Eva and Mommy Day at Union Square

Performers from China - yikes

Eva is listening to the people next to us speaking Italian

The girls enjoying a late and a croisant at Union Square

Eva and Mommy ride the J Church train down town

Eva ready for Mommy/Eva day

Yesterday afternoon, during Eli's nap time, Eva and I snuggled up on the bed in the dining room reading a book, Perrier to be exact. I was half-way through the book when Eva broke into a long dialogue on her pretend phone. It went something like this, "Yes, 1,4,5,8,2. OOOH you have a pink one!? saminaliz, buhnanaly...on and on." All of a sudden she stopped her monolog and said,"Jan, read please." I laughed and laughed.

Eli looks ready to tap dance any minute

Eli loves Eva's new shoes

All Boy

Eli has always been a mellow soul. Any one meeting him comments on this. Just in case anyone was wondering about his progress -- he's all boy. Today he took an abreviated nap on the way home from playing in the tidal pools at Crissy Field. As a result, he was full-throtteled Eli all afternoon. At one point, Eva and I were snuggling on the sofa and Eli pulled up the ottoman, stood on the arm of the sofa - which he's not supposed to do not holding on, and literally took a flying leap off onto my legs and the cushion. Thrilled with this attempt he rolled on to the floor, heels over head and jumped up to a repeat performance. He was a wild as can be.

Also I want to rememeber to add stories:
language - when started talking and indepence, etc

Cinnamon Girl

After "nap" time, we decided to make oatmeal cookies. It was an organizational nightmare. After requesting Art to bring home butter, raisins, and , I realized I did not have oatmeal. Eva was most enthusiastic about joining on the journey to the corner store. I quickly put a dress on her and she ran to put on her red patent leather shoes from Grammy. Now this was the longest part of the journey, Eva instisted on putting each shoe exactly on the incorrect foot and that she needed to thread and close the velcro straps. Luckily the shoes are big enough that she can do little damage to her feet on the wrong foot. As we made it down the stairs, Eli ran hysterically to the landing, crying in appeal for his joining the journeymen. So, he made his way to the store with us in his diaper in mama's arms. After this succesful task, I realized we'd used the last eggs so Art treked back to the store for the effort. This is just one illustration of my sleep deprivation.

Anyway, Eva has found her niche - master spice mixer. She was so eager to help. As I gathered all of the ingredients on various counter tops, she drag her chair from this one to the next. Her first station was helping to mix the flour mixture. She was the most enthusiastic whisker ever. Then she stood watch over the mixer - and it was here she found her calling. As I added a bit of cinnamon she begged a task - yumm of approval. As I grated the nutmeg she dared take a taste of the spice. She then got her hands on the bottles and went to town. She put them on teh base of the mixer, shook them, and then begin merrying them. I was able to bake all the oatmeal cookies while she was enthralled with her new task. The end result was a cinnamon flavored girl. These were the sweetest kisses I ever stole.

Sydney's Birthday Wish

I want to save that recording forever! Eva, bless her heart, was a mesmerizing singer and even got my name just right. Truly sweet, the two of you together. Plus, you beat Kara, whose message followed immediately after yours with her own wonderful rendition of the birthday song and words that she was racing you to the phone. You guys crack me up.

Kisses to both singers, and tell Eva I CHERISH her song.

Love,

Sydney

Busy at work in their new kitchen

Eva and Eli LOVE their new kitchen

Eva and Mommy Day

Thursdays is Eva and Mommy day. For the first few weeks we met with Beth and Somerset but we decided it was time for the two of us to explore a little of San Francisco - today, The Ferry Building and Downtown. Whenever Eva asks where a friends other parent is, I respond, "at work." Eva immediately says, "at the laudromat?" I've had to broaden Eva's world to include the fact that some people work in offices in the illusive "downtown." So we decided to go and see for ourselves what this is really all about.

more later...............

Eva and Mommy watch boats coming and going into the harbor

Eva smells all the yummy teas in Pete's Coffee and Tea

Eva decides to take a rest on the way to the Ferry Building

Mommy and Eva on B.A.R.T

Eva and Eli ready to start the day

Eli, Mommy and Eva

Eva makes an interesting fort from a box - the fillings include daddy's tax papers!

Eli could not get enough of the hoisin sauce

As Eli helps Mommy with dinner he discovers his love for hoisin sauce

Eli spins wildly

Eli breaks into a dance

see here are the treats!

Eva and Eli eat their "feta treats post-nap

We rode the carosel at the end of the day 

The family in the activites barn - Eli is not used to self-timed shots yet! 

Eva pet's Baldie the chicken after feeding her a mealyworm - yikes!!!!!!!!!!