Better Homes and Gardens (Than Ours)

The bulk of our Sunday afternoon was spent in muddy mess.

It all started with my wife wanting to do something with the rock bed that sits at the front of our lawn next to our driveway  Our luck with plants in that area was somewhere between bad and non-existent.  We weren't sure why, but a very young tree that was planted there before we moved in died.  We're pretty sure we had something to do with it's untimely demise, but we weren't sure how.  Since the tree died, we have just left it as a rock garden sans plants.  She decided it was time to beautify a drab part of our front yard with some flowers.

I didn't really have a problem with it in theory.  It would make the front yard look a little bit better.  She already pulled all the weeds out of the area the day before.  So we were left with the simple job of pulling all the rocks out, digging holes, planting some flowers and putting the rocks back.

It seemed like an easy enough project.

Notice that I wrote "seemed" in that sentence.

I didn't really think about it, but I had run the sprinklers in the front yard earlier in the afternoon.  I figured the lawn going without water for two days was enough and that it needed it.  We didn't realize this was a mistake until we started taking the rocks out.  It became clear very quickly that we would be working in a gloppy, slick mud pit.

I don't know if you've ever tried to dig holes in mud.  It ain't easy.  It makes me wonder what the hell I saw in it when I was between the ages of 6-10.  Youth wasted on the young and such.  You slip and slide around because you can't get great footing.  You slowly grow taller and taller because the mud builds up on your shoes and reminds you where you've stepped with a trail of muddy footprints.  Then you have the suction that happens with mud.  You step and it's like you have suction cups attached to your shoes because pulling them back up is damn near impossible.

Needless to say mud sucks, but we pushed on.

Then there were the roots.  I'm not talking about the rap group that became Jimmy Fallon's house band.  I'm talking about tree roots that have made a home under then ground where our baby tree once died.  These weren't the roots of that sapling; these were the roots from a larger, more nefarious tree.  Every few inches we dug, we found a new root that needed to be pulled out.  They weren't connected to anything in particular, but they were still damn difficult to pull out of the ground.

It looked more and more like there was nothing little about this little project.

We finally got the roots out of the way.  We had a system in place for our hole digging and plant dropping.  We figured we had it made.  Then we hit the clay.

This is when I put two and two together regarding the death of our previous resident in the rock bed, why there was nothing before that and why the mud and water accumulated so quickly.  You see clay doesn't mix with water.  You pour water on clay and it just sits there.  It doesn't dissipate or seep into it.  It just rests like clay is a beach in Hawaii and the water is on it's honeymoon.  This leads to plants getting too much water because it has nowhere else to go.  It also means the roots will only grow down so far and start looking for new destinations.

But we soldiered on.  We figured that we would be the ones that would finally crack the code and that our planting skills (in spite of our non-green thumbs) would persevere.  Maybe it was a fools errand.  Maybe it was extra stressful because our girls were all about getting into stuff that they shouldn't.  We're still wondering if clay is edible after Ana decided to try some (Trust me I wish I was in the state of mind to take a picture of her).

Erin did take a picture of the new garden.

It looks great (at least that's what we're telling ourselves), so I have to give props to my wife for her vision to make the space more than a rock pile.  Now we're just praying that everything stays alive.  Fingers crossed.

Daddy Daughter Days

So I have a not-so-dirty secret.  In fact it's a not-so-secret secret.

I don't take a lot of pictures of my kids.

I know that this isn't common practice for people in the blog world.  In fact most bloggers consider themselves semi-professional photographers.  I'm just not that guy.  I don't consider contrast or framing when it comes to taking a picture.  I don't consider much of anything.

In fact I rarely think to whip out my phone and take pictures.  When I have a day off with my girls, my priority is spending time with them and interacting with them.  And I don't do it through a lens.  I'm not saying that people who spend all their time with their kids setting up photos are bad.

