Great TED Talk!

On how I love TED Talks! And this video features Jill Vialet, the Founder of Playworks which is the nonprofit where David works! She tells her story behind the inspiration for founding Playworks, and shares her vision about how we should redesign education in America to serve our greatest asset - our children.

We'll miss you Alan & Rosemarie!

Now that Zoey's in Preschool we definitely miss her previous daycare providers Alan & Rosemarie; however we're still close by and plan to visit, and they totally supported her transition to "big girl school". What a cute pic with their daughter Annemarie and Z's fellow daycare babies Violet and Fraya.

Memorial Stadium Reopens on the Cal Campus!

I'm not a big football fan, but I do love Cal! And the new stadium is so awesome - check out this video. I can't wait to attend a game this season. Go Bears!

Z starts preschool!!!

My baby is growing up so fast! Look at how excited and READY she was to start preschool on Monday morning - too cute! She is thriving there already and loves all the crafts and fun activities she gets to do with all her new friends and her teachers, Miss Lindsay and Miss Tiffany. Each day is a special activity - Monday is cooking class, Tuesday is dance class, Wednesday is Spanish class, Thursday is a field trip to the library for story time, and Friday is music class! While we will definitely miss Z's previous daycare providers, we are so happy with our decision to move her into preschool. What a big girl!

Remembering and Celebrating

Last weekend we headed up to the beautiful Sierra Nevadas off HWY 88 to celebrate and remember three of our lost loved ones - my grandmother Ruth, my uncle Ken, and my cousin Kenny. Of course tears were shed and hearts ached, but love and memories flowed all around us and we all felt connected, unified around their beautiful tree. And then we all got to camp and enjoy some quality time playing in the outdoors! I love my family - we are all so blessed to have each other by our sides through this journey of life. :)

Park day with Mommy

As Zoey says, "A warm summer day mommy?" "Yes sweet pea", I say in response with a proud smile, "a warm summer day it is!" So off to the park we head, mother and daughter together on a special outing, on a rare weekday home together. :)

Tough life little one! :)

Watching Disney movies with her feet propped up and a warm kid-friendly microwaved dinner served (her choice!) with a bib around her neck. Can I massage your feet and feed you grapes while I'm at it kid?! :)

Fun weekend Part 2: Crazy times with our BFF's!

Andrea and Marianna came to visit yesterday....we played at the beach, sand somehow got everywhere! (which required the girls to take a bubble bath), and we laughed so much! We love our girls! :)

Family Fun Weekend: Part 1

Friday night involved a picnic dinner, lots of sunshine by the water, live music in the form of Alameda Battle of the Bands, animal balloons made by a silly clown, fields of flowers, and endless laughter with my daughter and husband. Life is good. :)

Poor Tired Doggy!

My co-worker forwarded this to me today - what a great story! :)

Date Night = Bowling!

It had been YEARS since we've been bowling - oh what active fun! I think we'll have to go more often! And our local AMF bowling alley here in Alameda has an awesome digital jukebox and cosmic black light bowling after 8pm!

Bubble Bath Beauty

With the exception of a short 3 month span last year, Zoey has pretty much always loved taking a bath. I think it helps that she has a plethora of fun bath toy options, including a musical octopus that blows bubbles, and lately she's been asking to take her swim ring into the bath too - haha! Love my little bubble girl. :)