Movin' and Groovin'

Saturday afternoon Ellie sat down on the piano and started jamming with one of the stored beats.

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Being "THAT" mom

Yesterday there was an earthquake on the East Coast. The epicenter was down in Virginia, but we felt it up in Boston. Everything is fine up here. I've been busy dealing with clients and looking at buildings for post-earthquake damage.

Today was the end of summer potluck at Ellie's school. A wednesday. The potluck was supposed to start at 5:30, before I usually pick Ellie up. I figured, I'll leave work a little early, swing by the grocery store and pick up a fruit salad or something else. Good plan.

However, I was too swamped with work to leave early. In fact, I left later than I usually do to get to Ellie just before daycare closes. I no longer had time to go past the grocery store. I dashed into the convenience store near the office and grabbed a bag of chips, some salsa, and a bag of Oreos. I got to daycare later than usual, just minutes before they close and just about half an hour late for the potluck dinner.

I found Ellie on the playground with a teacher. Ellie comes running, "All friends at the party mommy. I wanna go to the party!". We went into the party, I pulled out my "dishes".

I figured I was "that mom" today.

However, I was wrong.

I wasn't that mom because another mom locked her keys in her car and by the time she got the car open, her dish for tonight had spoiled because of the heat and she grabbed some off-brand soda for the potluck. I also wasn't that mom because another mom went to Costco and learned that her debit card had been cancelled due to fraudulent activity and only had cash for a box of crackers. And I wasn't that mom because there was a dad who stopped at the convenience store near daycare and grabbed single servings of string cheese.

In fact, the teachers all LOVED the Oreos.

Some moms and I discussed the fact that how great could a potluck be during the week at daycare? I mean, we put our kids in daycare because we all work and are super busy!! We don't have time to cook/bake something for a potluck.

All in all, it was fun. Ellie had a blast at the party. And it was great to see that I'm not the only crazy, manic, working mom (or dad) out there trying to do everything.

DISNEYLAND

While out in California we went to Disneyland. And by "we" I mean, Ellie, Nick, me, Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Sue-sue. I figured this was such a big deal that it needed its own post. Disneyland is a big deal to Nick and I. If you didn't know, we got married there. So yeah, our daughter's first trip to Disneyland was pretty important. She was a little overwhelmed at first, but loved it and is still talking about her adventures.

There was round and round horses.

There was round and round elephants.

And then there was round and round tea cups.

Then we were all dizzy. But we got over than. And then we met Micky Mouse! Some of us were more excited than others.

She was more excited to see Minnie Mouse.

It was August at Disneyland and so there was waiting in lines...

We had lunch at Blue Bayou. If you don't know what that is, you are missing out. Go to Disneyland. Go on Pirates of the Caribbean. Then go to Blue Bayou. You'll be thankful I gave you this little tip. After lunch, Ellie napped and the big kids went on the big kid rides. Grandma and Grandpa went shopping with a sleeping Ellie. Then it was time for the parade. She loved it. Bunker Hill Day will never be the same.

Ellie went on tons of rides. Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, all the round and round rides, Haunted House, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Buzz Lightyear AstroBlasters, the submarines (Nemo ride), Winnie the Pooh, watched Captain EO (yeah, its back!), Roger Rabbit...phew...pretty much every ride she was tall enough for. She doesn't know how awesome it is to be 42" tall so she can go on Space Mountain (best ride ever, in my opinion).

However, her favorite was Its a Small World. It could have been the boat ride, the music, or, most likely, all the babies. Ellie LOVED this ride. LOVED. We went on it three times. Half-way through the second time she was singing along. She would have gone on it many more times, but eventually we had to stop to go see the fireworks.

Of course we got her ears!

Ellie was one happy little girl. She loved Disneyland and is asking when we can go to Mickey's house again to see the babies. It really was a magical day.

Santa Barbara - Summer 2011

So we spent a week out in California relaxing, visiting family, and doing California things. After a 6 hour plane trip out to California, in which Ellie did really well and learned about headphones, we hit the ground running; there was eating of In 'n Out, walks on the beach, playing with starfish, picking oranges and making orange juice in the morning, picking strawberries in the backyard, birthday parties, ate some tri-tip, relaxing, botany lessons, feeding of fish, and playing with vintage toys. Oh yes, we did it all!

My parents have turned our backyard from a swing set and running around haven into a fantastic garden. You want to smell lavender, its there. You need some rosemary...pick the plant you want. Need some oranges, lemons, limes, or tangarines, go pick some. Want some strawberries for dessert? Ellie, go pick some red ones while we finish eating outside and enjoying the fabulous sunset. Thanks honey!! Yeah, we did that twice.

 

Then Aunt Sue-sue (aka Susie) came out to SB the real fun began. There was a birthday party for my grandma. Ellie is currently really into birthday parties and inisted on getting Grandma Van a balloon and that we have cupcakes at the party.

Now, although we live out in Boston, I may be raising a California girl. She was really into the whole relaxing with the sunglasses on and hanging out at the beach. Okay, not the whole the water is cold and now my feet are covered in sand part of the beach. Besides the food part of my parents garden, Ellie loved all the other plants and spent time looking at the flowers and the cactus. She was sure to tell us all, "Don't sit on the cactus, hurt your bum-bum". She learned that from Dr. Seuss books. Ellie also honed her own photography skills while in my parents garden. I have resisted posting her photos of gnomes and the sky and extreme close-ups of baby. She's getting better, she know understands making sure her "subject" is in the "picture screen" before she pushes the "big button".

But most inportantly, Ellie spent time with her great-grandparents. She bonded with Grandma Van over her birthday, Grandpa Van over toy cars, and Grandma Dolly over baby dolls. It was fun spending time with everyone and I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed seeing Ellie (and us, I think). Ellie was generous with her hugs and kisses.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One thing Ellie did not like about California, was all the driving. She really was not happy to have to climb into her car seat to go anywhere, even if it was somewhere awesome. She actually asked me if we could take the bus instead of the car. Besides riding in the car, we all had a blast out in California.

Summer in the City, Part 2

We discovered a wading pool in our neighborhood that we didn't know about...so much fun!

And we've been spending time at the Franklin Park Zoo. They have an awesome gorilla exhibit, where there is a baby gorilla, whom Ellie loves.

Happy Summer Everyone! Remember your sunscreen!