Actually yes I am.  Every interaction with your child shouldn't be through a camera.  I'm all for adorable pictures.  In fact about 99% of the pictures on my Instagram are my girls.  I get it.  My first instinct just has never been "Where's my camera so I can document this?"  I think about talking to them and playing with them without a camera in their face.  With how image-conscious we are and the emphasis that has been placed on looks in our society, it's probably for the best.
This of course is a roundabout way of explaining why I didn't post this last week.  I've got some photos for you this week though.  Enjoy.

My day really started the night before.  Erin went out with Kim to enjoy their last burger from The Counter before it closes down this week.  So I was left alone with the girls that evening.  Ana was enjoying her bath time.  Grace was anti-paparazzi.

We went to Target for a few items.  We always seem to find something there that we weren't looking for to distract us.  Are these not the cutest tissue boxes ever?

We purchased new pads for our patio furniture last week in the lead-up to Mother's Day.  When we were at Target we also saw a throw pillow that was a perfect match for the pads.  Unfortunately there was only one, so that was all we bought.  Since I was at Target, I figured I'd stop by the patio section and see if they had any more.  They did.  I bought three more.  I made my wife happy.  Sometimes it's just the little things.

Another great thing about Thursdays with my girls is the Giants usually have an afternoon game scheduled, so the girls and I usually catch the first inning together before nap time.  Here Ana and Grace are showing their team pride by taking off my hat and putting it on themselves.  Grace was also clapping when she saw fans doing it on the television.  I immediately died.

Grace doing her best Banksy impersonation.  She is such a cutting-edge street artist and so underappreciated in her own time.

When Erin got home, we went on a family walk to the park.  The girls love the playground.  Here Grace is going back and forth through the tube.  Ana was doing the same, but she was much more elusive.

Oh if the pictures weren't enough, I also have videos!

Ana just dancing away.  My favorite part is when Grace is laughing at her.  Probably because she knows she has better moves than her sister.

Grace is so fearless.  Ana has to be coaxed and then essentially pushed down the slide.  Grace just does it without hesitation.

That's all from our Daddy Daughter Day adventure this week.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Twitter Machine Tuesday

Before Mother's Day, Erin took the girls down to the Bay Area to visit some family.  She left on Friday and was gone until Saturday evening.

Essentially it was enough time to carry them upstairs and lay them in their cribs.

So I had the house to myself for two days.  Most people would revel in the fact that they had no kids or wife for almost 48 hours, but it didn't feel right to me.  I'm normally greeted with screams of "DADA!" when I get home on Fridays.  Instead I was greeted with a silent, empty house.  Saturday mornings before I go to work are spent in the big bed with Erin and the girls.  This past Saturday I woke up and no one was there.

And don't even get me started on how hard it is to sleep in a bed by myself.

Children fill your house with energy and love that can't be matched.  There may be a time when I welcome the quiet static that is an empty house, but that isn't me just yet.

Twitter Machine rolls on.

