It's Always Something

#1- Just when you think you've got it figured out, you don't. This summer, Brooklynn learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. As the weeks passed, we rode and rode to get her comfortable with controlling her speed, turning left and right, and abrupt stops. After a few months of consistent riding, we took our regular evening ride. Laughing as we rode, pushed ourselves up hills and took turns sharper and faster. And just like that, Brooklynn falls. The look on her face spoke a thousand words. Surprise. Confused. Embarrassed. She looked over to me for reassurance, which I gladly gave with a smile and nod, and she picked herself up, got back on, and peddled away. In that brief moment, I was reminded that no matter how much we think we're on autopilot and comfortable in life, there will be a corner we take too fast and we will fall. We will be shooken up, possibly embarrassed. We'll get up and keep going. Cautiously at first, then eventually catching our stride ...

As a parent, one of the things I have tried to show Brooklynn are the classics. My definition of the classics are things that existed in my generation that are about to be extinct. For example, I prefer that Brooklynn read newspapers over online. I still buy her books rather than get her an e-reader. I make her watch movies such as Annie, Clue, Gremlins, Ghostbusters, and Grease. Most recently, I have decided to start purchasing vinyl records again. Not only because a very close friend of ours is a DJ, but also because I think she is missing out on the full experience of buying vinyl. Now that everything is digital, purchasing music has become such an impersonal process for such a personal experience. Buying MP3s online removes the pride one gets from finding your next favorite album by sifting through records for hours, appreciating each album's artwork, and the satisfaction of holding this new music, this piece of art, in your hands. Visiting a record store in LA. Sifting ...

Today, Brooklynn insisted her Auntie Lea get out of the apartment and experience LA. Lea obliged and the 3 of us girls headed to Melrose for some shopping. Upon our arrival, Lea spots a tattoo shop and decides she wants a tattoo piece honoring her late mother who passed away recently (see June 10, 2009 post). I agree to take her. Should an 8-yr old be in a tattoo parlor? Most may think not. I decided it was more than OK for a few reasons: 1) I want to teach Brooklynn to appreciate all types of art and artists. In this case, tattoo artists. Here she can ask them questions and get their insight + stories first-hand. 2) People get tattoos for all sorts of reasons. I couldn't think of a better reason than honoring the sudden passing of one's mother. 3) Brooklynn's dad has 4 tattoos- an angry sunshine, a year of the tiger character, her brother's initials, and one in memory of his BFF who passed away in 1985. Perhaps this helps her understand her father a bit more. Learnin...

Halloween landed on a Friday this year. When I was a little kid, one of the best parts of Halloween was wearing your costume to school. Although, one of my most tormented memories in school happens to be from our Halloween costume parade. As my 3rd grade class took a spin around the playground in our costumes, I swear I could hear the older grades poking fun at my princess Leah costume with mask and all. That night, before the Halloween Festival at school, mom was kind enough to get me a new costume. I emerged that evening as another princess, but the kind in a fancy golden dress and no mask. Who knows if any kids were making fun at me or whether it was all in my head. All i know for sure, is that mom made it better. *smile* Bumble Boo! Pocahotness + The Good Witch On Halloween night, one of Brookie's classmate's father hosted a Halloween party at his house. We played games, had a costume contest, decorated pumpkins, and went trick or treating. Brooklynn has SO much fun...

A family pumpkin carving night has been a tradition ever since Brookynn's first Halloween. On this day, we spend hours and hours designing and carving our masterpieces. Stencils are not allowed. Everyone must carve their own pumpkin. No one is allowed to stop until the entire pumpkin is carved and lit. It's been a great way to spark creativity, enjoy eachother's company, and stay focused on a task until completion. Brookie's favorite part- pumpkin guts! I decided to make Pumpkin Jack from A Nightmare Before Christmas this year. Brooklynn created a pumpkin pirate. Pumpkin Jack O' Lantern Arrrrrr! A Pumpkin Pirate

Our tomato plant, named Sweety, gave us many tomatoes almost immediately. Brooklynn + I were so excited to make our first meal using vegetables from our balcony garden. We've waited almost a year for Oscar our Meyer Lemon tree to produce, but he's taking his time. Sweety is the first fruit of our work that we can enjoy. Although, we didn't have to work very hard on her. We chopped the tomatoes to make fresh pizza sauce using the basil from our herb garden. The rest of the tomatoes were used in a fresh gorgonzola salad with bacon + feta cheese. We were quite impressed with how both turned out. You can imagine the difference fresh ingredients make while cooking. We can't wait to expand our garden with aspirations of one day being able to live off the food we are able to grow. Not likely, but we've got to have dreams, right???

