Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Musical night



I don’t break out my flute all that often but every now and then the kids want to hear what mommy can do. I grew up playing classical music so that’s all I can entertain them with. Which, when all is said and done, I think it is good for kids to learn. Alan, however, is the cool one as he knows Beatles songs, popular musicians and other rock and roll songs to play for the kids. Together we are a mish mash of sounds going on. Well, I guess it is more about instilling the love of music at this age right? Thank goodness because technique as a foursome is definitely not there. Love, well, love we got. In some immortal words, “Love…love….love…….”

Sunday, March 21, 2010

“Org”’s birthday




Org – aka Ford – turned three today. He held his party at the barn which worked out well for us. There were about 15 kids there and the usually exuberant Ford and Evan were actually quite quiet. As soon as the party was over though and the rest of the guests had left – the two of them picked up right where they left off. Loud, dirty and playing in the dirt pile.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Marin Ballet March Observation day



We are always recruiting Kiira’s friends to do the activities that she does. Let’s face it – it’s just more fun when your friends are there too. Recently we got her friend Samantha to join ballet. They performed for us at the observation day. Kiira continues to love ballet and we continue to love to watch her. We can’t wait for the performance in June!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Marin Ballet Observation day video

Kiira in one of her ballet excercises!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Muskateers



Old friends are one of the best things in life. And your good old friends are friends that you can pick up with even if you haven’t seen them in years. My dear old friend Ruth was in town this past weekend. She turned fourty on March 13 and left the snowy hills of Middlebury, VT to pay several friends a visit here in the San Francisco area. We were one of those friends.

Ruth and I have known each other since I was about 9 and she was about 8. We never went to the same school but we bonded over ponies. She and my friend Catherine and I were the three muskateers growing up. Catherine also went to a different school. Three friends – three different schools – all bonded by mutual love of the equine.
Most of you know that I still ride today. I am so thankful that I have horses in my life. While Ruth was out, I took her to the barn. She hadn’t ridden in 15 years. I put her up on Rhett and she looked as if she had never left it. You could see a certain spirit return to her as she cantered around.

There is just something freeing about being around something you love. You can forget about daily troubles. You can forget about errands, bills, and the never ending to-do list. Being around something you love, like being around horses is to me, transports me to a place where I can remember my carefree younger days and dream about infinite possibilities in the future.

Thanks to horses, I have amazing women in my life that connect me through the years. They too give me possibilities as each of our friends offer wisdom, ideas, thoughts that we may never have stumbled upon ourselves. Thanks to my friends, to the equines we love and the past and present memories we have and will pass down to our kids.

On my other side in the photo is Jenny - whom I have been friends with since we were 5 years old. Yes, certainly old friends are the best friends.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Ski week 2010



This week was ski week. We ventured up to Tahoe with our family and our travelmates - the Bernsteins. While I am not a great skier, Alan is trying to make sure that our kids are! Can't say that I'm much help for technique but I am a great cheerleader, dresser, boo-boo kisser and bathroom runner.





While Kiira has never taken to ski school, we got Evan to go for one day (with his best friend Ginger - that made ALL the difference). He LOVED it! Still talks about his friend "Kate" that helped him at "ski kool". I gotta say - the kid's a natural.

Kiira seemed to have improved by leaps and bounds as well. Alan took her under his wing and she was skiing blues and greens by the end of the week - all by herself! Go Kiira go!

We can't pass up the spectacular sledding in the area either. Personally - I'd rather sled than do any of the above! We ALL had a good time hitting those slopes as well!





Snowball fight!!! For our kids....anytime....anywhere!!!!



Nothing beats a day on the mountain than a good soak in the hut tub!