Woohoo Weekend

A quick trip to this month's Alameda was blessed by the thrifting gods in spite of the heat, which Mandarin miraculously slept through for the most part.  The wind's reprieve was fleeting, the sun searing my forehead, cheeks and arms that left me with a very bad and uneven burn right between my watch and rolled up sleeve. I made it 3/4 of the way ( and there are possibly more than 800 vendors that we're talking about here) before I finally turned around and decided to head back to the vendor that was selling a ring I couldn't stop thinking about.

Indeed.

I'm fairly particular about my rings. In the course of nearly twenty years, the rings I've worn on my fingers have evolved from modest and simple to large and bold statements. And anyone who knows me knows I wear them five or six at a time.

A few days ago, the quarter sized mother-of-pearl shell fell off my ring and into the depths of the kitchen grinder, which of course I was completely oblivious to until I switched it on and the horrendous crunch - in what I can only describe as something I may have imagined hearing from Stephen Kings's The Langoliers, rose from below. To think it survived being run over by a vehicle on the street, the first time it fell off. Lesson learned: don't buy poor quality.

So a ring to replace my bare (right) ring finger was at the top of my list. But then I couldn't resist this bargain of a vintage necklace to wear for Mother's Day and lovely bowl which I found while in search for a floral serving platter.

This antiques fair boast of amazing finds like this gorgeous Underwood typewriter - which I didn't buy by the way, but oh If I had a desk to place this lovely machine on. 

Also on the list, a set of whisky glasses, a few Butterprint vintage pyrex bowls to complete the set of the one bowl I currently have.

There, Mama! More jewelry over there! 

We were starving by 3:30 p.m. as we drove through the Bay Bridge and back into the city. It was a gorgeous day and it seemed that everyone who had the luxury of sailboats was out that afternoon, their crisp white sails taking wind, a stark contrast to the blue of sky above.

We ate a very late lunch and took our time spending the afternoon in the outdoor patio of Savor on 24th street. The portions were huge and filling - we took it all in without hesitation or guilt from carbs, fried, fries, meat, bacon. We were there. We were hungry. We were happy.

Back home while getting ready for bed after some downtime in the living room couch we take in the breath of the day, grateful as always. 

Slipping in his pajamas my hubby says "We had a good Sunday, didn't we?"

"We had a great weekend!" I say, all smiles.

Mandarin was already asleep beside me, hugging her one armed bunny. We both huddled near her warm little body, kissed, chuckled about something and said our goodnights.

I kissed Mandarin's forehead and nuzzled into her neck, and finally figured out that the unnamed essence she always had (that I couldn't quite put my finger on) was the sweet and fruity rainbow scent of a new bag of skittles.

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Weekend Wonders

I just crawled out of the laundry basket I lived in for the past few days. Sorting, washing, drying, folding and putting clothes back in their respective places. Our old washing machine finally sputtered into the great beyond and left us with another unexpected, albeit very necessary purchase. Yay for being an adult! 

We had guests staying with us last week and it was admittedly a mad scramble to conceal the pile of clothes that had built up, the kitchen that wasn't as squeaky clean as I had hoped, and the fridge had  its bottom crisper turn into a zucchini grave of sorts. 

Today I am scrambling to find the words for an end of the week post about the fun and memory markers that transpired over the LAST weekend. I am way behind in posting, it's Friday and tomorrow, another weekend cycle begins again.  

When did days start moving so fast?

It doesn't help that navigating with Blogger's recent face lift caught me off guard and this new terrain is making it difficult to fit work projects, home duties, blogging, and thinking all in one breath. It'll take a while before this yields to second nature stature, because certain buttons that used to be here, are no longer there. This and that.

Nonetheless in spite this and last week's adult life obstacles the past week was teeming with firsts for Mandarin.

