6.27.20 - Joy status: breakfast with Rachel and playdate

I had a belated birthday breakfast courtesy of Rachel, who I haven't seen in a long time. We ate at a place that normally has a line out the door, but because of "these times" we were able to walk up and get a table. In order to keep all the tables appropriately distanced, the restaurant had converted it's parking lot into spaced out patio seating, and it was really nice weather out and generally a nice ambiance. Food was great too. We both wanted savory and sweet so we ordered one of each (French toast and an avocado omelette) and split them.

When we were done I went back to my car and saw I had a ticket (!) BUT as I quickly scanned it to see the damage, I just saw $0 because it was only a warning (apparently I was parked in a residential area that requires a permit). I didn't even know such a thing was possible, and I couldn't help but wonder if the person choosing warning only took pity on me because of my pitiable (but reliable!) old Toyota Corolla.

Then I dropped by the nearby park and playground to verify (a) park parking lots have reopened, (b) as have the playgrounds themselves, and (c) as have the public restrooms (especially important with little kids with little bladders).

So I went home and got Jane and Clara ready with a picnic lunch, and we went back to the park to meet up with one of Clara's former preschool classmates (and his mom and younger sister) for a playdate. All the kids were *really* happy to see each other (except Jane who sat with me on a bench most of the time, being shy).

Weather wasn't terrible because we met early enough in the day - high 70s and low 80s, manageable, and the park had a lot of shade. The kids loved chasing the birds, drawing with sidewalk chalk, and chasing each other around the playground and park. Even Jane did finally join in for the last 20 or so minutes we were there. This is the first time I met this family (Jack was always the one to drop off and pick up Clara from school) and the other mama was easy to talk to. We've already tenatively planned another get together in a little while to have a craft day at our apartment. Hoping this is the beginning of a decent family friendship.

Jane went too far away so I told Clara to go get her. They walked all the way back to me holding hands.

Nice weekend!

6.27.20 - Joy status: Fun Saturday

It's been a good day.

• I had a belated birthday breakfast courtesy of Rachel, who I haven't seen in a long time.
• We ate at a place that normally has a line out the door, but because of "these times" we were able to walk up and get a table.
• In order to keep all the tables appropriately distanced, the restaurant had converted it's parking lot into spaced out patio seating, and it was really nice weather out and generally a nice ambiance.
• Food was great too. We both wanted savory and sweet so we ordered one of each (French toast and an avocado omelette) and split them.
• When we were done I went back to my car and saw I had a ticket (!) BUT as I quickly scanned it to see the damage, I just saw $0 because it was only a warning (apparently I was parked in a residential area that requires a permit). I didn't even know such a thing was possible, and I couldn't help but wonder if the person choosing warning only took pity on me because of my pitiable (but reliable!) old Toyota Corolla.
• Then I dropped by the nearby park and playground to verify (a) park parking lots have reopened, (b) as have the playgrounds themselves, and (c) as have the public restrooms (especially important with little kids with little bladders).
• So I went home and got Jane and Clara ready with a picnic lunch, and we went back to the park to meet up with one of Clara's former preschool classmates (and his mom and younger sister) for a playdate. All the kids were *really* happy to see each other (except Jane who sat with me on a bench most of the time, being shy).
• Weather wasn't terrible because we met early enough in the day - high 70s and low 80s, manageable, and the park had a lot of shade.
• The kids loved chasing the birds, drawing with sidewalk chalk, and chasing each other around the playground and park. Even Jane did finally join in for the last 20 or so minutes we were there.
• This is the first time I met this family (Jack was always the one to drop off and pick up Clara from school) and the other mama was easy to talk to.
• We've already tenatively planned another get together in a little while to have a craft day at our apartment. Hoping this is the beginning of a decent family friendship.

Nice weekend!

6.23.20 - Kid snippets: shortcut

Jane has a very tiny cut on her toes. She says it's her "shortcut."

6.22.20 - Kid snippets: Where are Clara's toy frogs?

Clara: Mom where are my [toy] frogs?
M: I don't know.
C: Are they in the bathroom?
M: I don't know, hon.
C: Did Jane take them?
M: Clara, I *don't* *know*
C: Did YOU take them??
M: What? No.
C: Where are they?
M: Clara! *I don't know*!
C: You keep saying 'I don't know' a lot!
M: Yes, babe, because I DON'T KNOW.
C: Did Dad take them?

6.15.20 - Kid snippets: Run Away Scar!

Clara and Jane are playing with the toy birthday cake.

Clara: Mom we have a birthday cake for you! It's Bobo's birthday
Me: Where is Bobo?
Clara: Bobo's in jail. And we have to get him after 1,000 minutes.

Also apparently Lion King is in now because the girls keep repeatedly smacking each other in the face and saying it's because "we're lions" (Scar and grown up Simba). Somehow Jane always ends up being Scar, and Clara keeps ferociously yelling at her "Run! Run away Scar!"

6.14.20 - Spending a day with the kids

I've spent the afternoon and evening with the kids without trying to get any other work done. I enjoyed so many things:

The girls play together and keep each other and Calvin busy a lot. He crawls from room to room to watch them. I actually got a lot of cleaning done while they were all playing with each other. I think it helps that I've taken FB off my phone and suddenly it seems like I have more time for other things. :-P

Clara has been very into drawing all kinds of things, and she's especially interested in copying drawings I make for her. I drew her some block letters and later the Big Bad Wolf from Three Little Pigs, and she was just delighted. Jane likes to color and draw alongside Clara; Jane only scribbles right now but she has started telling us that all of her drawings are fireworks.

Right: my drawing of the Three Little Pigs' houses
Left: Clara's copy

We also did some crafting together. The girls got to try out some of my fancy hole punches, crafting scissors, and glue. They were very into their projects. Calvin sat in the high chair and watched, and when he started getting bored I just gave him bits of banana. That kept him busy.

And perhaps the best part of the day, the part that tipped it into a "joy inventory status" day, was that Calvin woke up early from his nap, but because the girls were peacefully watching Monsters Inc I was able to cuddle Calvin in the rocking chair until he fell solidly back asleep. In contrast with his older sisters when they were babies, I've rarely been able to rock Calvin, and it was very very sweet.

It's been great getting to spend some focused time with my babes.

6.13.20 - Kid snippets: Hakuna Matata

Clara did not want to try the lunch that I made her and was complaining that it was yucky. I told her she had to take at least one bite. She picked up a piece, looked at me, cheerfully said "Hakuna matata!" and then took the bite while giggling.

6.12.20 - Kid snippets: Jane gets Clara her cup

Calvin was trying to drink out of Clara's sippy cup.

Clara: Calvin! That's my cup!
Me: Well you left it on the floor and now he's playing with it.
Jane looks from Clara to Calvin and back. Then Jane takes the cup from Calvin and gives it to Clara. Calvin starts to fuss.
Jane, sternly: Pway with sumpting else!

6.8.20 - Kid snippets: I wuv you Cahbin

Jane wanted to play with a puzzle and I told her she had to first clean up the toy train set. A moment later I hear her say, "Hi wittle buddy! Do you wah help me cwean up? You can give me the twain. You can do it! You can help cwean up. Hey buddy!"

Later in the afternoon Jane, Calvin, and I were all hanging out on my bed. Calvin was lying down and Jane was jumping around trying to make him laugh. Spontaneously she lay next to him, put her arm around his shoulders, and said "I wuv you Cahbin!" I about died.