-Maybe it's a sign of my age, but Justin Bieber just needs to pull up his damn pants #getoffmylawn
-I don't get political in this space because it's not the forum, so you won't be reading my op-ed on Pres Obama on gay marriage
-I will say that my opinion on marriage doesn't extend beyond my front door. It's the only marriage I have input in. #sheletsmethink
-Time Magazine got exactly what it wanted: Everyone talking about the cover.
-I appreciate the people that tried to steer the conversation back to the actual topic of attachment parenting.
-Really isn't it at least a good thing that the topic of attachment parenting is being talked about? Maybe not on the terms you'd like #butstill
-I honestly didn't know Desperate Housewives was still on the air until I learned of the series finale #seriously
-So 30 Rock will have it's final season next year. I don't know what I'll do without Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy in my life
-Battleship comes out this week. In spite of my unnatural Liam Neeson love, I hope it fails spectacularly.
-Ana now says "Monkey" although it more comes out as Munchy. Still pretty darn cute.
-Ettore's in Sacramento makes a cheese danish that should seriously be illegal. It's that good.
-Going from turkey burgers to beef is like going from black and white TV to 1080p HD.
-Speaking of burgers The Counter in our area is closing which gives me a major sad.
-Haven't had a chance to watch Will Ferrell on SNL from the weekend, but I hear good things
-Apparently we're going to be treated to a Freddy Mercury hologram. #damnyouholopac
-Better secondary Parks & Rec character: Perd Hapley or Jean Ralphio?
-Dealing with a city's public services department is like pulling teeth with a rusty wrench. I need Leslie Knope.
-Mom, John Travolta won't come out of the closet!
-30 For 30 is back this fall. There have been some great ones so far. I'm sure there are still great stories yet to be told.
-I have no desire to see The Dictator because I'm pretty sure all the funny bits are in the trailer. #likeeverytrailer
-There is however a teaser for Anchorman 2 that will play before, so that might be enough to get me to see it. #scotchscotchscotch
-The Bachelorette is back to make me question the taste of every woman I know.
-Ana also pushes Grace and says "Go." I'm blaming this impatience on her mother.
-Some times I have to consciously take a picture of something besides my girls just so my Instagram isn't monotonous.
-Was so excited for We Are Augustines opening for Counting Crows. Closest they are coming to us is Bend, OR #maybenextyear

That's all for this week.  I'll see you next Tuesday.

Mother's Day

I can never know what it's like to be a mother.

Part of me is very thankful for that.  I know with my pain tolerance that I'd never be able to handle child birth.  And honestly I don't think any man could pull it off.

There are times when I marvel at the relationship Erin has with our girls.  I know I'll never have the same relationship with them.  They'll always have a different connection with her that I'll never know.  They'll know a closeness that I can only imagine.  I get it.  I'm number two to them at best, and I'm okay with it.

Erin earned that closeness by carrying them for just over 33 weeks.  She earned it by being with them every single day for the first few months of their lives.  She earned it by breast feeding them.  She gave them the life-giving nourishment they needed and at the same time bonded with them and developed the special relationship that every mother should have with her children.

So when I think of Mother's Day and gifts and commercialization, my only response is "Why the hell not?"

All the moms out there have earned it.  I don't care that it has become a "Hallmark holiday" because it's a holiday every mother deserves.  We at the very least should reflect on what makes the mothers in our lives so special.  We should spend every day showing them, but I'm sure they're happy that they get the recognition at least one day out of the year.

So every child spend a moment telling your mom you love her and appreciate all she's ever done for you.

And to Erin:  I can't imagine a better mom for our girls.  They are filled with joy whenever they see you.  It started with the joy that overflowed from you on the day they were born.  The light in their eyes is a direct reflection of the love that you shine onto them.  I know that no matter what happens from now until the end of time our girls have someone in their corner.  They will never be without the love of their mama.  Happy Mother's Day eringirl.

Summer Sucks

I know there are some out there that look at the above title and think "How dare you?" or "Sacrilege!"  In fact there are some that I know that would want to fight me for simply writing those words.  Every year I'm reminded why my fondness for the season wanes almost immediately, and this year with Summer right around the corner I figured I'd post something about it.

You have to hear me out.

I have my reasons why it sucks as I'm sure you have your reasons why Summer is great.

I actually know quite a few teachers that read this blog and will never agree with this particular sentiment, so I know I'm fighting an uphill battle with those readers.  I get it.  It's your one extended time off all year after busting your ass for the past 9 months.  You've earned it.  Trust me.  All I'm saying is that if the 3 month vacation came from March to May or from September to November that it could be that much better.

Most non-teachers think about summer romantically.  We view it through the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia.  Remembering our misspent youth.  Looking back on the long days where the sun didn't go down until the evening.  We weren't forced to come in until the streetlights came on, and summer provided those extra few hours to bond and play with our friends without the constraints of school and homework.  These were the times when your family went on trips to places like Disneyland or across the country to see new, exciting places.

