A little of my old routine ... with a twist

Prebaby, The Man and I would have leisurely weekends. Only we didn't know they were leisurely or somewhat luxurious until we didn't have them anymore.
I've said it before ... Your time is no longer yours once you have a child. Neither is your money if I'm being completely honest. Which I am.
But it's a trade off. I know 20 years down the road, I'll miss this family time and being the center of my daughter's world. So I enjoy the moment and don't wish for something I don't have. I mean, I can miss it but also be OK with it not being available anymore instead of being resentful.
But something new and fun is that The Bun is able to accompany me on more outings and is easily amused by things like people watching. Something I love to do too:) We go on more dates and I get to see things through her eyes.





I love cafes and eating breakfast. The Bun has acquired these same likes!
Prebaby, I could get a mani/pedi whenever I wanted. As a mama, not only have funds become a little more scarce but free time is also a thing of the past. Weekends are family time and not so much for pampering. Again, simply a worthwhile trade off.
Recently, The Bun has proven to be on her best behavior when I have appointments. Things around us are interesting enough for her to stay amused. Like chiropractor appointments. And pedicures! Oh, how I've missed both of those.
I don't get manicures anymore because I need to literally be hands on with my daughter so a manicure would get mussed in no time. But I can get a pedicure. Yay!


I am so impressed and grateful for The Bun's easy going attitude and good manners. She just sat patiently while I got adjusted at the chiropractor. And then, after brunch, while this Mama got her toes pampered.


I know that we can't be best friends. We have to have clear boundaries and rules so she can grow up to be a respectful and responsible individual. But I'm so happy we can enjoy each others company and similar things. It's so much fun to HAVE so much fun with her. If that makes any sense;)
I'll leave you with this last photo. For the past two years, I was a day-of-event volunteer for Relay for Life. This year, I decided to be a participant and raise money. I also decided to bring The Bun. She had a blast! And it was great to honor my mom, her Nana, since she is a breast cancer survivor.
Here is a photo from Relay:


I feel blessed to have all these little yet wondrous Mama/Daughter moments.
I love my little family so much.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mini Staycation Part III

Wine tasting was actually part I. Trip to the city was part II. Yesterday, we decided to explore the northern part of the East Bay.
I found this cool free event at Dimond Park in Oakland: Circus Bella.
Oh my gosh, so much fun! I was really impressed by the quality of this event. I always go with an open mind, especially to free events because, well, they're free. It's not fair to expect the moon and the stars when you're not paying, right? I thought, at the very least, we could get some sunshine and warmth (as opposed to our fun yet freezing trip to the city).
The Man and I bought non-healthy treats at the market in the morning (shame shame, Mama & Daddy!), packed three blankets and The Bun's tricycle. We picked up Sister & the boys (my nephew and my Sister's nephew) and met up with our cousin and his son. We trekked over to Dimond Park in Oakland which had to be one of the cutest little parks I've seen in a while.
It was a little tricky finding the actual location of Circus Bella because you can't see where they are from the parking lot. Luckily I found a person in the rec center who said it was near the tennis courts.
Side note: As cute and wholesome as this park was, the bathrooms left a lot to be desired. It was my first time (seriously - ever!) to use a restroom with no doors. Look, I get park and rec bathrooms. I can understand steel bowls with no lids, I can even understand no toilet seat protectors. Maybe even no toilet paper (although you have to have one or the other. It's not pleasant but you can use toilet seat protectors as paper and vice versa). But no stall doors? Yes, that's right. You knew if the stall was occupied because you could have a full view of the person using it. Thank goodness I only had to do the liquid business! Heaven help you if you were trying to do something else!
Anyway ...
Circus Bella was so good! It was a one ring circus with top notch performers. While the view is easily obstructed if you have folks taller than you sitting in front of you (which we did) but hey, it's free! I loved it. It felt like we were at some small town event. Everyone seem to have a little picnic going on and kids were excited for the circus to start.






Love, love, love.
Afterwards, we decided to go to locally famous Fentons Creamery in Piedmont. Well, what do you know? Fentons was celebrating its 118th birthday with face painting, animals to pet and just a fun little part. How lucky were we?






We filled ourselves up on ice cream and walked around Piedmont Avenue. While cute, not too much to capture three boys' attention. Cousin and his son wanted to go bowling so we decided to join them. The boys played three games and we partook in the unhealthy treats of a bowling alley. Collectively, we had nachos, cheesy fries, mozzarella sticks, a corn dog, and a burger. Oh boy! What a gluttonous day. I've got to do some sort of cleanse after this!

By the end of the day, we had exhausted but happy kids. And parents!
I treasure these moments. It's so easy to get caught up in chores, work, going to this or that. It's so nice to spend a wholesome, albeit junk food laden, day with family.

