Norway and the Black Hole

On the 7 minute drive home from work today, Kid C insisted that I explain in great detail both The Scream by Edvard Munch and the Oakland Raiders.

Neither was very easy to explain to a 5 yr old.
It all started when she saw a rendition of the famous painting in colored chalk (the figure sporting a TJ Hawaiian shirt) in an advertisement outside the store by the melons and charcoal briquettes.
I had to wikipedia the meaning of The Scream on my phone to be able to give her his motivation for the painting. (his motivation was "why" number four in the endless chain of "why"s.) Even after I explained all that I could, she still was unsatisfied.

The mystery of the Oakland Raiders started with a decal on a camper shell on a mid 90's domestic truck stopped in front of us at the 280 underpass. "Look a pirate!" and then C noticed that it was wearing a football helmet, and it was downhill from there. What "raids" are and why a football team would want to be associated with stealing and scaring people. Complex topics in the backseat.

working from starbucks

observations made while working from Starbucks on the posher side of Sockswithsandalsland:

-sitting next to someone who is also working on a laptop, feels alot like sitting next to someone on an airplane. Both persons internally agree to ignore each other in the politest way possible.

-when you sit by the door in an upholstered chair, you immediately get the butt-view of every person that walks in. unsettling.

-there is a limit to how much reggae my brain can process. This might be the most consecutive reggae songs I have ever experienced.

-I can easily see why people make irritated faces at me when I bring my preschoolers in here. I mean, the "mommy tone" one has to use with kids is totally annoying. Oh well.

-the barista did not find me charming when I was on my iphone and didn't realize I was next in line, even though I throughly self-deprecated. She was flatly unamused and I reckon, probably wishing I was a handsome single business man.

-I'm not sure who the appropriate person is to sing along to the song "No Diggity" but I do know that if you're wearing brown office slacks, it's not you.

Let's try this mobile photo blogging

photo.JPG
Originally uploaded by charlsablaylock

My laptop is often being used for cartoon watching these days. This leaves me with only phone to blog with. Photos are tricky to blog with blogger, but look I found a way! I can't embed them in my real blogpost below, but sectional are better than none at all I s'pose.

This is a pic of Kid C coming off one of the big inflatable water slides at her fantastic preschool.

Wile E. Apirist

photo.JPG
Originally uploaded by charlsablaylock

This dude drove our bees in his Prius all the way down from Berkeley for us. (see bee explanation way below) And to my delight, he even donned this classic beesuit to transfer them to our sideyard. Bonus! And yeah, his name was Wiley. :)

Pic from the park

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Originally uploaded by charlsablaylock

Yes, there was clapping and wooing and your token crazy homeless man walking around yelling crazy things. He only stuck around for 1/2 of it (hooray)

Brad in the backseat

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Originally uploaded by charlsablaylock

I cleaned out all the juice box cartons a pixi dust out of the backseat so we could an accommodate an adult like Brad. He rode along for the evening's festivities.

6 years and the dawn of a new era

Yesterday Kevin and I celebrated 6 years of marriage. Hurrah!

We ate dinner at a Chinese food place in Japantown in SF (I know I know, long story) and then we drove over to North Beach to watch Dirty Harry in Washington Park. It was part of the Rolling Roadshow which goes around the US showing movies out on locations where they were filmed. And since the "Scorpio killer" tried twice in the movie to shoot people in Washinton Park, that's where they showed it. I'm glad put anniversary fell on the day it was going on, or else I wouldn't have been able to convince Kevin to go.

We stayed overnight at the Post Hotel/Hostel near Union Square. I thought by clicking "king room" that meant a private bath, but that turns out not to be the case(!) It was a Saturday night in Summer -- I was lucky to find a room at all (not in an hourly Tenderloin motel), so hey. Oh, and it was crazy-old too. Thank heaven for no quakes, that place would have crumbled I'm sure.

This morning we checked out and had crepes place next door (called Honey Honey) surrounded by tourists from all over the world. I thought the cashier would be pleased to find out I spoke perfect English, but turns out she was unimpressed.

Today I realized that Kid C starting kindergarten in a week means that I'm back to the morning structure. I can't make decisions like "will I workout or make waffles or run to a dr appt this morning before work/preschool?" I must be normal again 5 days a week at least until 3pm when I pick them up. And it also means my workouts will be my lunch break instead of in the wee hours and I'm actually joining a gym (a little podunk one.)

