elizabeth & helen & john

OMoC

2012-02-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

I know Rudy shared this photo via Twitter, but I had to keep it on the blog, too.

Helen & Fred

2012-01-27T06:55:00.000-08:00

This picture is super blurry, but there she is -- Helen is riding independently on "Fred." Pretty impressive for a five-year-old, I think.

Ornery John

2012-01-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

John is a great little boy... unless he doesn't get a nap. The, he makes up for his 90% of goodness with 110% loudness.

Bike Riding at Crab Cove in Alameda

2012-01-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

The girls both enjoyed riding their bicycles along the shoreline at Alameda's Crown Beach and stopping to explore the tide pools, rocks, and beaches.

October Fun

2011-11-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Playing, building,

more playing,

carving pumpkins,

and watching football.

Dinosaurs!

2011-09-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

We visited the Lawrence Hall of Science this weekend, mostly because they have a special automated dinosaur exhibit. Everyone had a good time, both with the dino exhibit, and with all the other wonderful hands-on projects.

The girls are actually old enough to appreciate making their own creations, experimenting, and watching parents try the experiments as well. Rudy and one of Elizabeth's friend's father spent quite a bit of time making floating objects for the wind tunnel.

John is a very mobile boy. He kept walking over to the fountain in the entry courtyard. I nearly lost him a couple times, as he moves so quickly. I really have to keep an eye on that boy... ALL THE TIME.

The girls are ready to go. They got themselves into the car (we are not at the LHS), and promptly belted themselves in. Interesting that Helen took the wheel!

An Interesting Study in Color

2011-08-14T21:24:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Helen feed pieces of their string cheese to brother John, who begs for food. It's a favorite game of theirs.

Today was Helen's 5th birthday. She enjoyed a day full of fresh oysters at the Farmers Market, pancake breakfast at the golf course, great presents (Polly Pocket, American Girl, and a bicycle), and a small gathering with friends and cupcakes at Tilden Park's Little Farm.

First Train RIde

2011-07-03T18:43:00.000-07:00

He's mesmerized! And having a great time, riding the train with his sisters in Tilden.

Yum! (And Happy Birthday)

2011-06-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

John was a little apprehensive of the birthday festivities, at first. I'm not sure he had seen a lit candle before, and he certainly had never seen one on top of a little cake, with people singing all around him. His sisters helped him blow out the candle.

After the initial shock wore off, he decided to eat his two-bite cupcake in one go. Nice one, John.

Car Trip

2011-05-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

It must have been a good trip, because all three kids were sacked on the ride home! Elizabeth insists that she wasn't asleep, but there's just no way she's doing anything but sleeping.

Hiking and Cherry Blossom Festival

2011-04-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

After the series of large rainstorms here, we all went hiking, looking for waterfalls. These pictures are from Briones Regional Park in Orinda. We located only a few small streams; no large waterfalls. It was a nice, warm day, anyhow and the girls were rewarded for their hiking efforts with frozen yogurt afterward.

We also spent an afternoon at the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco's Japan Town. It was pretty busy, but the girls were able to eat some treats and visit a huge Hello Kitty activity area. We returned home with fresh fish, carp flags, and rice ball molds. Woo hoo!

Standing

2011-04-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, he's not standing on his own, but he looks pretty pleased with himself. He wants to be where ever his sisters are, especially if there's a book involved (Elizabeth is reading "Professor Pipsqueak" to him).

Garden Jewels

2011-04-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Mornings

2011-03-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

Helen stays home with me one weekday morning, on Wednesday. We usually do some preschool-type activities and visit the library. This time, she wanted to make cookies. So that's what we did: 4 dozen oatmeal-cranberry-white chocolate chip cookies. They turned out quite well.

Teeth

2011-02-27T07:29:00.000-08:00

John has had a couple of teeth on the bottom for a while. Right now, John is cutting three or four upper incisors. Amazingly, he is in a cheerful mood, though he does tend to chew on anything he can get his hands on. Also interesting, I cannot get him interested in solid food. I've tried the baby cereal and the pureed fruits and veggies. Last night, I received the best response yet, when I gave him a whole banana. He chewed on it for a while, then lost interest.

My Boys

2011-02-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

I didn't capture it on film, but John just petted the cat. It was amazing... the cat did not move and John was very gentle.