Mini Staycation

Written 7/13/12: Sometimes trendy, made up words annoy me. Like Bennifer or Branjelina. OK, those are names. Like ... conversated (that's not a real word, people!) But I've also thought there were some pretty cute words, like staycation, which best describes the meaning and is very appropriate.
I know I'm lucky to live in the Bay Area. I love it and understand that's why my small home cost a pretty penny and should it be plucked and moved to just about anywhere else, it would be half the price. If that.
But I digress.
This week, Sister and my nephew visited us. Last time Sister visited, I only took two days off and deeply regretted it. I'm not a workaholic but I just hadn't wrapped my brain on the fact that I don't have to travel somewhere to take paid time off. I promised myself and my Sister that the next time she visited, I would take more time off. This time I took FOUR days! I know, not a whole bunch but twice as much as last time ;)
I had so much fun.
I think it helps that The Bun is older. She's more mobile, lasts longer through the day without needing a nap and is just all around a pretty nifty companion. I won't lie, it's very helpful that there are other kids to capture her attention so she isn't bored. I guess it doesn't surprise other parents but I find it so interesting that she doesn't have to playing with kids to enjoy their company. The Bun is very much a people watcher. Had it just been The Man and me, it's a little harder to keep her amused all day and I don't know if she could last an entire day and early evening of being on the go. But w/ two older cousins and an Auntie, she was a trooper!
San Francisco Day: Sister planned a casual day of going to the city. This would consist of -
- BART ride to Powell Street

- Cable Car ride to Fisherman's Wharf


then we made it up as we we went ...
- Walk to Ghirardelli Square

- Walk from GS to Pier 39


- Enjoy Pier 39 for a while and then had back to Fisherman's wharf ... take the cable car back to Powell and then take BART back to the East Bay.
This was an ALL day excursion! Props to our 13 year old, 11 year old and 2 year old! They only got a little grumpy towards the end. I'm honestly impressed because the whole day was effin' cold. Seriously. Just the day before, it was 80+ degrees in the East Bay. We know San Francisco is typically cooler so we thought high 60s. Um, no, I think we were in the high 50s low 60s. It was CHILLY.
But what a fun day!

Birth Certificate & Wine = Good Day!

The Bun is nearly three years old. But today, TODAY, is when I decided to get her official birth certificate! I have what is called an official copy but it's not "official." Recently, I had a bug up my bum about getting a passport in case of an emergency. I mean, if ever there was an emergency, who knows how long a passport will take?! (I also have to get The Man's ... Argh!)
See, bug up my bum.
I'm happy to report that it wasn't nearly as stresful or tedious as I had imagined it would be. I went to the info desk and the lady told me to fill out the form and come back for a number.  I filled out the form, got a number and was called in less than five minutes. Then I went to the desk my # was assigned and had the nicest clerk. She gave me two official birth certificates in about five minutes. The total time it took? Fifteen minutes!
Side note: Now I know, fill out as many forms as you possibly can before going to a public agency. I actually knew this but forgot. Silly Mama.
After going to downtown Oakland, though, we went to my favorite wine company. I affectionately call them an Urban Winery but they don't have vineyards so technically they aren't one. They have a lovely view of San Francisco from their tasting room albeit slightly obstructed. Unfortunately we couldn't get a good shot it. But we did get one showing off their pretty room. My Ma & Sister had a grand old time. We were free because of my membership - yippee! And my underage nephew had a comfortable place to sit in what I think is their kids area. Man, I love this place. I also love how the folks who work there can only be described as "urban." Not all but many of them have piercing, tattoos and funky haircuts. My fellow wine tasters are not high-falutin' but normal dressing folks. My husband is not a fan of the polo-shirt-with-the-sweater-tied-around-the-shoulders-crowd. No offense if you like to wear that :)
What a nice way to spend a day with my Ma & Sister ... and nephew, too. He gets credit for the photo.

Humbling moment

There are many times in parenting when I became painfully aware of my flaws.The other day, The Bun kept asking me questions while I was trying to get ready for work. Becoming impatient, I shushed her.
She got very quiet. I glanced over to where she was sitting on my bed from the bathroom where I was getting ready and saw she slumped over, looking defeated. Oh boy.
I stopped what I was doing, walked over and sat down next to her to ask her if she was OK. She looked at me with tears and said, "Don't shush no more."
OH BOY.
The Bun was right. I know it wasn't just the shushing but the way I shushed her. With an impatient and irritated tone. I regretted my actions immediately.
One thing I'm very good at is admitting when I'm wrong. I gave her a big hug, lots of kisses and said I was sorry.
She forgave me immediately.
Being a parent is indescribable. It's challenging, rewarding, exhausting, loving, the list goes on and on. It can also make you feel like a superhero, a martyr, a beauty queen, a villain, a magician, a maid, a short order cook and an ass. And a whole bunch of other things.
Every day, I try to be better and to lead by example. And every single day The Bun teaches me how.