Jaiden's 3rd Birthday Party!

Logan, Jaiden and Chloe...good friends and good times!

Mom and Chloe Kite Flying

Chloe was a pro at kite flying, she got it in the air when most of us adults struggled.

More pictures of friends at Angel Island

Chloe, Ava, and Logan

Ava's Birthday Party at Angel Island

We had a wonderful day at Angel Island for Ava's birthday party and Jill and Dave's going away party. They are moving to Prague for 5 months. We will miss them but are very excited for them!

Preschool Dress Up Day

My Flower Girl Dress for Auntie Tanya's Wedding in July!

I am SO excited to be a flower girl again!

Pretty in pink

This day, Chloe and Mom went to Mill Valley to pick up her new daybed for her big sister room. We also picked up a decorative hat box for her "baby box" to save all her special items, like her hospital band, her first ballet slippers...and more. She loved the box so much that it hasn't left her side since we bought it. So much for keeping baby items safe and sound. Oh, and yes, Chloe picked out her entire outfit this day, right down to the matching boots, bow and stickers on her face. She may be a stylist when she grows up....

A dangerous place when your 7 months pregnant...

Chloe and Mom...Perfect together, and double trouble ;)

The union of Aries and Leo is a match of two people of same caliber and same characteristic. Both of you are always on a go and are craving for fun, excitement, love and fun. Vibrancy is prevalent mutually in Ram and Lion. Leo is generous and good hearted, while Aries is open to life – a combination sure to make wonders with a little bit of work and compromise. Ego runs high in the minds of Aries and Leo, just as their craving for being the center of attraction.

Aries and Leo are characterized with an outgoing, extrovert, warm and vibrant personality. While the Leo is creative, Aries is energetic and enthusiastic which makes the combination all the more lovely and exciting.

Just for fun, continued...NOT

Wow....talk about taking the fun out. When did Dad get so geezed out and heavy handed...? Lighten up Dad.

For the sake of all blog readers, this long winded post has been deleted.

Let the mystical enchantment of life live on...(whether a scientist has proven it or not).

Just for fun...

My two babies:

Chloe:

Aries (the ram) loves freedom, and will accept any challenge. Aries will get impatient if your ideas do not work out immediately and as expected. You are unwilling to follow someone else's suggestions, especially if they do not make sense to you. You often have excess energy which can make you aggressive. Arians are brave leaders who express care and concern for all they lead. However, an Arian as a follower is rare, and can be troublesome. Because you are open and honest, you will make energetic and generous friends. Arians have trouble compromising which can lead to problems in otherwise smooth friendships.

Baby Boy Cliffe:

Taurus isn't necessarily like a Bull in a ring with a toreador. You could be more like peace-loving Ferdinand, seeking the gentle meadows filled with flowers, sunshine and natural beauty. It's only Taurus stubbornness that can make you angry enough to charge at someone who is disturbing your peace.

Taurus are noted for your determination. You get to where you are going, not because you are exceptionally fast or clever, but because Taurus will not be distracted from your goals. Your need for stability and simplicity can motivate Taurus to create a life for yourself that is quite functional, though it might seem boring to someone else. But Taurus aren't interested in taking unnecessary risks that can put your solid footing in jeopardy.

Taurus motto might be "Take care of the senses and everything else will take care of itself." It may be that your attraction to material things is less about the objects themselves than it is about the pleasure they bring to your senses. Comfortable living and working space is important to Taurus, along with nice linens, clothing, food and music. And, as one of the most practical signs, Taurus outlook on life is usually quite sensible. As Taurus plod along in life, getting what you need in order to survive, don't forget to look at the beauty that is beyond the material world of material possessions.

Blast from the past photos...Some Favorite Friends!

These are some photos I recently uploaded from my iPhone. They were taken a while ago, so the kiddos look a little younger than they do now and they are all still best buds!

Girls Getaway Weekend at Calistoga Ranch...an unbelievable place!

My girlfriend Tanya and I spent Friday and Saturday in wine country at the Calistoga Ranch, an AMAZING resort nestled in the foothills of Calistoga, just outside St Helena. An unbelievable, magical place and a great time with a lovely girlfriend. Just what this preggers girl needed! Thank you Tanya!
http://www.calistogaranch.com/

For the Grandparents...another preschool teacher update ;)

Today the Neta friends came into the classroom and discovered a big surprise. The Abiyoyo book had disappeared. It was almost like the father from the book snuck into the classroom on Tuesday and used his magic wand to 'zoop zoop' the book out of existence. Luckily a quick trip to the library solved all problems and the Abiyoyo book is now safe on the Neta classroom’s bookshelf. On the journey back to the classroom the group of children ran into the Grammy award winning recording artist Jonathan Bayer. After long negotiations, the children convinced Jonathan to make a special appearance in the Neta classroom and sing a couple of songs. The first musical blessing the Neta friends were treated to, was a special book reading of ‘Abiyoyo’, with the musical assistance of Jonathan Bayer, himself. Somehow the banjo added a special spice to the book reading and the Neta friends enjoyed the story almost as if they had never heard it before. Because of the rain, the outside time was again shortened. This didn’t seem to bother the Neta children too much, as they found the extended small group times quite interesting. One group again dealt with the agonizing separation from home by writing letters to loved ones, while another group found embracing the hospitality of the Nitzanim children a pleasurable task. The third group was blessed with another art studio session, in which they made sticker collages and painted over them.

