Father's Day Reflections

Here it is .  Father's Day.  A day we celebrate all things good about dads.  The last four years, Father's Day has taken on a new dimension for me in that I not only celebrate my father but also get to celebrate my husband, the father of my three girls.

Growing up, my dad and I had our challenges.  I am the oldest, and I think, the most like my dad in personality.  He is a Taurus, I am a Leo (we are both strong willed, stubborn people.).  One of my favorite childhood memories is my dad pulling me out of school in the 4th or 5th grade to take me to an Oakland A's baseball game.  Just the two of us.  When we got to the game, we ate anything I wanted: hot dogs, fries, nachos, and soda.  I think a chocolate malt was in there too as well as some peanuts and crackerjacks.  He was at every ice skating competition, piano recital, cheer leading event, and band review.  There was, however, a father daughter "intimacy" that was often missing.  He worked very hard for our family.  He would come home from work and relax, but in doing that emotionally distance himself from me, or so I felt.  I remember LONGING to share my day with him and being told that he was busy watching the news.   As a child, I felt that if the TV was on, I was not important.  I don't know if it was just a part of my teen years, or what it was but the emotional bond deteriorated and I remember having this longing for a relationship that I didn't have.  I found it in a guy, who ended up being my first husband.  Let's just say ... it wasn't a good relationship.

After a LOT of emotional healing and a LOT of growing up ... something about turning 30 ...  I was open for finding the man of my dreams who would become the father of my three girls.

I have read about how influential a father is especially on his girls.  I believe it 100%.  I believe that girls need a strong male influence that, especially when those hormones hit, is there to offer them love and an emotional bond that is in no way sexual.  He teaches them, and shows them the kind of man they should choose for their husband.

As I am writing this I am watching my husband with Coco.  When he is home, his attention is on them.  He doesn't shy away from diapers, bottles or tantrums.  Even the nights of "I WANT MOMMYYYYY"  don't detour him from doing the bath / bedtime routine so I can have a break.  I am so blessed, and so are my girls.  He ohh and ahhs over paintings, wears the plastic beaded bracelets, and overall just plays with them.  Let me tell you ... as a mom, there is no more joy for me than seeing him interact with them.

The relationship with my own father is so much better now too.  I think it is because I have grown up, and he has changed too.

So here's to Father Day.  Here's to celebrating my dad, and my husband.  (Hopefully he won't be too disappointed I forgot to get him a present - or a card!!)

Big things at Small Batch

Fun things are happening at Small Batch Studio.  This is my first real attempt at having a business and there is so much to do and learn.  I love every moment of it.  Over the last week I became licenced!  I also received my business cards, which according to the teacher in the marketing seminar I attended just means that in this day & age I can tell people I have a business and feel legitimate.

I started a facebook page.  I hope to use that to keep people posted on the progress of just my business, no mom stuff there.  It is also a way for friends to tell their friends, and they don't have to read this silly blog.

I had the joy of celebrating with friends & family at a baby shower.   I gave the mommy-to-be (though this is little guy #3) a Push Pack & it was a HIT!!   I immediately passed out four business cards ... so see ladies, it is a GREAT baby shower gift!!  People love it.

I was able to connect with some people who I think will be key in helping my business grow & can't wait to talk to them more.  The blog is getting read by more people than I imagined for only being a few months old, and people seem to enjoy it.  (Have I told you I LOVE comments - I am a Leo after all!)

Needless to say, with all of the above getting done my house is a bit messy.  My husband works long hours (like is gone from 7am - 11pm) so he doesn't really see the mess.  The important thing is having it clean for his days off!!

Vivienne and I also made a giraffe out of chicken wire.  We have an imaginary giraffe that has been on our back porch for two weeks.  It was his birthday the other day too ... but more on that later.

Tales from the Motherhood: Biggest Meltdown in History, Caught on Film

Tales from the Motherhood: Biggest Meltdown in History, Caught on Film

...and I am not alone!! Guess what, the dirty little secret - they all do this!

We're going to the park, Damn it!

School is out.  This is my first year of "summer vacation" since I was in school over 15 years ago.  I forgot what it felt like.  The anticipation of no schedule.  The luxury of not having to be out the door by 8:30 am.  What I didn't realize with small kids though, is with summer vacation brings hours of unscheduled time.  For those of you moms out there ... yes, you know, that means chaos.

I decided that we would fill our summer with many park trips, play dates and a few day trips.  Tuesday was day one.  A simple trip to Walnut Creek City Park.  It is a really cool park, a lot of grass and trees as well as a fun playground complete with water / sand area.  Now, this seems like it should be no big deal.  For nine months now, we have been out the door and on time to school by 9 am.  Some days have their drama, but not too bad.  SO why today, when we are going to the park for FUN do I get this???

Coco behind the couch thrashing and screaming

she didn't want shoes on ...

Even Audrey was throwing a fit before we left!!

I did it though ... I got out the door, calm, cool and collected.  Inside I was dying to scream out, "Will you SHUT UP??  We are going to the park, DAMN IT!!!"  I know, however that will do little good.  It really only makes things worse.  So into the car we went ... and off to the park.

Once we got there all was right with the world.  The girls hit the swings.  A must for the Magu girls.  The playground wasn't of interest to them though.  They kind of walked around the structures.  Vivienne went down a slide a few times.  Then they spotted it.  A mud puddle.  

The girls had so much fun running through it, how could I say no??  I don't think the other moms appreciated it.  There were several other kids who wanted to join in but weren't allowed.  I even got a great shot of Colette!  My little miss "just try and take my picture".

So just a reminder to all of you moms out there .... just when you think the world is full of fits, screams, and tantrums ... go to the park, damn it.

