Dot Com

In an effort to get Nico to burn off some of his steam, the therapist suggested we buy him a punching bag. I told Nico about it and I told him he could pick the design. Toy Story or Spider Man. I opened my lap top to look for them online and Nico said, " Mama, go to Punching Bags Dot Com." I haven't laughed so loud in a long time.

My Little Bird

I was just now putting Nico to sleep and he asked me to put my wing around him. We have been reading a book about a hen who wraps her wing around her chicks, so he wanted to reenact that tonight. It melted my heart. I put my arm around him. It took just my pointer finger and middle finger to rub his entire shoulder. Just 2 fingers. That's how small his little wing is. I want to remember tonight forever.

Upside Down Show

Nico really loves a program on Nick Jr called The Upside Down Show. It's an Aussie show about two brothers who live in a fantastcial house full of doors. They explore different themes like Hot and Cold or new words like Theatre and Opera. It's pretty smart, filled with lots inside jokes for the parents. Nico thinks the two guys are hilarious. Every banana peel they slip on is followed by a deep belly laugh. If Nico does something silly he tells me, "como upside down show." I was thinking of the show the other night when Nico and I were deep in our 3 a.m. sleep dance/routine. During the night Nico dreams quite a bit. He sits straight up in bed, sometimes for a few seconds only to come crashing down wherever he lands. I usually adjust myself accordingly, readjusting our bodies back into our spooned position. Throughout the night we end up perpendicular to the bed and then eventually feet at the head of the bed. When I wake up I feel so disoriented, like I'm hanging upside down. I usually pick Nico up and correct the situation, bringing our heads back to " where they should be." Just the other night I could hardly fall back to sleep, thinking about how Nico has no sense of "wrong" and how things "should be" Life is so much better that way. I need to relax and enjoy my sleep anyway I can get it, 'right' side up or down upside.

Smooth Criminal

Monkey see, Monkey do. Nico loves his cousins so much, he tries to be like them at all times. His cousin Christian is a Micheal Jackson fan as of late, and so when Nico saw his fervor for the King of Pop, we weren't surprised to see Nico's sudden craving for the MJ. Nico doesn't have the cool Fedora that Christian has, so he has had to settle for the sombrero my dad gave him. We have been reading Peter Pan, and Nico insists that we call Peter Pan Micheal Jackson. How ironic and weirdly prophetic is that? MJ must be smiling when he hears us call the boy who never grew up, Micheal...so creepy. Here is Nico doing some fancy footwork to his favorite song, or was that Christian's favorite song?

Traffic Cones

Nico first saw traffic cones when he was about 6 months old. They were mind blowing! He would squeal and jump up and down when he encountered them. His dada showed him how they could be worn as hats and used as megaphones. When he started walking we had to watch him carefully, because he would run off towards the plastic cones.
I noticed that having a baby really does reawaken your senses to the smallest details. Children remind you of the joy all around you, the colors that you have been blind to since you grew up...even the flourescent orange ones.
Today we had a bittersweet moment when on a long walk we passed by a patch of sidewalk under construction. From a distance I cringed to see about twelve cones, some double stacked. As we walked toward them I prepared for a good 20 minutes of climbing, wrangling, and coaxing. To my surprise, Nico passed through the orange Bermuda triangle with no fanfare at all. It was almost like they weren't there.
While our walk was a bit easier, it made me sad to think that perhaps he is getting older, growing calloused to the little things in life that make him a baby. Next time I see cones I'll be sure to point them out, maybe even put one on.



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Venice

Maybe it's in the genes. Maybe it's that we have Thrasher Magazines laying around everywhere, or perhaps it is that Aaron is always youtubing some sort of loud footage. Whether we like it or not, Nico has been bitten by the skate bug. He has had collosal tantrums over Aaron's board being put away. He gets so excited when he sees a skater, sometimes calling out to unsuspecting young boys, "Go!"

Recently his obsession reached a fever pitch when he found a peice of junk wood in our backyard and baptized it his "brinca" (Spanish for Jump, Nico for skateboard) He took to riding the small plank even if it doesn't have wheels. He sets it up under his feet and throws it down stairs, emulating the 20 stair rail jumpers that his dada watches.