Who knew chocolate chips and cinnamon in challah bread would taste so good? Michael (Sebastian's father) waltzed his way into the Neta room prepared for an interesting day of baking powder, flour, and repetitive picture books. With their minds set on devious plans of sending three year olds home hoped up on sugar, Michael and Dara got to work. While the dough was being laid out, the constant reminders of "please save the chocolate chips for the challah" and "please don't eat the chocolate chips yet" started to fly.
After the challah was braided an put in the oven, Michael sat in the book area and was quickly buried with numerous books requests. Of course the favorites were read. 'Everybody Poops' and 'Abiyoyo' entertained not only the children but also the adult reading them. Then the book of Dayenu was introduced to the Neta class just in time for Passover season.
Michael read all the way into the start of Shabbat. He barely had time to finish his marathon book reading session before the dinosaur song began bellowing out of the future Motown artists. Jonathan made his second appearance of the week to play a beautiful mandolin, and Shabbat had officially begun. In the end, a beautiful and delicious challah was produced, and the fruits of the children's labor was gloriously devoured like lions in bountiful sahara desert.

3/8/10
Art studio, courtyard, and letter writing. What more could a three year old want for small group choices? Dara and the court yard group found a way to communicate to the worms that spring is coming and the Neta friends miss them so dearly. Ariel and her Art studio group once again explored the multi- media aspect of collage by painting over the stickered up fabric from the last art studio session. A small field trip to the JCCSF halls was established as a small group observed the photo printed historic letters plastered against the walls on the second floor. This inspired the children to walk back to the classroom and write some more of their own letters. Most of these letters were sent to the ever so popular Dara Gurman (sorry parents. not too many letters for you today), who welcomed the wonderful letters with 'thank you hugs' filled with overflowing gratitude.

(Mom was very proud and touched to find a letter from Chloe sealed in an envelope waiting for Mom in her cubby...it read "Dear Mommy, I had graham crackers for snack. I love you, Love Chloe" with a picture drawn on the other side of the letter. I have pulled it out of my purse 3 times already today on my travels and will treasure it always. Chloe looked especially proud when I told her this upon picking her up from school. A BIG SMILE...;) Priceless!

Bubble Bath Time...Like my bubble hat??!

Baby Number Two "Sprinkle" for Tia and Jeanine

Thank you Ileana for throwing Tia and I a wonderful "sprinkle", it was so great to celebrate baby boy with friends!

One of Chloe's Preschool Update. She loves her school!

There is no escaping 'Abiyoyo'. The fork tailed giant has a way to follow any preschool teacher to the ends of this earth, and this year Sebastian has found a way to aide the fictitious character in into a legendary status. If you haven't heard by now, Abiyoyo is the equivalent to your three year old to what Hannah Montana is to an eleven year old girl. There is no escaping this monster. Abiyoyo is requested every time a teacher steps near the book area; he is represented in dramatic play inside and outside the play yard, and has now found his way in a few disturbing dreams of your local Neta class teachers.

Rather than trying to escape to inevitable the Neta teachers have decided to celebrate the interest in early literacy development and read Abiyoyo every time the book is requested. It has been decided that plays based on the book and drawings of the monster will be incorporated in the Neta school days to come. Who are we to deny Sebastian and A.J. the joy of screaming "ABIYOYO!!" every time the intense giant appears on the page?
Touching on early literacy development, a couple of the Neta friends worked with small groups in scribing out long detailed letters to send home for mothers, fathers, baby brothers, baby sisters, grandparents and more. The children showed much interest in this activity and we will look to expand with this in the near future. Who knows, maybe we'll even send a letter to our good friend Abiyoyo.
With the good weather making a special appearance on the beautiful day we call Monday, the much anticipated courtyard was opened to the eager three year olds trapped in the Neta classroom. Planting, watering, and worm exploration took up the outside time as the children spread smiles all through out the glorious court yard.
The art studio was another choice for the small group activities, and the Haiti charity poster is getting more and closer to being done. Jen worked with a small group of Neta children, and some how glue did not cover every inch of the art studio. From how the poster looks now, I must say the Neta friends are definitely capable of creating beautiful pieces of art.

Dara took a small group to revisit the worms in the courtyard. We read two books about where the worms live and what they eat; we then decided to help feed the worms and collect composted food to put in the worm bin! Declan, Ben, Amelie, AJ, and Wesley carefully picked out paper towels, orange peels, and grapes (with gloved hands, of course!) and placed it in the worm bin. We also learned that worms hibernate during the winter and we will see them again when spring arrives!

A few more pictures of lovely Tahoe

Beautiful Pink Bunny, Cousin Sophie

Family Photo Op

Cliffe Family Reunion, Fun in the snow.

Wipe Out...!