Field Trip to Habitot

Today, Tim took the day off and we all went to visit Habitot. It's a hands-on children's museum in Berkeley. Sophie had such a great time, she threw a memorable tantrum on the way out. We'll definitely have to go back....the people that work there, the philosophy, everything about it just seemed to be wonderful.
Here's a picture of the maze Sophie is starting to crawl in. She made the decision she was going to do this last, of course right before we were about to leave. Smart girl decided to hide at the very top so we couldn't get her. I almost had Tim crawl in and get her, but then that would get us in even more trouble if he got stuck!
Here she is smirking at us because she knows there's nothing we can do.
She's on the space shuttle doing what seems to be some very important business.
Journey through space.....Sophie has her astronaut gear on and has taken the wheel.

Field Trip to Habitot Continued

Sophie loved playing in the water. She managed to keep herself dry for the most part. She told me shortly after this picture, "Mommy, I'm so happy!"
Sophie, briefly employed by NASA, makes an important phone call regarding her upcoming trip.
Here's Sophie doing her favorite activity, painting. She couldn't believe she had an entire white wall to herself!
Very focused and in the "flow" as the people who work at the museum like to call it.

America's Next Top Model

Is this a diva pose or is this a diva pose? Why can't she just look at the camera and smile, why?

Pain in the Neck

No, the pain in my neck is not Sophie or Noah, or even Tim. I literally have a serious pain in my neck. It's been bothering me the past few days and I can feel the tightness in my neck worsen as the day goes on. I can feel a knot on my shoulder the size of a golf ball and I'm wondering if it's bad that I touch a muscle between my shoulder blades and the pain shoots up through my head. Is this normal? I didn't think so.

Anyway, Mommy is in serious need of a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, anything that relates even slightly to the idea of being pampered is exactly what I need....and all Mommies for that matter. So, if you're feeling generous, I may come up with a Help Mommy Scholarship Fund. And oh yeah, I'm the scholarship recipient. Thanks for your donations.....

Sophie and Noah Candids

Noah and Sophie lying on Mommy and Daddy's bed. I ask her to smile and she looks like she's about to bite me.
Awwwww....Sophie is actually being gentle with her baby brother. Usually, she is smacking him on top of the head, lovingly of course.
This is Noah's surprised look. This usually happens after the 30th flash and his eyes just don't know how to react.

Just Like Mommy

I'm sure people will think I'm the meanest Mommy in the whole wide world for videotaping my child waking up from a nap. Who wouldn't be grumpy if a camera was in your face upon waking up from a nap? Well, the truth is Sophie acts like the ray of sunshine portrayed in this video roughly 75% of the time she wakes up and she inherited 100% of this behavior from good 'ol Mommy. Shouldn't people wake up and feel refreshed, rejuvenated, feel-good-all-over? Yes, they should, but in Mommy and Sophie's case, we wake up even grumpier than when we went down for a nap. And I just had to document this to prove, if anyone had any doubt, how much this child is just like me. And to anyone who has had the privilege (just kidding) of living with me or anyone who knows me really well will probably have bad flashbacks when they see this video.....

http://www.vimeo.com/clip:161266
password: sono

Looking After Mommy and Daddy

I guess when you buy a house, particularly one that was built in 1963, you come to accept the fact you will constantly be improving, fixing, working on, etc. It seems like we are constantly working on this house and the list continues to grow longer. I guess that's the payoff of being a homeowner??!!

Anyway, never a dull moment in our house. Yesterday, it seems our pipes were backed up really bad. So much so we started to notice a strange odor coming from the bathrooms....yuck, I know. As Tim is checking the pipes, he tells Sophie he needs a flashlight and asks her to go get her flashlight for him. We were expecting Sophie to run and get her tiger flashlight from her toy box (which, by the way, works spectacularly well). After about a minute I was wondering where she was and why she was taking so long. Next thing you know, we hear the door leading to the garage shut and Sophie comes running to the bathroom. She didn't get her tiger flashlight. She actually went into the garage and got Tim's huge flashlight. Such a smart girl.

Yesterday, I was feeding Noah and he pooped during the feeding. The smell was so foul I had to stop in the middle of his feeding and change him. I left the bottle leaning up in the corner of the recliner and went to change him. I get back and look in the chair to notice the bottle isn't there. Just as I'm about to yell Sophie's name and ask her where she's hid the bottle, I look over at the end table and there sits his bottle, sitting perfectly on a coaster. Gotta love my little girl.

Just To Clarify

Because I know my family is always concerned for the well-being of my children and will worry themselves to death, please know Sophie is wide awake in this picture. No, I'm not a mean mom and I did not let her fall asleep with a collander on her head. And besides, there ARE holes in a collander, so if she did fall asleep I'm certain she would get all the oxygen she needs, right? Right....

Just wanted to make sure I clarified before CPS comes knocking at my door.

Sunday Afternoon

After working tirelessly for an entire week on the trellis, it was finally completed yesterday. Since the weather was not so great today, Tim took some time off and was able to get some shut-eye and cuddle with his favorite Dora the Explorer blanket. Sophie decided to join him with her favorite toy on hand. I'm seriously not sure why I bother buying her any toys. I swear she'd be happy with a collander and a cardboard box.
Noah is happiest when his tummy is full. I told Tim to take a video of him laughing and giggling, but since our camera seems to be too complicated and time is of the essence, we missed our opportunity. Instead, we captured this great picture. I promise Noah will be live and in action soon! Well, maybe not live.

Earthquake ready

Here's a clip of Sophie...she's keeping herself busy these days....I can never find my collander...hmmm, I wonder why?

http://www.vimeo.com/clip:158681

password: sono