On the Move

2011-01-29T14:46:00.000-08:00

Though not quite crawling, John is on the go. He does a military-type scoot, where he pulls himself with his arms. One of the baby gates (at the top of the stairs going down) is up. He is one determined little guy. And he's happy, too.

Siblings

2011-01-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

Play Time

2011-01-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

Every time the camera comes out, John smiles, but then this red light flashes (whether or not you are using the flash) and he regresses to the "stunned baby" look. Usually, he is very smiley. He also is quite active, so getting a non-blurry shot is tough. He's scooting and rolling around right now. He's not interested in eating solid food, and honestly, I'm not really interested in the mess that goes along with baby food. He has one tooth, and judging from the drool and chubby cheeks, I would guess that he's going to sprout some more teeth pretty soon.

Elizabeth and Helen are - for the most part - being good helpers. We read quite a bit. They are really into painting right now. And they have really great imaginations. Luckily, they are at the age where they spend many hours together just playing out some imaginary story. Sometimes, it's Rapunzel or Sleeping Beauty; other times, it's "Mouse and Kid" or some concoction like that.

Snowflake Dance - Elizabeth

2010-12-12T15:35:00.000-08:00

Gingersnap Dance - Helen

2010-12-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

Has Anyone Seen the Baby?

2010-12-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

Oh, there he is! Gee, thanks girls, for burying your little brother in all your stuff.

Woo Hoo!

2010-10-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

John loves to kick up his heels. He learned to roll over this week, from back to tummy, although he doesn't like being on his tummy, so he cries as soon as he is all the way over.

3-Months Old

2010-09-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

JSW had his 3-month check-up. He is 14 pounds, 4 ounces, and he is 25.75 inches long! He is smiling, laughing, and making sounds. He coos and ahs. He rolls halfway over and really loves to kick and look around.

Same Size

2010-09-23T16:11:00.001-07:00

The girls are about the same size now; Elizabeth is a little taller and Helen weighs a little more. Their feet are the same size, I think. A new school year has brought about a lot of changes. New schedules, new friends, and new challenges are making for a busy month.

First Day of Kindergarten

2010-09-03T20:26:00.001-07:00

This Wednesday, September 1, we sent our eldest daughter to her first day of elementary school. It was newly renovated school, everything was picture perfect, and she was ready to go. No tears were shed.

In the midst of the excitement of the first day of school, we had another event. When Elizabeth returned to me after three-and-a-half hours of fun times, her finger and hand were bruised and swollen. Apparently, she had also had a bloody nose at the same time she had fallen on the steps of the play structure, and no one noticed her hand (even when she opted to color her picture and write her name left-handed)!

In the meantime, DH had lost a crown and had visited the dentist. Since the crown had fallen off into the bathroom sink (and gone down the drain, of course), DH attempted to retrieve, taking apart the plumbing in the process. So I was calling the pediatrician and the plumber at about the same time.

Films showed that Elizabeth had indeed fractured the metacarpal beneath the ring finger of her right hand. I bandaged it up as best I could and we waited for a call from Children's Hospital. It pays to be persistent, and we met with the orthopedic surgeon that Thursday, then squeezed her in for a Friday surgery to align and pin the bone back into place.

Elizabeth was such a brave girl. Grandma and Grandpop helped out by hosting Helen and John (along with DH) while Elizabeth and I went to surgery. It's tough taking such a little one into such a procedure, but she came through just like Elizabeth always does. Helen, however, seems a little put out with all the attention that her big sis is getting.

Sunday at 5 P.M.

2010-08-29T17:23:00.001-07:00

This is a baby who is hungry and needs a nap!

Oakland Museum of California

2010-08-28T18:22:00.001-07:00

On this clear, but windy Saturday, we visited the renovated Oakland Museum. Their current exhibit showcases the history of California, from the indigenous peoples to the 1906s. There were several hands-on items for the kids, but overall, they went through pretty quickly. OMOC also had a Pixar exhibit that the girls seemed to like, where they could see all their favorite movie characters.

The regular exhibit showing the wildlife and geography of California is being renovated, but the rooftop garden is pretty impressive, at least as far as the views are concerned.

Black Chasm Caverns & Natural Bridges

2010-08-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was really nice. On Saturday, we all went to Black Chasm caverns in Volcano, CA. Both girls hiked in and John did well in his carrier. We went swimming that afternoon, where it was finally warm enough.

On Sunday, we headed home, stopping at the Natural Bridges recreational area, where you hike down to a river that runs through a limestone cave.

