Picture wall

Here's your chance to vote! I want to use some of my many unused frames to create a picture wall in the dining area. It is harder than it seems... I've got two options so far. Am I on the right track? Which one would look better? Any suggestions?

Option A: Symetrical



Option B: Looser


Note: the long rectangular shapes (one in option A, two in option B) are 3-opening frames. The rest are all single opening frames (one large one, and the rest 5x7.)

Through the eyes of a 19 month old

I just love this picture of Andrew reacting to the array of gifts at Benne and Grandpa's house, where we went on Christmas day. And in the background, you can see Julia wearing her new red dress.

A red dress with nothing on it

All month Julia has been saying, and asking Santa for, a "red dress with nothing on it." Lo and behold, Santa brought one! Here she is discovering it on Christmas morning. She has been wearing it pretty much ever since. Good job Santa!

The difference between Jeff's photos and mine

Exhibit #1: Coffee cake

My photo:


Jeff's photo:




Exhibit #2: Reindeer cookies

My photo:


Jeff's photo:

A new cookie to surpass my best in show cookie

Well, I have to say it, it's true. My mother in law managed to outdo me in the Christmas cookie department. As you may recall from my previous blog entry, I won Best-in-show at the annual book club Christmas party for my white chocolate drizzled chocolate chip cookie last week. So saying she's outdone me is saying a lot. Take a look at these rudolph cookies.

I have to believe they would have beat mine if they had been in the competition. At least a win for best looking, if not for best in show. Can't beat these for holiday spirit!

They were easy to make, up until the last two frantic minutes after they come out of the oven and while we tried to get the eyes, nose and antlers in before the cookies cool off and harden up. Quite a challenge! But well worth the effort.

Merry Christmas!

Preschool christmas performance (Video)

Watch the kids wish everybody a merry christmas! Julia is right in front in a striped dress.

Successful completion of Week 3: Couch to 5k

This morning (at a dark and chilly 6:15am) I completed my last run of Week 3. (I'm doing the 9 week Couch to 5k program, described previously here.) Only one day behind schedule. Not bad, considering. If I do my 3 runs of Week 4 by Sunday, I will be back on track. So far I've really been enjoying the runs, which have been pretty easy. I feel tempted to push it more than the program calls for, but have been resisting the urge. I'm trying to focus on building the habit of running 3 mornings a week, and trusting the program to train me to run slowly and gradually. So far so good.

Best in show cookie!

My cookies won BEST IN SHOW at the book club holiday party cookie exchange and contest! Couldn't believe it!!!!

The contest featured three highly competitive categories: best tasting, best looking, and best in show. I submitted a white chocolate drizzled chocolate chip cookie, shown here, and I WON! I didn't think I'd get a single vote, so it was quite a surprise. Perhaps they were impressed by my drizzle technique, or perhaps it is the pure fact that nothing beats a good chocolate chip cookie. And a little white chocolate drizzled on top sure can't hurt!

And the best part, other than our prize of two eco friendly re-usable shopping bags, is that I came home with a huge tin of assorted holiday cookies! The only thing is... who is going to help me eat them? Come on by if you're hungry!

Christmas Decorating

The purchase of a new decoration for Christmas, the white snowman toward the right of this picture (see detail below), inspired me to decorate the mantle of our family room. I collected my white candles, and my one primarily-white Santa figurine, and added a fresh garland and some pinecones (from Big Bear). Here is the result. I like the way it turned out! It looks especially appealing at night when the candles and fireplace are going.
Here's the snowman up close. We got him at Ah Sam's, where we went with my Mom and Dad last weekend to show the kids the holiday decorations. He is holding a sign that says "Peace."

And this Santa figurine (a gift from Susan) fits in perfectly.

Andrew says: Camera!

Click the arrow to play this 5 second video.

Christmas tree shopping

We went Christmas tree shopping this morning. Aren't we cheerful in our holiday red? This afternoon we're doing an impromptu holiday lights party with the neighbors. We'll all be out there decking out our houses and trees, and then retire to Amy & Dave's for pizza. I'll post the results tomorrow!

Running!

Couch potato. That's what I've been lately. I truly think I've been more sedentary the past few months than any other time in my life. Perhaps not surprisingly, my weight is at a lifetime high (except while pregnant, obviously.) So, as the holidays approach and temptation abounds, I'm going to get out there and start running.

To keep me motivated, I've got quite a plan. First, I am following the Couch to 5k program as described on coolrunning.com.

Second, I am downloading the companion podcasts on iTunes (Called Podcasts for Running by Robert Ullrey.) This Robert fellow devised a podcast for each week of the program whereby you listen on your iPod while he "walks" you through the whole program so that you don't have to keep track of anything. (Ex: With running music in the background, he'll pipe in and say things like "okay, now it's time to pick up your speed for the next running segment, which will last 60 seconds. Go!")

Third, I've purchased the Nike+ system, which involves a little do dad in your shoe that talks to your iPod, which records all of your run data (time, speed, distance) and automatically uploads it to the Nike+ website when you synch your ipod. The website charts your runs so you can see your progress.

At the end of the day it still comes down to my motivation, but at least I'm arming myself with all of the new technology, tips and tricks they have to keep at it. Today I completed my 3rd run and week one of the program. Wish me luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been away from blogging for a bit, so no doubt I've lost my audience, but in case there are any of you out there still checking, here's a belated Happy Thanksgiving picture. We went to Big Bear this year and here are all the folks who joined us! Thanks to Susan and Paul for hosting a lovely gathering.

Julia's Preschool Halloween Party

Julia's Imagination Koan

Guest post from Jeff...

