Our daycare closes for a week over the summer-- we were very lucky to have Po Po come out to visit and help us out with the boys so Eunice didn't have to take the week off from work.
As always, it was a special treat for us all to have Po Po here. Highlights included lots of home cooked Chinese food (of course), lots of playing in the backyard, a couple of great date nights for the two of us, and some adventurous outings for the whole crew (e.g., Lakestock!).
The best part of Po Po's visit this time around, however, was that she really got to bond with Tyler. When Eunice and Spencer flew out to Texas to meet up with Jennifer and David's family for a pre-reunion jaunt to Sea World, Po Po stayed on a few extra days to be with Tyler and help out around the house. Tyler's a lucky boy to have gotten such undivided attention from Po Po. We hope these two will always share a special bond!
It was a big music weekend for us-- back to back outdoor concerts!
Saturday was another great night at Emerald Lake, the place we enjoyed our "best night out with the boys" earlier this summer. Our friend Corey wasn't on piano this time, but it was another warm evening perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and some good music with friends.
Adam and Rachel brought Lilah out for her first concert, and we met up with Alonzo and Theo, eager for their first father-son night out after the birth of Reah two days earlier. See below for photos and video, or click here for the full slideshow!
Highlights included Tyler rushing the stage, Terry entertaining all 3 little ones at once with bouncing arms and legs, and the mercifully short middle school punk band that played between the 2 solid rock cover acts.
We have to admit it, but San Carlos's "Music in the Park" is much cooler than San Mateo's... The energy was high, the music was great, there were a million kids running around, and we could participate in the festivities from a fully enclosed playground so we didn't have to hover over the boys all the time. Ryan even randomly ran into 3 people he knew from past lives.
We came from the north, Grace and Alonzo came with Theo from the south, and Adam and Rachel strolled over with Lilah from their house 2 blocks away (lucky them!).
Our favorite memory of the evening was watching Tyler climb the play structure to see the band... while doing a little boogying on his own. And don't worry-- Theo isn't actually strangling Tyler on the slide in the bottom left photo!
Why mess with success? The Gates were kind enough to offer to host a 4th of July party for Spencer's birthday again this year, and we couldn't refuse. An afternoon in the pool, an evening of Nichols family ribs and margaritas + lots of other goodies, and a house fit to host our crowd of 50 friends and their kids.
Spencer relished the attention, mostly. We've been preparing him for months that his third birthday would be marked by fireworks, cake, the loss of his beloved pacifier AND the transition from his "office" at daycare to Mandarin immersion preschool.... so we weren't so sure how he'd react to the big day.
Success on all fronts-- he lost his pacifier the week prior, making the transition a non-issue. We made a successful visit to the playground at his new school to get him used to the new environment. AND, on the big day itself, Spencer didn't seem to mind the fireworks at all... the bigger issue seemed to be the birthday singing, which put him in a VERY serious mood, as you'll see in the video below. We like to think of it as serious contemplation of the meaning of turning three.
Here's a shot of the birthday boy, getting his favorite present, a big bear hug, from Theo.
And here are some shots from around the party: swimming pool fun, Ryan and Corey manning the grill, Tyler and Evan cruising around in the wagon, Spencer and Joey playing in the dirt,Spencer sampling the feast, red white and blue Nichols boys, Spencer watching fireworks with mom, and the crew assembled for Eunice's trademark homemade banana chocolate chip birthday cake.
Three sets of special guests worthy of special mention: Cora flew all the way from D.C. to join us for Spencer's birthday festivities. Adam and Rachel brought out 2-week old Lilah for her first public appearance... she completely stole the show. And Nara and Tracy came down from the city with our friend Lee-- they're expecting their first soon, and we thought a little shock and awe was in order by inviting them to a party with so many toddlers!
Eunice put together this great collage of me with the boys when they were just born in honor of my 2nd real father's day. What better day to reflect on what I've enjoyed most about being a father? These photos of them as little ones start to capture it-- its the one on one moments when they look at me with a dependence that no one has ever had on me before. That, and afternoon naps on the weekend. Those are pretty great too.
As far as father's day itself went, it was a pretty typical day of highs and lows as a dad. Great morning cooking omlettes with the boys, horrible attempt to take a hike out at Seal Point (they boys were not at their best... but we're glad we made the attempt), excellent nap and afternoon hanging around the house, dinner and a movie with Eunice after the boys went to bed. About as perfect an end to the evening as it gets these days!
At last, Adam and Rachel have moved into their new home in San Carlos, just 15 minutes from us!
Ryan, along with some other family and friends helped them move boxes and furniture into their new digs. Later that night, we got a babysitter for the boys and checked out the late night scene on Laurel Avenue, enjoying a tasty dinner and some fantastic live music at Piacere. The next afternoon, we were back at Piacere for an outdoor lunch on their sidewalk patio with Michael and Thesere. Welcome to the hood, Adam and Rachel!
