This afternoon I was in our bedroom sending a few emails. From the living room I heard some nice music playing and Maile and Lauren excitedly chattering away. I ducked my head out and found this scene…
Hard at work on both hair and makeup for Mommy...
It was amazing. And hilarious. Maile and Lauren had setup their very own salon and were furiously working away on Mommy’s hair and makeup. Watching our girls and Christine play like this melted my heart a bit – it was exactly how I imagined having two daughters would be like.
(Click here for the video.)
Was looking back for a good #tbt post and came across this video from October, 2012 – just a few short months before Lauren joined us. Maile Girl being her chatty self, cracking us up over dinner.
(Click here for the video.)
by Papa K on September 27, 2015
Today was the SF Aloha Run – a really nice 5K they organize to support a Japanese community center here in SF. In addition to the 5K, they have a “keiki” run of a mile for kids 6-10 and a 100 yard dash for younger kids. We thought it’d be fun to sign the girls up.
Maile and Christine ran the mile – and they absolutely rocked it. Lauren ran the 100 yard dash and came in first place in the 2 year old heat! (She had some great coaching from her big sister).
Here’s Maile in the homestretch of the mile – check out that speed!
And here’s Lauren doing her 100 yard cash – just absolutely focused on that finish line 🙂
I think we have another thing where the girls are taking after their mommy – and we couldn’t be happier 🙂
(Dad note: technically this wasn’t Maile’s first race – back in 2013, she did a fun run out in Oakland. Remember that?)
Mommy and the girls ready to rock (Lauren was being shy, but gave us a nice view of her racing number)...
Mommy and Maile right before the start.
On the run...
A post-race Maile showing off her medal...
Coach Maile giving Lauren a post-race pep talk!
(Click here for the first video.)
(Click here for the second video.)
by Papa K on September 14, 2015
We hope all of our Jewish family and friends are having a wonderful Rosh Hashanah! We celebrated last night with some apples and honey and a delicious roast chicken meal that Christine put together. Maile led us in a recap of all we should be thankful for and Lauren, of course, followed her lead (Mommy is high on the list as she should be 🙂
Rosh Hashanah family picture (Maile 6 and Lauren 2.5)
by Papa K on September 7, 2015
This afternoon while Lauren was napping, Maile and Christine embarked on an origami adventure. No longer satisfied with your standard butterfly or crane, the scoured the internet and found some pretty cool shapeshifting/transforming/more-than-meets-the-eye origami coolness.
And, of course, they would not rest until they learned how to form these creations for themselves.
Having an artistic mommy is basically the coolest thing ever for a little girl like Maile.
My favorite origami goofball!
When Lauren woke up they had moved on to make 3D creations and they all studied the tape to learn how it was done...
(Click here for the video.)
(Presidio Knolls staggered the start for the little ones – so although Maile started today, Lauren doesn’t start until tomorrow. So we get two first day of schools this year allowing each girl to star on her own day!)
So. Long. Ago.
That was 4 years ago. Today it looks more like this…
So. Old.
It was awesome walking back on to the Presidio Knolls campus – the place was buzzing and when we left her Maile was already running around and catching up with her friends. When she came home she declared it was the “best day ever” – that sounds like a good start to the year to me.
Daddy, Maile and Mommy and day 1 of first grade...
Maile is very curious about having Lauren at school. She told Christine that if she needs to come out of class to help, she will. But she doesn’t want to miss too much.
Lauren is very excited for school.
Maile and Mommy
The best part of our vacation to Cape Cod was that we were joined by Grandma Jill and Papa Mike for the first part of the week and Auntie Elyssa for the whole thing!
Only thing better than family time? Family time + ice cream!
And yes, plenty of time playing with Auntie's old dolls with Grandma Jill...
Swinging with Grandma Jill
All the ladies on the see saw...
Selfie time with Auntie Elyssa!
Family Picture (Maile 6, Lauren 2.5)
(Apologies for the lack of posting this past week – we’ve been on the east coast for the PMC – see below – and vacationing on Cape Cod. Been spending good time away from the computer, but that has messed up my posting schedule!)
This past weekend I rode in my 5th Pan Mass Challenge. Last year, Maile joined me in Boston for the PMC while Mommy and Lauren stayed home. Maile, Grandma and Papa Boston met me in Boston after I took the Ferry home from where the ride finishes in Provincetown. That was pretty awesome.
This year was even better! Christine and both girls, along with Grandma and Papa Boston AND Auntie Elyssa all came down the Cape and were actually there at the finish line when I completed the 192 mile ride. I had never had anyone waiting for me at the finish and it was everything I hoped it could be. I’m truly thankful that everyone trekked all the way out to the very tip of the Cape.
We had a great ride and it was an awesome weekend once again – and even better, this year, we rented a house out in Chatham and have been enjoying some vacation time this week (more on that to follow)…
Knowing I was able to see this crew at the finish got me through the last miles!
Maile and Lauren got a kick out of all my riding gear...
One more - because it was that great 🙂
I ride every year with my best friend, Ryan - and I wouldn't be doing it at all if it wasn't for the guy on the left, Papa Mike!
Maile had crazy hair day again at camp and the girls in our household turned it into a family affair. Definitely felt like odd man (literally!) out – but it was fun to watch all the girls get ready. I imagine only the beginning and can already hear the “dad, get out!” shouts 🙂
Mommy was working on Maile's hair, so, of course, Lauren lent a hand with Mommy's hair...
Things got pretty serious when we moved to the bathroom - needed to sort out exactly which braid got which color.
Success!
Lauren too!
Crazy Hair Day 2015 in the books!
I’m in the home stretch of my training for my annual Pan-Mass Challenge ride (I’d love your support if you’d care to donate!). On Saturday, I decided to step up my training and bring the girls along, Rocky IV-style. We rented bikes and rode up over the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito. It was a beautiful day and actually Christine’s first time biking with me over the bridge as well. We had a blast and it was definitely a good work out – needless to say, I will not be bringing that trailer on all 192 miles of the PMC!
Maile and Lauren ready to rock in their trailer!
Things work well on flat ground, the hills get a bit tougher...
Pausing for some pics in the middle of the Golden Gate...
Family shot - AAAAAAH!
Mommy and the girls at lunch...
... okay Lauren, now that's a better smile...
Mommy and Lauren had fun on the top of the Ferry, Maile and I stayed down below (she was too hot outside)
Lauren is a big fan of the ferry!
Hard work for the girls, they conked out on the ride back after the Ferry...
