happenstance

For two weeks Stella is off at Spanish day camp at her old preschool. It could not be better timing, as I have two weeks left to choreograph and finish some very intense costuming projects for my next performance with Bombshell Betty and her Burlesqueteers. I could not be more excited about it. It is flamenco based and I am getting to use that whole skill set I learned so many years ago. It is SO fun. 

What I don't enjoy about having something else pressing to do is the anxiety it creates. Making sure everyone is happy and taken care of and not feeling ignored while I do something I need or want to do. That is why I am thanking my lucky stars that Stella happened to be signed up for camp during this period of time. I should mention that in general I am always thanking my lucky stars.

Not that I didn't have to still take care of little Oliver! Sure I sewed and sewed and glue-gunned and sewed, and he played and played and whined-a-little and played, but we also got out with his little friend Hunter for a playdate and lunch on one very rainy day, and of course stopped into Stella's preschool when they returned from swim class each day. Oliver loves it there. It's a beautiful place. 

But mostly, I sewed! 

Oliver's base of operations this week.

Prancing around a cafe in the Richmond.

Three layers of ruffles, different lining on inside and out, pom pom fringe. And this is just the skirt. Stay tuned for more on costumes!

Yes, it was a little difficult to get him to leave after camp pick-up each day.

The "Marinaros" come back to their home base each afternoon to write in their journals about las adventuras del dia.

My little gal waiting for a train ride home.

06.26-30.11

into the woods

A one-night, fact-finding mission/camping trip in Butano State Park. We had walk-in campsite number 31. 

 Oliver packed in everything he needed:

David had us set up in short order, then we headed into Pescadero for groceries:

These old-timey spinning refrigerators with curved doors caught my eye:

The campground is unbelievably beautiful and pristine. Redwoods abound in the canyon and all around:

So do these giant slugs. Banana slugs to be more precise:

This is a classic Oliver move that fills my heart with pride, of all things. Lying down to take a look up, apropos of nothing:

These city kids kept busy with construction projects and nature gazing:

David kept the fire fueled and cooked a nice dinner over it:

We were all asleep by 9:00! Unfortunately David and I were up around 2:00 a.m. due to the VERY cold ground, and tossed and turned the rest of the night away. Upon arising, I was feeling especially "toe-up":

Even in the woods, this guy's gotta drip his own coffee in some fancy dripper:

Love him!

For breakfast, homemade muffins, toasted rolls with avocado smeared on them, fruit, and of course toasted marshmallows. Then we lazed the morning away. And tried to keep warm:

Again with the staring into space. Who can blame him with that incredible redwood canopy above:

We stayed warm enough until the fire died out:

One last romp in the tent:

This was the shortest camping trip we've ever taken, but also my favorite. I can't wait to return to this campground!

love muffins

For them:

A little song and dance, a little breakfast, some raisin bran muffins to take on our camping trip tomorrow.

Then for me: 


Four hours of nanny time, two hours at SF Dance Center working on some choreography and getting a good sweat going, a hot red polyester jumpsuit and a flower in my hair, and a night out at Haute House Burlesque with a gaggle of lady friends.


Yes!!!


06.23.11

and just like that

Predictably, summer up and vanished today. No sun, just massive banks of fog rolling over and through the Golden Gate Bridge. We were meeting friends at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, in Fort Baker along the shores of the bay in Sausalito, but it was slow going in the morning. There's a certain mood swing that can come with waking up to cold weather when you wanted hot.

We rallied. When we arrived, that fog was thick! Look at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can barely see it!

And looking to the west, more fog getting ready to crest the hill into Fort Baker.

We rushed inside to warm up and got started in the Curious George exhibit, which was rather zoo-ish with little ones.


After we warmed a little, we went outside to find our friends. Here's Oliver at one of the water play areas, with Stella and her pal Amelia in the distance panning and digging for hidden treasure in a broke-down pirate ship. 

Soon enough he found the trucks.

After hours and hours of outdoor play, which included all the kids sitting in a culvert pipe eating their lunch and me shivering in my boots, we headed inside for Oliver's meltdown. Can you tell he's playing and crying at the same time here?

Of course some nursing and a nap solved all that. Giddy as can be when we got home!

The photos here don't do justice at all to all the fun you can have at the Discovery Museum. If you need to have a good, long, uninterrupted chat with a grown up, just take the kids here. They keep so busy you can almost forget they exist, if just for a few hours.


06.22.11