Last night I read "Froggy's Halloween" to Julia while putting her to bed. One page showed Froggy lying in bed surrounded by goblins and witches and monsters. The story described how Froggy imagined he was surrounded by these spooky creatures.

Julia expressed concern for Froggy, and I told her not to worry: that the monsters were only in Froggy's imagination. Julia pondered this for a moment and then challenged: "If they're only in his imagination, how come we can see them in the picture?"

Dove Onslaught

This video is a must-see for mothers of young daughters. Its part of a very cool campaign from Dove. There are several other related videos which you will find if you click on the You Tube logo in the lower right, and look at the list of related videos on that page.

I hope I can keep Julia protected somehow from all of this. Seems like a huge challenge.

Our remodel project begins!

I alternate between excitement and terror, but one way or the other, our remodel has begun. We hired the architect firm Zak Johnson Architects. Kelly will be our main architect, and we really hit it off with her in the interview. She is a mom with young kids, so she really understands how a busy kid-friendly house needs to work.

The first step was a detailed measuring of our house, inside and out, down to the last closet. She'll turn that into a computerized drawing. Next she'll head to the city to investigate any zoning and lot restrictions. She'll bring the drawing and information to our big meeting November 2nd where we'll go over our long wish list, room by room. From there she'll work on several alternate layouts. Once we pick a general direction we move into refinement and detailed construction-ready docs. Then comes the part where we open up the piggy bank, hold it upside down and shake it, and shake it, and shake it.......

In preparation for our big meeting on November 2nd she asked us to put together a scrapbook of pictures from magazines of homes and rooms we like. I've got a big binder filled with pictures but mostly of interiors. I want to have pictures of exteriors of homes too, so that she gets a sense for the style we like. So my Mom gave me a tour of her neighborhood yesterday (after our cooking class) and I took some pictures of some of the houses that most appealed to me. She took me to two in particular that I just loved. They look like little jewels. Here is the first:


Unfortunately it turns out Jeff isn't a fan, so our house probably won't turn out like this. But even if we end up opting for a completely different style, I think the following characteristics are universal and can apply to our house too: attention to detail, a mix of materials, a certain neatness, and a gorgeous front door.

And here is the second, which I suspect is attractive largely because of the landscaping which is georgous (the owner is a landscape architect.) I'll post more pictures of the yard in a future post.


Again, Jeff wasn't a fan of the half-timbered look, nor the storm shutters (which I loved, darn it). But he did like the front door. And you can't really see it here, but on the left those windows are actually a pair of French doors which open to a tiny patio with room for a table and chairs. It is hard to see it unless you're really looking, because of the well planned landscaping which screens it nicely. That idea may be applicable to our house, again regardless of the style we end up choosing.

A cullinary birthday celebration

No, not my, birthday. My Mom's birthday, which was back in July. I gave her a cooking class, but it took us this long to schedule it. We went yesterday, to the Draeger's Cooking School, and had a wonderful time at the Margarita Madness Enchilada Party class. Delicious recipes that seem much less intimidating now that we've taken part under the supervision of experts. I think a margarita enchilada party is in my future! Thanks, Mom, for sharing such a nice afternoon together!

Julia swims!

Click on the play button to see a very brief movie of Julia swimming.

My Mom

This picture of me and my Mom was taken last weekend when we were visiting Pastorino's Farm. Isn't my Mom darling? Such a cute picture of her with that happy smile. I love you Mom! : )

Benne's visit

Benne came by for her weekly visit this morning. I made the mistake of taking the crew to the grocery store, instead of my usual online grocery order. Even with Benne's very capable extra pair of hands, it was a challenge. Julia was in rare form today, being quite difficult so I can't say anybody had a ton of fun except for Andrew of course. But it felt great to get all the groceries done, with even a meal plan for the week, so I'm confident we can live without another shopping outing for at least a week and a half. Many thanks to Benne for her infinite patience and assistance! Things improved once we got home, where we had a very nice lunch and then Benne read some stories before naptime.

Tonight, in recognition of Dad's birthday, we are having a very special treat. Jeff and I and Andrea and Craig have arranged for babysitters so that we can meet up with Mom and Dad for a special adults-only dinner at a nice restaurant in Woodside, the Village Pub. We are really looking forward to having some grown-up conversation with a quiet and peaceful backdrop, something we don't get to enjoy much these days. It should be a nice treat for everyone.

Fall's really here... Pumpkin patch outing

I've been holding onto summer with all my might, but today I had to admit Fall has arrived. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, warm-yet-crisp, so we headed to the pumpkin patch at Pastorino's Farm in Half Moon Bay. We took advantage of the occasion to catch some family pictures.

The Sullivan/Holman/McCormick Clan


The McCormick Clan

The Holman Clan

The kids had a ball in the jump house, on the slide, and in and the petting zoo:

While that was fun, I think my favorite part of the day was watching Andrew joyfully pick out one after the other little pumpkin and move them from the patch to the wagon. That wagon was overflowing full by the time he was done. The fancy trappings of Pastorinos are lots of fun to be sure, but there is something to be said for keeping it simple and enjoying the pure pleasure of the pumpkins alone. Andrew reminded us of that today.

Andrew at gym class

After a year of sitting on the sidelines watching big sister Julia at gymnastics, Andrew finally gets to go in his own right! Wendy takes him on Tuesday mornings at 10am while Julia is in preschool. Today she brought her camera. Here's the big boy!

Pajara Dunes Weekend

We spent the weekend at a big house on the beach with two other families. They are friends from my mother's group, so their kids are Julia's age and we had so much fun. Pajara Dunes is a great place and I'm sure we will be back. I posted more pictures here if you want to see more.

A Day at the Zoo

The kids and a few of the animals we visited...