Snapshot #1032: Visitors from Idaho

February 28, 2014.  Monterey Peninsula, California.  We have been busy as bees getting ready for my family to come visit.  This morning Hazel and I picked up my parents and my brother from the airport and then drove straight to Monterey for the day.  Our stops along the way included Pezzini Artichoke Farm & Store, Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-Mile Drive and Carmel-by-the-Sea.  (That's a picture of Hazel doing the "Hot Dog Dance."  If you don't know what that is, click here.)   

Snapshot #1031: Pattern Blocks

February 19, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Melissa & Doug's Pattern Blocks are a HUGE hit with my 2-1/2-year-old.  She was more than reluctant to put them away before nap time.  As she played with the blocks she sang, "Hazel's making a star, Hazel's making a star" and "Hazel's making a snail" over and over again.

Snapshot #1030: Victorian Nightstands

February 18, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Ahhh...finally a place to lay our books.  I found this nearly identical pair of walnut oval marble-top tables from two separate antique dealers outside Sebastapol, California.  Both tables were made around 1890, but one came from an estate in Santa Rosa while the other came from the east coast.

Snapshot #1029: The Golden Gate

February 17, 2014.  Highway One, California.  Today it was back to the bay.  We took the scenic route south along Highway One.  I'm already contemplating my next trip back up.

Snapshot #1028: Bohemian Highway

February 15, 2014.  Sebastopol, California.  The Bohemian Highway--I kinda really love it.  My favorite stops along the way were Wild Flour Bread, Earth Child Creations for Magical Play, and Llano House Antiques. 

Snapshot #1027: Russian River

February 14, 2014.  Monte Rio, California.  Morning fog over the Russian River.  I feel like I'm in a puzzle!  We are going antiquing today.  (squeal for delight)

Snapshot #1026: Riverwood Cottage

February 13, 2014.  Monte Rio, California.  Our home for the next five days. 

Snapshot #1025: Google Shopping Express

February 12, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Love, love, love, love, LOVE google shopping express with free delivery.

Snapshot #1024: Baylands Park

February 11, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  Hazel thought it was SO much fun to take turns completing physical obstacles at the park.  Her little giggle is music to my soul.

Snapshot #1023: Lemon Tea

February 10, 2014.  San Jose, California.  A sore throat and a rainy morning.

Snapshot #1022: The Rose Garden

February 8, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I have now read all the Kearsely novels available at my local library.  I'm going to have to look for the authors to whom she's compared.  Do you have a favorite historical fiction novel?

Snapshot #1021: WaterWays

February 7, 2014.  San Jose, California.  The Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is Amazing!!  Probably her favorite exhibit was WaterWays.  Here...I'll walk you through it:

#1 Put a Yellow Ball on the Ramp

#2 Watch the Yellow Ball Roll Down the Ramp

#3 When the Yellow Ball hits the center, a stream of water rockets it into mid-air.  Can you see the yellow blur in the middle of the photo?

#4 The Stream of Water catapults the Yellow Ball into a bucket way up high

#5 A Two-Year Old's Reaction Close-Up

Conclusion:  We love the Discovery Museum.  I purchased a membership so we can go back again and again.

Snapshot #1020: The Goldfish

February 6, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  Hazel's favorite song from Music Makers is The Goldfish by the Laurie Berkner Band.

Snapshot #1019: Hazelisms

February 5, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Her vocabulary is exploding. Some Hazelisms worth remembering:  "Nose is Falling" (indicating a runny nose).  "Pee-pee falling."  "Go Away."  "Daddy Missing."  Love, love, love this girl.

Snapshot #1018: Consequences

February 4, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Because of Hazel's tantrum this morning she lost the privilege of going to the park.  Ahhhh...consequences.  I'm not sure who this picture represents, Hazel or me.    

Snapshot #1017: Murphy's Law

February 3, 2014.  Redwood City, California.  Three weeks after Potty Training in One Day Hazel chose to have her first accident...today...just before arriving to meet one of my clients....the ONE time I bring Hazel along to drop off a paint swatch...the one time she meets my client...the one time I don't bring a change of clothes.

Snapshot #1016: Family Groupings

February 1, 2014.  San Jose, California.  First it was the mommy & daddy & baby turtles.  Now it's the elephants and the cars.  Too precious.   

Snapshot #1015: Humming Bird

January 31, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Look at what the cat drug in; very much alive and flapping.  So...I caught it in a pillowcase then released it outside.  

Snapshot #1014: Raynor Park

January 30, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  While waiting for the paint guy to mix a custom color for my client Hazel and I found respite at a nearby park.

Snapshot #1013: Hazel Tracks

January 29, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Literally, Hazel Tracks.

Snapshot #1012: Love At First Sight

January 28, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I'm in love with this house.  I can't stop dreaming about it.  Hardwood floors, old school character, wrap-around porch.  It's in a rural setting, yet only 45 minutes from The City.  It's less than an hour from the Pacific Coastline.  It's surrounded by wine country.  It's sitting on 2 acres with ample room for a picturesque apple orchard in the back (my dream).  There's a children's play house and a red barn on site.  Sigh.  It's currently for sale (though over-priced).  Too bad it's in Oregon and we're in California.

Snapshot #1011: Straws & Connectors

January 27, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I'm not sure who had more fun, Dave or Hazel.

Snapshot #1010: Before & After

January 25, 2014.  San Jose, California.  This pantry overhaul was long overdue.

Snapshot #1009: Picnic

January 24, 2014.  Cupertino, California.  We walked through Rancho San Antonio today and had a picnic at the farm.

Snapshot #1008: So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

January 23, 2014.  San Jose, California.  She's watching and waiting for Daddy to come home.

Snapshot #1007: Project Whole Foods

January 22, 2014.  San Jose, California.  The goal is more energy.  I'm thinking this might do it.

Snapshot #1006: Fever

January 21, 2014.  She's cute, even when she's sick.  And she cuddles more too.  Can't say that I'm complaining.