Only in SF

Ron and I got back last night from a great trip to San Francisco. We love to go there on a short trip because you can see so much in such a short time. There are always hidden surprises, but this time there was the BEST surprise. I guess Kat and Ron have been conspiring since my birthday to meet in SF. So, after we checked into the hotel (which was a very interesting story) there was a knock on the door. I opened it and there was Kat looking as cute as ever. I got a smothering squeeze from her and she got an annoying Gregish index finger wag in her face. Then, it was off to hit the town. The two days was full of eating in small cafes, riding cable cars and other germ ridden public transportation, watching Kat get scared by the bush man, eating a hot fudge sundae at Ghiradelli Square, and LOTS of people watching. We made it to Ashbury/Haight for the first time and to a remote bakery next to a shady neighborhood. Ron got a shoulder pet by the Russian with a mustache that seemed to be following us and we decided that you definitely need to fear the stache in SF. We walked out on the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset and were in awe of the creations of our Father in Heaven intersecting with the gifts of man. Of course Kat had many conversations with stranger people and we laughed and laughed.

All of the kids did well at home and loved having french fries and chili for dinner. I have to give a huge THANK YOU to Nana and all others who helped keep things rolling at home. I am so grateful for a mom who would drop everything to come take care of my 5 crazies. It was so nice to not worry about them at all. They all love and adore Nana and didn't miss me a bit. I'm not sure how to take that. I think they would all love a Nana vacation more often. So, thank you again, Nana, we really appreciate you.

In the end, it was sad to have to go our separate ways at the airport, but luckily we have Zach's baptism to look forward to. Thanks to Kat and Ron for such a great trip full of fabulous memories and great company.

P.S. If you want to stay at a hotel on Geary near Union Square that starts with an A, stay at Adagio and not Adante. That is unless you want purple walls with fish murals to lull you to sleep.

Too alluring to ignore

While I was looking for a picture for my latest post, I ran across this picture. It reminded me so much of Jill and one of her favorite new escapades. Wherever the dog food is, there you will find Jill. I haven't found her face first in the dish yet, but she sure loves to swirl the food in the water and dump it all over the floor. I wish I had a good solution. It is such a pain.
Jill's other favorite escapade is just a rite of passage. All children must go through the dishwasher stage and Jill is primed. It doesn't take long for the dishwasher to be opened before Jill is front and center. It just must be too alluring to ignore. Oh well, this stage too quickly ends and then we find ourselves in the middle of the terrible twos. So, I have to remind myself to enjoy all moments, even if they do include cleaning up gross, soggy dog food.

A true touch of dog lips

Yesterday, Casey came in to tell me that he had wiped it off. I asked him, "What did you wipe off?" He simply said, "The bagel." "Why did you wipe off the bagel?" I asked. "Because Teddy had slobber on it." I immediately asked him, "Where is the bagel?" And of course his answer was, "I ate it." You just gotta love it.

Vomit, part two

Once again we found ourselves up all night with vomiting children. Sam and Zach were hit with the bug last night. Yuck.

Vomit . . . literally

Oh, man. We spent the night awake every 20-30 minutes with Maggie. Of course, I hope the germs don't spread anywhere else. Today, Maggie is on the floor of my bedroom vegitating in front of the little tv watching Playhouse Disney. At least she has a companion in her misery. Teddy has been parked a foot away from her keeping watch.

Found in a forgotten folder

Don't you just love this picture?!!!!
Miss you Kat!

Kit Party

Kit Kittredge is all it is about for Maggie right now. She dressed up as her for Halloween, she WANTS the doll, and finally she had a Kit party for her birthday. We watched the movie, (adding polly pockets mid-way through to bridge the "boring" part) had brownies and ice cream, and opened presents. After everyone was gone, Maggie spent the rest of the day digging further into her gifts. She had such a great time and still thinks Kit has it all - you know, she does have a cool tree house.

Boo!

We had a Happy Halloween with a Cougar Fan, a sumo wrestler, Kit Kittredge, Obi-Wan, a fairy ballerina who did not like her wings, and Underdog who was completely embarrassed and wouldn't go on a walk wearing his costume. There were parties in classrooms, a cul-de-sac party with friends, trick or treating, and a TON of candy. All of the kids loved their costumes with Zach becoming more self conscious as the day went on. Sorry, Zach. Whoo hoo! Glad it is over.