It was a difficult hike (esp. for the little ones), but the cave was really neat. We had a great weekend all together, with the exception that John does not like to be in the car for very long. He's good for up to an hour, but after that he really fusses.

First Bath

2010-07-05T17:16:00.001-07:00

Big Sisters

2010-06-27T11:29:00.001-07:00

Helen and Elizabeth love being big sisters. Every morning, they find me and, more importantly, their baby brother. Although he's too new for them to do too much, they seem to enjoy watching him eat and get changed, and I found Elizabeth reading him a book (or recalling the words and reciting them to him).

John Stanberry arrived June 24 at 4:10 AM. He weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 22.5 inches long.

Water Paint

2010-05-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

One of the girls' favorite pastimes this Spring has been "water painting." Yes, they get water in a pail, and a brush, and they paint the patio pavers or the patio furniture. When they tire of that, they may water the potted plants or make a "stew" by gathering sticks and leaves into their buckets of water.

Party!

2010-02-08T18:04:00.001-08:00

Those two blurs are Elizabeth and Helen going down a giant, inflatable slide at a friend's birthday party. Helen wasn't too sure about climbing all the way up to the top, but Elizabeth loved it and went several times. I guess that's the difference between a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old.

In a Perfect World...

2010-02-02T18:27:00.000-08:00

If my kids had their way, each day would involve a dance or gymnastics class, reading at the library, and a trip to the playground. Ah, if I had no other obligations!

Train Museum

2010-01-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

This is what our kids do when you say, "Smile!"

Busy Builders

2010-01-11T15:09:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth has gotten quite creative with her buildings and art projects. Unlike traditional Legos, these Enviroblocks are a bit moldable and are stuck together by dampening the connecting ends. What I liked about this structure is that Elizabeth created a buttress to hold up the high tower, which was sagging.

(Helen also likes building with the blocks, but not as much as she likes wearing her princess dress and dancing around the house.)

Christmas!

2009-12-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

We had a nice Christmas day, although we didn't do too much. The girls, of course, were up first thing. I was smart enough to get up a little before their regular wake up time and have some coffee. Elizabeth came up first, but I had to coax her downstairs to wake up Helen. Helen did not want to be woken, but was easily persuaded as Elizabeth jumped around the room saying, "Helen, come see what Santa brought you!"

Within the hour, all the presents had been opened. They are both really happy with all the things and have been playing with them all day. Mostly, they like the dolls with horse-drawn carriages that I got them, but they have been doing puzzles, dressing up and reading books, too.

Reading Time

2009-12-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth and Helen enjoy Richard Scarry's Nursery Tales with their great grandmother on Thanksgiving.

Busy Girls

2009-11-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

Helen and Elizabeth are playing with their bears. One bear is visiting from preschool, for which this photo was taken. Both girls amaze me with their imaginations and curiosity. They spend many hours playing together, inventing parties, shows, classes, and games. Elizabeth is usually the leader and if Helen decides to not play along, chaos ensues.

Both girls are now in preschool 3 days a week. I have no excuse for the lack of posting; my camera is not broken and the computer is working just fine. We have just been busy playing, training, working, and exploring. I will really, really try to make more posts.

Elizabeth, now 4 1/2 years, spends much of her time drawing pictures and practicing her writing. Helen wants to do the same, of course, but is not as coordinated yet at just 3 years old. Both girls took gymnastics earlier this fall, and loved it. They are currently taking pre-ballet/pre-tap and seem pretty excited about that too. I am happy that they are such good friends and entertain each other so well (however, they can make a terrible mess if they really get into whatever they are playing)!

Vacation

2009-07-12T16:51:00.001-07:00

Today, we visited the National Railroad Museum, where we rode on a refurbished 1940s train, taking us to watch a re-enacted WWII battle. The girls were a bit scared by the gunfire, and didn't really understand what was going on, but they sure had fun playing in the train play structure and sand box. Mommy had fun walking through an old passenger train, end to end.

Garden Helpers

2009-06-15T07:33:00.001-07:00

Okay, so they aren't really helping, but they do occasionally pull weeds with me. Mostly, they play out imaginary stories and collect flowers and leaves to share with their animals.

