Mount Tam

Mount Tam, originally uploaded by beverlykaytw.

this is the view from near our side yard back along the back deck toward Mount Tamalpais to the east. Apparently "our" property heads on down the hill quite a way but we haven't explored it yet.

Happy Children's Day

Happy Children's Day, originally uploaded by beverlykaytw.

John & Kerri from downstairs had this up in our backyard on the day we moved - it was a great addition. They said it was in honor of us (the kids @ the Japanese school - big fish = dad, next = mom, 2 smallest the boys).

So much was going on that I've just been a bit busy to blog. May 2nd we moved into our new home in Marin. I just never believed that it would be easy to live there and commute to the city. Door to door on any day other than when there was an accident has been under 30 min at any time of day in either direction. I also didn't believe that the weather was really all that much better. It really is. Most days it was 10 degrees warmer - mid 70's instead of mid 60's (and w/out the gale forced winds in the city). So what did we do as soon as school's out? Head to Florida. Of course. But back to the house. It still needs some work and desperately needs some outdoor furnishings - but from day one the views - oh the views! We also now have 3 bedrooms instead of 2 and 2 baths instead of 1. And a nicely outfitted kitchen instead of cheapo rental kitchen. I have hopes the car(s) will one day soon fit in the garage. We had to invest in a couple of beds for the kids. Q had his room painted "maine lobster" (red) on one wall, a hunter green across from it and "pistacio ice cream" on the 2 walls in between. It works surprisingly well and you don't end up seeing much wall by the time you put in the bunk bed, dresser, shelves, and dresser. He is a happy boy (originally he didn't like the idea of sleeping in a room apart from his brother). He also gets a lot more sleep now. A had his room painted light blue. He is pleased with his room too and keeps it fairly tidy. Our room is big enough that our bedroom furniture actually fits inside it along w/ a recliner chair (yet to be used for other than storage). Our dressers used to be in the dining room. We've purchased a media cabinet, side board, storage ottoman, and shelving/dividers so far (in addition to beds for the kids). We still need a sofa(s). We've bought a couple of aiderondack chairs for outside. We've eaten dinner out most nights using our old fold up table and folding chairs. We'd like to get actual outdoor furniture for dining. We've also eaten on both back deck and side yard and have to decide where we want to eat. The side yard makes a lot of sense as it is off the kitchen and by the grill but back deck is easy enough too and perhaps a bit prettier. Did I mention the view? I am so captivated by it that I frequently have to grab my camera and snap yet another sunset. We look north toward San Quentin across part of the bay. The lights of the adjacent town twinkle in the distance in the evening. A ferry boat cruises by below every half hour or so. P's new commute. To our east is Mount Tam. Behind us (or across the street from the front door) is a bit of a rock face on the big hill. The kids are loving climbing it. Since there are only 2 more houses before the street ends they feel very comfortable playing in the street - a huge change from living on the fairly major city street in San Francisco.

20100417_0026, originally uploaded by beverlykaytw.

I was trying to take a pic of his snaggletooth (that he refuses to wiggle). You can barely see it here - next to the dark space. He wasn't at all cooperative although he seems to want me to take a pic so he can see it himself. What is most funny is when he smiles with his mouth closed - because it is then that you really get the full impact of the tooth - as it is the only tooth visible since it it now angled at about 90 degrees from where it started. I'll keep trying...

all about the ball

20100417_0117a, originally uploaded by beverlykaytw.

I don't think this really even captures the moment - our player (in black) has been playing really well and he went down in this kick and made the pass - quite the dedication to the ball!

the post goal chest bump

the post goal chest bump, originally uploaded by beverlykaytw.

this just so cracks me up

kids at play

kids at play, originally uploaded by beverlykaytw.

You know the old one that the box the toy comes in is more fun than the toy for kids? (A truism by the way). I picked up a dolly at Costco. I figured it would be a popular addition to our household. Boy was I ever right! Somewhere along the way Q dragged home a large chain. It works great as a giant leash for dolly play. Hours of fun! Dolly might even be useful when we move next month but if not it was so worth the $ for the hours of fun it has provided. This photo was taken around 6:30 in the eve after a rainy day so it was a bit dark out but they don't let dark, cold, or rain stop them!