By that, I of course mean Happy Martin Luther King Day! Happy Lunar New Year! Happy Valentines Day! (There was no confusion over what holidays I was referring to was there?)
Inspired by the stegosaurus (Desmond's number one dinosaur, in case you were interested.) hat that Desmond brought home from preschool on Friday... well inspired by the stegosaurus hat and the little brother's need to have everything that the big brother has... and then the big brother's need to have exactly the same thing that the little brother has, Paul made two matching triceratops hats for the boys and took them to Whole Foods to buy our Sunday pizza and groceries. ($10 pizzas on Sundays. Do all Whole Foods do this?)
So the house is currently quiet. And somewhat clean. I have a fresh cup of coffee at a newly cleared off table nestled into a corner of sunny windows. I'm still pleasantly full of pancakes and tempeh breakfast sausage that we made a few hours ago. And I have a minute to write something. Maybe a million things.
We took the kids to LACMA yesterday, and it's true - (Does everybody know this? I feel it's important that everybody know this.) - You can get a free museum membership for any kid under the age of 18. You don't even have to renew it or anything complicated. There was even a table set up next to the admission window with a helpful lady who flagged us down and made it happen instantly. The boys were issued their official orange NexGen badges. And an accompanying adult gets free admission as well. The helpful lady didn't laugh though when I gleefully told her that's why we had two kids. We had such a nice afternoon and I'm so excited that we can go there anytime we want. I might even become arty and pretentious. The dress exhibit was everything I had hoped, and the Art Nouveau furniture - swoon.
Afterwards we took the kids to Real Food Daily and I was reminded, again, of why we don't take our children out to dinner. But it could have gone worse. And they do have a great kids menu. For $6.95, it comes with a drink and there are loads of choices. Desmond chose a bowl with soba noodles, marinated grilled tofu, mixed vegetables, and cashew cheese sauce to dip. Also, it should be noted that the banana cream tart was insane. Desmond kept sticking his finger in the whipped cream - "hmm" - another small dip - "what is this stuff?" - another slightly more daring dip - "it's delicious" - another dip - "this white stuff - what is it?" - another - "hmm" - another - "it's delicious." Before we stopped him and made him share.
I bartered Christmas cards for birthday party catering with my best pal. I think it was a good deal all around. You can find her photographic services here if you're all jealous of my cute cards and want to know where you can get your own. For her baby's first birthday, I set up a dessert bar in the park. We had little pudding cups and cookies and cupcakes and a thermos of coffee and hot chocolate and fixings like marshmallows
Oh and speaking of a little bit of elicit booze at kids parties, we co-hosted a New Year's Eve party for Desmond's classmates. I brought sparkling cider and noise makers and mac and cheese bites. All the families brought a kid-friendly snack to share, and the key planners of the event made a big pot of coffee and put out Kahlua and cream and sugar and some other sort of booze for stirring into your steaming mug. It was perfect for lounging in the backyard on a pretty chilly December afternoon while the kids went nuts. Super-fun.
Also, we went to Disneyland last month. We had more than enough to eat thanks to all Chow Vegan's suggestions. But my favorite meal of the trip was the Vietnamese feast we had in our motel room the night before. (We made a whole big sleepover of it so that Felix could take a nap midday. It was so much fun.) One of my favorite vegan restaurants, Thuyen Vien, (I don't think we've ever talked about their banana flower salad. It's just so special I wanted to make sure to choose the right words, and so I just haven't gotten around to bringing it up. This is unacceptable. Go eat it and we'll discuss.) recently moved just down the street from Disneyland, so Felix and I drove over there while Paul and Desmond swam in the pool. We brought home approximately everything on the menu. While we attempt to put Desmond off from our next trip until he's seven (that place is expensive, man) - I brainstorm how I can get myself into closer proximity to Thuyen Vien soon and often.
In October we went to Denver to visit family and the great american beer festival. We took our children to a bar. They had fun.
Desmond is four. Did I tell you about his current imaginary friend? His name is Rocket John and he takes Desmond on rocket ship rides all over the place. Rocket John is 42. His dad is 48, his mom is 41 and she's pregnant with twins. Rocket John's family lives in old London Town, though Rocket John lives with us. He spends Christmas in Paris though.
Felix is 16 months. He started walking on Thanksgiving and is taking it very slow and cautious. Which is wise considering that he has an older brother that is constantly rocketing off somewhere without the least notice. It is not a safe place to be taking tottering steps. He's recently gotten quite a bit more confidence though in his movements. And he talks. He says, Desmond, and Linus (his best pal), and dog, and mom, and dad, and water, and I want (which sounds like unt, and is very demanding), and Gram, and something new all the time. He's started practicing this jovial santa laugh - well more a cross between santa and the count from Sesame Street. Actually I can't decided if it's more jovial or more villainous. He's a funny baby.
And I need a good book on preventing sibling rivalry. (Obviously. I told you about the triceratops hats.) Any good suggestions? I updated my books over there in the sidebar. Desmond and I are reading The Wind in the Willows
I've been cooking dinner for a family down the street once a week, and now twice a week, and another family in Altadena and I'm looking for a couple more to turn it into a mini job. If you know any busy families in the Pasadena area that are looking for a healthy home cooked dinner a couple times a week, let me know.
Okay, now that we are somewhat caught up, we can proceed from here as before. See you Thursday with a recipe.
