Picking Out Our Own Clothes

Today I let Esmé and Sophia pick out there own clothes since there was no school. This is what we ended up with. It's so funny, they both have their own little fashion sense. This orange shirt is Sophia's 'handsome' shirt. I have no idea where she found that cap, but she's really taking a liking to it.

As usual Esmé is a skirt gal, but since it's cold, she'll put it on over her pants. And, of course, pigtails. Pigtails have been very popular lately.

Random San Francisco Pics

We're finally getting around to posting pics from our trip to San Francisco. A little late we know, but what are you gonna do? We went to the Farmer's Market, got some local bread and 'artisan' cheese and had a snack on the pier. Sarah's fresh fruit pastry was to die for and Alex was super annoyed with all the pigeons (center of the picture).

We stopped off at Ghiradhelli Square for a 'World Famous' hot fudge sundae and to get some chocolate. The sundae was even better then it looked. Also, every day that we were in SF, we purchased cupcakes for dessert at Miette and Citizen Cupcake. Citizen Cupcake was on top of the Virgin music store, so that wasn't a hard decision. We still talk about those cupcakes as if they were our own.

Here we are in our spacious room at the San Francisco Hilton - Financial District. It treated us very well, but the pool closed at 9:30pm and we never got home in time to go.

Alex would not rest until we had 'authentic' dim sum at some dive in Chinatown. The bbq pork buns were amazing, but the local Chinese population in the store didn't seem to appreciate our visit. They kept giving us dirty looks.

We went to the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. Sarah wanted me to mention that the humidity didn't 'work' with her hair the whole time we were there. The Botanical Gardens didn't help since it felt like it was 271 degrees in there. Golden Gate Park was huge and the Outlands Festival (Radiohead, Beck, The Black Keys, etc) was going on that evening, but we didn't make it. But we did spend a great deal of time at Amoeba music store (the best music store either of us have ever encountered), so it kind of worked out. (Sarah got the Top Gun DVD. She hasn't lost that lovin feeling yet, even though it's been a few decades.)

Of course we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course it was foggy/cloudy. We took the bus there and on the way some French tourists were concerned that they were headed in the wrong direction, so the tried to ask the bus driver, but couldn't quite say much more than 'we go Golden Gate?' Finally the bus driver just said, 'Just hold on! I take you there. Just hold on!'

We went to Fisherman's Wharf and to the SF Aquarium. It was pretty cool and we got some SF clam chowder in a sourdough breadbowl. Obviously, most of what we did centered around food, but that's how we roll.

Here we are on the streetcar. We only took it once because it was so busy, the rest of the time we took the bus or regular train. When we were in line for the streetcar, the streetcar stopped at the back of the line, but no one from the front got on. We waited and waited and then finally boarded. After that these angry Italian tourists from the front of the line came and complained to the driver that it was their turn, and that we took their spot. The driver told them that if he wanted us off, to talk to us, but they just left in a huff. We weren't about to get off. All in all, we had a great time.

Sophia's First Haircut

Today we headed over to the Great Clips on 9th and 9th for Sophia's first haircut.

She was pretty nervous, but she did very well. We took her for a trim because her hair was starting to get fairly unruly and she hates having ponytails, so her hair is always in her face.

Esmé's not ready for her first haircut yet, but she was a good sport and spun me around in an empty chair while we waited for Sophia. She had a great time watching Sophia's hair fall on the ground.

This is Sophia's 'stoic' look. She's not necessarily having a great time, but she can handle it.

All done! The haircut went very well. Good job Sophie!

Roll Call

Left to Right: Singing Giraffe, Hoot, Phyllis, Happy Feet, Sirius White, Bear-Bear aka Honey, Esmé, Molasses, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Timmy, Talking Bird, Singing Bear, Bobo, Sophia, Mrs. Twinklebottom, Crindy, Cream of Wheat, Bamboo, Bambi, Jack White, Bearemy, not pictured: Brown Sugar (presumed lost).

As stuffed animals are taking over our home and lives, we thought we would chronicle the animals who have been named. There are many unnamed animals, but for whatever reason, these are the animals who have been favorites at one point or another or have been around long enough to get a name. We look forward to many more adventures with our stuffed friends.

Update: Brown Sugar has been found.

What fantasy worlds will you be following this Fall?

The Oregon Coast, Or A Windy, Somewhat Chilly Day At the Beach

While we were in Oregon visiting my family, we took a day trip to the coast for the girls first view of the ocean. We went to our usual spot in Bandon and stayed in our little cove away from the wind when we weren't frolicking in the waves or extreme kite-flying.

Sarah and Sophia heading down to wade in the water.

Being somewhat chilly, Esmé commandeered a huge Death Valley hoodie (it sure was warm).

Sophie and Grandma Candy chillin in our little cove away from the wind.

Esmé and Sophia thought the water was pretty cold, but Erica, Audrey, Garrett didn't. They got all the way in (something I haven't done in like 12 years).

It took Sophia a while to get used to the cold water, but she eventually got excited about running away from the waves.

Sarah enjoyed her time at the beach, although she didn't stay in the water in long as the gals. Sarah and my mom took great advantage of the windless cove and had salt water taffy and chillaxed.

Esmé went straight for the water when we arrived and never looked back.

Garrett showed the gals how to make sandcastles and climb sand dunes.

All in all a very fun day at the beach.

Arts and Crafts Pre-K Summer Fun

Auntie Lindsay took the girls to the Tracy Aviary when she was babysitting one day during the summer. They made pinecone birdfeeders with peanut butter and birdseed. We have had a lot more birds in the yard since we put them up. The girls are lucky to have such a wonderful, fashionable, caring aunt in their lives. Lindsay has been one of my greatest supports and friends since the girls were born. She even slept on the couch the whole summer when the girls were born to help me. We all love her so much--Thanks Auntie Lindsay!

Garden stones. This was a fabulous activity one hot summer day in July. I bought some extra glass marbles to add to the plaster to give them a little more sparkle.

For a finishing touch we added glitter--Esmé chose gold and Sophie chose blue. These may be the cutest kitchy garden decor ever! I was really happy with how they turned out. Here the girls are very involved with putting the marbles in.

You may recognize the girls one friend from their birthday party--Eve. Here we are decorating tamborines when Eve came over for a play date. I oculdn't ask for a better playmate for the girls--they are all of a similar temperament and they play really well together.

Here is one of the finished tamborines.

I found these bags at the craft store and decided that it would be fun to iron the girls names on them.

Esmé may be assigned ironing as a chore when she gets older.

The girls loved the bags more than I anticipated and use them as their "quiet" bags for church. It is way better than carrying around a big bulky bag with entertainment and snacks. They turned out cuter than I anticipated and the girls love having the responsibility of carrying their own bags.