Around Here

Salty Sweetness

2012-02-14T22:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Eli exchanged valentines at school and made some for everybody in his class. Emily made some for a select few. We had all day daycare yesterday and I painted some more hearts to adorn our door. It was a rainy day and I got to do my own project in between snacks and stories. If you can't beat em join em.

Today Eli was really excited to make a batch of sugar cookies for dessert. He insisted on making them himself and wanted no help. He got out all the ingredients and mixed, stirred and measured himself. I glanced at the batter and told him it might be good to stir in the clumps of butter. To no avail. We just had to make sure we didn't step on the cookie sheet on the floor.

We don't have a working mixer so everything is mixed by hand which takes a bit of work. When he started to roll it out, it looked quite sticky. I suggested he might want to chill it. When I came back into the kitchen it was sitting on the counter with a towel over it. Like brother like brother. But this wasn't bread so I reiterated "chill" and carefully put it in the refrigerator.

Then he proudly rolled the cookies out and decorated them with sprinkles before they went in the oven. When he had his beautiful plate arranged I poured the chamomile tea. He took a bite of a cookie. "Huh, these cookies are a little salty." I took a bite. "Huh, they sure are." Then he looked on the counter where he made them. Sitting next to the bowl was a 1/4 cup measuring cup sparkling with grains of salt. "Ahhhhh. The recipe said a 1/4 teaspoon."

Weekend Away

2012-02-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend we went on a small getaway up to the Sierra Foothills. As we were walking on this path Eli stopped and noticed these little trees growing opposite of the large trees. He stopped in his tracks, "Look at these baby trees. They came from these trees (large ones on the other side of the path) and they are growing here because people don;t walk on them." His delight in this discovery made me think of an essay by Barbara Kingsolver. I am reading her book of essays titled High Tide in Tucson. This essay is called, "The Memory Place". She is writing about exploring the country in Kentucky as a child. Eli's gasp and stop in his tracks made me think of this part. "I can't imagine that any discovery I ever make, in the rest of my life, will give me the same electric thrill I felt when I first found little righteous Jack in his crimson-curtained pulpit poking up from the base of a rotted log."
I love that. That's what it's all about.

Sweet Mail

2012-02-07T22:20:00.000-08:00

When you mail valentines across country you have to start a bit early if you want them to arrive in time. We did just that. We each made our own unique valentine to send to Nate. I even painted an ocean rock which I thought he might appreciate. I've been having fun painting hearts on some flat rocks I found at the beach. I also made this string of hearts to hang in our window. They were inspired by Maya*made and her heart garlands that she makes in various forms. I used a potato stamp and acrylic paint and stamped them on newspaper. Then I hung them on a satin ribbon. As I was hanging them at about midnight I deemed them Dude Girl hearts. Tough, made out of newspaper, yet adorned with pretty paint and hung on a satin ribbon.

Winter Veggies

2012-02-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I had lots planned for this garden but didn't get it all put in yet as you can see. I have things purchased and waiting patiently to spread their roots. But actually the bare dirt does reflect action. I cleared all the weeds and even got Emily, begrudgingly, to help a bit. In her bare feet. I told her it might be easier with shoes on but that was too much work or something. Anyway, I have lettuce, spinach, cabbage, chard and broccoli waiting. Then in seeds I have carrots, radishes, kohlrabi and beets. I have to make trek up to the horse farm to get manure and then we can roll. I think I need Nate's help around here when it comes to gardening.

Manicure Style

2012-01-31T22:32:00.000-08:00

Emily wore her new sweater to school. Not the warmest thing but sure is cute. Style seems to be what it's all about these days. Yesterday she went with her friend and got her first manicure. I said, "Your first.....and I wasn't there for it. Are you sure that was your first?" I thought she had had one before. She agreed to let me go with her to get her first pedicure. I guess I'll take that. Then after being at the climbing gym she discovered the new tights I bought her and had to try them on with the whole outfit. After her shower, we had a talk about whether she could go to Disneyland or not. By the look on her face you can tell the answer. But what you can't see is her jumping up and down like she used to do when she was eight. Also, you can't hear little brother. He didn't say that wasn't fair but his tears sure said it all. We'll have to think about this and how to make it seem fair.

