Papa taught me.

In addition to drinking the "pickle juice," here's another adorable thing Boat Papa taught Marco. Papa taught him with spaghetti, but Marco improvised.

Kung Fu Fighting

Those Kung Fu movement classes at pre-school are really paying off.

'Tis the Season

We finally got up to the cabin this year for the first time over July 4th. There was so much snow we weren't able to get into the driveway and had to park on the road.

The weather was perfect! Hot and sunny during the day, cool at night. There was just enough snow to keep our drinks cold and Marco entertained.

We arrived in the morning and spent all day in shorts and rain boots playing outside in the creek, making snowmen, playing snow baseball and floating boats. Finally, we all went inside around 6 p.m. We didn't realize it, but Marco hadn't been inside all day! He said, "So, where do I sleep in this cabinet?"

We celebrated Grammy's birthday weekend with relaxation, walks, snow and an "It's It" cake. We skipped the other 60-something candles because only you can prevent forest fires.Marco found the only person who doesn't tire of reading him books. Granny was a very good sport. We're going to have to get a 90-year old to keep around. (Grammy didn't seem to mind her part of the job much either.)

It's the altitude.

All hail Elks Club.

A day of swimming, snacking and partying with friends can make a boy and his girlfriends very tired.

(Note his bandaid. He "hurt his hair" on the fridge.)

Go Giants!

Uncle Tim and Auntie Sara invited us to an A's game. Walking through Old Navy, there was a 4T A's t-shirt on sale for $5. It was a sign!

Uncle Tim was very appreciative of Marco's new t-shirt, we were very appreciative of the trap, err, luxury box where we viewed the A's game and the World Cup (brutal defeat, ug) and Marco was very appreciative of his helmet o'popcorn. Score one for the A's.

We enjoyed the games, snacked all day and hopped back on BART. Marco sat next to a stranger and told him all about his day at the Giants game. Quick reminder that he's 3.

I know I'm a little biased, but is it just me or does Marco just look a little more dorky in the ol' green and gold?

Big Boy School

Marco has started real pre-school.

Since Jeff and I are incredibly discerning and picky parents, we chose the one closest to our house, that provides after school care for our local public school, and, ah shucks, it just happens to be the cheapest.

So far, it's been really, really great. I kind of didn't realize how ready he was to have another experience. We loved being at Alba's for three years, but he didn't have anyone there his age and he was the oldest all-day child left.

Now he's in a class of 30 kids his own age. There are three teachers in his class. He had two transitional, "But I want another kiss!" days and now he's good. The teachers rave about his easy transition, how he loves to play with all the kids and his love for Elena (one of the teacher's daughters).

Having a calendar of what they work on is so great... Science day, Kung Fu movement day, dance class, sharing day... I adore it.

We've already been uber-dorky involved, including a parents' night out (Marco goes to school for movie night while we go out), a PTA meeting and we're fans online. Every parent I meet says, "oh! We've heard all about Marco! [Blank] talks about him!"

So far, Marco talks about one friend, "Johnny." I found out his name is "Benny," to which Marco said, "yeah! Benny!" Ah, to be three.

It's been an amazing realization to meet kids in our neighborhood that could be Marco's lifetime friends. (After all, Jeff ran away from Jack's house when he was five.) I mean, Marco and Benny have the same retro, metal Curious George lunchbox, so if that's not lifetime friend material, what is?

I asked Marco what Benny looked like so I could recognize him and he said, "He looks like a real funny guy!"

Today he told me, "Benny and I put spike-tailed dinosaurs down the slide! It was funny. But then we were put on timeout."

Marco new pride is his cubby and hook (this is actually his stuff, not trash.)

I've never felt more love and like and appreciation of my kid watching him transition to "big boy school."

The First Cut is the Deepest

Marco disappeared into his room this morning. And... Gave himself a haircut with baby nail scissors.





It was bad.

We spent the morning at the farmers market hearing stories about when "their" son/daughter/nephew gave themselves a haircut.

So... We gave him a cover up buzz. BUZZ.

And what I learned is that Marco really doesn't favor Jeff even with a 1/8 cut.


I'm sure you'll agree.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Put me in Coach.

The Becks were in town and in case you didn't know, Coach Beck is uber-important. Called up the Giants and asked for a few seats to their sold out game. Booyeah, the best seats we'd ever sat in were waiting at Will Call.

We were so happy to join Tyler at his first Giants game! I think it's fair to say the Giants are, like, at least his fourth favorite team. And definitely, his favorite ballpark.

It was the first game we've really taken Marco to a game as a big boy. (Shh, don't tell him that we went several times without him last season.) We were concerned, but luckily (snark), the Giants were down 8 runs in the 5th, so we went ahead for a walking tour of the stadium.

As it turns out, Bochy should've put Marco in because he stepped right up to the plate at the mini-ballpark and got a base hit. I nearly cried I was so proud. Of course, the kid in front of him got a splash hit. Showoff.

And guess who we ran into at the mini-ballpark?? TOMMY BOY! I love this picture of Jeff and Marco talking to Auntie M. They were so excited about their mini-ballpark experience!

Marco and Tommy took several laps on the slides and Marco shot out of the slide full stride running. How is it possible?After our play tour, we headed out to the bleachers and met up with more friends. I think Marco is a really man of the people because he loved the bleachers! He especially had a soft spot for seeing his friends and sharing his snacks (and getting theirs).

He fell asleep around 5:00 on the drive home and continued to sleep straight through the night. Ahhh.

It was, honestly, the most enjoyable day!

Incubation Period

Think we should get a medical opinion?