Carrie Alair

Bedtime Routine

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:14:00 +0000

Emma loves a bubble bath.

Sadie helping her sister get ready.

We always read a story or a poem before bed.

January Favorite Photos

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:44:00 +0000

This attention from big sis makes Em so happy.

To say the kids love their Papa is an understatement.

Aron's favorite restaurant in all the world...Marin Sun Farms for the best burger ever!

They have pretty amazing fries too.

We walked to Kule Loklo, a re-created Coast Miwok village. This is the sweat lodge, which really makes me think of a Hobbit house. If we ever have a hill on some property, I would love to do something similar.

Small structures built from the bark of a redwood tree.

Here is Aron walking the girls back through the eucalyptus forest.

November Day

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:30:00 +0000

We had a very cold morning here.

The fall leaves have passed their colorful peak.

Still a few piles of leaves to play in.

A nearly full moon.

One of my favorite houses nearby. A peach colored old Hollywood style home.

Another favorite around here...succulents grown in containers.

A pretty pathway we often pass on our walk.

A chilly evening. I made chicken and dumplings for dinner. While waiting for their Papa to come home, we danced in front of the fire.

I love a cozy evening at home.

Halloween Party

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:06:00 +0000

We hosted a Halloween party for the kids this year.

The kids seemed to have a pretty good time.

They ate pizza, fruit, veggies and lots of goodies.

We had a Halloween craft for them to put together.

This is Stacey. She co-hosted the party with me. Doesn't she make a cute Dorothy?

We played the freeze dance game.

Kelly and Elise.

The crew of kids making scary Halloween faces.

Sadie protecting the girls.

My crew: Kelly, Angie, Tory, Heather, Stacey, me, Christie and Meghann.

International Day

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:23:00 +0000

International Day is one of the big events at Sadie's school.

Rather than having a Halloween carnival, the school asks students to dress in a costume that celebrates another culture. Cindy is in the front.

The children have been learning about the world, geographically and culturally.

Throughout the month parents were invited to give a presentation in class and talk about another culture. Parents shared food, and spoke about the country they were from, or one that they had visited. Teacher Jessie is in the green dress.

Parents set up different booths to represent another country. The children were given passports which they had stamped at each 'country' they visited. These musicians represented India.

There was an amazing buffet of food from around the world. A mom from our class is from Hawaii, and she set up a beautiful tent with various things from her culture. She gave all the moms gorgeous leis with plumeria flown in from Hawaii.

This is Sadie's best bud Sean.

This is a cute little Japanese tea house. The kids were able to go in and pour themselves tea.

Representing Mexico! My friend Jen is in the front.

Chinese dragon

El Dia de los Muertos memorial

This is our school director, and my neighbor. I didn't know what to expect with this celebration, but it really made me aware of the diversity all around us. I was so impressed with everything the parents shared about their history, and their culture.

First School Fieldtrip

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 20:56:00 +0000

Sadie's first school field trip was to Peter Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma.

It rained the night before, so the morning was a bit damp and chilly.

Here are some of the students in Sadie's class. Her teacher, Cindy, is in the hat on the left. In this photo the farmer is telling us about the ranch. The farm mostly raises cows for milk and cheese. They passed out cheese curds, aka squeaky cheese for the children to taste.

Then they let the children try milking a cow.

Everyone rode in the wagons down to the pumpkin and potato patches.

After digging for potatoes, the kids walked through the field and picked out their pumpkins.

Then we went back up the hill to taste some their farm fresh vanilla and pumpkin ice cream. It was so tasty!

Halloween Chalkboard 2011

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:21:00 +0000

Sadie Begins Preschool

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:39:00 +0000

It is a big deal when your first born begins school.

We found a great little Montessori school, and fell in love with the program after our first visit.

We were simply buzzing with excitement a few days before class began.

I knew Sadie wasn't going to have any problems being away from us during the day.

She gave us both big hugs, then after shyly saying hello to her teacher, went inside the classroom for her first big day.

Trip to Utah

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:17:00 +0000

We recently took a quick trip to Utah to visit Kevin and pick up the piano my grandma gave us.

Kevin's house is really cute, and only a short walk from the center of Salt Lake City.

I have never been to Salt Lake before, and I was surprised to find it such a clean and immaculately maintained city.

The tabernacle is gorgeous.

Kev took us to a really yummy southern food restaurant. The next day we went to Park City and walked around downtown. They have so many great shops.

The next day we went to Grandma's house. It was great to see my Aunt Lisa and cousin Elizabeth.

