California Road Trip

Recently, we went on our first just-the-three-of-us family road trip, driving Route 1 up the coast to Carmel and then San Francisco. I've been delayed in posting the pictures, but here they are (a slightly expanded version of what I posted on Facebook).

Day 1: Noah was a delight for our longest driving day--and he didn't even really nap. For the first couple hours, Noah was wonderfully distracted by his new water bottle (just like Mommy and Daddy's!), and he spent most of his morning playing with it and singing (sometimes at the same time). At one point, he made up a song: "I love myyyyyyyyy WATER BOTTLE! I love myyyyyyyyy WATER BOTTLE!"

 

Watching elephant seals.

More pictures from the drive up the coast.

5:40pm. Noah FINALLY closes his eyes. Carin and I high five in the front seat. 90 seconds later, he vomits himself awake. Fortunately, he chose a pretty spot. We pulled over at this lovely vista.

Another pretty vista.

Noah was so exhausted by the time we reached our destination, that he was out before we could put pajamas on.

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

Noah touches starfish and related seafolk.

We stayed with our friends' Heather and Justin at Mackillie Farm, their picture perfect paradise in Carmel Valley (named after their kids, Mack and Millie). They bought this land a couple of years ago, and built their dream house on it, along with a small farm, and a big red barn that houses Justin's antique car collection (and our guest suite).

The chicken coup. Every time Noah passed by and heard the rooster crowing, he shouted, "It's okay, chickens! Chickens, it's okay!"

Carin, Noah, and Heather in her beautiful house.

Noah holds a baby chick.

I love this picture.

Some pictures of us and our amazing hosts, Heather and Justin (and Benjy the dog), in and around the big barn where Justin houses his antique car and firetruck collection.

Trip to Point Lobos.

Noah helps with luggage as we arrive in San Francisco.

Oceanfront dining with my buddy in Sausalito.

Noah has started (totally on his own) to play copycat. Whenever he catches one of us leaning our face on our hand, he imitates us. It is kind of hilarious.

In Sausalito.

Daddy's dark chocolate Ghirardelli awesomeness.

Noah demolishes his Ghirardelli ice cream sundae in the following photos. This was terrific to watch.

By the shore with my pregnant wife (6.5 months).

Noah contemplates a bubble blowing Eeyore by the shore.

Visiting Family and New Sunglasses

Some recent pictures. Our cousin Ariella came to stay with us recently on the way back from her whirlwind world tour. Her first night, we were also lucky to have Jordan in town, and a fun family dinner was had.

A few more pictures...

Noah and me.

Just our little guy.

You may have noticed Noah's awesome Hello Kitty shades. He was absolutely in love with these sunglasses (which, sadly, have broken in the last week), and he wore them all the time. Here are a couple more pics.

Air B Conditioning

ME: "It's getting hot in here. We should turn on the AC."

NOAH: "I'll turn on the ABC!"

Noah runs to the fridge, and activates his LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Toy, and it blares, "A,B,C,D,E,F,G..."

MiniFolman Blog Post, by Kevin Henkes

In the last couple of months, I started telling Noah the names of the authors and illustrators behind the books we read. I want him to understand the notion of authorship, that stories don't just appear out of thin air. Well...

One of Noah's favorite books this summer has been Kitten's First Full Moon, by Kevin Henkes, and, as we've read it many times, Noah seems to have come to the conclusion that Kevin Henkes is the author responsible for all stories in existence.

NOAH: "Dr. Seuss book, by Kevin Henkes!"

ME: "No, Noah. Dr. Seuss writes Dr. Seuss's books. Kevin Henkes writes Kevin Henkes's books."

NOAH: (more enthusiastically) "Dr. Seuss book by Kevin Henkes!"

Now the problem is that Noah realizes how funny we think he is when he ascribes universal authorship to Kevin Henkes, and he knows how to play to his audience. Recently, in the midst of an impromptu rendition of "London Bridge Is Falling Down," Noah closes it as follows:

NOAH: "London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady... by Kevin Henkes."

I'd like to think that our repeated corrections are starting to have their impact, and Noah is starting to figure out that there are other writers beyond Mr. Henkes. Just yesterday, I was reading him the story Knufflebunny, by Mo Willems, an author whose various books we have enjoyed numerous times.

