School’s out but that doesn’t mean the girls don’t still see their friends. Avery recently had a playdate and was so excited to see one of her little buddies that she wound up tackling him. (He didn’t seem to mind.)

-M

With wide eyes Avery came over to tell me something last night. “You know how I know I’m not a baby anymore?” she asked. “Because I started a new hand!” Perplexed, I asked what she meant – and she held up five fingers on one hand and one on the other. “I’m six!” she said proudly.

-M

We woke up bright and early yesterday to head out of the city and up to a Fourth of July celebration in Sonoma. We have friends who live there part time and were nice enough to save us a prime spot on the parade route – and for two hours we all sat and waved, watched, and caught candy under a bright blue sky… We’ll be back!

-M

A blast from the past… (Two summers ago in Madison.)

-M

I love the Fourth of July, and I love San Francisco – just not at the same time. Anyone familiar with the city knows that summer is our gloomiest (read: foggiest) time of the year, and early July is not the ideal time for grill-outs, parades and clear nights. We usually go out of town, but with a trip (to Wisconsin) looming, we’re staying home this year…

After a long, gray day, and fog literally swirling in front of our house, I was feeling grumpy, and in great need of real summer weather, this afternoon. On a little walk to the library, I explained my feelings of unhappiness to Zoe, who (in true Zoe form) tried to make me feel better. “It’s okay, Mommy,” she said. “Let’s think about things that make you happy, not focus on the weather. Like… the fact that it’s July. And there are two holidays: the Fourth and your birthday. That makes you really lucky, right?” She went on to list other things she likes about the month about July and I did indeed think about how lucky I was – but not for the reason she said!

-M