The four of us took advantage of family time recently by going to the California Academy of Sciences. We hadn’t been there since Avery was first born, so she certainly got lot more out of it this time around! And Zoe also enjoyed herself – especially when her good friend Leo showed up.

-M

A few recent shots of the girls to share…

-M

The videos below are fun to watch, but there’s a back story that make them even more special to me. The night before, our first at the hotel, was a particularly tough one: Avery woke up around 11 and stayed up (not crying, just refusing to sleep) for several hours, and I had a bit of a fatigue-induced temper tantrum. (“This was supposed to be our fun anniversary trip! Kids ruin everything!” I cried out to Q.)

Avery eventually went to sleep, of course, but I was still feeling tired and a bit grumpy during our early breakfast. But then the Koi pond happened. At that moment, as I watched the pure joy on Avery’s face, nothing else mattered. She was so care-free and innocent and getting so much happiness from the simplest of things that I couldn’t help but feel happy myself. At that moment, I forgot how much the night before stunk or how tired I felt – and my words about kids ruining everything couldn’t have been further from the truth.

I expect this memory to become one of the lasting ones from our trip. And the next time I feel overwhelmed or tired or just generally crushed by the weight of parenthood, I’m going to (try to) remind myself of the Koi pond.

-M

The hotel we stayed at this weekend had a Koi pond, and Avery took an immediate liking to the fish. If you’re like me, the second video might make you a bit nervous – but Q assured me off camera that these type of fish aren’t interested in eating little hands. (Phew!)

-M

We like to go to Santa Cruz a few times a year, and this past trip was particularly enjoyable. On our itinerary? Shopping, snacking and running around at the wharf; swimming; visiting Capitola for the annual Begonia Festival, and playing at our favorite beach in nearby Aptos. Here are some pics – plus a video of the suddenly speedy Avery.

-M

We went to Santa Cruz for the holiday weekend (just like last Labor Day), and Zoe obviously had a good time: When she got up from her nap today she announced to us that she was sad. “I miss the hotel,” she said, looking to be on the verge of tears. I suggested we look at pictures – “When I’m sad after a trip, that’s what I do,” I told her – but she rejected my offer and told me, “When I’m sad, I cry.” (Q and I couldn’t help but smile at that comment.)

At least I can share pictures here, which I’ll do soon.

-M

“The adventure continues,” the card that Q got me for our anniversary read. What an appropriate word: It totally captures the highs and lows of a new marriage, new house and two new kids – of which there are many. It’s all been pretty amazing so far, and I’m really looking forward to an adventurous next six years!

-M

As mentioned a few weeks ago, Avery’s a big fan of taking people’s hats. Q’s the hat-wearer in our family, so he’s usually the victim of her thievery… Example below.

-M

Sometimes I have to laugh at my kid’s San Francisco-ness. Because of our mild climate, neither girl really understands the concept of seasons (Zoe thought it was going to snow during our trip to Madison in June), and Avery has a definite dislike of warm weather. (On the rare occasion that the thermometer hits 75 here – like it has the past few days – she becomes irritable and has difficulty falling asleep.) And this morning Zoe was quite confused when she saw I had picked out a dress – and just a dress – for her to wear to school. “Mommy, where are my pants?” she asked, before being assured that it was warm enough to go legging-less today. Bare legs are a rare thing for Zoe!

-M