad?

wordful wednesday

Hello Readers. It's been a week since my last confession.

I didn't realized I'd been so negligent until 4 days into my silence when I received an email from a grandparent that went like this, "Hi honey, Just checking in to see how you are. No posts on your blog and no pix so wondered what the weekend brought." It was at that point that I realized that you need me...you really, really need me. Or at least my mother does.

So, I've reappeared with absolutely nothing witty to say but simply to catch up on events for the sanity of five curious grandparents...

We are one week off from Gage's last day of Kindergarten. This is exciting & terrifying at the same time on several levels. It's almost impossible to grasp that my boy will be entering first grade. First grade? That's for big boys. What? Who? Compounding this anxiety, I'm trying very hard not to grasp the fact that my boy will have NO SCHOOL for two and a half months. Two and a half MONTHS? You think I've slacked off this month. Hah. Just you wait until July!

On the flip side, I think I've done a stellar job planning an eventful summer. Three weeks of camp, a trip to San Diego with Grandma and Grandpa & a birthday fit for even the most discriminating little princess. And that's just the first six weeks. If anyone has any ideas for the month of August I'm listening...

In preparation for the lazy days of summer we've become playground groupies. It was completely shocking to me to watch Gage & Zuzu sit and play, side by side, in a sand box for over an hour this weekend. I truly did not think I would ever see that again but I most certainly did. And Zuzu returned to the sandbox for the next two days straight. Thrilled to be there and creating a new adventure each time. Here I sit thinking they are growing up too fast but then I realize how innocent they still are. Refreshing.

And speaking of growing up too fast. Last night I forgot to put a pull-up on Zuzu. It hit me when I crawled into bed with her at the dreadful time of 5:45 this morning. And not because the bed was wet, but because the bed was dry, and her tushie was completely bare. I wasn't sure she had any concept of what she had just achieved although when I kissed her and told her how proud I was she did respond quickly with, "can I go get a Barbie Island Princess costume now?" Kid is rewarding herself for mom's forgetfulness and her sheer luck.

Speaking of rewards. I think it's safe to say that we have officially turned the corner away from our Lego obsession. This is not to say that we will abandon them all together (not after all that time and money we all invested) but they no longer consume our every moment. We are now consumed by THESE. Not necessarily what I would have picked but I'm definitely jealous of the schmuck that created them. Home Run.

And now I feel like I'm writing a Christmas Card. Not that I ever have. But it might sound something like this if I did. So I'll hit publish now...

wordless wednesday at the garden faire

gone fishin'...



free fallin'...

wordless wednesday

you write the caption...