In Calaveras County

2009-06-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

We went to California Caverns, and the girls and I went on their hour-long guided tour. They did really well and it was a neat outing. Then we did some hiking, and playing at various playgrounds, and finally, a little shopping (we forgot E's bathing suit). Then, of course, we had to go to the pool, despite the fact that it wasn't very warm and there were big, dark clouds scattered about in the sky.

Preschool Graduation

2009-06-04T07:55:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth's preschool classes are over for the school year, but she (and five from her class) will be returning next year. The Playschool program is a two-year preschool class, and this year, two students were graduated and will move on to kindergarten.

Helen joins in the Playschool class fun, at least after Tot Zone on Monday and Wednesday. She's become friends with some of these kids as much as Elizabeth has. Above: Helen, Shelby, Emily, Cullen, and Elizabeth. Below: Helen and Elizabeth sit with friend Cullen.

Happy Boys' Day!

2009-05-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Although there are not any boys in the household, these Japanese dolls are too exquisite to hide away in boxes. There are more, plus an elaborate stand, but the girls and I need more training in how to assemble them properly.

Happy Easter

2009-04-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Since most of the week, at preschool, the girls were busy coloring Easter eggs and participating in Easter egg hunts (many of which happened here in our house), we decided on Easter Saturday to make some cookies and decorate them. These are called paintbrush cookies, and you can see Elizabeth here using the paint - egg yolk, water, & food coloring.

Here, on Easter Sunday, both girls are all dressed up after church services:

Sycamore Valley

2009-03-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

We did this hike a couple weeks ago, on a Thursday, when both girls are home from preschool classes. As part of the EBRPD's 2009 Trails Challenge, this was recommended as an "easy" out and back. It's low mileage - 2.2 miles if you follow the guide, 1.7 miles if you do the loop that we did - but it is especially challenging during the first segment, which has a significant uphill climb.

It's probably more significant with two little girls in a stroller, but they rode the whole way up, eventually getting out and walking as the slope decreased in intensity. Although they were in and out of the stroller, they are good little hikers now. It's fun to watch them run around the house or the back yard together.

At the top of the hike: a beautiful view of Mount Diablo.The way back home: This was actually more challenging that I had supposed. The trail was pretty narrow in some spots, but it was lovely and worth the effort. There was one very steep descent, though not long, it ran alongside a ravine, which was dangerous for two little girls. So I carried one girl, then the next, and finally, the stroller.
And, as a note to other parents, there is a wonderful playground at the beginning of this hiking spot, which we visited for an hour or so both before and after the hike.

New 'Dos

2009-03-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Helen had their first real haircuts at the salon this week, to see if the gals there could do a better job than I. Both girls were wonderfully behaved, and I got to learn a trick or two. Also mentionable is that my hair was cut as well, but I am not entirely happy with the outcome, so I may have to try another stylist.

Tilden Park Never Disappoints

2009-02-10T19:36:00.000-08:00

Is there nothing more exciting to a little one than feeding a friendly goat or the huge cows on a farm? Elizabeth and Helen seemed to get a kick out of it, and quickly depleted our stock of lettuce and celery.

Afterward, we went on a hike to Jewel Lake in the Tilden Nature Area, which the kids love because it is full of bridges and boardwalks and all sorts of neat trees. Surprisingly, Elizabeth walked most of the way.

About a third of the way along the Pack Rat Trail (the one taking us back to the start point), Helen decided that she wanted to walk, too. This was most fortunate, as the trail became quite narrow, as we walked between a series of very narrow paths between trees and had a couple other trees to climb over.

And there were mud puddles to play in, since it had rained the day before.

Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T15:35:00.000-08:00

This year, Helen's Tot Zone class made their own dragon and shakers and had their own little parade on Chinese New Year. Can you find Helen in the picture? Elizabeth was quick to point out that she could see Helen's sparkly pink shoes.
Look closer and you'll see the little actress herself, second position in the dragon.

Christmas Cookies

2008-12-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

Once again, we made our annual batch of rolled cookies, cut out into seasonal shapes and decorated with icing, colored sugar and candies. Both girls participated in the cutting and decorating.
I think the best part for them, though, was after the cookies were in the oven and they were allowed to play with the remnants of dough and flour on the cutting surface. They thoroughly made a mess of themselves and the table (and the floor below), but it was the most fun they had had in a long while.
Unfortunately, I have no photos of the finished goods, which is sad, because they were quite spectacular...and tasty. And I have few photos of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, as we were all fighting off the stomach flu.

How Do You Like My...