Nostalgia is a strong thing.  Sometimes it can blind us to how awful something really is.  I for one look back at television shows or listen to music that I thought was awesome as a kid and realize how truly horrible it is now.  Granted it still holds a special place in my heart and I can never truly hate it, but I can see it for what it really is now that I have more discerning taste.

Summer is the same.  I think about how great it is until it comes.  The middle of baseball season.  The Fourth of July.  Summer movie season.  Summer concerts.  All these things contribute to my misdirected adoration.  Then a heatwave hits and I remember why it sucks so much.

So here is my list of why Summer can blow me.  If you disagree feel free to comment below.  This isn't some unquestionable list.  I'm trying to start a dialogue here and welcome disagreement.

• It's so damn hot:  You know why all the big movies come out in the Summer?  People are looking to be inside an air conditioned room even if they have to spend $20 and watch a crappy movie to do it.  Cold will always win against heat because you can always put on a coat or grab a blanket when it's cold.  There are only so many clothing items you can take off when it's hot before you're getting reported to the cops.  And even if you were naked, it still isn't cooling you off completely.
• Bugs:  Summer brings out all the annoying bugs.  Gnats are everywhere.  Mosquitoes are plentiful and hungry.  Even when you want to sit outside and enjoy a warm evening with a cool beer, you're under attack.  I friggin' hate bugs.
• Sleepless Nights:  This is related to the last two topics and it may be more of a personal problem, but the heat always leads to sleepless nights.  I find it hard to sleep in warm weather.  The girls don't go down as easy when it's hot outside.  This means I'm always exhausted throughout the day which in turn makes it difficult to sleep again the following night.  It's a vicious cycle.  Not only that, but the aforementioned mosquito bites leave you itchy and uncomfortable and thus unable to sleep peacefully.
• It's more expensive:  We are by no means made of money.  Hence the hot, sleepless nights instead of running our AC overnight for preferred comfort.  But air conditioning can't be avoided in the Summer especially in our area.  It just gets too hot to not run it.  I don't want to put my daughters in danger of heat stroke because I'm too cheap, so the AC will run intermittently throughout the day.  The thing is it isn't just the air conditioning driving up the utility bill every month.  We also have a water bill to worry about, so we watch that spike in the Summer because we have to water our lawn and plants more often or use the hose as a way to cool our kids off.
• No good television:  We spend most of the Summer watching Giants games in the evening, but there are no great options when it comes to regular television.  Sure Summer is meant to spent outdoors, but I suggest you scroll back up to reason one and two why Summer sucks.  It may be a petty thing to complain about, but it's my blog damnit.
• Gas prices:  Every year gas goes through the roof right before Memorial Day, and we deal with those insane gas prices until Labor Day or later.  Usually it's the precursor to prices in the coming months.  It sucks when a good chunk of your paycheck (because most of us are still working during these horrible months of suckiness) goes to your fuel bill.
• Fat people in revealing clothing:  Granted you take a little of the good with the bad here.  There are also fit people wearing revealing clothing, but it doesn't ever seem to offset the other, fatter side of that coin.  I'm sure that you thought that two-piece was a good idea when you saw it for 40% off at Wal-Mart, but you should really reconsider.  It doesn't work on you or for anyone that has to witness it.  This ultimately serves as a motivation for me to get off my own ass and work out, so there is some good to be derived from it.  Although I also hate working out.

Now I know that I don't have it that rough.  For example I could be digging ditches in the Summer as opposed to working indoors.  I count my blessings.  I love seeing my girls in dresses and outfits that come along with Summer.  I look forward to when they're older, and I can enjoy it a little more.  But I still hate this time of year.  I'd love to live in a place where the weather is always 78, but I can't afford to live in San Diego just yet.  So for now I'll just complain about the crappiness that is Summer time.