At Nine

2012-01-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

Here is what Eli has been up to lately. He likes to copy pictures from the computer and color them. Pictures of archers and dragons and such. Then, him and his friends cut them out and put them on their walls. He found a seed that somebody left at our house a while ago and planted it in this juice jar. He waters it dutifully and, sure enough, it has sprouted. I can't wait to see what blooms. It was a big seed from the house of an avid seed saver. Someone who also grows all kind of lovely flowers. His piano playing is moving along. He's reading music really well and has memorized about eight songs. He played a small recital for Grandma and Grandpa. They even sang along to Heigh Ho and Camptown Races. We watched Dolphin Tale the other day and Eli was quite moved by it. Today he came home from school and wrote a small report about dolphins. He wants to start some kind of fundraiser for dolphins. As he was falling asleep he was yelling, "How 'bout dimes for dolphins? Better yet dollars for dolphins!"

Semester Break

2012-01-26T22:50:00.000-08:00

Here's my girl. I love this picture of her and our 6 year old friend. We drove up to get Emily and she said, "I love her outfit." I took a whole photo shoot of them in their 6 year old and thirteen year old outfits. So cute. Girls at their own levels. The princess remains but changes form.

Emily had a day off of school and spent the morning curling her hair. Now she wants a perm. Funny, before she wanted it straightened. She spent the night at a friends where they did their nails and topped it off with this cool pen. Now she's at Grandma and Grandpa's and I told her she would be bringing in a ray of sunshine to their house.

Back Again

2012-01-24T22:02:00.000-08:00


We made our early morning trek to the airport this week to get Nate back east to college. It's bittersweet. Good for him but so far for us. Or I mean from us. We miss him so. He had a nice long break and I must admit I was getting used to having him here. Before he left we had a yummy sushi dinner. He left us with some delicious homemade bread and granola. Homemade bread is such a treat to have around. What we sent him off with was some homemade cookies and these warm fingerless gloves that I knitted. They are called Knucks and are from Knitty.com. Something to keep him warm back there on the cold east coast. Don't ask me how long it took to make or how many tries to get them right.

Waffles Walk

2012-01-17T21:18:00.000-08:00

Waffles and a walk in the woods. Not ordinary waffles. The kind with eggs and milk. My kids are pushing me to new endeavors in cooking. So these are vegan waffles. We substituted eggs with flaxseed and water and milk with coconut milk. They were good and better with a good helping of syrup and applesauce on top. Eli didn't think so. He thought they tasted like warmed up cardboard. He's going vegetarian not vegan. I'll have to make a different batch for him. That was our first jar of canned applesauce that we had opened. Yummy. So, we have a vegan, a newly proclaimed vegetarian, a girl whose not eating sugar and then the old omnivores. We're doing some experimenting lets say. Emily also made peanut butter cookies sweetened with bananas. I deemed them Breakfast Cookies. I wonder whose going to eat all these sweet sugary sweets we have around?

Paint Post

2012-01-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

Emily had some thank you cards to make and she sat down to make them. Well, not exactly. First she said, "I have to get some thank you cards," and I said, "No, you don't. You can make them." So she did. She experimented with different colored acrylic paints. Then she tried using stamps with acrylic paints but that didn't work as they looked just like blobs of paint. But what worked was painting over a mesh like stamp with blues and greens then letting it dry. When it was dry she put the "thanks" stamp on an ink pad and stamped it on top. I must say the effect was lovely. With all the paints and paintbrushes out I got inspired to collect rocks at the beach to paint. And until then, I think they are lovely in their own right.

More Seaside

2012-01-09T22:29:00.000-08:00

I was looking at Heather's blog Beauty That Moves the other day and Eli was reading over my shoulder. He said, "'Unplugged Sunday.' What's that?" in the sweetest voice I told him and he said, "Huh, we could do that. It's like an unplugged night." So this we kind of had one. Not so completely that I would write an essay about it but it was nice, No computer during the day. In the afternoon we went down to the beach and did some climbing around. Then we came back and everybody helped make dinner. Homemade pizza and salad. Delicious. Eli was so excited about the face on his salad that he covered it up with the colander until dinner.

