Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Now about us...
The past few months has been a time for transitions. At the end of August I started Business School at The Presidio School of Management in SF. School is amazing, it integrates social and environmental values into every course, the class load is great, the classes are only 4 days a month and my school colleagues are pretty terrific. But the work load is kicking my butt. Finding a balance between school and motherhood has been challenging and there certainly have been some guilt ridden moments, but for the most part I think I am so much happier and that means I am a better mom, even if my time is limited. Lotus is trucking along pretty well with these changes. She loves her nanny Jade, and during the weekends I am in school she has a great time with Nate.
On top of that I decided to throw a benefit for Alzheimer's Association. Nate thought I was insane to add this to my plate, but even with his doubts he partnered with me and helped gather artist submissions. So last weekend with threw a pretty amazing art auction. We put the whole thing together in 4 weeks, we had over 70 pieces of donated art, from a wide range of artists, and our friends at Maverix Studios donated their great gallery space. The evening started with a silent auction that got pretty frenzied at the end and then we grabbed some the most valued pieces and had a live auction as well. Our dear friend Derek helped gather bidding momentum and helped us raise over $14,000. All I can say is you missed out if you weren't there.
You are still welcome to donate to the cause, though you will not get any amazing art in exchange for your donation. Follow this link:
http://memorywalk.kintera.org/treasureisland07/estherpearl
For more details about the auction check out our friend Jamie's Blog, since I don't think I can do the event justice the way he did: http://www.james-baker.com/news/2007/10/maverix-auction-6.html
On top of that I decided to throw a benefit for Alzheimer's Association. Nate thought I was insane to add this to my plate, but even with his doubts he partnered with me and helped gather artist submissions. So last weekend with threw a pretty amazing art auction. We put the whole thing together in 4 weeks, we had over 70 pieces of donated art, from a wide range of artists, and our friends at Maverix Studios donated their great gallery space. The evening started with a silent auction that got pretty frenzied at the end and then we grabbed some the most valued pieces and had a live auction as well. Our dear friend Derek helped gather bidding momentum and helped us raise over $14,000. All I can say is you missed out if you weren't there.
You are still welcome to donate to the cause, though you will not get any amazing art in exchange for your donation. Follow this link:
http://memorywalk.kintera.org/treasureisland07/estherpearl
For more details about the auction check out our friend Jamie's Blog, since I don't think I can do the event justice the way he did: http://www.james-baker.com/news/2007/10/maverix-auction-6.html
Lotus loves her Poppa Ron
Lotus has the men in her life wrapped around her little finger. She certainly is a daddy's girl, Uncle Matt does what ever she orders him to do and my dad softens at the sight of her. I had some hope that Ron would be tougher than the rest of the lot, but he may be the worst of all.
From the minute Ron and Gloria arrived Lotus grabbed Ron by the hand and dragged him into her room, where he played with her forever. If that wasn't enough she brought him outside (on a not so warm afternoon) and made him play in her play house with her. Now the playhouse is Lotus sized and Ron is quite tall, and yet even though he was contorted into yoga like positions he didn't complain a bit.
Considering it wasn't that long ago she barely would let anyone besides Nate and I touch her these photos of her with her Poppa Ron speak a thousand words.
From the minute Ron and Gloria arrived Lotus grabbed Ron by the hand and dragged him into her room, where he played with her forever. If that wasn't enough she brought him outside (on a not so warm afternoon) and made him play in her play house with her. Now the playhouse is Lotus sized and Ron is quite tall, and yet even though he was contorted into yoga like positions he didn't complain a bit.
Considering it wasn't that long ago she barely would let anyone besides Nate and I touch her these photos of her with her Poppa Ron speak a thousand words.
Tinkerbell wings and monster trucks
Auntie Andrea, Uncle Glen and Logan sent Lotus these adorable wings and wand for her bday and this picture slays me.
They also sent her a bowl and placemat. She carries tha placemat around like a blanket and refuses to eat out of anything other than the bowl. Do you think someone loves her baby and his family or what?
