Sofi, Hard at work

A fun picture from my volunteer trail work last fall...

(Photo credit: Michael Mejia)

Extra XtraCycle

(another oldish picture, from February)

What happens when you're on bike with the kids and run into a friend downtown who wants to come over for a playdate? Bring them along, of course! Here we pushed the limits of the Xtracycle (and it's rider!). It was a pretty flat ride, and much easier than it looks, once we got started. 

Reunited!!

Molly, Jayden, & Leo, ready to start their first day of 2nd Grade. Molly's been with Leo since preschool, and is thrilled to be in his class again!

(Photo from Ashley Davis)

First Day of School

And... they're off! Both girls started school today: Molly in 2nd grade and Clara in Kindergarten. !!!

Both girls separately confided in me that they were nervous. Molly sweetly told me she had lied to Clara: she was actually nervous about starting 2nd grade (she said she didn't want Clara to be worried, so she told her she wasn't nervous when Clara asked). Clara separately told me that she was nervous about starting Kindergarten. And then she told me she had a plan: she was just going to play by herself.

They nearly dragged us to school, they were so excited to go, and Clara quickly kicked Zach out of her classroom, while Molly asked me to stay until her class went in. Can't wait to hear how the day goes!!

Clara Paints - flashback!

Wow - found this video that I meant to post, um, 3 years ago. Just in time for Clara starting Kindergarten (tomorrow!!!), we can all be nostalgic about Clara as a just barely 2 year old. The video was taken in November 2009 at Adventure Playground. And Clara is enjoying adventures in painting. Herself. :) 

Books

Last week Molly read Clara her last morning book at preschool. Sitting and reading books as part of our morning dropoff routine is something we started when Molly was a wee one and needed a lot of consistency and support through transitions. Clara usually didn't need (or always remembered) about books, but Molly always reminded her. She was honored to do the last morning.

Onward to elementary school, now. Based on today's "get to know everyone" potluck, I think she's gonna do fine: on her own she introduced herself to all of her potential teachers!

On our way

to uncle Seth & Kristen's wedding!

Indonesia & Lulu

They turn 1 year old at the end of the month, and here's a snapshot of what they're life is like these days:

Charlie's Visit

My college room mates, Stacey & Jesse, and their son Charlie, were kind enough to stop by for two nights after visiting LA. We took them on a whirlwind tour of Fairyland and Picante. The timing was perfect, since Molly was in Fairyland camp that week and we were able to catch her camp show at the end of a fun afternoon in Fairyland.

Nona's Garden

Nona's garden has been amazing! Here they are showing off just some of the peas and beans that they grew this year. Beautiful (and delicious!).

Molly's Dinner

We re-discovered an excellent cookbook that Nana gave us a while back (Kids Cook 1-2-3), which Molly can now use to cook things almost on her own. One evening, she planned and made this entire meal for us! Mmmmm...

Briones Hikes

And while Molly was in camp, I enjoyed some beautiful hikes in nearby Briones Regional Park.