Seaside Exploring

2012-01-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

This warm weather has found us making frequent jaunts down to the ocean. I had never seen snail trails this distinct. Slowly, slowly making their way across the tidepool. We got to jump from pool to pool exclaiming at all the creatures in each of them trying not to step on the carpets of mussels. I've seen them a lot and am still amazed by the varieties and survival tactics the different creatures have acquired. From the ethereal sea anenomes to the craggy jewel star we oohed and awed. Stopping for a climb on the way home.

Warm Welcome

2012-01-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

Here's to a new year celebrated at midnight with a jump in the Pacific Ocean. Oh so very refreshing.

Here's to lots of hot tea brewed in this cheery yellow teapot. For all ages and herbal teas only.

Here's to new growth from old bulbs you thought you had discarded.


Here's to lots of adventures on Emily's new cruiser refrubished by a friend. So delightful and such a beautiful yellow.

We have been ringing in this new year with unseasonably warm weather and enjoying lots of time outside. I don't have a lot of resolutions but am thinking about them. I helped moved a friend on New Years day to a lovely new house all her own and that was inspiring. It is fresh and clean and full of bright colors. That is setting the tone for me. Freshness and bright colors. Her word is entitlement. That doesn't quite fit me but it is energizing to watch her open
her oyster.

2011-12-29T14:24:00.000-08:00


We took a trip to the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. It was a foggy day in the city so we bundled up and enjoyed the quiet serenity of the garden. The crowds didn't deter from that. I think my favorite part was the racked gravel garden that resembled waves in a lake or the ocean. I don't think I had been there since I was a teenager. Nate had never been there. Just to note he was studying Japanese in the car on the way up. I let Eli have free reign with the camera and this is the garden from his perspective. I love seeing what he sees. We then traveled to Chinatown in the city where we took in all the sights and sounds. Emily found a bargain on a doily to hang up her earrings like Emma. Then on to a night at Ian's and a visit with our aunt and uncle. A good little getaway.

Presents Handmade

2011-12-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of a few of the handmade gifts we exchanged this year. I love all the work that goes on behind closed doors. Emily made this lovely lavender lotion for me and lip balm. I came home from running errands the other day and the kitchen sink had an oily shine and smelled of luscious lavender. She made journals for her brothers. She also made candles and a hat. Eli gave stars to some relatives to hang in the window. He also did a few collages, put them in frames we had around and had them wrapped and ready to go stored under his desk. I made cozy pajama pants for everybody. I got wonderful poems and a photo album. Also, we got our delicious jam and plum butter. All that thoughtfulness makes giving a little sweeter.

Eli's View

2011-12-24T23:18:00.000-08:00

In the all the excitement Eli decided he wanted to take a few pictures of his own. From his perspective. I love these. He put a lot of effort into his note to Santa. Not really asking for anything but just "no chocolate please." Santa obliged. Then he wanted it to look really authentic so he took it in the backyard and torched the edges a little He also used a very fancy script which I'm not sure where he got it. Santa even got hot chocolate this year with a candy cane. Eli left one off the tree just for that purpose. There was a lot of magic a foot.

Kitchen Salon

2011-12-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

Eli really needed a haircut. As much as I liked his long hair he wanted it cut and Grandma definitely prefers it a little shorter. I called my friend who always does our hair but she was booked so I thought the next best thing would be a trim by your brother. And she said, if need be, she could squeeze us in to her packed schedule at the shop to rectify it. But we didn't need that. It turned out fine. I trimmed a few stray hairs the next day but it looked great. Just what Eli wanted. Bangs but not Bieber bangs. Sort of longer in the back but not quite a mullet. And I must say both the hairstylist and recipient look
quite proud.

Treats Galore

2011-12-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

Today a friend came over and we baked and baked. So there would be enough for gifts for teachers and cousins. We made my traditional gingerbread. I usually use the recipe from Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett but couldn't seem to find it so this year I used the recipe from maya*made. I also decorate these with the daycare so they have some to take home. I made Nate's favorite nut bars from my mom's recipe so there would be a fresh batch when Nate comes home tomorrow. We also made alfajores with this delicious dulce de leche in the middle. The tassies on the bottom are just that ..... tassies. Delicious with a flour and cream cheese crust. I also made a chocolate variety.
Yum, yum.