As you know, hiking is one of our favorite past times. Today, we invited our friends Shirley + Mila to join us. It was their first hike together, so we had intended on an easy hike; however Brooklynn accidentally chose the more challenging path. Whoops! Shirley + Mila were such troopers! After an hour hike uphill, we found a cluster of large boulders for our break. Here we enjoyed some snacks and the breathtaking view. The kiddos were pretty amazed to see how far we had hiked in just over an hour. They felt accomplished (and excited to go back down). While we all rested on the boulders, we found an abandoned metal box hidden in between the rocks. It had been covered up with brush. We contemplated whether we should investigate the contents of the box. Shirley preferred we leave it alone, but the girls insisted this was an adventure... After weighing the pros + cons of opening the box (pro = fun, con= boring) we removed the box from it's hiding spot and opened it up. I must...

Look alike much?

Today was the first storm of the season. High winds and pouring rain that didn't stop for hours. It was beautiful. The rain always has a tendency to come at the right time in my life. It comes when I am sad, in the midst of an argument, going through a change, and also when I need reminding to slow down. Today's storm encompassed all of the above, which to me, was the real reason it poured so much. *wink* Rain enables me to recall that I can't escape or ignore important matters. When I do, whatever needs to be addressed just accumulates over time, like a rain cloud, until it can no longer take the pressure. Everything gushes out to force me to pay attention and address matters NOW. Taking care of sensitive and important matters can be tough. Doing so causes stormy conflict with voices of thunder and words that can pierce like lightening, but after all is said and done, the storm eventually passes. Soon the clouds move away and a rainbow of hope appears. I'm le...

We had wanted to head to Muir Woods, but with the Bay Bridge closed for repairs, we decided to stay local. We attempted to find a place in the Los Altos Hills, but I got lost. So we decided to concur a trail in our backyard- Fremont. Hike: Mission Peak Regional Preserve Start time: 11:08 am Ready for our 2.5 hour hike uphill. Brooklynn relied on her her iTouch to keep her going. All smiles as we reached the halfway point where I had bribed Brooklynn with snacks and treats to keep going. LOL. There were to parachuters that hiked up the peak and glided down. So cool! View from (almost) the top. We did it! End time: 2:57 pm I was very proud of Brooklynn with this hike. Although threats and bribery kept her motivated to keep going accompanied with lots of complaints, she made it further than a lot of adults on this hike. It's always a secret enjoyment of mine to push Brooklynn as hard as I can and see her triumph. Now I know I can push her harder on the next hike. Hi5 to that!

To celebrate the end of summer, tonight's Friday Movie Night consisted of a little something extra special. Recently, Brooklynn has taken up guitar lessons. To help encourage her, I am taking lessons with her. Although the initial idea was to strike a musical spark in her, the lessons seem to have fueled a fire inside of me as well. I LOVE learning to play the guitar. It has quickly become a favorite past time along with painting, interior design, and coffee. I love using my hands to create things, and guitar seems to fall in line with this love. Tonight we saw an inspirational documentary called It Might Get Loud. Brooklynn paid attention to the entire film and had her own commentary throughout. It was a good film to see at the right time. I surprised Brooklynn with a sporadic visit to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk after the movie. Since summer was coming to an end, tonight was the last Band on the Beach. I thought it would be a great way to transition the new interests from...

Brooklynn starts 2nd grade this year. Classroom #25! Don't get me wrong, I love Brooklynn and spending time with her, but THANK GAWD school is back in session! Since I work from home, having Brooklynn home with me this summer has been TIME CONSUMING. Although I tried to enroll her in camp as often as I could, it just wasn't enough. There she always seemed to be... right there. Needing food. Needing help. Needing, needing, needing. So THIS summer for me wasn't spent working (I hope my company doesn't read this blog) it was busy keeping Brooklynn occupied. Here is a recap of our summer: - Oakland zoo - SF Giants games - Chess Camp - Theatre Camp - Swim Camp - Golf lessons - Birthday parties - Matt Nathanson concert - swimming, swimming, and more swimming - Death Cab for Cutie concert - No Doubt concert - Green Day concert - water slides - camping... 2x - hiking - and countless ice cream runs I plan on sleeping in the fall...

Sometimes I can be so spoiled. As part of my birthday celebration this year, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Green Day concert in Sacramento. Although the drive was longer than you would want to attend a concert, it was WORTH IT. Both Brooklynn and I had the time of our lives. I am also happy to say that this concert helped fuel the interest of guitar for Brooklynn. Green Day Brooke and those damn bunny ears! Franz Ferdinand opened for the Oakland band. Good idea to bring the binoculars! We had a sexy face contest: Ummmm, Mr. Greg's sexy-face is, errr... not sexy! Billy Joe solo. SUCH a good concert! Thank you, thank you, thank you!