This morning as we were driving into the bright morning light Max said to me "Mommy, it's really sparkly outside." I melted. It was a really spectacular day and the sun was clear and shiny and little did he know how much better his day was going to get. I dropped Max off at Pier 30 so he could take a very special ride with his Grandpa aka Paga aboard the tall ship Eagle (it has it's own blog) which was at the front of the Festival of Sail parade on the bay today. Max was pretty aprehensive about going, but we made it there and he said goodbye without issue. According to Paga he had a few moments aboard where he wanted to go home, but for the most part he was thouroughly entertained by all the activity. He watched the coast guard hoist and unfurl the sails while chanting "heave ho", he took a turn at the steering wheel (uh I guess they call it the helm), got a full ship tour, and hung out with a child-friendly sergeant Jonathan (not sure if that's his real title but that's what Max is saying). In the early afternoon I drove around the Embarcadero and Chrissy Field water front chasing their gorgeous pirate-like boat as Vivi napped for two hours in the back seat. Max returned with hats, commemorative coins and a most-beloved embroidered patch. He was beaming. He was so sad to leave Paga that he cried for him as we drove away. He clearly had a special but exhausting day!

Technorati Tags: Bay Area

Posted by big bunny at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While checking out a cool new site called poppytalk that sells handmade stuffs, I found these lovely little painted photographs. They are by a french designer named Fabien Labokoff. I'm loving these little beauties, the vignetted images are so serene and the paint is so swishy and soft. I'd like to jump in and float away —au revoir! I've been in such an art buying mood as of late so I couldn't help but get the three pictured above. They will inspire me to dream and enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Technorati Tags: art, painting, photography

Posted by big bunny at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We did a driving nap today. While the kids slept we toured Treasure Island by car. I'd never been. The view of the city from there is amazing. The island was probably once really lively especially in its navy heyday, but now it looks pretty run down and the few people who live there seem really isolated. However there's lots of decrepit beauty to find— like this gorgeous arched tiled doorway. The aqua color was stunning in the afternoon light.

Technorati Tags: Bay Area, San Francisco

Posted by big bunny at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vivienne has started waving! It's so cute. I swear she even says a "hi"-like sound while she waves. Have I mentioned that she's a really happy baby? She's truly amazing. She only fusses over basic issues — a dirty diaper, hunger, and tiredness — the rest of the time she's a grinning, giggling sweetie pie.

Technorati Tags: baby

Posted by big bunny at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just picked up a copy of Yoshitomo Nara's first children's book, the lonesome puppy from Therapy. It's such a sweet story about determination and friendship, the message: there's someone for everyone. I love Nara's disturbed child characters. His simple illustrative style, painterly hand, and beautiful palettes inspire me! I can't get enough. I'm psyched that I now get to look at his work while Im reading to my kids.

Technorati Tags: art, illustration, inspiration, painting, children's books

Posted by big bunny at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vivienne Grace is on the verge of crawling. She's doing all sorts of pushing up, army crawling, down dog and worming maneuvers. It's only a matter of days I think.

Technorati Tags: baby

Posted by big bunny at 9:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The best part about Vivi napping in the car is I get to listen to countless hours of NPR programming. Today I listened to Elizabeth Royte talk about how much safer tap water is than bottled water. She also talked about the billions of plastic water bottles ruining the earth, the insane profit that the water industry is making, and how we consumers are motivated by convenience instead of health. I have already cut down on my plasic water bottle consumption in favor of carrying one of our many Nalgene bottles. But then she talked about how older Nalgene bottles are full of the same endocrine damaging chemicals that are in the Advent baby bottles. A few months ago we replaced all our baby bottles with Born Free ones that have no BPAs. But ironically as I was listening to the radio show, I was sipping from an older Nalgene BPA leeching bottle — ugh. After hearing that Siggs are the only safe reusable drinking bottles I practically ran to my computer to order one. Swiss engineering wins agan! Plus they have great designs too, something for everyone. I bought mythical shadows but love the one below too.

Technorati Tags: NPR

Posted by big bunny at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)