Advent Simplify

2011-12-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

I was reading Maya*made a while ago and saw the idea for making an advent calendar with things to do to celebrate the season. We didn't replace our regular advent calendar but definitely added to it. Inside each of these pieces of paper is a little note telling us what to do that day. I have loved how these simple things make us sit right down and be together. And I made them simple and strategically put them on days that we could manage them. However, when Emily opened up "make ornaments" it threw me off a bit because I had forgotten about that one. I was determined to use things we had. Eli got a cardboard box and made a decorated tree. Emily and I made some Jingle Bell Flowers out of egg cartons. We worked on all the steps together. It took a while to hang them just right but we did. I'll be sure to add a picture of them. The directions are from The Crafty Crow.

Also, on the list was to make gingerbread houses. They didn't want to make a beautiful house at the craft fair so we had these instead. They also brought a lot of excitement. I think our best addition this year was the color coated sunflower seeds.

Atta Girl

2011-11-29T22:52:00.000-08:00

Emily bought these earnings with her friend at the mall. I got a good laugh at them and told her she can wear them but not to school. I think they would be hazardous there. So far, she's agreed and her ears are in tack. That beautiful nail job is called umbray. Or something like that. Yeah. Winter colors that fade into each other. Topped with a sparkle finish. I don't think, even at that age, I was ever that girly. I love that rose ring on her finger. I bought that for her on her 9th birthday and she still wears it.

I think I found a new respect for Emily this past weekend. We have a very small bathroom that we all share. Emily's bottles and gels were filling up the small counter and the back of the toilet. The only two surfaces that are available in there. Well, she is a girl who likes to primp. She needs more room. So she took it upon herself to move her spa into the back bathroom. In order to do that she wanted it cleaned so she spent hours in there cleaning. She made that bathroom sparkle. She had her hair up and her music blasting and she made it shine. It truly sparkles. As she was doing that images of Rosy the Riveter came to mind. I thought of sayings like, "When there's a will there's a way." (And when there's not, there's certainly not.) She also cleaned the top of her desk and dresser. Without me even asking. That is truly amazing. The next night we went grocery shopping and she gladly carried in numerous bags of groceries. I wanted to make note of these. I'm trying to meet her on her hike. To meet her on her mountain. She plowed through Twilight. I'm plowing through Twlight. She's plowing through New Moon. I may plow through New Moon. I paint my nails sometimes. I raid her jewelry and make up when I go out. I ask her opinion of my shirt and jeans. I hug her when she glares at me. She is my mighty girl!

Northern Coast

2011-11-28T23:29:00.000-08:00

We drove to the Northern Coast. Way up and out on the Peninsula. Out by dairy farms and grazing cows and nursing calves and small deer. The sun shone brillantly and we stayed until the fog rolled in. Loving the fresh air and warm sunshine, the roar of the ocean and blowing of the light house horn.

The next day we found ourselves exploring another part of the coast. We hiked up through a woodland area and as we came out to the sea we found a sturdy rope swing on a huge eucalyptus tree. After much urging from the rope swing owners some of us gave it a try. Seemingly swinging out over the Pacific Ocean. Lovely. We continued on to spend the day on a long stretch of beach where we watched the sun change colors and the shadows stretch long and we raced the light heading back out of there.

Urban Forests

2011-11-17T22:39:00.000-08:00

Here is a beautiful spot I have found myself in during work hours two different times lately, which has been great. I went on a field trip with school and got a day out. So refreshing and really seems like what the classroom really should be-learning about ecosystems and what we can do as humans to help maintain them. Then I found myself there again when that beautiful golden fall light was spreading its way across the landscape. We had just gotten home and were cozy with snack and the marble track when I forced them all to charge out again. Much to their dismay. And of course, once we were there they wanted to explore every tree and trail. And they didn't want to leave.

Comic Magic

2011-11-07T23:15:00.000-08:00

The weather has shifted a bit here, and with the time change, has brought on the excitement of candles. Eli picked these candles out to use to read by. It's a little dim but it works. Adds to the enchantment of Harry Potter. They also sparked a conversation about Native Americans. When we went to light these Eli told me about the practices of Native Americans before they go hunting. He started out by saying, "I think maybe they were smarter than the Spanish that came here." I love these conversations that come in the middle of some mundane thing , in this case, teeth brushing. While I was making dinner tonight he went and got his multiplication flash cards and corrected all the problems himself. I think he got an "A". That brown coat he's wearing is something he wore when he was about 6 years old. Rolled up sleeves have given it a whole new style.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

Just about to head out to a full night. Candy and spirits. Costumes from the toy trunk and costumes from the store. Make-up for all. Some scaaaarier than others. Ready for a spooktacula evening!

