A Quick Note About Our Blog

OK, for those of you that still read this thing, we just wanted to say hello and give you a quick head's up.

We know we have not posted much recently. But, we have a great excuse. We've been moving and dealing with the holiday trifecta that has become all of October, November, and December.

But, things are returning back to normal. We are still committed to posting about 1 blog per week. So, you might get 3 one week and 0 the next, but check back periodically and we'll try and make you happy.

For those of you that haven't seen our new house, we'll be posting pics of that and we'll talk more about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years next week. Until then, take care! We've make it past two years and we have 168 posts! Yay for us!

Halloween...The Waldorf Way

We know this post is way late. Hell, we've been lagging around here....but it's still cute.

Ayjia did Halloween at her Waldorf School this year. Instead of door-to-door, the kids dress up and go play-to-play. We watched mini plays from kings, rabbits, cowboys, and more.

It was super magical and super cool. Here's some photo's of our little Santa walking around...maybe next year we can include some video.

Ayjia and the Bad Word

Recently we were in Napa and we were walking around downtown. Ayjia saw her shadow and it was very big, so Ayjia said, “Mom, I’m really big, can I say a bad word now?”

She’s so cute, how could we resist? So, we said, yes.

Ayjia, very embarrassed, but super excited by the prospect, conjured up a sly smile and said very loudly, “Shit!”

Oh, Christmas Tree

Well, our crazy family went and picked our first Christmas tree this year. We actually cut it down and did the whole Christmas Vacation thing. After cutting down the tree, we all hung out and had hot chocolate and popcorn around the fire and Ayjia played with our family friend. There's nothing funny about this story...just something we wanted to remember forever.

One of Our Favorite Moments Thus Far

On most days, you make us smile. On most days, you warm our hearts. On most days, we are convinced that you are the second coming of our savior because you are so sweet, kind, and special. But, even as much as we think of you, you still managed to wow us the other day. When we were traveling in San Francisco recently, we were all having breakfast together. On this special morning you remembered being in momma’s belly. You asked, "Momma do you remember when I was in your tummy and I was tumbling around?" Thinking that you were playing around, we started asking you questions about this experience that you apparently remembered. Here’s some of the questions and answers. Note: This is proof that you are truly truly special.

Mom and Dad: You remember being in momma’s belly?
Ayjia: Yes, I was tumbling around in there. Remember, I was swimmin' around and around?

Mom and Dad: Could you see anything?
Ayjia: No, it was too dark in there.

Mom and Dad: Could you hear anything in there? (Trying to see if she remembered the Beethoven or the Metallica we would play her)
Ayjia: Yes
Mom and Dad: Well, what did you hear?
Ayjia: Taps on the table in the rythm of a heart beat
Mom and Dad: lift jaws off the floor

A few months have passed since this happened. Dad decided to test you to see if you truly remembered. So, he asked again:

Dad: What did you hear when you were in momma’s belly?
Ayjia: A Drum

No Matter How Hard We Try...We Are Our Parents

Recently, we’ve taken to stealing our parent’s favorite sayings, using them as they were our own, and tricking Ayjia into thinking we are the geniuses that we are. Here’s some of our favorites we’ve used as Ayjia goes through her terrible two’s.

- Don’t make me pull this car over!
- You want something to cry about? I’ll give you something to cry about!

But, no matter how many of these we pull out of our reserves, Ayjia is always quick with a comeback which makes us think...why didn’t we ever think of that?

Take for example one of our favorites...using her full name ONLY when she is in deep trouble. The situation might go something like this: Ayjia will kick her father in the teeth. Mother will yell AYJIA EVANGELIA! To which Ayjia will calmy reply, “That’s my name.”

Why do you make it so difficult to discipline you?

Reason #57 To Have Kids

Some people argue that having kids cost money. You have to buy more food, diapers, toys, etc. We beg to argue with this opinion. Take for example the fact that having a kid means you no longer have to purchase an alarm clock. No, every morning, regardless of what hour your drunk ass passed out, your child will be there to greet you with loving comments such as, “I HAVE TO GO POTTY! NOW!” or “WAKE UP! I WANT BREAKFAST!”

Ayjia Alters The English Language

Recently you decided to alter the English language as we know it. Here’s your newest modifications to our dictionary.