Also new to our lives are the bees in our new hive and the fish in our new pond. Going outside is more interesting now. And chickens are coming at some point, probably early next year. We may have found the pond-form in somones trash pile and offloaded the bees off a young granola from Berkley liquidating his stuff for travel money, but chicken hutches are a different matter entirely.

Tonight I made

Aren't I supposed to be saying no to projects?

Of course I am.

And I almost didn't do this one.

But then, I can't say "no, little burgeoning Christian school, I won't help you make cool t shirts."

I just can't.

So here they are, the boy and the girl version (following the general color parameters I was given)

Two iPhone videos of the kids being funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zYMqJV9_iQ&feature=youtube_gdata
The kids were trying to figure out who is the stronger of the two. I told them that there was sure way to determine it: arm wrestling! What you don't see demonstrated is Kevin's and my (mine's) test of strength. No contest. No shocker there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK-9exEBzx8&feature=youtube_gdata
Kids hitting their great grandfather with balloons. He asked for it. ;) I took this tonight at the combo Daddy/Grandpa birthday dinner.
I'm again blogging from my phone so I hope these links work.

Remote blogging

I am sitting under a maple tree at an elementary playground in Mission Viejo, CA. We left a day early from the Flagstaff KOA because I got my dates mixed up and so we had an extra day that we decided to spend with our friend Ryan in the OC.

Because this is already a kind of boring story I'll do bullet points of pros and cons:

-pros-
--Ryan has a guest bedroom with it's own bathroom. And even though he was at a wedding last night he made it so that we could get in. I am SO thankful.
--The kids were so tired last night that they fell asleep concurrently in their sleeping bags on the floor. (never happened ever ever before!)
--We went to the mall today and did build a bear for the first time while Kevin and Ryan watched ESPN in peace.
--We are now at a playground that just happen to have a kindergarten fundraiser with a cover band called "the grateful dads" and an ice cream truck called Screamin Ice Cream and pizza and a classic car show. Lucky us! I love CA.
--it also came stocked with pine cones and dirt that Kid R has been tossing around for about 10 min straight.

-cons
--kids didn't sleep til 10:30 pm. And Kid R woke up at 5:30am. (why?!)
--Kid R has been Grumptastic Tantrum Boy. I've lost count of how many freak-outs he's had today. No one has been spared, babies, toddlers, me, strangers- all felt the wrath of R.
--wow, build a bear is expensive
--Both kids are wearing their sticky ice cream, it resisted even the diaper wipes and who knows when we'll get home tonight.

But it's been a good day overall. Really. Even with the cons. Good ending to our first real "family vacation."...oh there it is getting boring again-- I should end it here!

instead of a college fund, I'm going to make a "bail bond" fund

Baby R has a serious hitting problem. It drives me crazy. More crazy than the fact that he still poops in his diaper and lies about it.

He can't even hug without hitting.
He's like a puppy that is so cute and wants to play but still bites the hell out of your fingers and ankles.

I've tried spanking back, but that doesn't work. He just wants to hit me back harder.
I've even tried spraying him with water from a spray bottle, like how you train a dog. But that just makes him want to hit harder too.
If only handcuffs weren't frowned upon, they really would be a good solution.

"will it blend?!"

Tonight I created a little floorplan for that I'd like to add on to our house.
How much this costs, I have no idea. Probably more than we can afford.
But I'm a future-thinker, so I made it anyway.

All I know is that I really love our house, but it has three problems:

1. no guest room
2. no place to work from home
3. tiny living room which is hard for parties

So I propose that we add onto the front and take or entire house out to the garage door line, since we have a big front yard, and the backyard is Kevin's orchard and pretty small to begin with.

I think I did a pretty good job of solving all 3 problems with a 25' x 25' space. Let's see what Kevin thinks...

will it blend?!

Kids in May

Yes, it's become clear that blogging, well quality blogging, just doesn't happen like it used to.

Mostly because the kids eat more food these days.
Explanation: they eat more food, which requires 1) more food prep 2) more kitchen cleaning 3)more visits to the store 4)more food spilled on their clothes = more laundry 5) more food spilled on other things that has to be scrubbed out.
And they don't nap on my time, naps are at preschool

My role to them at this point is punching bag and scullery maid. It was easier to be a biographer to them before consumption skyrocketed.

