Signs of Spring~2

Annual Egg Hunt

It's Spring and with that comes our annual WestCoCo Moms Egg Hunt. The kids are getting older which means families are going in different directions as they start different schools and start getting tuned into those communities. Unfortunately that has meant our community is getting smaller. This year the turnout was not like it had been in years past. It's a sad part of life but I was thankful that we sill had enough interested folks in gathering for our egg hunt at Kennedy Grove. I find it sweet seeing the children, who I've known since diaper days (or before birth in some cases) getting older. I love seeing how their faces change; I am always tickled by the conversations these little people can hold now and I am left in awe of they mystery of time; how it goes by so quickly leaving in it's wake so many changes while leaving some things the same. 

I am not sure how many more years our little community mom's group will continue to have our egg hunt but my heart sighed a thank you, that for now, we remain together and take part in silly little, fun aspects of childhood like finding a candy filled egg.

Solitaire

During the past holiday season I purchased a Kindle Fire to replace our five year old, cracked and broken Kindle. While our family has strict limits on 'Electronics', having a tablet for kids movies and games is almost a requirement for long car rides and airplane travel. It's a ticket to sanity on those voyages. The Kindle also provides that much needed time for the rare at home phone call or peace in the kitchen when on occasion the girls are too tired or fussy to give me the space I need to get things done.

Months after the Kindle arrived, I noticed an electronic version of Solitaire. I used to love Solitaire when I was a kid and so I decided to give the modern version a shot (this would be the first time I played an electronic game!) It was almost as satisfying as the old school version (a real deck of cards) that I used to play for hours as a kid; It was engaging enough that every now and again when I found myself too tired to read before bed, I would play a game.

Soon enough, Ms. Curiosity (aka Amara Monkey) was leaning over my shoulder asking her endless questions; ("What is this? How do you play? Why did you do that?") including a request to learn how to play. I didn't think the new, electronic tablet was the most ideal way so I grabbed a deck of cards and starting to teach her how to play.

While I was instructing Amara how the game worked, I shared with her how I was introduced to Solitaire. I told her about watching my older cousins, specifically Alaine, play game after game. I picked up watching her, mesmerized by the sound of the cards being turned over and placed down. Once I had it down I played at home and during the summer, where I carried a deck of cards with me to camp so I could get my Solitaire fix during down time. 

Amara is pretty sharp so it didn't take but a few games before she had the hang of it. Now, we are both hooked on Solitaire and despite the name, we sometimes play together. The electronic version is okay at times but the old school way, it feels more grounded, more connecting, and watching each other play has been a great deal of fun. Modern technology is pretty amazing but sometimes the old school way of doing things work just as fine or even better.

Still Swinging!

My gals have outgrown many a thing.

I don't think the swing is one of them.

And they many never!
I mean, who does get tired of flying in the air free as a bird?!

Two Friends

Monkey on the Monkey Bars

Both girls met physical accomplishments this week. While Big Sis ran her first 5K, Little Sis made it across the monkey bars for the first time.
This is no easy feat. I remember working tirelessly at this when I was a little monkey. We had a swing set in our yard and I worked at it for days! I can still feel the blisters on my hands. That Havana has been so focused on this and accomplished this was a big deal for Baby Girl!

Go Havana!!

Here Havana is contemplating her course.

 

The tongue is out which means she is ready to go!

Almost there...It's tough!

I wasn't able to capture Havana at the end but Baby Girl  made it across two sets of bars a couple of times each. She didn't love the blisters but she was super proud of her accomplishment and so was I.

Go Baby Girl Go!!!

Road Runner

Amara, Coach Nori in white, and Emerson going strong.
(another parent gracefully shared this photo!)

 For the past several months, Amara, along with multi-age peers from her running club at school (Montessori Family School) have been training for the 5K in the Oakland Running Festival. I was hesitant at first, I mean a 7 year old running...I wasn't convinced. But it wasn't like running was foreign to Amara. There have been a few occasions when she has joined me on a run and she has enjoyed it more than I have (I am not a runner and the emphasis is on a few), to the point where she has asked me go for a run. Ha!

So twice a week since winter started, Amara and her school buddies have trained for the big day. The idea of doing a race, getting a metal, all while being with her friends made this not only a big day but a  Big Deal Day. So on the morning of the 22nd we got up before dawn, made our way to pick up some friends and headed to downtown Oakland.

For my own part, I have wanted to do a 5K since I started working out with my boot camp almost two years ago. I am not a runner but the idea of pushing myself physically has been good rx in my own evolution. Since the girls were born I have struggled with health and weight. Exercise has always been an important part of my life but even more so now that I am  an older parent. I also want to role model to both my girls the importance of exercise.  So while Amara may have chosen to run with her peers and coach I took this opportunity to meet my own goal. We may not have run together but we did our first 5 K together (and here the emphasis is first!) and that was enough motivation for me to sign up and make this goal a reality.

The day of the race the air was charged. Seeing all Amara's peers juiced up and ready to go was pretty special. I was privy to help out a few training days and I saw the comradery then, but on race day, all the kids were pumped up and cheering each other on.  It was an honor to be part of this awesome Montessori Family Running Club.

Amara ended up timing pretty amazing for a 7 year old. Ms. Road Runner did the race in 31.02. I was so proud of her. I may not have ran with her (my time was a poor 40.17) but she was my encouragement during the race and I set a goal for next year; 2016 our whole family will run with the running club. 

Pre-Race

With some of her classmates.

Post Race

We did it!

So thankful to our friend Karen who came to cheer her son on and held onto my camera.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

 This year we went to our first Chinese New Year's parade. Growing up in New York I never attended any of the famous parades so this was a treat. We prepared for the evening with a afternoon nap (which kept the grumpies away so we could stay out later) and then headed via BART with our friends Juliet and Nancy. Along the way we befriended a mom and her sweet 3 year old (above) who hung out with us during the parade. 

We got a few insider tips where to get off at BART. This not only allowed us to get front row spot (which allowed the kids to see) but we got up close and personal with some of the floats and parade goers prior to start time. Personally, that was perhaps the best part.

There were so many amazing floats; in so many sizes and colors. I was in awe of their fierce beauty and the effort it must have taken many hands to create.

The Year of the Ram.

I love that the Bay Area is so inclusive. It is one of the many reasons this is home. 

Amara and I scored hats from firefighters while on a food run prior to the parade starting.

The architecture of the buildings along the parade route added to the beauty of the parade. 

Havana was too far out of reach to get a red paper envelope that was being handed out. Big Sister gave Little Sis hers to help soothe her tears.

On the way back to BART we were treated with this new view of the ferry building. The new lights were in honor of how the building looked during the 1915 worlds fair. It was quite magical to see the ferry building lit up so.

Remnants of firecrackers; something that frightened Havana terribly but added to excitement to the parade.

Happy New Year!