2008-12-01T21:16:00.001-08:00

...hat? bear? So many uses for Helen's favorite toy!

Fall Fun & Festivities

2008-11-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year -- time to jump in piles of leaves, dress in costumes and carve faces into the pumpkins that we collect. This year, both girls have enjoyed the activities around Hallowe'en. The girls made masks, carved a jack o' lantern, and built a haunted house.

Elizabeth was especially intent on dressing up this year. The problem was, she couldn't make up her mind! First, she wanted to be a lion, then a witch, then a princess, then a bat, and finally back to the witch. Elizabeth tried on the monkey costume (below), but it was too small, so she gifted it to Helen. I didn't get any photographs on Hallowe'en itself, but I'm sure that the grandparents posted photos.
On the actual Hallowe'en night, Elizabeth and Helen went trick-or-treating to a few houses near their grandparents' house. Afterward, Elizabeth had fun handing out treats to the visitors to Hilton house.

Monday Mornings

2008-09-15T20:14:00.001-07:00

Helen and Elizabeth get ready for "school" - which means attending programs offered by the Recreation Department for 2- and 3-year-olds. Helen attends Tot Zone, where she gets to play with others, create artwork, and sing silly songs. She's adapted quite well; just runs right in and starts playing with hardly a good-bye to Mommy.

It's hard work for such a little person, though. After last week, plus the activities with cousins and family, she was pretty tired out. In fact (see below), she fell asleep while reading with her Daddy and sister on Sunday afternoon...at 6 PM!

Finally Big Enough to...

2008-09-15T06:15:00.001-07:00

Ride on the car ride at the zoo (May 21 at the Oakland Zoo):

Attend an ice cream social (May 25 at the Railtown Museum in Jamestown, CA):

More Photos (old)

2008-09-14T17:48:00.001-07:00

Helen celebrated her second birthday at home, too. Yes, yes...I know it's been a month. Although mostly a little girl now, she does resemble a baby often times.

This month, we've enjoyed visiting with cousins from the U.K. They had much fun playing in the sand, playing at the swimming pool, and all sorts of other play time opportunities. I think the girls are still recovering from all the fun!

Two-Year Celebration

2008-08-14T20:36:00.001-07:00

Me and Mr. Slinky

2008-07-29T21:51:00.001-07:00

Oh, the joy of pets! Mr. Slinky still seems to be 49% interested in the girls and 51% disgusted. So far, no one has gotten hurt. Helen is always delighted with him, though.

In Hanford in April

2008-07-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

Proof that the girls did, in fact, reorganize the decorative rock in Grandma's back yard!

Elizabeth loves swinging on the big kid swings, too, especially while wearing Mommy's sunglasses. (April 2, 2008)

From March...

2008-07-26T07:44:00.001-07:00

Swinging on the big kid swings at Utica Park in Angels Camp, March 1, 2008:
All tired out after a hike with Mommy, March 12, 2008:

From February...

2008-07-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Oakland Zoo, February 9, 2008:

Painting on a sunny February afternoon on the patio:

Walking around the Mountain View Cemetery, February 22, 2008:

2008-07-06T20:26:00.001-07:00

Independence Day Parade

2008-07-05T09:32:00.001-07:00

Summertime Fun

2008-06-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

In the pool at Saddle Creek:Running across the board walks in the Yosemite Valley:

Hanging out in the back seat - the preferred seat - in the new stroller:
(note on the stroller: This is a Phil & Ted's classic jogging stroller with the double buggy addition. It was a bit expensive, but it handles wonderfully AND it folds and fits in the back of my compact Mazda 3 without wheel removal.)

Working Together

2008-06-09T06:27:00.001-07:00

Helen's latest venture is to copy everything that her sister does and follow her everywhere. This is fine with Elizabeth, so long as she wants to be followed. Otherwise, chaos erupts as Elizabeth tries to get away from Helen and Helen relentlessly pursues Elizabeth.

Exploring

2008-05-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and I explored this monument and garden, dedicated to emergency preparedness in the Oakland Hills. It is a neat structure, with stairs, paths, and this strange circle filled with rocks.

Elizabeth is her usual, happy self; however, I think she has entered the stage where everything must be questioned: bedtime, personal hygiene, following rules, and listening to parents (yes, Elizabeth, I really meant it when I said "Don't throw rocks!"). Although frustrating at times, I guess I would worry if my child was completely agreeable and compliant all the time.