They also sent her a bowl and placemat. She carries tha placemat around like a blanket and refuses to eat out of anything other than the bowl. Do you think someone loves her baby and his family or what?
The second birthday party
The Saturday of Lotus birthday party we awoke to some heavy SF fog, which was not thrilling since her party was to be outdoors and in the park, but miracles of miracles just in time for the festivities the sun broke through and we had a marvelous day.
Nate's folks flew in again from the East Coast, which was pretty wonderful of them. Most of Lotus' good buddies made it and the weather cooperated so I say it was a great day. Lotus got some amazing presents and was pretty into the whole event and all the attention.
I really marveled at how in our short time as parents Nate and I have connected with some really awesome families.
The next day Lotus woke up and said, "Mommy, I like presents." Don't we all mi hija, don't we all.
Nate's folks flew in again from the East Coast, which was pretty wonderful of them. Most of Lotus' good buddies made it and the weather cooperated so I say it was a great day. Lotus got some amazing presents and was pretty into the whole event and all the attention.
I really marveled at how in our short time as parents Nate and I have connected with some really awesome families.
The next day Lotus woke up and said, "Mommy, I like presents." Don't we all mi hija, don't we all.
Lotus turned two
On September 11th Lotus celebrated her 2nd birthday and Nate and I learned a valuable lesson. Don't tell your kid the night before their birthday that "Tomorrow is your birthday!!! YEAH!", because apparantly they won't to go to sleep, since they are too excited for this upcoming event. Even if they have no idea what a birthday is.
Lotus woke up at almost the stroke of midnight (right about the time we were ready to go to bed after putting together and wrapping her presents) and refused to go back to sleep. At 4am we had to go for a walk so she could see that everyone else in the neighborhood was sleeping and at 5am I snapped "if you don't go to sleep I am canceling your birthday..." so I was the best mom ever!
So her actual birthday was a little surreal. But she was pretty happy with the new playhouse Nate and I got her and some other presents.
Blowing out her pie at home since we were all so tired we couldn't make it through dinner at the restaurant.
Lotus woke up at almost the stroke of midnight (right about the time we were ready to go to bed after putting together and wrapping her presents) and refused to go back to sleep. At 4am we had to go for a walk so she could see that everyone else in the neighborhood was sleeping and at 5am I snapped "if you don't go to sleep I am canceling your birthday..." so I was the best mom ever!
So her actual birthday was a little surreal. But she was pretty happy with the new playhouse Nate and I got her and some other presents.
Blowing out her pie at home since we were all so tired we couldn't make it through dinner at the restaurant.
Some shots from the end of the summer
As anyone who has spent time in Northern Cali knows the end of the summer is when the weather gets good around here. So Lotus and I had some fun outdoor adventures in August. We spent a day in Napa with her friend Ria. We went to the beach in Capitola with our neighbors and met up with my friend Meredith and her cute kiddos, and we have spent many a day outdoors in good ole SF.
here are some shots from our days in the sun
Lotus and Ria in Napa
Lotus, Ria and Brody in the Presidio
A few months ago the new Children's Playground opened up in Golden Gate Park. This is the creme de la creme of playgrounds and we are lucky enough to live a few blocks from it. Even though is has all the coolest playground ecotruments Lotus' favorite park is the carrosuel. Anytime we are anywhere near the park she says "Can we ride horseys mommy?" It's terrible ordeal when the carrosuel is closed. We need to convince her that the horseys are sleeping. Her are a few pics of her favorite park of Golden Gate Park
Our day at the beach in Capitola
here are some shots from our days in the sun
Lotus and Ria in Napa
Lotus, Ria and Brody in the Presidio
A few months ago the new Children's Playground opened up in Golden Gate Park. This is the creme de la creme of playgrounds and we are lucky enough to live a few blocks from it. Even though is has all the coolest playground ecotruments Lotus' favorite park is the carrosuel. Anytime we are anywhere near the park she says "Can we ride horseys mommy?" It's terrible ordeal when the carrosuel is closed. We need to convince her that the horseys are sleeping. Her are a few pics of her favorite park of Golden Gate Park
Our day at the beach in Capitola