We took Nico to Venice Beach to see the beachside skate scene and the new Skatepark there. Even if you are not remotely interested in skateboarding, the scene at Venice is breathtaking. The concrete park has an awesome view of the waves. There is a multicultural and multigenerational congregation of board worshippers, all taking their falls in stride and trying their hardest to do nothing more than their personal best. Nico was transfixed, whispering "wow" when a skater zipped by him. We brought along his "board" and he was inspired to do some fancy footwork of his own. We realized what an asset Venice Beach is, with its parade of characters and seaside air. We live a mere 30 minutes away from a completely different planet. The beach lifestyle truly feels like a non-stop vacation. We have visited Venice twice this month and plan to make it a regular destination for 2010.

Does he need a helmet already?

Venice Boys by Photographer Deanna Templeton.

One of the most incredible surf shops I've ever seen. This is how retail is done.
Always pack a lunch, and get the best seat in the house.

El Fin

Pretty typography and dramatic ending to Citizen Kane

I just had to share: When we put Nico to sleep we have a pretty set routine. Bath, books and bed. When we are all laying down in the dark ( yes all 3 of us!) Nico likes to say ," Nite, Nite mama. Nite, Nite dada." We both respond with our Nite, Nites. Nite Nites all around. And then right as Nico is drifting off to sleep, he says the cutest thing, "El Fin." Spanish for The End. We usually end every bedtime story with a great big El Fin, so it's only fitting that he end his day with one too. It melts my heart everytime.

Blackmail Material

This video is too good not to post. It's the kind of footage that will make Nico cringe when he's older, I love it! It starts out with him talking about grande versus chiquito ( big v. small) and leads into a ridiculous dance to his favorite Black Eyed Peas song. Oh, and he's naked and picking his nose too! If you listen carefully you can hear him trying hard to sing along with the lyrics. Thank god for the digital age.

School Daze & French Toast

This post is dedicated to the incredible children of Mrs. Richardson's Monday Morning class at Olive Rec. Today was our last day in school, and we had our farewell Holiday party. Even though we only saw each other once a week, we grew very fond of everyone there.
Nico really came to love the rituals of the class: the craft, the playtime, the clean up, the songs, the lap time and the parachute. I remember in the beginning that Nico wanted nothing to do with the parachute, but the last 3 sessions he has been on it, under it and all about it. Now that's what I call growth!

We had such a great group of kids and parents: diverse, intresting and really nice. If anything I think we parents learned more from the class then the kids did. I especially took away a large dose of patience and understaning, many times just from watching my fellow parents and the interaction with their kids.

The program at Olive Rec makes me so happy to have moved to Burbank. It is a testament to what a great Park & Rec program can be and to how vital they are for a good healthy community.

We had a delicous potluck today. I was so flattered that so many moms wanted my creme brulee french toast recipe. I am posting it here for them to try. This is an easy and delicious breakfast, and tastes even better if prepped the night before.

See you guys next year! Feel free to email us for a playdate at mgrafica@sbcglobal.net

CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  
• 1 loaf of Challah bread
  
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• cinnamon to taste
  
• 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier optional OR 1/4 cup of orange juice
• zest of the orange (optional)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and maple syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth (not boiling or hardening) and pour into a 13x 9 baking dish. Cut 1-inch thick slices from center portion of bread. Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish on top of your caramel sauce, squeezing the bread slices slightly to fit into pan. You can cut smaller peices of the bread to fill in empty spots on the pan.

In a bowl whisk together eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, Grand Marnier or orange juice, cinnamon, a pinch of zest and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours for best results.

Preheat oven to 350° F. and bring bread to room temperature.

Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 45 minutes. I like to let it sit under broiler for a tiny bit to get it nice and golden. The puffing will go down once its cooled a bit.

Serve with powdered sugar or fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Fort Point

On our recent but short trip to SF we took Nico to visit Fort Point. I hadnt been there since probably the 4th grade. It is still populated by school-aged children and seagulls, just how I remembered it. The empty fort is cold, windy and full of echoes, just like any proper S.F. landmark. The bridge's underbelly is mesmerizing, her bolts are in perfect symmetry. If you assigned a musical note to each one you would have a symphony. Nico made sure to jump every cannon and did the rounds on the roof under my very watchful eye. It's scary up there! It's almost like the wind is so loud it impairs your vision too. I heart you S.F., more than you'll ever know.

VacScene

You used to have the girl at Barney's call you when a certain bag comes in. Now you have the girl at the pediatricians call you when the h1n1 shot gets in. What in the world is going on? Where are these vaccines?

