As mentioned below, Zoe threw a real fit the other day (I rank it among her Top 5 Bad Behavior Moments). It was a frustrating experience, and one that lingered a bit longer than usual – but I couldn’t help but feel better after an out-of-the-blue declaration she made later that day. “I love you, Mom” she told me. “I love you all the time – even when I don’t listen to you.” (A woo-hoo for that!)

-M

We had a parent-teacher conference at Zoe’s school on Friday, and one of the things Zoe’s teachers commented on was her love of performing. She’ll often, we were told, hold little dance recitals and insist that her friends watch her. Q and I both laughed, but we were hardly surprised: Zoe does her fair share of performing (dancing or singing, as in the video below) at home.

-M

A few Sesame Street characters were at our zoo today, so we headed out to see them. Zoe was super excited to meet Elmo, but as you’ll see from the second photo (during which she held on to her dad for dear life), Avery was anything but.

-M

Q went to the Giants’ home opener yesterday, and the girls got very excited when I turned on the game and told them he was there. “Hi, Daddy!” Zoe called out as she waved to the TV screen; Avery soon joined in on the waving. When the game (finally) ended, Zoe was more excited that her dad was coming home than the fact that the Giants won: “Daddy’s coming home! Daddy’s coming home!” she started singing. (And not long after the game, he was snuggled up to them with a book.)

-M

Speaking of “night night,” Zoe and Avery decided to make that a game when they hosted Avery’s friend Natalia for a playdate this morning. The girls covered themselves with a blanket and pretended to sleep, and Zoe was especially sweet – snuggling up to Natalia and pressing her face against hers. (Of course, Zoe was quite the opposite of sweet when she threw a 4-year-old-style tantrum as our guests were leaving – but that’s another post.)

-M

Last night as he was putting her to bed, Q told Avery to say “night-night” to her sister.

Avery’s response – which, he says, came out clear as day? “Laila tov!”

-M

If I’m ever having a bad day, I suspect watching the video below (taken last week) will help boost my spirits. Maybe it will do the same for you!

-M

It’s funny to think that children can literally change overnight – but they’re certainly able to! For months, Avery would go to sleep (or, at least, lay there quietly) when we plunked her down in the crib – but one day, right around the 21-month mark, she started resisting bedtime and naptime. Her new routine – which is probably typical toddler behavior – is to cry or fuss for 15 or 20 minutes and insist that we visit her room at least once or twice. (“It’s a new phase, I guess,” I commented to Q the other day.)

And another thing: Within the last week or so, Avery has had at least one major crying/screaming fit a day. To be fair, she was sick over the weekend, and her routine – due to houseguests and Q also being sick – has been a bit off. (Perhaps those things have affected her temperament.) But I still can’t help but wonder where my sweet baby has gone – and feel sentimental for the way things were just a few weeks ago!

-M

I didn’t want my parents’ trip to end without a trip to the water, so we headed to Ocean Beach before they took off. Avery had a lot of fun running around and looking at birds, and all of us were pleasantly surprised to stumble upon the Dutch Windmill and tulip garden across the street.

-M

Overheard last night, when Zoe was helping my mom make pumpkin muffins:

Z: “How do you know how to do lots of stuff?”
G: “I’ve been doing lots of stuff for many years.”
Z: “And you were a mommy?”
G: “Yes. I still am a mommy!”

And, later, “I hope these turn out good!” (They did.)

-M

Avery isn’t the only one who has been having fun with her Grandma and Grandpa; here are a few pictures of Zoe and my parents from this weekend.

-M

A gorgeous warm day (finally the rain is gone!) meant a trip to Golden Gate Park with our visitors – Grandma and Grandpa. Q was at work and Zoe was at school (she got to spend the day alone with Grandma and Grandpa yesterday), but the rest of us had tons of fun roaming around in the sun.

-M