Soccer Cheer

2011-10-30T22:58:00.000-07:00


Fall has brought us lots of soccer and cheer. Cheerleading is new and we just wrapped up the season. Cheerleading has been great with lots of performing at games and competitions. When not actually cheering they are standing at attention waiting for the next move on the field so they can supply the appropriate cheer. Another bonus to this sport is that they get their hair done in beautiful french braids with a big bow on top. Eli is sporting a new look on the soccer field. To go with his fancy footwork he has a headband to wear. It sort of dates back to the tennis players in the 70's. It works, for he can play a mean game of soccer and his hair is out of his face.

Autumn Trek

2011-10-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

We made our trek up the coast to the pumpkin patch. Actually we went twice. Once with all of us. Well, almost all of us. This was the first year we went that Nate hasn't gone with us. Then we went again with the day care like we always do. The colors were brilliant and the sun warm. Both times the wheelbarrows were a big hit and Eli didn't want to get a pumpkin. He wants to carve the volunteers we have in the garden.

Sewing and Canning

2011-10-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

The pears that I showed earlier have now either been eaten or canned. Everyone helped harvest them before they all got eaten by the starlings or raccoons. Though I canned these a while ago I haven't been able to put them away because they look so lovely sitting there on the shelf. So much of what I do doesn't result in a product so when it does I like to look at it for awhile. Also, I haven't had access to a camera for a while but we resolved that so now I have some pictures of things we've doing around here. That is when we aren't at cheerleading events or soccer games.

We also celebrated apples this weekend. We ate some of that delicious caramelized fall topping, that was featured at mayamade, on waffles and made apple crisp for the about the fourth time. Served with vanilla ice cream, can't beat that. Ian was home so we canned some applesauce for him to take back to his house to enjoy with his roommates. Our neighbors got out their classic wooden juicer and Ian and Eli brought over a bowl of apples and made it into a tasty container of juice. So fresh and delicious!

Here are some of the new napkins I made. I got inspired by some napkins we bought from Girl Scouts a while ago at an auction. They are colorful, small, double sided and a variety of patterns. I made them for the table and for picnics. Most of them are about 10"x10". I loved piecing together the bright scraps of fabric!

From Here to There

2011-09-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

Really. You want to go to school all the way across the country. Really. It's been almost a month. Nate is so far across the country and we miss him so. Stretched across the country. We often think about him from here to there. Eli can hardly stand the lack of wrestling and Magic games. Emily gets away with a lot more picking at things. Though the house tips a little when Nate isn't here I am thrilled at the connections he's making and how he seems to be just soaking in every ounce of that school. That's what bouys me up and keeps me afloat. A Gary Snyder poem here and there helps too.

How Poetry Comes to Me

It comes blundering over the
Boulders at night, it stays
Frightened outside the
Range of my campfire
I go to meet it at the
Edge of the light

New Pillows

2011-09-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few new pillows. They are great for reading on the coach on Saturday mornings. I started to make a few for our coach but the first piece I made was too dark. It didn't go well with the color blue of our coach so I was going to make it into hot pads. But Eli loved it and wanted a pillow. I finished some lighter ones for the coach and went back to make his for his cozy bed.

Then I had to make one for the girl. Pink is in again. So I found lots of pinkish pieces of flannel for hers. I liked making these-taking small bits and sewing them into something, piece by piece. I had the ironing board up in the kitchen for weeks and would just pluck away at it whenever I had a chance.

County Fair

2011-09-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we went to the county fair. We saw some beautiful Japanese inspired gardens, huge Dahlias, amazingly large cows and pigs, goats in delightful attire, racing pigs and well-trained Sea Lions. Then as we were leaving we always make a stop in the arts and harvest buildings and I think that is what made the biggest impression on Eli this year. The photos. He came home and set up these photos and was really inspired to start taking pictures.

Here's a few of his photos. The one of the juice bottle is his favorite I had to pry my camera out of a sandy sock to get to them. That's okay though because I think I'll be handing that camera down to him.