ME: "Knufflebunny, by Mo Willems."

NOAH: "Mo...Willems."

ME: (excitedly) "That's right, honey, Mo Willems. We read a lot of books by Mo Willems. We like him a lot."

NOAH: "Mo Willems... by Kevin Henkes!"

Noah Plays Piano and Sings

Lest there be any doubt who the real piano man in our household is...

An Exciting Week

Noah is officially the owner of a big boy bed.

A little over a week ago, we went to Target as a family to pick out a sheet set, and this past Wednesday night, we all trekked over to Al's Discount Furniture (where two prior beds had been purchased by Folmans) and picked out...Le Bed.

Here it is.

And what follows is Noah's excited reaction upon coming home from school Thursday to find the bed in his room (the pictures are blurry, but I think they nicely capture the moment).

Here, Noah tells Grandma Barbara about his new bed on the phone.

The first storytime in the new bed.

This picture was taken a few days later by my wife, and I absolutely love it. She just happened upon Noah reading to himself in his room and grabbed this shot.

Later that day, Rina and Paul visited us from Massachusetts with their two delightful daughters, Ava and Sonia. There were sprinkler runs, three kids who played adorably with each other, roasted lamb, and much fun all around. Here are a few pictures.

Song #2

The second song I wrote is a short, simple breakup song. While songs #1 and #3 are very personal, I can't say #2 was inspired by any major life drama in particular. I just came up with a hook and a title and then worked backwards, trying to write a song that would fit the chorus.

Lyrics after the jump.

So I've been writing some songs...

After a year in which I've had great difficulty starting projects, I've been overwhelmed of late with a desire to finish things. So I've decided to take some time this summer to work on a few shorter creative projects–things I can start and finish in a comparatively short amount of time—for my own sanity and artistic fulfillment. One thing I've been exploring is children's books. Another has been music.

While my piano skills have never really advanced beyond the step where you memorize Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (...and what's that other one? Roy G. Biv, I believe), I do enjoyed tinkering about, finding chord progressions that appeal to me, etc. Recently, I've decided to take things a bit further and actually try writing some songs. It's been a fun challenge for me, and I've really enjoyed it. I've always wanted to be able to sit down at the piano and accompany myself, and I think it's pretty cool that I now can. The trickiest part for me has been figuring out how to turn chord progressions into something more interesting to hear—and yet not so complex that it proves too much for my unskilled fingers.

Thusfar, I've written three songs. This is the one that started my journey. Hope you enjoy.




Lyrics after the jump

Cactus Flower Season

'Tis the season for the flowers on our cactus to do their work. These flowers each bloom for only about 12 hours, but during that time, they are the kings of the garden and put all other flowers to shame. For size comparison, I took this picture of Noah last year at this time.

So, here are some more pictures of this year's bloom, the most amazing one we've had yet. As you can see below, at one point, we had, I believe, 10 or 11 flowers bloom at the exact same time.

At Dinner Tonight

Me (staring at the odd, crunchy aftermath of an overcooked artichoke): "It's weird."

Noah: "I want some weird!"

Screw Your Lips Beautiful

I love that my son is really into his Home Depot kid's tool set. I also love that he has been pretending the screw/nail combo is lipstick and keeps asking Carin and I if we want some. The world needs more contractor/makeup artists.

[To the lipstick point, a) the sensation of having lipstick sawed onto one's face by a plastic screw is truly a unique one, and b) if I were being judged by the amount of imaginary lipstick on my face right now, you'd think me quite the harlot.]

More June Pictures, Noah and Mommy Edition

At the park, 23 weeks pregnant.

Reading in bed together, 25 weeks pregnant.

Noah Sings His Greatest Hits

Actual album currently on backorder. Please check back for updates.

These video clips were taken from May and June of 2013.

Pictures from Grandma and Poppy's Visit

Grandma Toby and Grandpa Bob were in town this past week, and a fun visit was had by all.  Here are some pics:

Grandma Toby feels some kicks!

To our pleasant surprise, Noah started showing real interest in his T-ball this week.  And skill!

Dinner at Rive Gauche.  Noah didn't eat much of his pasta,
but he did seem to like Daddy's duck. So it begins... 

Our enthusiastic eater

Noah watches the fountain with Grandma.