Her first carousel ride! She seemed tentative at first, not knowing what to expect while I strapped her securely onto the big-eared bunny she chose. "Part of your World" from The Litte Mermaid started playing and the carousel came to life and steadily spun around. The wind caught her hair as she moved up and down as a wordless wow escaped her lips, such a pure moment of wonder that is now forever imprinted in my mommy bank of memories. I was of course mindlessly singing the Disney song oblivious to other parents nearby, a foreshadowing of how I may possibly embarrass my family when I revert back to an eight year old when we go to Disneyland sometime in the near future.

By the time we took our guests to Ghiradelli square, Mandarin was knocked out. Not even the lure of ice cream in Ghiradelli chocolate dipped waffle cones could rouse her. I'd wake up for chocolate on any time of day! 

Saturday cranked up the heat for a birthday party complete with a Hello Kitty bouncy castle, a cotton candy machine, and an ice machine for watermelon slushies. Mandarin bounced, ran, laughed, and took food from the buffet table on her tippie toes for seven straight hours, without a nap.

I had to climb inside the bouncy castle because Mandarin refused to enter it without me - and let me tell you, I haven't been inside one of those in decades but the heat coupled with extreme bouncing (from the other kids) was not only exhausting, but nauseating and dehydrating. So within a few minutes of leaving Mandarin bouncing about, barely moving from the spot I left her, I heeded the call of instinct and took her out to play elsewhere. My brave little girl, once adjusted to a new environment can stay there for as long as time permits. 

We woke up Sunday morning thinking of the slow and steady start we'd have for the day when the world beach surfaced and in an hour an a half we were up and ready to hit the sand and surf. We had to intended to meet up with friends at Half Moon Bay, relishing in the brightness of the day as we drove past the coastline of the Pacific.

Half Moon Bay, oddly enough was so foggy and sun deprived, we turned back and drove back into the warmth of the sunny side of Pacifica. Rockaway Beach, not exactly the best of beaches but the perfect place to drive to for some immediate need of some Vitamin D.

Watching waves

They'll be great friends.

We'd love to live by the Beach. 

Mandarin's first encounter with sand was as expected. She was scared out of her wits and clung on to me; toes, legs, arms, and fingers - until she felt the water. As if something had turned in her mind, something familiar that she was always comfortable with. Before the receding tides pulled away for a second time, Mandarin was on her feet. Grounded into the shore, strong, unafraid of the vast expanse before her and the grainy composition of sand. The freezing water shocked me electric. It didn't seem to bother her at all because she went from being clingy to chasing tides.  Soon enough, what had shortly scared her had flipped and became an opportunity for curious playing.

She called upon the waves with glee, and while many - even adults would be afraid of waves coming at them, Mandarin eagerly awaited them, and greeted the water with much bravura often times mesmerized by how her toes would be slightly buried as the tides pulled away from her feet.  

This memory alone could last me a lifetime of bliss. We were so happy to watch her experience the ocean; something that will always stand before her as the boundless expanse of her being, wide and deep with all great possibilities that the world has to offer. And like the coming waves I take cue from my brave little girl and stand vigilant on shore waiting for all the wonderful adventures that will surely come and solidify as memories; sand between my toes, the cold water a constant reminder of what it means to be present. 

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Feeling Good, February.

This weekend gave us a double take with 65 degree weather, full on sunshine, blue skies and all the shades of summer - except that it's not. It doesn't feel like winter 'round here and we're not complaining.  So the family and I packed up what little gear we had, took our bikes and the baby trailer on the road to have our day in the sun with some much needed heliotherapy. I say this, sounding like the ultimate bike enthusiast, but truthfully up until Saturday I have NOT ridden a bike on a paved road for at least ten years. Let’s just say, it’s a good thing that one doesn’t forget how to ride a bike and found my stride within a few minutes and partially went numb (legs) within the first mile or so. So out of shape. The water and the day’s clarity and warmth, the smell of salt in the air was a nostalgic invitation into beaches I have not driven my toes into for years.  Either way, it was a good day to be out - even if I was on wheels. 