Vintage fun

http://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/blog/


Saturday night, Paul & I both worked late.  By late I mean he worked until 11 & I worked until 1AM.  When I got home at 2, I reminded him that the Alameda Point Antiques Fair was tomorrow (well, today) and asked if he wanted to go.  "Yes, let's do it" he said.  Now, mind you it is 2 AM and we learned the hard way that if you want to get the best cool stuff you have to be at the faire when it opens ... 6 AM.

The first time we went, I was 40 weeks pregnant with Audrey.  We got there at 7:00, thinking that one hour would not make a difference.  That was until we saw the 6 Louis XVI chair frames for $250 that had just sold 15 minutes before.

So, up we were at 5 AM, coffee in hand off to Alameda.  It is so peacefull that time of the morning.  I love just being with Paul, strolling the isles looking at treasures (and junk) that could soon possibly become a part of our home.

These theatre chairs caught our eye.  The thing I love about this market is you just never know what you are going to find!  I mean really, we didn't go saying gosh, I hope we find old theatre chairs ... but here they are in our entry way!

Another fun find was this old school desk.  At $20 how could we say no??  Vivienne put it to use within 10 minutes of it coming in the house.  I would love to read comments from anyone else who has found treasures!!  Please share!!

Making food fun

Today was the last day of preschool for my oldest.  My husband is French & we found an amazing french immersion preschool in Lafayette, CA called French For Fun.  There are so many positive reasons for young children learning a second language early ... but that is not what this blog entry is about!  It is about FOOD.  Part of the last day festivities was a picnic at the park.  All parents were asked to bring some food for a snack / lunch.  I got the idea for "sandwich sushi" from my best friend in kindergarten, who thanks to facebook I am still friends with.  She is a very creative person & inspires me with many of her posts.  Her "sushi" was much more creative I think ... even using Swedish fish.  I did my own "preschool" versions.  Peanut butter and jelly and cucumber and butter on wonder white bread.  Now, the picture above was all that I got from one whole loaf of bread, so if you decide to do this buy a lot of bread!

Peanut Butter and Jelly "sushi"

On a side note .. just had to break away from this blog to put the oldest in time out, which turned into me being spit at so I had to take her to the toilet to spit 5 times, since she likes spitting so much, and back to the corner to start her time out ...

Sandwich Sushi

1 loaf of wonder white bread

fillings of your liking, but spread VERY thin

Cut the crusts off of the bread

Take two pieces and overlap the ends by about 1/4 inch

Roll with a rolling pin so they are "flat" 

spread filling over bread, leaving the last inch of long end of the rectangle bare

roll from the other long end

add a little butter, or something "wet" to the dry end, if needed so the bread will stick

cut into desired widths with a serrated knife so it doesn't squish.

Butter & Cucumber "sushi"

Oh Happy Day!!

Now that I have started blogging, I am reading other blogs.  I feel like I really missed the boat on this world of blogs and am frantically trying to catch up!  There are so many fun, interesting and just really great ideas out there.  The party planner / decorator / DIY-er is going nuts.  My poor husband.  I think I have a lifetime full of projects in my head.

I came accross this blog   http://ohhappyday.com/2011/06/goes-to-paris today.  It is written by a woman who seems to be living my dream life.  San Francisco party planner, blogger and oh yes, just moved to Paris for a year with her family.  

I hope you enjoy it as much as I am!

Favorite stroller

Here it is.  My stroller.  When we were living in SF with just one baby I had a very light, one child, easy to collapse stroller.  It was great for city living, especially since I lived on the 4th floor of a walk-up (which means no elevator).  I put hundreds of miles, literally, on that stroller.

When I got pregnant with #2, I knew I would have to get another stroller.  These Phil & Teds were everywhere in the city.  I started asking everyone who had one what they thought.  No one ever had anything negative to say.   We moved out to the burbs and my little stroller just couldn't cut it.  For one thing, it had very small wheels.  The city I live in doesn't have sidewalks everywhere & these wheels were not made for gravel or dirt.  I quickly ordered my Phil & Ted's stroller, with double seat and was on my way.

I have now had it for over two years.  I still love it.  I have used it in every version that they brag about.  No, the back seat kid doesn't feel "slighted" sitting staring at the back of a stroller, a comment I hear once in a while.  My girls even fight over the back!

One of the big pluses of this stroller is that you can really maneuver it.  It is narrow which works especially well when you think of going into a store.  You just can't with the side by side strollers.

So, if you are thinking, should I put out the big bucks for this guy, I would say if you can yes.  They are worth it.  They hold up really well also so the used market is a great place to look, then when you are done you can resell it as well.

My name is Fred.

I have decided I am no longer responding to mom.  I will only respond to Fred.   This person "mom" who is being asked for 1000 times a day no longer lives in my home.

My middle daughter has just really gotten into her terrible two's.  My oldest will be 4 in August, and it sure didn't take me long to forget what the terrible twos were all about.  I think it is kind of like giving birth.  After the fact, you don't think it was as painful as it was ... until you go through it again.

For some reason, I was thinking this sweet little girl would just skip the fussy, whiny, and temper tantrum stage and keep being the cutie pie she is (or was).  Nope.  For the last week I have had a new child.  You know the one.  At breakfast she wants toast with peanut butter.  It is placed in front of her & she cries because she really wanted toast with just butter.  But wait, she wants MY toast with butter, not a new piece for her.  On our 45 minute commute for her sister's school, nothing is right.  She is crying because ... WHY??? ... for reasons only she knows.  "Momma, momma, momma, mom, mom, mom, mommy, mommy NO MOMMY NO!!!" .... Then, five minutes later, her world is a wonderful place.  She has just seen a school bus & yells "BUS!!!!" and forgets that she was upset.  So is the life of a two year old.