Lesson Learned

When Curie asks you to help her wash her hands, do it.

Because if you don't, she will do it herself, proudly.

In a sink that she can reach.

The Final Move

In the last 18 months, we have moved five times.  FIVE TIMES!  That is insanity.

But here we are, in a new (to us) home.  Finally settling.  We have a little fenced yard for the kids.  We are on a dead-end street.  The neighbors are fantastic.  I have a BEDROOM (not the case in San Francisco).  We even have a surprise peak-a-boo view of Mt. Rainier from a couple windows upstairs.

I am so happy to be here.  It has been a long, eventful journey.  We have been planning for a long time in anticipation of this (relatively) last move.  A lot of questions have recently been settled, prayers answered, and dreams realized.

So, as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider could tell you, it's time for a new dream.  What to do next?  I think I'll start by changing the world.  A little.

A Positive Vibe

I'm considering creating some wall-art for my new house of positive words that we, as a family, believe in a strive for.  What do you think of my list?  What would you add?


honesty truth benevolence virtue respect believe hopeful hope enduring lovely praise work grace graceful generosity devotion giving give patriotism thankful charity love goodness motivated honor courage enlightenment education vigorous cherish true listen conscientious sensible prepared caring responsible dependable creative balance diligence faithful faith resourceful resilient duty happy happiness eternal loving teach family help strength friend kindness kind clean reverence industrious determined integrity cheerful humility learn practice health patience

Some of the words have multiple forms, but pithiness is not a virtue in this case.

What am I missing?  What words do you strive to do and teach?

Ninah Mae

In my husband's grandpa's family, there was a semi-famous cow (yes, cow) (OK, only famous to the family) who will be annually remembered and celebrated by yours truly, because she was born on, and named after, the date that was to become my anniversary.  Now, I don't know if her name was spelled "Ninah Mae," or if it was ever even written down, but I think that spelling suits a cow.  Don't you?

Although we managed to get a babysitter and to get away from the kids for an hour or two, young parents never truly escape the toddler influence.  Our restaurant of choice this year was LuLu, which is what we often call Curie (her middle name is Louise, just in case you think I'm crazy).  (I am certainly over-using parenthetical phrases in this post.)

I have never had such attentive service.  Not even close.  Nick had mentioned our anniversary when he made the reservation.  When we arrived, everyone in the place knew about it and congratulated us.  As we were seated, they brought us complimentary champagne to celebrate (awkward!  ... we don't drink).  The bus boy (man?) circled like a vulture waiting for us to finish anything.  Between each course, he would clear absolutely everything off of the table, wipe up, and bring out all new place settings, silverware, salt & pepper, etc. Now, maybe this is generally done and I just don't get out much, but I hadn't seen that before.

The food was awesome.  This is officially Nick's favorite place we have eaten here.  The hostess came by to chat about our anniversary and to put us in a good tipping-mood by telling us how young we look for being married so long.  Nick told her that we have a daughter that we call LuLu, so she promptly got a souvenir menu and a copy of the restaurant's cookbook for us to take home.  See what I mean about the attentive service?

Just after that little convo, we ordered the beignets for dessert.  Not only did they throw in an extra serving of panna cotta (which was amazing), our beignets came with a tall candle and a little "8" lemon rind inscription!  That little hostess told our secrets!

Hold on!  It just occurred to me why we got the star treatment.  They must follow my blog and wanted a post!  I am like a celebrity food critic!

Riiiiiiiight...

Happy Anniversary, Nick.  And happy post-mortem birthday, Ninah Mae.

Alamo Square

I'm running out of time!  Last weekend we made it out to Alamo Square, a large block park in the heart of residential San Francisco.  Alamo's claim to fame is bordering some of the city's most iconic homes, the Painted Ladies.  Can't you just hear the Full House theme song running through your head?

We promised the kids a chance at the playground after a few quick pictures with the houses.  Sometimes adults make no sense to kids, but they put up with us. 

As detailed as this house may look, the camera really did not capture half of it.

Off to the playground.  What a fun surprise!  The toys matched the houses.

When the kids had run themselves quite ragged, we explored the trails of the park, one of Bethelle's favorite activities.  And we stumbled across a gem.  A garden of shoes.

Only in San Francisco would something like this evolve.

The shoes were old and dirty, but some of them had a lot of style.  How does something like that begin? Should I have a shoe garden at my house?

Looks like Curie may have made a small contribution to the garden herself.

Mothers' Day

What a fantastic Sunday.  Nick made sure that the kids kept me in the forefront of their minds all day.  It began with "sleeping in" while Nick and the kids made french toast.  I say use quotes because in this one-bedroom apartment, my bed is roughly 18 inches from the table where they worked.  What is even better than sleeping in while your kids cook?  Pretending to sleep in while you watch your three year-old learn to crack eggs and sprinkle cinnamon and try to remember to whisper.

My other surprises included these little pretties.

And a shine on my "second home," inside and out.

It was a lovely day.  But I will say without fear of those who may not always feel the same, it wasn't too different from every day that Nick is around.  He is so good at teaching our kids to respect and love me.  Thank you, my little ones and my husband!  It's not all sunshine and roses, but I am so glad to be a mother.

I Just Think She's So Pretty

I guess I might as well say it.