The kids fed the cows and played with the dog toys:) The guys figured out a way to get the piano in the back of our truck. It really is a dream come true to have a piano at the house, especially the one I remember 'playing' when I was a kid.

Lassen National Park

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:26:00 +0000

We had another great camping trip to Lassen National Park this summer.

Our cozy camp. I love this lamp holder my mom made.

We all went for a leisurely stroll around Manzanita Lake on our first day.

It was a beautiful morning.

A little family of deer allowed us to get very close to them.

Woodpecker.

The following day we all went for a hike on the Bumpass Hell trail.

The girls were amazing on the hike! They trekked the entire way, even through patches of snow. Emma became so tired at the end she finally asked to be held, then almost instantly fell asleep in my arms.

We didn't bring many toys on this adventure. Sadie created this xylophone from different rocks. She played with it for hours.

Our campsite had this very fine dirt which got everywhere. The girls were pretty much covered in dirt all weekend.

Of course Dad made fire. Lots of fire.

A great weekend indeed!

Last of the Summer Blooms

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 02:43:00 +0000

I can feel Autumn creeping in on the breeze. The wind is beginning to catch dry leaves in the trees. The fog is creeping in a bit earlier in the evening. The pumpkins are forming on the vine.

Our hydrangeas start blooming in the spring. They start off small, but by mid-summer some are as wide as a dinner plate. They last at least a week after cut for an arrangement. By this time of year they begin to take on a deeper color. I'm almost certain this will be one of the last summer bouquets from the yard.

A late summer bouquet filled with hydrangea, agapanthus, white bush roses, lavender, and a blue flower I don't know the name of.

That's Amore

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 02:51:00 +0000

We regularly make a pizza on Friday nights. I love that in the summer we can get many of the ingredients from the garden. This pizza has summer squash, tomatoes, zucchini, and basil.

Friday night is a big deal around here, with a lot of family time and relaxing to look forward to. A lot of airplanes from Papa too.

Farewell Nina!

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:07:00 +0000

My friend Nina is moving to Santa Cruz at the beginning of September to be closer to her mother and brother. She will really be missed. We see her daughters Sienna and Arianna almost every week. Sometimes we see them several times a week.

This Friday we took Nina out for a farewell dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Over dinner, we talked about how our girls have know each other since they were babies, and how much we have shared over the years. Several of us have gone through some personal struggles, and we leaned on each other when times were tough. What started as a group to help our children socialize, became a group of trusted friends.

The winds of change are blowing in our little circle of friends. I think this will be the last summer we will all be this close. Sadie begins pre-K soon, and it isn't going to be as easy to meet with our playgroup each week. By this time next year, we will all be gearing up for the first year of elementary school, and who knows what our schedules will look like then. Sadie will most likely not attend the same school as these friends, because we live on opposite sides of town. Even though we know our routines are beginning to change, we are committed to staying friends in the years ahead.

After a lot of laughs, and a few tears, we said our goodbyes to Nina. We are already making plans for her visit back to Petaluma.

August Garden

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:29:00 +0000

Our trumpet vine in bloom. Through this gate is the courtyard. I adore the hydrangea growing along the front of the house. It keeps us supplied with flowers all summer long.

The other side of the gate. The veggie garden had a late start this year, but it has caught up pretty well. I have learned a few garden lessons this year. We had some trouble with snails early on. They ate almost all the seedlings.

I am so happy with the flowers incorporated in the garden. These nasturtiums are tasty and gorgeous in a salad. They add a lovely pop of color to an otherwise all green bed of plants.

I am also really happy with the trellis I fashioned from our old metal gazebo. The gazebo does not work well in our current yard, but it is working well taken apart and used as a trellis for some climbers. I'm loving the morning glories growing in the back. Other plants in this bed: butternut squash, yellow squash and carrots.

Sunset Camp Cookbook

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:44:00 +0000

The latest issue of Sunset Magazine has a special Camp Cookbook section. I've scanned it for future reference. There are some good ideas on packing up your kitchen essentials, cooking with a dutch oven, and some twists on cooking the camp classics.

Popsicle Time

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:17:00 +0000

We made these lemonade popsicles last week.

They were very simple to make. Just lemonade and some cut up fruit. I used blueberries and strawberries.

They both cobbled them up!

Their Favorite Vegetable

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:08:00 +0000

Sometimes you have to work for food. The girls love shucking their own corn.

This is what Sadie looks like when she concentrates.

Corn is their favorite veggie, especially when it is straight off the cob.

They even tried it raw!