The week also delivered lovely surprises. Mandarin learned to say the shortest word she’ll ever come to know. NO. Just when I thought she finally understood what I meant by saying it every time she toggled with the knobs of the stove, in spite of the fact that it already is baby proofed. I’m surprised she didn’t learn it earlier, opting to say more syllable friendly words like apple, purple, ball and a good number of animal sounds from Old Macdonald’s farm. I’m pretty sure the word stop is also in the forecast of her ever expanding vocabulary. While I am amazed at her development I am even more pleased that she has awakened into the value of choices. The fact that she has an opinion about the daily options of her precious little life reminds me of the miracle of every child’s prodigious growth and development. While she may have mindless moments of saying no to every single thing now as a toddler, the weight of this word carries the full embodiment and integrity of choice. As an independent individual, this will prove useful in her teen years when peer pressure comes into play. 

What can I say…the girl knows what she wants as early as now. And I’m fairly certain that when it comes to the Nth serving of cheerios though, it’ll always be a yes. 

In true mommy and me style, I also learned to say NO on a few things around the house this week. Old school kitchen tiles which I can’t really do much about, twenty year old wallpaper and our couch’s outdated blue fabric. On a whim I googled what-to-do-with-ugly-sofa and was entertained to find that there is in fact a contest on The World's Ugliest Couch, which admittedly made ours look more like Pottery Barn’s finest, as opposed to some of the Cosby sweater couches on there.  Some couches were so incredibly bad that if you threw it,  the dumpster would spit it back out. Incidentally my search also led me to Ugly Sofa a company that sells Brand X slipcovers for much much much less. I always knew I would never spend a ridiculous amount of money for what is essentially a sheet over your couch, I would gladly do it for a fraction of the cost.  

I was ecstatic. Over the moon. I gleefully made my way to the living room stood right in front of both couches and barked “NO” wagging my finger as if it offended me. No! No more. There is hope and salvation from the chokehold of eighties furniture after all. Just a few more weeks until the living room can actually have a fresh makeover into the current century. So I turned up some Led Zeppelin and danced like a madwoman.  All while saying, Yes. Yes. YES!

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Weekend Roundup

This weekend was gratuitously graced with light and warmth - and we love it when a plan comes together! There's always something to do with the kiddies when aboard your Red Tricycle! 

Besides, I've been wanting to go back to the zoo ever since our first trip because Mandarin and the girls were far too young ( translation: they could care less about the animals and mommies just wanted a day out! ) and lately, I've noticed that Mandarin has shown much interest in animals.   

So, Off the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo it was.  We could have gone BIG, SF Zoo big, but decided to keep it manageable and non-committal.  

There was a good lot of creatures and critters there. Not your average petting zoo; with bobcats,  raccoons, ferrets, a beautiful peacock and other colorful birds, and a simulated African cave with clusters of bats. Let's not forget the affable host of this joint - this fellow right here and his entourage of ducks too. 

I want a golden egg for easter!

Mandarin on Bunny Watch. 

Leaf prints all around. You don't notice it at first, due to its subtle print. 

"Quack, Quack" says the duck

Carefully scheming for a Bunny Bust!

Mandarin encounters her first bridge.
Hesitant, alone. Brave and assured while Daddy holds her hands across the bridge.

She kept going back to the bridge, determined to conquer it herself. Even on all fours.

We do not like large ceramic toads. 

Nonetheless, full recovery by the pond. 

What would I do with a golden egg.
Stick my tongue out and lick it, for sure. 

I find it heartwarming and amazing that such a place exists solely on the love a community has for children and the donations of visitors. The Junior museum and zoo is well kept, free, and best of all, clean.  It's a great place to educate young curious critters without having to deal with a large crowd.  

Taking trips to sweet little spots like these on a weekend opens up more opportunities to do other things after. Off to a cafe or a thrift store - maybe both?   

Yeah, why not. There's time. ♥

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