Welcome back... so yes, I've finally found enough time and energy after the crazy holidays to update! I'm as happy as you are, trust me. What's new? Not a whole lot, but some stuff.
Riley's tantrums including hitting me have tapered off. And she doesn't shout "GO AWAY!!!" at the top of her lungs 20 times a day anymore. So, we're finally getting somewhere with the T-2s. I hope.
Russell started a new job this week, and it's going to take a little getting used to. He's moved to a much smaller company, and now he's the boss of the creative department. A wonderful opportunity, and he will take names, for sure, once he gets used to the environment. He had a great first week, in terms of client work (not surprising), so that will help out! Here's his new work space (nobody has offices at this company!). He's starting to decorate a little, and thank God he has a bookcase ordered...
They've written a press release about his hire, so I'll include a link once it's published.
Today we spent a good bit of quality time as a family. I could not believe that as soon as we woke up, Russell suggested we go to the Exploratorium. We've never been there before, so we didn't know what to expect, and I couldn't believe he wanted to go somewhere public on the weekend, since he hates crowds so much. Fortunately, the weather was gorgeous, so it wasn't too busy. But, 95% of the exhibits were way too old for Riley to appreciate. We'll take her back in 5 years, and she'll go hog-wild, I'm sure.
Then we had lunch in Russian Hill, at La Boulange. We love the one in Cole Valley, but I had no idea it was a chain. I'm not so sure I like it as much now that I know that... but the food was great, and Riley ate her entire plate of food. Which was monsterous.
As I said, our weather has been amazing. Here we are, last weekend, at Park Chalet, a favorite good-weather spot. Always loads of kids and dogs running around out there.
Here's Riley playing with one of her many favorite presents from Santa, her art table. She LOVES to paint. Everything. Including herself and the curtains (don't even ask).
And for tonite's closer: In my family, it's believed that one should eat pork and sauerkraut and kielbasa and hot dogs and mashed potatoes on New Year's Day in order to have good luck in the following year (oh, and I also found this link and thought I'd post it, in honor of my mom's and Kathy's favorite local restaurant, Atria's). I love the meal, but since I have a vegetarian as a husband, I always get to invite people over to share in the yummies and good fortune. Here it is:
Riley and Russell love to help me cook, in their own particular get-up:
You can see my two are not used to this kind of action. Good night!
Oh, sorry... one more silly note to end on. This. Curse or cure? Well, it surely mesmerizes "The Tornado" (a recent nickname Russell has dedicated to Riley-Belle) and lets me get lots of stuff done, but is it brainwashing my daughter at the same time? What are the undertones here? Hmmm... I guess I'm glad it's not on TV anymore. Just a special treat on YouTube now and then.
UNLESS! On that note... I totally forgot... I was desparately seeking Teletubbies one day, at the wailing request of Riley, and thought I found a good one on YouTube. And as you'll learn, I'm actually quite a novice with it. Well, I can't find the video now for the life of me, to link for you (thank Gawd they took it off), but it went something like this: Po was happily dancing, and then all of a sudden, got shot 4 times, and someone yelled, "Shut the F*!# up!" I guess it would have been really funny to me if Riley wasn't watching, because there was no blood or anything. She just looked at me, frowned and said, "What happened, mommy?" I'm glad she's young enough to believe it was just thunder and rain. Be careful to preview everything you let your kids watch on YouTube!
But just for my own amusement, this one is pretty funny. Much more like what we parents feel when we watch those retarded characters, I think!