Yesterday we had a strange experience trying to get into a free vaccine clinic in nearby Glendale. On the road to the tent CalTrans set up huge electric signs that said NO MORE SHOTS. There was something so 28 Days Later about it. I dare to even say it felt doomsdayish, but then I realize how spoiled and American I am. Most of the world likely does this sort of wait for medicine, and even then don't get the decency of an informational sign.

To get Nico vaccinated has not been a question of if, but of when. To my own surprise I have become supportive of vaccines. I choose to space Nico's out, but he gets all of them nonetheless. I read this book by Dr. Sears and it helped educate me a lot on shots and why they work for the greater good. It took the fear out of vaccines for me and helped dispell the myths that accompany most of them. I suggest you read it, even if you aren't getting shots for your child. The more you know, the better! This Saturday, the morning of Nico's birthday party we are going to try and hit another vaccine tent in Hollywood. It will be interesting to see who shows up and how quickly they run out. I will keep you posted!

Vroom Vroom

FEO LOOKING UGLY.

Nico came out of the womb saying VROOM VROOM. Lately his car obsession is pretty intense. He loves the movie CARS. Strangely enough, but not so surprising, he loves the bad guy "Chick Hicks" who Nico calls "Feo"(ugly) because whenever Chick would try and hit another car, I would say,"Que feo!"

Riding on the current love of all things auto, I took Nico to the Petersen Auto Museum. This Museum is light on visitors and perhaps is best known for being the spot where Biggie Smalls got shot. That, and the place Aaron used to park when he worked for Skateboarder magazine.

It's not the most popular museum, and never in a million years did I think I would be buying a ticket for entry...but I come away a Petersen Fan!

It's a meticulously kept museum. The cars are gorgoeous. Your kid has lots of room to run and is not in danger of breaking a priceless Rodin sculpture. They have a kids playroom on the third floor with cars to climb, train tracks to set up and uniforms for dress up.

I fell in love with a Studebaker station wagon, and with the museum. Do I see a Membership in my future? I guess the car crush is contagious!

IN A PAST LIFE, I WAS THIS CAR.
WATCH YOUR BLINDSPOTS WHEN CHANGING LANES.
TRYING TO BREAK INTO HOT WHEELS EXHIBIT.
FIRST PLACE PRIZE FOR CREEPIEST EXHIBIT GOES TO:
A 1940's L.A. SUPERMARKET SCENE

Boo!

Carving is so cool.
This is the first Halloween that Nico comprehends the jist of the holiday. He is really into the "boo" right now. At school we've made construction paper pumpkins and black cats, which are now proudly displayed in our window at home. We recently carved his first pumpkin (my first in over 15 years!) He helped me scoop the seeds and had a blast. Later we roasted the seeds with olive oil, salt and rosemary and a dash of cinnamon. The house smelled amazing! We bought him O.R. scrubs for his costume. I figured they are the least intrusive. Nico gets so claustrophobic, so I'm hoping he won't even notice this get up. The days of the adorable baby skunk costume are over. We have a few events lined up for Halloween: a pre-party at Fremont's house, a parade at the rec center, and a halloween party with friends. The Meza social schedule is suddenly of a very different nature. Scary!

Washed seeds awaiting seasoning.

Stow Lake

We had fun being tourists in the City by the Bay. It was a sweet mixture of pride and nostalgia to get to show Nico some of my favorite S.F. spots. On this day we went to Stow Lake with my mom and Dumas the dog. After a short tantrum, Nico began to make his way around the woodsy path, full of locals and tourists alike. He threw rocks into the Asian Pond and sat at the waterfall. He's a bit too young, or maybe too rowdy to ride the rowboats yet. Maybe next time. Stow Lake is one of those bright shiny memories of a childhood in S.F. I'm so glad Nico got to experience it. 

Martha Graham, Eat your heart out.

The obsession with jumping has grown recently. We jump at home, at the store, in the park, on the bed. We jump into water, over brooms, into puddles. He even asks for jump while he is sleeping, "brinca?" He likes it when we say WOW after a jump and sometimes gets upset if I don't WOW loud enough. It must be so great to finally discover your body and all it is capable of. Here is some footage of Nico and his newest floor routine. Modern Dance meets Toddler Chic.

Soul Man

Nico loves him some music. Here is a clip of him getting down and dirty playing the blues. Muddy Waters was quoted as saying," I was messing around with the harmonica... but I was 13 before I got a real good note out of it." We'll Muddy, you have met your match!