Kid C is registered for kindergarten in the fall which is exciting, mostly because it's free. I know that's against mommy politics to say that, but boy howdy, am I glad to only have to pay for one preschool tuition and then we can all have afternoons off to go to the zoo or beach again.
4 months away!

I even got the opportunity to design a t shirt for this year's elementary graduation, and in return they're printing some extras in Kid C's and Kid R's size. So when they come to "orientation" they'll be wearin' the cool kid shirts.

However, lately- I have a hard time keeping any clothes on these kids. I'm sure it comes from my side of the family, but is it so much to ask that the children at least have pants on?
Just pants, c'mon.


He snuck out into the backyard earlier today in just his pull-up playing with his trucks in the dirt.


He was using his pinchy-tools to pick up [and probably crush] bugs.


Here, Kid R wins out, at least he has a shirt on. They're both eating their cereal pants-less, just how they prefer it.


Kid R's mullet was gettin' a little long, so we decided he needed a hair cut!
(still no clothes!)


okay, so that wasn't his real mullet, but it was shaggy, so he got a haircut from a kids-salon.
He chose the hot-rod hair-chair. Nice choice.


And this is the video of the hot rod hair cut.


Kid C got her own grooming on Mothers Day with me at the nail salon. She's been looking forward to it for the last 365 days since last Mothers Day when we did the same thing.
All during the year when we would drive by the nail place, she would say "Mom, how long until Mothers Day?"
I have to admit, her nails looked pretty darn good. Flower/rhinestone detail on both fingers and toes. Hopefully that'll last her another year.


We visited the newly renovated Happy Hollow Park a few weeks ago. And think I said before how I wasn't that thrilled with it. I seem to be the only one in that mindset. SF Zoo passes instead, way better IMO. But I did take this pic of Kid R (making a weird face) next to the life-size golden capybara statue-- wearing a pillbox hat and pearls(!!)


I wanted to get that other girl out of the way so I could get a pic of the kids ontop of it. But what I think the artist didn't anticipate about a large metal rodent in the hot sun surrounded by concrete, is that the art doubles as a blazing skillet.



Ah, the McD's playland. Like an old friend that you don't really like, but s/he is so helpful, you keep going back.


Before Kevin and I left for our fabulous Mormon-country adventure, we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. It was so nice to have Kevin there to "man" Kid R so I could peacefully tail Kid C.


I don't know why I like this pic exactly, but I do.


I didn't manage a pic of the little mister in the monster truck but I did get this unlikely driver as she was struggling out.

let's try this

The kids' preschool has two new classrooms and asked me if in lieu of my parent/classroom hours, I could do the murals instead.

So this is the mural for the kids music and dance room. The director of the school wanted alot in it, probably more than I even put in it. And since it's multi-cultural in nature, I'm probably offending a group unwittingly. (like, is it unlucky to have a Chinese dragon in the bottom left corner? probably?! )

Taj Majal, giant harp, tamborine, it's got it all. I'm crossing my fingers that there won't be be 100 changes to it. It's just a pencil sketch...

Baby Tuesday on Saturday

I was away from the kids for 4 days last week, but I still have plenty of pics and videos!


I've been trying to deter the kids from taking baths together lately, but 1/2 the time it still happens. It gets splashier and fightier when they're together.
Kid C said "Mom! look at me!" and lo, it was funny. She climbed into the bath toy basket.



Their friend Kid D had his 5th birthday and here are Kid R and Kid D's little brother, Kid J playing quietly inside while the party happened outside. It was super hero themed, and the best I could do was put Kid R in a Star Wars shirt. Kid J, however, was really prepared-- Buzz Lightyear deluxe costume!


The birthday boy's grandpa and uncle are both police officers, so there was no shortage of toy guns around. I subconsciously don't buy them for Kid R, so he was excited to be at the "gun show."


My friend Mike, Kid D's dad shows Kid R how it's done. And how to tag the kid in the lawn saying "hit me! hit me!"





Mr. Post-Shots Fatigue. He was so lovable, although I was sad he didn't feel good. It only lasted a couple of hours.

