More photos now from Zoe’s slumber party, which included (along with hotel-themed activities) a trip to a local sewing store, where the girls made their own PJ bottoms. And did the girls sleep at all? Let’s just say Zoe was very, very tired the next day.

-M

To celebrate her upcoming birthday, Zoe decided to throw a hotel-themed slumber party. She and her dad set up Hotel Browdy, which featured a restaurant, spa and five guest rooms; made Hotel Browdy shirts; and prepared room keys, hotel maps and a check-in stand for guests. I was impressed with their creativity and level of detail and couldn’t help but wonder: Could a gig in the hospitality industry be in Zoe’s future?

-M

Avery’s class has fourth-grade buddies that periodically visit to help out with projects – like a recent measurement-focused one. And look who Avery chose as her buddy?

-M

I asked Avery tonight who her favorite teacher was. She thought for a minute and then said, “You. You teach me something every day.” Awww…

-M

Avery was sick again this week: Her strep cleared but a few days after her last dose of antibiotic, she came down with a fever again. She has spent a lot of time at home these past few weeks (luckily she’s a good patient) but in between bouts of illnesses she got to take a field trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science at Berkeley and participate in a Fizz! Pop! Wow! worshop there. As described in the school newsletter:

“After a full and rich unit on solids, liquids, and gases, students had the chance to combine a variety of solids and liquids,” says teacher Rachel Klein. During the workshop, second graders experimented with green chalk, beans, rice, baking soda, cranberry juice, lemon juice, water, and vinegar to see which ones fizzed and bubbled. “They tested their results using four of their five senses (no tasting!)” adds Ms. Klein. “We also blew up a balloon with the gas we created by mixing vinegar and baking soda.” The workshop was a fizzy and foamy—yes, effervescent—conclusion to this science unit!

Glad she didn’t miss it.

-M

I left town shortly after my last post. No, I didn’t flee the country (though I considered it) but instead went to Chicago for a dear friend’s wedding. I was away from the family for three nights: That’s kind of a long time for us, but the girls didn’t seem to mind. They reported that they had a lot of fun because “Daddy says ‘yes’ to more things than you do,” and they each had plenty to do. Among other activities, Zoe ran a race, planned her upcoming birthday sleepover, and finished a major project on Native American art (due today), while Avery had her last soccer game of the year, followed by a team party.

-M

Today was, for me, a dark day – and a far different one than I had expected.

For weeks now I’ve been playing out a scene in my head: After the election I would look into Zoe and Avery’s eyes and proudly say, “We did it – we elected the first female president.” I was so looking forward to being able to say to the girls that they could grow up to be anything they wanted to be and for it to be true. I was so looking forward to celebrating with them and for having them be able to share this historic moment with their daughters someday.

I wasn’t expecting this heartbreaking result – I didn’t expect so many people to vote for a bully, a person filled with so much hate and anger against women, minorities, and other groups. And I didn’t expect to feel so hurt, powerless and broken afterwards.

Someday soon, I’m sure, I will feel hopeful again. Today’s not that day. But a few things did help me get through: connecting with a number of loving family members and friends (all of whom are as shell-shocked and upset as I am), thinking of all I have to be thankful for, and holding my girls close. Last night, in fact, just as the tide was turning and the numbers began looking very bleak for Hillary, Avery asked me to climb beside her in bed. I lay next to her with her head nestled into my chest, and as she fell asleep and I listened to her deep breaths, I thought, “This is what matters.”

May tomorrow be brighter.

-M

Avery’s soccer season is rapidly coming to a close; her last game is next week. It’s been a good season overall - the Quidditch Queens have won several games, learned the importance of teamwork (through passing, etc.), maintained super positive attitudes and, most importantly, had lots of fun.

-M

Last month the four of us volunteered at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank. Our time there was part of Zoe’s fourth grade tzedakah (charity) project, and she also put together a poster with photos of our volunteering and facts about the food bank. Here she is presenting her work at school on Wednesday.

-M

One day last week, Avery and I were home together and she kept asking me for things (“Can I watch this show?” “Can I have this to eat?” etc.) After I answered “yes” to what felt like her umpteenth request she responded, “Thanks, Mama. You’re so agreeable today.” The surprise in her voice indicated that perhaps I’m not always so agreeable, but I’ll still take her compliment!

-M

Some more photos now of our Halloween adventures, which began that afternoon with some photos (of course) and trick-or-treating at stores and restaurants on West Portal Ave. We then came home to give out the thousands pieces of candy we do every year; Zoe loved spending time at her post at the end of the stairs and was eventually joined by friends who helped her pass out candy. It wound up raining a bit, but even that didn’t ruin our good time!

-M

After a week of having a fever (and one negative rapid strep test), we found out that Avery did indeed have strep. The good news was that we got antibiotics on Monday and she was feeling well enough to go trick-or-treating that evening; our Halloween tradition could continue!

I’ll share more photos in a bit, but here’s one of my favorites. Doesn’t look like a sick kid at all.

-M

She may be fighting a bug, but this one’s still ready for Halloween!

-M

Avery is still sick (we’re pushing a week!), but Zoe and I have done a few Halloween-themed activities this week. Among them: A visit to a Friday afternoon Halloween party at nearby Stern Grove. Here are a few photos from our time there (including one with a friend we meet up with) yesterday.

-M

Avery wound up getting sick on our trip: not a stomach thing, thankfully, but a pesky, now-lingering fever (and few other symptoms). Before she fell ill and stuck mostly to our hotel room, we did do some fun things: we explored the Red Rock Canyon, as mentioned; tried out Serendipity’s famous frozen hot chocolate, swam (see last two photos); and wandered around the Bellagio Garden. Like last year, it was beautifully decorated for fall — and it’s officially my favorite spot on the Strip!

-M