Thirteen

2011-09-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Emily's birthday just the way she wanted to. She wanted to go over to Grandma and Grandpa's house like she has for so many years. We brought delicious cupcakes from our favorite bakery. I bought her her first mocha decaf coffee and told her it was a special occasion and not to think it just comes with the age. There's plenty else that does that. To pick Eli up on the way over we wound our way on a road I had never been on before. Through the trees and filtered sunlight it was a beautiful drive. We had a special visit with Grandma and Grandpa who was especially honored that Emily would want to spend her special day with him. Back in town we had pizza and watched the local Derby Girls skate a mean bout. Then out for yummy ice cream and home for presents.

Thirteen. I see her teetering on all she has been and blossoming into all she will be. She's my fiery, mighty girl. Happy Birthday dear Emily!

Happy Birthday

2011-08-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Ian! We celebrated 22 in style and together which is the best. A good lunch with relatives, great art show in the city (thanks to Gertrude Stein) a yummy dinner and delicious cake made by Nate.

Blueberry pancakes and the New York Times crossword puzzle.

A special present from Eli. He had been carrying it around in his pocket all day.

Here's looking at you kid!

A cool poetry book from Nate that travels from Emily Dickinson to Dean Young.

What was that word?

   Our yummy chocolate zucchini cake from Epicurius.
   Happy Birthday Dear Ian!

Pears and Pizza

2011-08-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year where pears start filling up our garden and kitchen. We've made pear crisp, eaten lots of fresh pears and are getting ready to can some. We also share lots with the starlings who have great feasts on them until Eli goes out and growls at them in a loud gutteral voice and they all fly away. He really is quite powerful! Here's his question of the day. Why do people's hair turn gray? We are going to look that one up.

Nate has learned lots of delicious cooking skills this year including yummy pizza dough. This was some of the best dough he's made.

We had pizza with homemade pesto from the garden basil. Topped with tomatoes, artichoke hearts, goat cheese and olives. It was delicious.

We started sewing camp today. I couldn't get Eli to participate too much but he did embroider freehand a beautiful, green leaf. Mostly he just keeps the girls laughing during snack.

This person was his model from last year. There are different people that have wandered their way into a variety of frames. He developed his own unique stitch which looks a lot like the slip stitch, but we call it

"Eli's Stitch". He has even taught to other kids at camp.

Welcome Home!

2011-08-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Grandpa came home last week and we got to visit him there yesterday. The night before I had talked to him on the speaker phone and it was the first time in months that I had talked to both Grandma and Grandpa at home. I could understand everything he said. So good to see him at home, sitting in his chair, at his table, on his computer and watching TV. Eli was excited to get to watch the Giants game with him at his house. We brought them dinner-soup, cornbread, salad and pear crisp. He got to try a little bit of almost everything. We left after having some good laughs with him.

Things aren't the same but they are all familiar. His laughter, sense of humor, determination and perseverance. We just meet him right where he is and support that. Climbing whatever Half Dome he is conquering at the moment.

Giants Game

2011-08-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

A brand new space to record a little of the happenings around here. In the garden, at the beach, at school, doing projects. Right now we are savoring summer. Even though it's foggy and cold out we are loving the slower pace summer brings and all the adventures it's entailed. Camping, camp, Junior Lifeguards, and exploring farms. Open days to fill up with adventures.

Yesterday we ventured up to San Francisco to watch the Giants play ball. They played the Pirates and were clobbered badly. By the eighth inning you could see their shoulders start to sag. But we didn't care too much. We were so excited to actually be in the stadium we had seen so often on TV. To actually see it's green expansiveness spread out before us and the players in person.

I loved going to the game with Eli. He was so excited to go. In the morning we searched around for his orange shirt and black pants and his Giants baseball cap from Grandpa.    He loves baseball and has a real eye for the nuances that are happening in the game. On his hand was his mitt, the entire game, to catch all those foul balls that came nowhere near us. Throughout the whole game he was completely focused catching every play. Maybe there were a few moments when he might have been dreaming about being the
catcher down there himself.

We took Nate's friend from Sweden who also loved it. A true American experience. Nate explained the game to him so he could follow it. I think he got the basic idea down. Though there are always those obscure rules that pop up that we're still learning His main comments were "I can't stop smiling" and
"I feel like I'm in a movie."