Face paint at the flea market.

Ski to Sea

At the parade with balloons and cotton candy and the whole bit.

Freda and I decorated some cookies today afterschool. This morning
when Mandy dropped her off she told her she could decorate and eat one
and the first thing she said when I picked her up tonite was
concerning going home to dercorate that cookie to eat.

Imagine her elation when three cookies appeared. Being dad is pretty
rad.

Dinner with friends

Terri, Joe and Oliver came over for dinner and play on Monday. The kids never stopped. We made falafel and had some drinks, listened to music, poked around in the garden, did some slug recon, rode some bikes...a really nice way to finish off a productive and fun few days. Thanks again guys!

Mad dawg

Three years old and mad doggin' with the best of them already!

Nachoskulls

We have gotten back into painting the mache skulls. Freda loves to paint her own. Her hands are so articulate and her motor skills are very good for her age. she peeled hard boiled eggs for us this weekend. Like a veteran. Apparently, egg salad sandwiches are her favorite?

Swimming lessons!

Joel and Celeste drove up from San Rafael to visit for the weekend. We all picked Freda up from school on Monday and went to dinner. Tuesday, we all went to breakfast and then to watch Freda's swim lessons before they had to get back on the road and head south...miss you guys!

Freda and her buddy Ajax.

Ebb and Flow

For the last week or so it's been baby talk and attitude. Sticking her tongue out? What the...? She told me my plate of food was "yucky" at dinner, again. C'mon girl...

Watching her waffle between being a "big goil" and a baby is something else. Confusing, complicated and frustrating. Just seeing what she can get away with I'm sure.

Mental Video Camera

Yesterday I was working in the yard when the girls came home. Freda ran out to see me as Mandy took some things inside. The sun was shining in my eyes and I was ired from digging up and hauling big rocks for the last couple hours. She runs into my arms babbling about whatever they had been up too. I was not listening to her because I was so...there. I was just soaking up the moment.

I tell her I need help getting this wheelbarrow full of rocks across the yard. She was to scout ahead for anything in the way I might run into. Once there I dumped it much to her excitement and then she was off again. She takes off across the lawn towards the front where Mandy had disappeared into the house yelling "mommy mommy mommy...". I stood there and watched her run out of sight thinking how lucky I am. Woah My daughter just ran across the yard yelling for her mom. I had my own little family moment.

Gotta bookmark that page.

She Grows

These pj's have been missing for a month or so. Her toes were all
scrunched up in the feet when she put them on. She really wanted to
wear them and the rest fit fine. So I grabbed some scissors and as I
started to cut the feet off, she gave me that look. Her mouth turned
down and her eyes got big as she says "but..."

So I compromised and we cut the toes off. It all became really funny.

Oliver!

We spent the evening with Oliver, Terri and Joe, eating, drinking and laughing. They invited us over to share some incredibly delicious food. Spotted prawns, guac, salsa x3, cilantro, etc. Simple and delicious. Oliver and Freda made masa cakes. It was really cute. They worked together and pressed out a dozen+ little cakes. They had so much fun, not only at play but they so love being included at this age.

Flour from head to toe. Great attitude about the mess Terri...Very patient and loving parents for a very intelligent and energetic kid.

These two are hilarious together. They act like they have known each other for centuries. They were like little pinballs bouncing from room to room, from discovery to discovery. "YEAHHH ITS A BLOOD SQUIRTIN EYE LIZARDS!!!1!" and "LOOK!LOOK!LOOK!THE BLUE CRABS ARE SQAREIN' OFF!" The two them share an affinity for the nature shows. Oliver had this beautiful ballet of playing with freda, acting like a circus acrobat, discussing the merits of claws with me, and assuring his dad that he's not thirsty; while pausing and starting the movie in unison with this all, flawlessly. My favorite was when he disappeared, falling off the back of the couch onto the the hardwood floor. "Heh. That was painful" he says from behind there. Then bolts out and takes off running never missing a step giggling the whole way. Even ordinary everyday things were renewed and exciting, the mundane was brillinat.

Bonus points for all not being the only ones who sometimes stand and eat dinner. Thanks to the hosts for the evening, we really enjoyed ourselves. Looking forward to plans we made for future get-togethers. Beautiful kitchen!

lol @ foot thing/ear thing...