Big Eyes

2008-05-20T21:25:00.001-07:00

Don't let those big, beautiful eyes fool you! Helen has learned to be quite mischievous (taking away a toy from her sister and running away, stopping only to turn and smirk) and also very headstrong. If Helen wants to wear pajamas in the middle of the afternoon or run around without pants in the evening, there's really no stopping it.

However, these are good signs that she is learning. She has started putting two- and three-word phrases together. She will sing little parts of songs that she remembers her sister singing. She imitates her sister's actions (E stopped to tighten her shoe strap at the park, and Helen stopped too, to bend over and adjust her shoe). And, obviously, she is learning the fascinating realm of human interactions.

No! It's MY Turn!

2008-05-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

They really do argue, and Helen has become the master of taunting her big sister. It doesn't help that Elizabeth is going through the phase where she just has an emotional meltdown over any little disappointment. Last week was rough, I think because she was feeling under the weather. This week is much better, and I am relieved to see my happy girl, despite the occasional tantrum or outburst.

Bye Bye, Baby

2008-05-11T08:18:00.001-07:00

Helen's hair has grown long enough for pigtails, and it makes her look so grown up! So now I have two little girls instead of one baby and one toddler. In addition to her new hairdo, Helen has learned all sorts of new things: many, many words; how to throw a tantrum; running; climbing; and how to undress.

Most of the time she's pretty happy. This month has been tough because she's been trying on the "terrible twos" and cutting her two-year molars (at least that's what I assume is causing the excessive drool and grumpiness). Alas, she is still waking up at least once in the middle of the night, and I still indulge her in a bottle of milk and a cuddle.

In the Garden

2008-05-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth and Helen have become quite the garden helpers. Most of the time they work on "flower appreciation" but they have occasionally helped me plant seeds and water plants. On the patio, Elizabeth helped plant beets, tomatoes, zucchini, and bell peppers.

Elizabeth received a play stroller for her birthday, which she insists on taking everywhere, unless Mommy protests. Her Lamb is the usual occupant, and the underseat storage is superb for carrying her lamb's toys and food.
Despite having just turned three years old, Elizabeth seems to have hit a tough phase. She is very high maintenance, requiring lots of attention and cuddling. I think this is merely a transition from babyhood to girlhood.

Already Three Years Old

2008-04-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth started her birthday off right, opening her birthday presents within a few minutes of waking up. Auntie Hanako's magnetic dolls were a huge hit, and everyone enjoyed playing with them -- even Mommy!

It's hard to believe that three years ago, Elizabeth was such a tiny baby and I was holding her in her newness in a hospital bed. Children do really grow so quickly, from helpless infants, to drooly crawlers, then to tottering little people, and then into cute little girls. I hope that Elizabeth never loses her sweetness.

Another Happy Birthday!

2008-04-20T19:56:00.001-07:00

Helen enjoyed celebrating he obasan's birthday this year at the Carnelian Room in San Francisco. Despite the large gash on her chin--received at home while climbing on the furniture--she had a wonderful time.

I Know You Have the Ball...

2008-04-12T20:26:00.001-07:00

Helen! Rule #2 of golf: do not touch another player's ball. Now please give the ball back to Elizabeth.

Golf Lessons

2008-04-12T20:22:00.001-07:00

Helen and her big sister had another lesson in golf on this beautiful Saturday in California. Although not really interested in the clubs, Helen is interested in the ball and putting the ball in the cup -- an important lesson for those who want to learn the game.

Golf Lessons

2008-04-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Girl #2

2008-03-11T20:40:00.001-07:00

Now that she's a little more balanced, and better at getting around, Helen enjoys the flowers in the back yard, too. Although not as "hands on" as her sister, I think she knows that this is a special place, especially this time of year.

Look closely...Helen is pointing out her favorite cat, Happy.

In the Garden

2008-03-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

The fascination with flowers begins...

I hope Elizabeth will be a good helper in the garden in the coming years. (I sure need all the help I can get!)

Splendor in the Grass

2008-03-03T20:38:00.001-08:00

Helen enjoys playing outside in the sunshine with big sister Elizabeth. In Copperopolis, we are enjoying lots of blue skies, birds chirping, and flowers blooming.

New Haircut

2008-03-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth sports a new haircut - given by Mommy, of course - and Helen is experimenting with a new sleep pattern.