Today is splendidly free of places to be and things to do and it's the perfect California weather day, so after Kevin mowed the lawn, I decided to reclaim the Little Tykes playhouses that have been dormant all winter. I evicted all the spiders with my webber and put a carpet down and some other accoutrements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9osp13IwF4



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQJ22CvAMRE




And while I was gone, Kevin took this video of the kids squeeling with the dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0vIHh68PY






And this pic

this year's Easter artwork

I did this.

My friend Matt was the camera/lighting/editing person. And his edition of the video was the real one that showed during Easter services, but he didn't upload his to YouTube, and I did, so I'm showing the one I edited (I only used one camera's footage, there were 3 cameras total).

Once you have watched the video, click here for the finished artwork.

Baby Tuesday

Again, a big thanks to Jenn for taking these pics for me. She even had her own 3 kids to keep track of while we did this AND it was COLD out!

I mean seriously, that face.

If he only knew that if he made that face, he would totally get out of trouble.

Kevin makes that face at me alot. It's the you-didn't-think-this-through-face.

Kid C's hair kinda fell apart in the wind. I was trying to go for a sleek look.

yeah, no.

It's her crazy-laugh, but I like it.

I feel like this is a snapshot of him when he's older.

Bellisima, bambina.

So, you've seen this one, but hey.

The boy loves pipes.

After the park became problematic, we moved the photo shoot into the newly redesigned (ahem) lobby at WestGate. I mean, what good is working at a church if you can't just come in any time with your kids and take pics in the good lighting?

Auntie Dianne bought him that hat. I bought the jeans, shirt and tie at H&M and the shoes...well those are WalMart.

Her dress is H&M too. I love that store. Euro couture at Target prices.

Way behind them (not the motel looking building) is the in-progress new children's building, fyi.

Artful dodger.

A big thanks to Jon Talbert who made my kids do all the funny poses. I'm glad he was there, us moms weren't very motivational.

This photo represents how easily entertained she is. I love her.

sticky melty cuteness.

I don't know if Jenn took this on accident or on purpose, but I liked it.

You can still see his R2D2 tattoo that he wouldn't let me wash off(!)

Does anyone recognize that look in Kid R's eyes?

It's the "I WANT TO BITE YOU" look.

And he did. He definitely did.

okay just one!

Baby Tuesday on Sunday

I thought now that Easter is over, that I would have got Baby Tuesday up actually on Tuesday.

Not the case.

But luckily, I have these cute pics of Gilroy Gardens to show everyone!

Gil the Garlic epitomizes the charm of Gilroy Gardens. How funny is it that they make an entire theme park around the idea of produce?! Adorable.

And you should notice that Gil is short, like it's not a regular adult in that suit. It's either a kid or a person-of-short-stature -- either way, also adorable.

I was so glad that the kids went over and stood by him for a picture.

Their friends wanted nothing to do with the giant garlic man, and I can see their point.

This is Kid C and her BFF Kid A. Thanks to my friend, Jenn, Kid A's mom, we got into the park FOR FREE! Her mom and dad live in Gilroy and it was free-locals day, so we got in with them, and then they hit the road, ha. Huge thanks to them. The admission price to the agro-wonderland is steep, so I can't say thanks enough for that.

They have here, the biggest soft serve ice cream cones that I have ever seen, especially for a couple of Pre-K's.

Jenn took this pic of her one the flower boats. We had a nice view of the Artichoke Dip ride, which we rode afterward.

We had some snacky snacks and then the kids examined the map on the [probably filthy] floor to plan our route.

Train ride! I really wanted them to have seatbelts on this one.

Because I could see a hospital visit in my future: mixing a 3 yr old's excitement for trains and an actual train ride.

The little sir with his gigantic ice cream. Yeah, he didn't finish it. And he needed a entire wardrobe change afterwards. (does anyone else's 3 yr old try eating the cone part before he eats the ice cream on top? omg.)

He looks kinda older here doesn't he?

Balloon ride! Me and Kid R were in our own balloon and Jenn and girl-Kid-R were in their own. We let the big girls fly solo. That's the advantage to girls, they can be trusted not to leap out(!)

The goldfish [cracker] ride. Little kid rides that I don't have to get on with them, my favorites.

I have some really cute easter pics, but I'll save those for next B.T. They are excellent!...