Thinking about:

Last week I got totally emotional and had a crazy-mom moment... I'm talking tears folks. School is coming. 

Here's the most embarrassing thing to admit: I got teary thinking of Sophie going to school next fall. No, not this fall. Next. I never have thought myself to be a teary type, but hey, things change. Kids change things. Kids growing up too fast change things. Ahhh. 

I think the realization is just that once they go to school, they're literally gone five mornings a week. I won't be able to go in reverse and say "oh, let's do that time again!" Mornings are the best time for little dates at coffee shops, for walks and bus rides to parks and grocery stores, for staying in pj's until noon on Mondays... we're living the good life here.

I'm going to go ahead and appreciate the fact that getting into pre-school in San Francisco takes so much work and $$$ and about two years of advance application, so I didn't get my act together... and I'm going to soak in every moment of mornings together. 

All sentiment aside: I LOVE the back-to-school vibe... all the school supplies really are serious fun, and they've only gotten better since I was in kindergarten, obviously.  

Here's where you get the cute things above:

supply: notebook || colored pencils || desktop accessories

wear: sweater || oxfords || skirt

carry: backpack || water bottle || lunch box

That Was Fun: Lake Tahoe

It's a bit hard to truly describe the time we had in Tahoe. It was different from any trip we've ever taken because (most of) my extended family all stayed in one big house together. We went on VRBO and found a spot that had bedrooms, bathrooms, a pool table, a movie theater, pingpong, foosball, a hot tub, a little play structure... everything we could possibly need. A couple people were in charge of each meal to spread the work evenly. We had a 3-week baby and my grandparents- all the generations in one beautiful home. 

I think that while we were there, we were all overwhelmed by how totally blessed we are. It can be an easy thing to forget when we're all in our separate places, spread apart, and doing our own things with our own ups and downs... but when all is said and done: we're there for one another through it. I think families who go through tough times can feel closer later, and it seems to be the case with this family. When my brother went through his battle with cancer, almost all my memories have a bit of extended family in the mix- from both sides, being there to console, to do overnighters, to bring gifts and food. I think that stuff sticks, and makes family closer than ever for the long haul. I'm hoping/praying it carries through the next generations because family is seriously such a gift. 

I'm also glad I have a blog going to document stuff like this so I can't forget the best times. :) 

Ps. How fabulous is it that Sophie & her cousin Em both hit up the gap 40% off sale and got the same swimsuit? They couldn't get over the excitement. 

Hello Reality!

Last night I went to bed at 12:30am. Really? Yes. I was strangely wide awake, and setting myself up for a solid, drowsy morning of entertaining children. I was so sleepy this morning that I left the house for a little trip to the library without drinking my coffee. Whaaat? It's okay. I treated myself to a cup because I made it through the first day back from vacation. Wait, so you mean I have to make breakfast, lunch, AND dinner?

The day after vacation is always SUCH a doozy. I mean, reality is great and all, but vacation-- ahhh vacation. The total dismissal of all things responsible is entirely too ideal... I shouldn't say all things responsible. Obviously I had to make sure my children didn't hurt themselves or get lost on our trip, but I had my partner in crime by my side to tag-team the whole thing.  

We went to Tahoe. Tahoe is insanely gorgeous and I tried so hard to get a picture of the vast, mountainous beauty as we drove down toward the water, but all I got were 15 blurred photos that needed to be deleted. There's no photo that will quite capture the blueness against the sharp green inclines with gorgeously textured grey rocks... you'll just have to go there yourself one of these summers. I did, however, manage to take 500 photos of other things in four days, and I'll go through and share like any good blogger should, but not today. Today I will ramble and then I will nap. Two of my favorite pastimes. ;)

I'm curious if it's a pretty normal thing for people to hear "wow, you have your hands full," and "are they your kids or are you the babysitter/nanny?" or if it's just me. I think almost every time I go out, I hear one or the other sentence. I never know if I should be flattered that the big world thinks I am a nanny with my hands full and think it means "wow, she's handling things well," or (more likely) if it simply means I am making the management & mothering of my two children look far more difficult than it should. If it's the latter, I'm going to go ahead and blame the bulky wagon we take everywhere, and its terrible turning radius. It's incredibly photogenic and totally essential, but those wheels and weight are not made for the hills of this city.  

Today when we went out, Sophie decided to touch a plant that made her hands sting and she walked all the way home with her hands clapped together, moaning that her hands were so pokey! Why would someone plant a crazy poison plant like that is beyond me, especially because it wasn't particularly pretty, but the guy who handed my coffee over was totally right with the whole "hands full" line he gave me. We got home and I sat in a chair on top of Maggie's toes, and then went to put a toy away and rammed my shoulder into a shelf, so we're quite the scene today.

I'm feeling all of this means that we have come home from vacation a week too early. Tahhooooeeee, we miss youuuu!

Where's the cookie butter when you really need it?  Therapy in a jar, that's what I call it. 

Make it: Tortilla Soup

Because it's been chilly here lately, I made some soup today. It felt right. Hoping that good ol' sunshine returns soon to SF, but until it does... here's a go-to recipe. I give credit to my aunt, who gave the recipe to my mom, who gave it to me. It's simple and gooood. Ours is allllll gone, and I'm sure any parent understands: that that's a big deal.  

Tortilla Soup: 

 (Fill one pot with everything... keep the other dishes clean. ;)

• 1 lb. Chicken, cooked & shredded
• Chicken Broth
• 1/2 Onion, diced
• 2 Cans Tomatoes
• 1 Sm. Can Chili Peppers (NOT jalapenos)
• 1/2 Bunch Cilantro
• 2T lime juice
• 1/2 t Cumin
• Pepper
• Frozen Corn

Serve with chips, cheese, and avocado!  

It is SO simple. We're big fans because it's hearty, but it's broth, so it's not too heavy. Just right! If you're missing an ingredient, it's still great, so enjoy! 

xxoo.

Weekend Escape

Much-needed weekend escape! Back Monday!  

In Pictures: July

Ahhh, summer in San Francisco. It has been an absolutely gorgeous year overall, but a lot of July has been covered in fluffy, white clouds. Good thing fog is gorgeous, because it's chilly. 

America's Cup has been a huge highlight to the month. We're becoming fanatical about getting to the water to watch sailing regularly, and we got to experience an amazing race with my sailor grandpa, who explained the ins and outs of racing, over burgers sans kids. Major highlight of July.  

I laughed a LOT, ate more cupcakes than I should, took far more pictures of my children than any normal person, and did more exercise than I have in probably ten years. So all in all, yes: July was a very good month and I cannot believe tomorrow will be August already.  

 "The days are long but the years are short..."

true that. 

xo.