Trains

2008-02-10T21:02:00.001-08:00

Despite her recent worry about not having enough "girl toys," Elizabeth is delighted to play with her wood train set. Most of the time, mommy sets up the track, but Elizabeth and Helen have a ball creating towers and bridges to decorate the train track.
This "tunnel" structure seems to have taken on a life of its own!

From the Camera Phone

2008-02-10T20:26:00.001-08:00

Helen and Elizabeth love visiting our local park in Montclair. There are slides, swings, ducks, lots of sand, and this little ride. Amazingly, they share very well out at this park, and the bonus with this playground is that it is fenced in and only for kids under five years old.
Helen received her first experience with paint, at a recent visit to the Habitot Children's Museum in Berkeley. Her big sister absolutely loves to paint, but until now, Helen really hasn't had the opportunity. I'm sure it won't surprise anyone that Helen was not afraid to get messy!

And we've also become members of the Oakland Zoo, which has a small area with rides for the kiddies. Of course, Helen and Elizabeth are too small to ride anything except the Merry-Go-Round (with mommy supervising) and the train ride that goes around the zoo, sort of.

Animal Lover

2008-02-06T20:33:00.001-08:00

Helen loves animals, and was thrilled to participate in a trip to the zoo today. She is especially fond of birds and cats, but perhaps only because they are the most prominent animals in our regular space. Today, she was enchanted by a pair of tree frogs, walking along in front of their indoor habitat. I don't think I ever see her get so excited by anything else.

Preschool Lesson

2008-02-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth and Helen receive their daily preschool lesson in the bath. We don't have a chalk board, and the white board pens are smelly, but we do have bath crayons! Everyday (if we are home), we watch Sesame Street and write down the number and letter of the day. We also pick out some theme that they are using (today it was cats) and read books about that and I try to find some activity or art project that utilizes that idea. Elizabeth has handwriting exercises for the letters and Helen gets a coloring page. And most of it is available online for FREE, with the exception of printer ink cartridges, crayons, and my annual support pledge to PBS.

Snow Angels...minus the snow

2008-01-30T11:21:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth and Helen are in receipt of new hats and mittens, after Elizabeth complained two days in a row on walks that her hands were cold. The sets were found on clearance for $2.

Anyway, Elizabeth decided that we should make snow angels, because people wear hats and mittens like these in the snow. Apparently, it didn't matter that we didn't have any snow or that we were inside.
Helen soon joined in the fun of making pretend snow angels on the hardwood floor. I am now wondering to myself, "Do I really have that much dust on the floor?" and kicking myself for not clothing my children in dust-attracting microfiber towels.

Hide Out

2008-01-29T06:59:00.000-08:00

Ah, rainy days! Our living room has once again been transformed into a play area, this time with the couch being the play fort.

Balloons II

2008-01-26T16:24:00.001-08:00

Helen loves balloons, too. In fact, as soon as she got up from her nap, she got the balloons, attached them to her shopping cart, and started pushing the cart- balloons attached - all around the house. Push toys seem to be so much more fun when something is floating/dangling off of it!

Balloons I

2008-01-26T16:19:00.001-08:00

Everyone loves balloons, especially after a series of very rainy days and a boring trip to the annual preschool fair in downtown Oakland. Although not the most entertaining for the girls, we received brochure after brochure on information about dance classes, play school, gymnastics, art camps, and all types of preschools.

Best Friends

2008-01-14T18:13:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth tells me now that Helen is "her best friend." I'm sure Helen feels the same way, except when Elizabeth tries to be too controlling, but mostly when Elizabeth shares the toys.

Christmas Morning

2008-01-07T13:22:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth increased her level of mobility this Christmas, with a new tricycle left by Santa. She was quite a happy girl, until the rain started and tricycle riding on the patio ended. But we have plenty of sunny days ahead, and I imagine that the tricycle will accompany us on local hikes where paved walkways are provided and many trips to Copperopolis.

In other news, Elizabeth decided to become a "big girl." She gave up sleeping in the crib and is out of diapers. It was a very intense, hands-on procedure, but I am very pleased with her successes and how quickly she adapted to using the toilet instead of diapers. Woo-hoo!

Feeling Better

2008-01-03T15:31:00.001-08:00

Helen, Elizabeth and I all had very bad colds the week before Christmas. Nothing serious, but definitely enough to stagger all our usual activities. I do have photos from Christmas, and will post those soon.

