Baltimore!

Or as the locals call it Bawlmer!

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Christmas eve

New tea set, new hats, so many new toys.

Christmas lunch

Quoted: What is Lucia thinking??

Holiday Parties

Phew. It's been a busy few weekends. 


Last weekend we went to the Young Scandinavians Club Santa Lucia celebration at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco. Lucia got all gussied up in a cute dress. We ended up chatting with and meeting Tabitha Soren (the MTV VJ from the late 80s-90s). Which I'm not gonna lie, was super cool. I can't act low-key in those situations, so that was kinda hilarious. She's the redhead next to me here.

It was fun to see the singers though. Lucia kept calling the Santa Lucia a birthday cake because of the candles. Which was funny.

Afterwards we waited forever and ever to see Santa, only to have Little Miss freak out.

This past weekend, we went to our former daycare provider's house for dinner with the other families; it was really fun. Lucia still talks about Stacey and the other kids all the time; it has truly been the hardest thing about the move: leaving them. We really, really loved them. We are hoping our new daycare is also wonderful like that.

Saturday we went to another party in San Francisco and ended up staying for dinner. Our friends have 21 month old twin boys, so Lucia played with them and ate about a million pepparkakor (like ginger snaps). It was nice to just relax with them.

On the way home we drove the past the famous Tom and Jerry Christmas tree in San Francisco. It's amazing. Read more about it here.

PS

As soon as I can find my cable to download pictures, I'll be posting some here. Until then, enjoy my ramblings. :) 

Found!

We have selected a daycare! We're super excited. Going to Jamie and Nick's house reminded me of going to a friend's house. It's very warm and inviting and they are just wonderful. They have 3 kids; 2 girls age 8 and 10, who are obsessed with Lucia (and vice versa) and a 2 year old who is just a few weeks older than Lucia. They moved here from England 9 months ago (he's English, she's American and from California), and they ran a daycare there for 9 years. There's a cozy play space and a huge backyard. The clincher though is Jamie has asthma and the kids have either asthma or severe food allergies (sadly), so she's very familiar with how to handle those things. Poor Pete looked at 6 daycares; we wanted to make sure we found one we we both loved as much as the last place. And we do. She starts Jan. 5. 

Tour O Daycares

Pete and Lucia have been all over the area this week touring daycares. There was the one that smelled like a dog. There was the one where they teach the kids Russian and the playspace sucks. There was the one that reminded me of going to my friend's house (hint: #1 contender). There was the one with the snotty attitude. There was the one where Lucia's hair got pulled. There was the one with the awesome play space but lukewarm provider.  We're leaning heavily to the place we both really liked, but I'm ruling the lukewarm provider out today. Maybe she was having a bad day yesterday.

Of course, Lucia now has a cold. She woke up coughing and snotty. Thankfully, she's learned to wipe her nose on her sleeve. 

A friendly cat

Lucia and the cat from Pete Hansen on Vimeo.

Lucia wanted to give this cats nice rocks more than anything. I'm not sure if she intended to feed the cat rocks or gift them to the cat. Cat was not impressed.

Lucia Sings

Lucia Sings from Pete Hansen on Vimeo.

Mommy, Daddy, Baby

I'm positive it's a coping mechanism from the move, but Lucia has really gleaned onto the concept of Mommy, Daddy and Baby lately. Would you like an apple, Lucia? Yes, she answers. A mommy apple. Later, she asks for a baby apple. Then a daddy apple. Her new pajamas? They not only have monkeys, but Mommy and Baby Monkeys. In case you were wondering. 

We have an adorable video of her singing; I'll have Pete post it ASAP. Also, stay tuned for Lucia FREAKING OUT on Santa's lap last night. Such a rite of passage!