Chucky Cheese is now Cheesy Chuck. New name. Same gross pizza.

Licorice is now Ricorice. What are you, Asian?

Car Wash is now the Dishwasher Car. Hmm...well, this one kind of makes sense if you think about it.

OK, we buy it. Plus your version is so much cuter....

La Familia

The Inspiration for that Gnarls Barkley Song

Ayjia The Builder

Can You Get Any Cooler? Uh...No.

And, we didn't even have to pose her like this...

Ayjia and The Milkman

This title will make more sense when you read the next post....

Who we call "the milkman", Ayjia calls "Daddy Stina." Hey, that's what happens when you go butch, babe. Don't blame our child for calling it like it is....

Beethoven's 2 and 1/2

Hmmm...wonder where she gets this from? Probably the milkman (aka: her real father).

Mom Got Her Dad's Mad Photo Skillz

Ayjia Has a Baby (Over At Her House)!

Ever find yourself yearning to have kids...or more kids? We have the perfect remedy...watch your friend's kid (for example, Alex) for more than 2 hours (or 6). Then, go to dinner, have a glass (or three) of wine, and talk about how much you don't need any more kids.

The Geography of Ayjia

I guess when we named you after a continent and then screwed up the spelling, we couldn't very well expect you to get the rest of your geography right. Here's your interpretation of some places on the map:

- San Francisco = Salmon Cisco. Hmmm. Sounds delicious.

- Miami = Your Ami. When dad recently went to Miami, you heard it as "My Ami"....so, being the master of pronouns that you are, then referred to Miami as "Your Ami." Last night, at dinner, Dad even mentioned going to Miami again. To which you replied, "You're going to Your Ami again?"

Fun At Home

I think sometimes we have more fun at home than we do when we're out and about....case and point.....

Tigger finds a new bed for himself.

Reason #1 Why You Shouldn't Give Chocolate to Kids

Ayjia's Gymnastics Allow Cameras for One Day

You jumping in the foam pit...which you are deathly afraid of.

Crawlin around like the little monster that you are.

Ta Da!

Napa Ford Coppola (A Vacation In Napa)

Your mom and I were a little surprised when we arrived at our "hotel" as it was more of a....well....a glorified, colorful mobile home park. Damn internet made it look like cute condo cottages.

So, we avoided the "hotel" as much as possible and stayed outside. This is you and your dad at Copia. Dad's acting like he's teaching you something for the sake of the photo.

Your hair is getting so long. People always tell us we cut your hair so cute...We wish we could take the credit but your hair has just naturally grown this way. Of course, we never tell anyone this.....until now.

You and mom hiding behind some bushes at Copia hoping Dad would never find you and leave you alone for the rest of the trip.

This is about the 3 square feet in the town of Napa that looks like this. If you want to know what the rest of the town of Napa looks like, then just take a trip to Modesto...or any other armpit town.

But, the ugliness of the town was quickly forgotten when we looked at you.

Even though you were also a little unsure where we were taking you for vacation.

Back in our "hotel," you were eating grapes for breakfast. When there were three grapes left, you said, "look a happy face!" Damn if you aren't creative.

You washed down your grapes with grape juice (this is Napa after all). Mom and dad had "grape juice" with their dinner.

We finally left the town of Napa and found Sonoma (which was MUCH more beautiful). Right in the middle of Sonoma was a park....which you played on while mom snapped pictures and dad called realtors.

FYI for all of you adults out there...going down these slides is just as much (if not more) fun NOW than it was when you were a kid.

Too lazy to bring the stroller everywhere, this is how you got carted around town.

Near the end of our trip, our friends Justin (www.myspace.com/jupproject) and Iris came up to visit. You took them immediately and we had so much fun eating, shopping, and uh..."grape juice" tasting.

On the last day of our trip, Grandma and Papa and Uncle Brother came up and we went to Rubicon (formerly known as Coppola) and actually got to see Francis Ford Coppola (yes THE actual FFC) when we stopped at the coffee shop after wine tasting. This is the man that directed The Godfather which we'll show you when you're a little older.....say, 5 or 6.

All in all, we had fun in Napa....and we thought this was a great way to sum up the trip.