Ballet Class is over, too

The last ballet class was special as Michael was able to come and watch. The girls had a new teacher, Miss Amanda and learned so much from her. Kaley and Chloe were in class together and it was really nice to see the Wakefields each week. Ainsley is really becoming quite the ballerina. I can't believe how much her dance has changed over the 3 years. She talks about wanting to try out for the Nutcracker...she just seems to truly enjoy dancing..we'll see what the next few years bring. It is hard to realize she is only six! Sadly, the battery in the camera went dead right after Ainsley's class started.

Ainsley's drama class

Ainsley and Sydney were such hams in the drama class they took together at Civic Arts. The two play very well together and worked nicely with one another in creating their "stories".

The two enjoyed Miss Amber..so sad that the class is over.

Kaley, the Dermatologist

We often joke that when Kaley grows up, she is going to be a Dermatologist (although she claims she will be a princess). Here is Miss Kaley giving daddy the once over...I think that she is examining his belly button.

Sunday, August 12

Sunday, August 12, we went to SF for Stern Grove's event featuring the SF Ballet. The Rapelas went with us and we missed the Wakefields! Ainsley, Kaley and Melody participated in a ballet workshop beforehand, which was worth the trip over there. The girls had such a fun time. The three acts which the ballet performed were beautiful. The costumes where so perfect and the music was performed live by the SF Ballet Orchestra. It was a wonderful Sunday!

Small World Park, Pittsburg

In the middle of Pittsburg, located on Leland at Railroad is Small World Park. We went there recently with Nicholas. It is a very nice immaculate park with lots of mature trees offering shade on hot days. There are three rides, two of which the kiddos enjoyed- the carousel and train which were ridden more than once. The park has many play structures, but rather than playing on the structures, Ainsley, Kaley and Nicholas were more interested in the catch and release pond. We borrowed poles and frozen bacon from the front office and off fishing for crawdads we went. What a fun time we had!

Tomatoes from the garden

We planted several types of tomatoes this year including a french vanilla cherry tomato which ripens to a bright yellow and zebra's (thank you Erik for the tip), which are green striped and when ready to pick are slightly larger than a golf ball. Both of which are very sweet and nice addition to red tomatoes.

Last night, I made this delicious Tomato and bread salad with our freshly picked tomatoes and basil. Here is the recipe:

Panzanella

prep time: 10 minutes

6 Cups 3/4 in. hearty bread cubes

4 Tomatoes on the vine, each cut into 8 wedges (I used our red vine, zebra's and french vanilla)

1/4 Red onion sliced very thin

3 Tbsp. sliced fresh basil

1/4 Cup extra virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. sea salt or to taste

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place bread cubes on a baking sheet and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until toasty and firm; let cool. Place in a large bowl with tomatoes, onions and basil. Stir together remaining ingredients and drizzle over salad; toss well to coat. If you find that the tomato/bread ratio isn't to your liking, add more tomatoes.

Makes 6 servings.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

After a quick trip over to Emeryville to return a new Leapster, which Ainsley has been testing for Leap Frog, we headed over for a day in the City. Our first stop was to see daddy...quite a special stop! The girls love seeing daddy and his friends at work. They missed seeing Miss Margaret as she was branching So Cal. Kaley hung onto daddy and would not let him go. Michael had to walk us down to the street and together we peeled Kaley off him so that he could get back to work. Our next stop was very special to Ainsley. We stopped off to see Sabrina. She hasn't changed a bit and is still as full of life as ever. As we drove away, it dawned on us that we didn't get a picture of her....Ainsley said she planned it that way, just so that we have another reason to see her again on our next trip to the City, which will be on Sunday to see the SF Ballet at Stern Grove. We planned on going to the newly renovated Children's Playground in GG Park and the Conservatory of Flowers to see CHOMP, but the girls decided they really wanted daddy to do this with us. We then grabbed some lunch, being as I left ours sitting on our kitchen counter.. and then drove up to Potrero Hill to see The Bubble Lady at the library. The girls had a wonderful time with The Bubble Lady. Bubbles are so magical and the girls really enjoyed the presentation.

Ainsley volunteered
for a haircut- got a lot of laughs
instead, Mickey Mouse ears
let the bubbles beginto grow...and grow and growwrapped into a crown of bubbles Ainsley and Kaley "in" a bubble

Pizza with the Tuffo cousins

Last Sunday we met Michelle, Kelly and Kai at Zacharys in Rockridge. The kids did really well considering the long wait. Having playdough and color wonder helped keep Ainlsey, Kaley and Kai busy while I enjoyed visiting and getting caught up with Michelle and Kelly.