Helen has been very cuddly and needy since her bout with RSV, so she has been very hands-on. Elizabeth is going through the process of toilet training, which is another very time-intensive process.

It's No Fun Being Sick

2007-12-18T09:16:00.001-08:00

Trouble?

2007-12-09T05:52:00.001-08:00

Helen is becoming very stubborn and willful. She really wants to get into everything and when we find her with something that she's not supposed to have, and take it away, she just howls and screams and makes such a commotion, you'd think that someone was pulling her fingernails out! And if she wants something while she's in her high chair, and I can't understand what she's pointing at, she does the same thing. I think I remember Elizabeth went through this phase, and I would patiently repeat, "Use words to tell Mommy what you want." But Elizabeth wasn't nearly as loud! Elizabeth sits on the other side of the table, covering her ears, saying, "Helen, be quiet! No yelling."

Two Little Monkeys

2007-12-08T05:47:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth is starting to be able to make out words, and I am amazed. She definitely is able to spell out the words (i.e. r-e-d is red), but we do have some interesting challenges. Lower case letters are confusing, especially when different fonts are used. Elizabeth did not recognize the letter "a" because of the typeface. The lower case "L" looks very much like the upper case "I" and even funnier, if she sees two "L"s together, she thinks it's 11 (i.e. y-e-"eleven"-o-w for yellow). Now, they say that most kids can't cognitively put together the fact that all those letters make words and tell a story, but I wonder. I sure remember reading fairly well at 5 years old, but perhaps I had just memorized all the story books that my family read to me. I do hear Elizabeth reciting parts of her books.

I Like this Christmas Thing!

2007-12-04T15:27:00.001-08:00

Helen is actually aware of the doings this year for Christmas, and was happy to help decorate the tree. She was also happy to un-decorate it and explore each and every light bulb, so it was moved safely to a ledge, out of reach.

Bookworm

2007-12-03T19:12:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth still loves to read, especially before bedtime. Any time of the day will do, and any one will do, as I noticed on Thanksgiving, where she had many cousins and aunties reading stories to her.

Messy

2007-11-29T07:55:00.001-08:00

Helen insists on feeding herself; she will actually refuse food offered to her by someone on a spoon. When oatmeal is on the menu, though, she often ends up with a facial and hair mask along with her breakfast.

Fortress

2007-11-27T14:09:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, when you run out of things to do and it's too cold to play outside, you just have to build yourself a tent out of chairs and an old sheet. Luckily, mommy is a master sheet & chair tent builder, and the girls (plus the cat) have been hanging out in their new favorite spot. Even the cats had a bit of kittenish glee, batting at each other from opposite sides of the sheet, after the girls went to bed.

Argh!

2007-11-26T10:45:00.000-08:00

Another funny face by Elizabeth, this time caught on camera at the Berkeley waterfront. We all went for a nice walk around the bird sanctuary and dog park on Saturday, followed by a nice little play time at the playground nearby.

Funny Faces

2007-11-26T10:41:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth thinks it's hilarious to make funny faces while being photographed these days. Helen will usually give me a ridiculously big smile. But here, they seem to be caught unawares, and are a little more natural looking.

Life with two little ones is getting a tiny bit easier every day. More and more, they are able to play together without hurting each other and are able to eat with the grown-ups like a real family. There are still struggles over toys, diapers to change, and the occasional "I don't like this" over food offered, but all in all, we have two children rather than two babies.

Funny Faces

2007-11-26T10:41:00.000-08:00

Growing up Helen

2007-11-07T20:16:00.001-08:00

What a little doll! Helen loves playing with stuffed toys,
and doing puzzles.

She has a knack for acquiring Elizabeth's things. Here is the pumpkin that Elizabeth picked out, but that Helen grew attached to. This causes problems many times, but I see that big sister Elizabeth is really learning to be good about sharing.

Helen loves animals, too. She was especially fond of the chickens at a friend's house, as you can see from the photo below.
She continues to grow way too quickly out of babyhood. She is starting to talk: so far being able to say "mama," "dada," "thank you," and "uh-oh." I think she said "grandma" this week, but I haven't heard that more than twice. I think she also says "bear" but it often just sounds like "ba" to me. And she's walking and climbing everywhere. She insists on feeding herself. And finally, she is interested in books. She will allow me to read her a short story now. Even Elizabeth tries reading to her!