Two months in grown up years doesn’t mean much, but a lot can change for a kid in that short amount of time. Being back to our normal routine has been so much fun because he is seeing everything in a new light. He has always been happy about our adventures, but now Jude can really chat me up while we are out and about. It’s seriously awesome.
Taking the trolley is always a highlight, but it was like he won the toddler lotto when we walked on to the platform today. The joy that exuded from this kid was contagious. Everybody around was smiling at the boy with the *sea turtle flash card.
When we got off at our stop we hopped on the carousel. Now if you remember last time, it wasn’t really a hit. Not much has changed, except this time when he was holding on to me for dear life he was saying, “This is fun,” through clenched teeth, instead of just sitting there with a look of terror on his face.
After that he chased pigeons, climbed on benches and stared out at the water. The heart melting moment of the day was when he picked a flower and said, “Here Mama, I find dis fo you.” After that he said he wanted to give it to the pigeons and proceeded to throw it at a group of them, but I’m still considering this a parenting win. Boys.
*Don’t ask me why, but there always seems to be an “object of the day” that Jude will cling on to and carry everywhere. He’s actually napping with that card right now. The daily object is rarely the same thing and I really appreciate him keeping things interesting around here.
The Boy and the Apple
Jude and I went to our farmer’s market two Saturday’s ago. It was the first one we have been to in a couple of months, so he was pretty pumped to be around all the action. Right away he started talking about apples. Pretty soon it was a full blown obsession and I knew we couldn’t go any further until I let this kid pick out an apple. We found the booth and he grabbed the perfect one all for himself. As we were making our way back he kept wanting to eat it so I said, “Let’s go home and wash it first.” It had rained the night before so a few puddles were lingering around. He spotted one and said, “Oh, I wash it right there!” It was seriously adorable! I cracked up, then explained to him that dirty city puddles are no place to wash an apple. He started laughing and said, “That’s funny.” The rest of the way home he would point/run to random things (including an unsuspecting dog) and exclaim, “Oh, I wash it right there!”
Now we have a new tradition - every Saturday he gets to pick out his very own apple and we laugh about where he’s going to wash it.
Tried it Tuesday - Mason JarHerb Garden
I recently joined Pinterest and my eyes have been flooded with DIY goodness. Since Jude is sleeping again I have been itching to get crafty, you know, instead of doing productive things like cleaning and cooking. I saw this herb garden and had to try it for myself. My grandma gave me the reclaimed wood and wire. Other than that I had everything but the herbs laying around (we might have a mason jar obsession). Instead of grow the herbs myself, I picked up a few small pots from the Farmer’s Market. I am way too lazy impatient to wait for them to grow. I know I will need to transfer them soon, but for now it brings me joy to see my little herb garden sitting on our balcony. Fingers crossed my black thumb doesn’t get the better of these. :)
It’s a Beck kind of night. Sea Change is an amazing album and if you haven’t heard it you should give it a listen. Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend!
Happy Love Day friends (or as Jude says, “Happy Balentine’s Day!”)
Today has been a big day for my Valentine - he got a haircut, a sugary treat, and a new shirt. That’s my kind of fun! Also, his Nana is visiting. Her birthday was last week so we picked out a special cupcake just for her.
In related news, a cupcake shop opened up down the street while we were away. Uh oh.
Hope you are all having a fabulous day!!
Made it home safe and sound. We are unpacked and semi-organized, and I have to say there is nothing quite like being back in your own bed when you’ve been away for almost two months. So happy to be home, but I do feel a bit like a vampire in Jude’s native climate.
Speaking of Jude, he had a play date today and it was adorable to see him back with his buddies. He’s feeling pretty good about life right now.
He’s Holiday Inn’s #1 fan.
When we arrived he ran around saying, “this is nice” and then hopped up on the chair and said, “I love this chair”. You would have thought we brought him to Disneyland. Jude is the model road tripper. 8 hours to go…
One more for the road…not sure how seven weeks can go by so fast. It’s always a bummer to leave this beautiful place, but we are looking forward to being back home. Only 19 hours to go…#roadtrip
2. Snoring is a deal breaker. If I share a room with you and you snore, it’s very likely you will get something chucked at your face. When I was a camp counselor one of the girls I bunked with snored and I threw a pair of socks at her head. True story.
3. Grey is currently my favorite color. I swear I’m not depressed.
4. I can’t sleep if I know the sheets aren’t securely tucked in at the foot of the bed. Having a tall husband makes things complicated.
5. I could really go for a giant slice of chocolate cake right now.
When we are out here at the canal it is lazy city. Lounge wear is key, so when I started seeing clothing from this company I was on board right away. The leggings Jude are wearing feel crazy soft and have been perfect for running around as well as couch potato-ing.
Hello Apparel is co-owned by a husband and wife team out of Arizona and seems to be growing like mad. I can see why…eco-friendly, adorable screen prints, and super comfortable. I had to get in on the action too.
Tip: I have been able to see some of their great deals by following them on Instagram.
The other day I mentioned how much I needed to recharge my battery. Hanging back to observe my two boys and fiddling with our new camera is just what the doctor ordered.
The above pictures are from last week when I spent some quiet nature time with these guys at Twanoh State Park. I love it out here in the winter. I am generally a pretty social person, but for some reason when we are at the canal my inner recluse shows itself. Not sure what happens, but I’m so happy when there are no tourists or neighbors around to worry about.
General Update:
Jude has slept great two out of the last three nights. Still no naps but we are acclimating. It’s amazing what a decent night sleep does for me. That coupled with a date night to see Pinback in Seattle and my tumblr mama lunch date with Melissa, and I’m like a whole new woman.
“It’s perpetual motion with a generous layer of guilt and self-doubt spread on top…”
THIS. Every word of this article. I’m putting it on the fridge for whenever i need to reread it (which will be often)
Tumblr mama meet-up success!
Melissa from 5x6 and I have been trying to get together for a while now, and this weekend it finally happened. So happy I got to meet this lady in real life. We went to La Pichet for lunch and laughed over wine, bread, and plates of cheese and meat. She’s my kind of woman!
On her Instagram she said, “sometimes hanging out with a new friend is like hanging out with an old friend”. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