Rivertown Revival

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:20:00 +0000

Rivertown Revival is one of my favorite Petaluma Events.

It is a fun, eclectic, slightly edgy festival that is still very family friendly. It is so Petaluma. Sponsored by some of our most loved businesses, including a community favorite, Lagunitas Brewery.

People dance, eat local foods, and enjoy the multiple bands on two separate stages.

There are many things for sale from local vendors. The decorated boat race and trapeze artists are a bonus.

The event takes place by the Heritage Barn, and funds support the maintenance of the Petaluma River.

Even wedding ceremonies for $5!

Farm Camp

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:46:00 +0000

Sadie spent several days each week during the month of July at Farm Camp.

Her best bud Noelle went too.

The farm is right down the road from us. This is Tanya's son. Tanya is the owner of the farm, and she is the sweetest woman. I don't know how she does all that she does. Her two kids are home schooled and she takes care of the farm with her family.

They have a large rabbit hutch and area for the rabbits to run around. A few times when I came to pick Sadie up, the kids would be chasing rabbits around the yard. Usually when Sadie saw me coming, she would run the other way, tuck in under some bushes and skip off down a secret trail. She didn't want to leave.

At the back of the property there was a huge trampoline that the kids enjoyed.

They helped take care of the chickens, goats, donkeys and rabbits. They also helped gather veggies from the garden, or eggs from the coup. Mostly, they ran around and played outdoors all day.

Anna had a birthday during July, so the kids celebrated by having a little party under a big tree. They decorated Vegan cupcakes.

This was a really fun day.

Emma wished she could go to farm camp too.

Sadie was so exhausted each day after camp, she would usually fall asleep on the short ride home.

We will definitely be doing this again!

Summer Chalkboard

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:13:00 +0000

July 4, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:24:00 +0000

Summer has been flying by this year!

The 4th was a warm day, so the girls played in their little pool. To cool off, Aron developed the 'sprinkler swing' for the girls. We also had a cookout, and ate in the backyard.

Sadie was asking all day to get some fireworks. She was very nervous about them though. We started to call her Safety Sadie, because she was reminding us to step far away from the fireworks.

After our family fireworks on our street, we went to a piece of property across the road which overlooks town. From there, we ate our strawberry shortcakes and watched the Petaluma fireworks show.

Fun with Instagram

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Sam introduced us to Instagram, the photo filter app for the iphone. I've been having lots of fun with it lately. Here are a few photos of our day trip and bike ride around Angel Island.

The harbor at Angel Island is really beautiful. Sailboats pull up to the dock, in front of a large lawn of grass and palm trees. The lawn is scattered with people barbecuing and having picnics.

We biked around the entire island. From the island there is a great view of San Francisco and the bay.

The highlight for Emma and Sadie was the old hospital. It looks like the set for a creepy movie. The girls loved running through all the rooms.

Angel Island is a former Army camp, and immigration station. It was referred to as the "Ellis Island of the West". Many of the original buildings remain, but only a few are restored.

Nothing says cozy like banana muffins

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Fri, 27 May 2011 03:53:00 +0000

One of the best days for a stay-at-home mom is when everything seems to fall into place. Everyone slept well the night before, and our day is balanced with just the right amount of chores, free time, and outdoor play. We had one of those days around here recently. Emma was taking her nap, and Sadie was absorbed in a sticker craft. With a little time on my hands, I decided to do something with the over ripe bananas on the counter. Quickly, I whipped up these banana muffins, and threw in a few pecans and chocolate chips for good measure.

Soon after they came out of the oven, Sadie strolled downstairs. As she walked in the kitchen she delightedly told me how wonderful the house smelled, and how she would love to eat one of the freshly baked muffins.

Both girls scarfed down their muffins and a glass of milk. This scene makes me a happy mama!

Candyland

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Sat, 14 May 2011 22:03:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we had Sadie's friend Sienna over for a playdate.

I was laughing, and at at the same time cringing, as I heard them on the monitor upstairs taking turns playing Mom and baby. They both have young sisters. Sienna's sister Arianna is about six months younger than Emma. There is something that creeps me out about little girls pretending to be moms, but I do think it is very natural. Even Emma likes to give her stuffed animals hugs and tuck them in to bed. She says "dreams" as she closes the door. She means to say, "sweet dreams" which is what her Papa says to her every night before he closes her door.

Both Sadie and Sienna really enjoyed playing Candyland.

Sleepy Head

noreply@blogger.com (CarrieAlair) — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:50:00 +0000

She insists she doesn't need a nap anymore.