Zoe doesn’t remember our last visit to Lafayette, of course, but I do! And what a difference five years makes.

-M

We headed over to the East Bay this weekend and spent part of today at the Lafayette Reservoir – a place we hadn’t been to in five years. Avery, who had gotten up early and done a lot of swimming at our hotel this morning, was perhaps too tired to fully enjoy our boatride (see second-to-last pic), but Zoe really liked it. And it was a far cry (no pun intended) from our last time there, when the then-one-year-old Zoe spent a good amount of time on the boat crying.

-M

Before I left for dinner with friends the other night, Zoe asked me to call home at bedtime and sing the girls a song. So – shortly after ordering my food, I slipped outside with my phone and sang loud enough for them to hear over the Munis. (Both girls requested the lullaby I made up for them long ago, and Avery also wanted the “ABCDE Song.”) When I got home a few hours later, Q showed me the photo below and reported that Avery smiled throughout our call…

-M

After a friend’s birthday party on Sunday, Zoe and I stopped at a little playground in Noe Valley before heading home. We hadn’t been there in a long time (it’s a small one that’s mostly geared towards toddlers), but I was taken aback when Zoe walked in and declared, “I’ve never been here before.” “Zoe, you’ve been here bunches of times!” I cried out, and I immediately flashed back to our many visits when she was much, much smaller. (Of course she didn’t remember, I later thought. It was years ago.)

Zoe went on the slide a few times before getting bored and settling down with me on a bench to enjoy a book under the warm sun. Before we left, though, she jumped on a piece of equipment that looked like a bouncy horse: It was too small for her, yet she still bounced back and forth – her hair flying and her long arms and legs spilling from the sides – and laughed like she did when she was younger. I didn’t take her picture, but the sight is still etched in my mind: My “little” girl, on the cusp of being too big for the playground (or, at least, this playground), on the cusp of being too big for so many things that she enjoyed in her pre-school life. And, yet, still so innocent and sweet.

How time flies.

-M

A few (very) quick words from Avery on her favorite Giant.

-M

Last night I came across an article on working moms, which promotes the idea that a mother’s life doesn’t have to be “perfect” but instead “good enough.” It’s a great read – I completely agree with the writer’s sentiments – but it was the ending that got to me. Not only does it remind me of Zoe (I can totally see her doing this), but it’s the perfect reminder that kids don’t need “perfect:”

…My daughter came home from school one day and announced that she’d had the best day of her life. When I asked what had happened, she said it was just an ordinary day. I pressed — certainly something different must have occurred? She shook her head. Intrigued, I called her first-grade teachers and asked if anything special had happened in class. No, they repeated, it was just an ordinary day.

It took a minute or two to sink in. All this effort to create the big moments that working mothers everywhere strive to produce, all the bells and whistles I was madly trying to clang, and my daughter said the best day of her life had been an ordinary day. A good enough life.

-M

When Avery got home on Sunday afternoon, I asked her what her favorite part of the game was. “Dessert,” she replied.

-M

Zoe has gone to a lot of baseball games with her dad one-on-one, and yesterday was Avery’s turn. While Zoe went to a birthday party and spent some time shopping and strolling around Noe Valley with me, Avery cheered for the Giants, snacked on Cracker Jacks and cotton candy, and enjoyed the sights of AT&T Park. Q promised to take a lot of photos – and he did!

-M

We took a day trip to the East Bay yesterday – first to shop and roam around the very warm Walnut Creek, then to visit friends (and see Cousin Isaac) at a friend’s baby shower. Here are some pics.

-M

Yesterday marked a big day here: We officially started a project to convert part of our garage to livable space. In just a few months this large concrete area will feature a bedroom, bathroom and living room/play area for the kids, and though Zoe said she’s sad this area is changing, I think she and Avery will be super excited with the finished product.

-M

One of my favorite dresses of Avery’s is her pink-butterfly-and-striped one; it’s particularly bright and cheery, and it just seemed so Avery-like when I bought it two years ago. Sadly, we discovered today (after not having worn it for several months) that the once-to-the-knees dress now fits more like a long shirt – so it’s time to pack it away.

Bye-bye, butterfly dress! We had a nice long run…

-M

This is one of my busiest work weeks of the year, and I dozed off on the couch after picking up the girls one particularly long day. Zoe, always the independent one, didn’t seem to mind – but Avery clearly did. “MAMA, wake up!” she cried out at one point, her little face pressed up against mine. “You’re supposed to be taking care of us!”

(Woops.)

-M

…And a few videos from their last playdate. (As you can see, it was a fun – and loud – one.)

Six years ago this month, Zoe and I started our Friday morning playdates with Zander and Miles. The moms provided one another with endless support as we navigated first-time parenting issues, and the babies – well, they just looked cute. We all remained close even after our Friday schedules changed – though the kids went to different schools, we still got together a lot and even celebrated holidays and birthdays together – which is why I was so sad when Zander’s family decided to move to Boston. They officially moved today, but late yesterday we got together for one last playdate at one of our favorite playgrounds…

-M

Our weekends are usually pretty busy, but sometimes it’s fun to just be low-key and stick around our neighborhood – which is what we did on Saturday. Here the girls are, hanging out with their dad at the bookstore and making some chalkboard art at a little restaurant just up to the street.

-M