Changes Changes Changes

We have had a lot of change here in the last month. Annie started school, Megan started here, and Daddy is about to start his new job in the Mergers and Acquisitions group at Price Waterhouse Coopers. I have to say this whole transition has been much harder on Mommy than Annie. But so it seems to go. Annie not only seems fine, she seems to have grown more in 2 weeks than she did in the last 2 months. It kind of makes me wonder if she was happy before!

She runs out the door to school, and it has been a full two weeks and she has not cried at all. She came home and told me all about spacemen that went to the planets in rocketships. (This week was planets at school.) She was doing sign language letters with Gramps on skype and cracking us up. She is talking up a STORM. I mean really, she wont quit talking. She tells me all about her teachers and friends. It makes my heart happy to see how adjusted she is, and that she asks for Megan (the Nanny) of her own accord.

I can't say that I am completely at ease with all the change, I don't think I could be as a Mom, but Nina (my boss) pointed out to me that while I am nervous I need to focus on how well Annie is doing which is really at the root of all my nerves to begin with and my job is flexible so I can come and go as needed. So, thank you for being such a great kid Annie! We love you. And Good Luck to Daddy on Monday, we LOVE you.

Happy Birthday Megan

Annie has started school and she has a new Nanny, Megan who she calls "My Megan" Megan has been with us for a week now and Annie is loving her. This morning when she woke up she asked if her Megan was coming over. Megan started here on her birthday so we had cupcakes for her and sang Happy Birthday.

One...

Two....

Three.... BLOW!  (This time Annie blew the candle out vs grabbing it with her hand as she did on her 2nd birthday)

Back Yard Status

The yard is coming right along. The pavers are nearly done. Next up is redoing the retaining wall and building the firepit. Then will come the landscaping in the planters and pots. About 3/4ths of our furniture has arrived. Now we are waiting for the lounge chairs and the cushions. Adam and I are getting SUPER excited now. Gonna be a great Spring and Summer.

Annie's house will go back on the side of the yard.  But for now the workers moved it.

The fountain will go back on the end of the planter shared by the AC and we are having a trellis built to go around the AC unit to hide it and lots of green plants put in between and around.

I still say Todd and I didnt do a bad job, but this looks awfully good!  But, Todd, they were able to move the sprinkler box which made a big difference.  We miss you Uncle Todd!

A few pieces of our furniture.  We got sage green cushions (of course green for me!) plus it will help soften the look of the tan/gray pavers.

Just need to figure out accent cushions for the low swivel rockers for the fire pit and an umbrella!

Spring has Sprung

 Flowers are all in full bloom.  We are just waiting for our roses to bloom, any day now.

 Annie taking her baby for a walk.

 New mulch for a new season.  Adam is becoming quite the green thumb.

 Lilacs smell like heaven!

Family Day at the Zoo

So much for a day of nothing! I woke up and it was so pretty out that I asked Adam if he wanted to go to brunch and then the Oakland Zoo. He was totally game and of course Annie the girl wanted to see the animals.

We have now been to the SF and Oakland Zoo. Each has pros and cons but I would say Oakland has SF beat. My only tip is to make sure to have a stroller as there are a lot of hills.  Make sure to wear good shoes as the hills can be steep. But, they have all the great animals larger that the SF Zoo lost it's license for. Elephants, Tigers, Lions, Monkeys, they are all there plus a huge kids Zoo in the Zoo. The only thing SF does better is the view of the Bay, and their train.

We like Oakland so much we bought a year long family pass. It was only about 20 minutes from our house which is awesome! Annie really had a knock-out weekend, and the best part is none of it was planned so I am keeping to my resolution of being more spontaneous. I can't wait to see what the next few weekends bring...hopefully a finished backyard and a BBQ!

Annie at Brunch.  What did people do before iPads? ;-)

Okay guys!  Season passes purchased, now I know we are sure to come back.  Let's do it!

What are you looking at Miss?  You are the funny looking one.

No way dude, YOU are the funny looking one.

Mommy that crocodile is SCWARY! (yes that's how she says it)

Annie looks sad here b/c she kept asking me to "open 'em up" because she said the animals were stuck.

We got to see the Baboons at feeding time.  Annie said their tushies were red.

Either this Elephant has 5 legs, a tail, and a trunk OR it's Definitely a boy.

Annie doesn't know what to make of it.

Having some dehydrated fruit and some water.  A girl has to replenish.

Getting ready for the train ride!  We got the back car.  It's the best.

Annie loving the wind in her face.

The view of the SF bay from the train.  We live in such a beautiful state.

Yep, another Pony!  And yep, she has no idea the bow is there.

Hmmm, Daddy I don't know if I like this talk of going home!

Okay, if you say we will come back, I am happy!