Monday, December 8, 2014

Captain Domestic's Monthly Reprieve

Like most families in the last few remaining weekends before the holidays, we spent our Saturday shopping.

The day began with Mimi and Kuri waking up normal time, which meant both Sumie and I had to be up as well. At what age do kids learn the concept of sleeping in on weekends?
After gymnastics and Kuri's morning nap, we headed to the east bay to buy bedding (Sumie's entire family will be staying with us over the holidays) and to take our yearly family pictures - this time with the grandparents.

The sale on bedding was fantastic, but the scheduling at the picture studio was abysmal.  Though we had an appointment, there was still over an hour wait. "We're running on baby time" was the explanation. To me, that's a creative way of saying "We overbooked so you'd have to stay here and shop."  Despite the wait and the hungry kids, the pictures came out well, thanks to a photographer who is far better at getting my kids to cheer up than I am.

Here's a shot of Kuri and Mimi.  Kuri, of course, has his ever-present burp-cloth in hand.
And here's Kuri all on his own. He's smiling, but note the droopy eyelashes at the corners of his eyes. Tears had been streaming down just a few second before. I wish I could turn my day around so quickly.
And lastly, here's Mimi.  She was all smiles. Kuri, however, despite his tears, wanted to be a part of each picture.  Note the little red arm creeping in from the left!
As a man who embodies the antithesis of being photogenic, Mimi's comfort in front of the camera amazes me. Here she is at Old Navy. I think she was the highlight of the display.
After photos it was time to eat. On the way to the restaurant, Mimi snatched Sumie's phone and began taking pictures.  Here's a shot of Mama...
an action shot of Kuri in his car seat...
...and Mimi's greatest work: Self Portrait Number 27.
She goes through film like a real photographer.  I later deleted 87 photos from the phone.

After dinner we had one last stop to make. Mimi and Kuri, despite the late hour, handled themselves wonderfully.  I was a proud papa.
The long day ended with a bath for Kuri...
...and a quick trip to bed for both children and parents alike.  Sunday was to be another busy day, but only Papa had to wake up early.

As a result of the past few years, starting with my year long stint as a stay-at-home dad, I've acquired the moniker of "Captain Domestic."  I cook, fold laundry, handle the finances, take the kids out on my own on call weeks, change diapers, wake everyone up in the morning and tuck them in at night. If that weren't enough, I work in education, designing learning materials for kids.  Yes, I think I've earned my title.

Still, there are times when this domestic gentleman needs to cut his apron strings and rejoin the ranks of the hairy chested and grunting species to which he belongs. As readers of this blog may have guessed, I'm not a typical guy's guy.  I'm not into sports, I'm not a gym rat, and I don't play poker.  I do, however, love - nay, adore - cars.

On the first Sunday of every month, there's is a "Cars and Coffee" gathering a few miles away from my home. It's chance for locals to take out their classic, unique, or tuned cars and commune with like minded souls. 8:00am is a bit early for me on a Sunday, but having missed the last one, I had to make it.  I'd hoped to bring Mimi with me, but (sadly?) she was till asleep when I left.

I arrived about 8:15, a little late but still part of the early crowd.
These are very informal events, but every time there are some astounding cars. My humble little 911sc Targa was flanked by a beautiful Ferarri f355 spyder (one of my favorites) on the right...
and by an even more beautiful Ferrari coupe on the left.
As usual, Porsches were well represented. I drooled over a 1989 factory Turbo Slantnose...
...and a gorgeous 356 cabriolet (perhaps my favorite Porsche).
My little car wasn't even the stand-out white Porsche. That honor was taken by this beautiful Carrera RS tribute.
Though my little 911 is very humble, thankfully, showing off is not what these events are about. They're simply a chance to talk shop and to share a love of cars. People show up with six-figure garage queens to tuned Subarus to work-in progress Datsun wagons and BMW 2002s. And that's what makes it so special. There's no real criteria for the car you bring other than that you think it special and want to share it with others. Like many other cars there, my car isn't perfect (far from it), but that's somewhat a reflection of it being well-loved. You can't really bond with a perfect car on the road. You'll always be too afraid of what might happen. Similarly, you won't be able to discuss the innumerable improvements you have yet to do with other car nuts!
Perhaps it's wrong to start at such an early age, but I've been attempting to instill a love of cars in Kuri. Each morning, after I pick Kuri up from his restful night's sleep, we head over to the "Plaque of Emblems" on the wall by his crib. This was created by my grandfather for my father when he was a boy, and hung in my room when I was young as well. It's a collection of emblems that were prizes in Wheaties boxes in the 1950s.  Kuri already has his favorites.  He particularly likes Ferrari, Bentley, and Jaguar. I cannot argue with him there.
Over the past 30+ years, I've seen examples of almost all these marques in the flesh, but one had still escaped me. I'd never seen an Allard.  Well, this Sunday, just two spaces down from my own little car, I saw my first.
As the years go by, I'm looking forward to bringing Mimi and Kuri along with me. It might not fully rub off on them, but I'd love them there beside me.  Even if it makes me a little more domestic during man-time.

P.S. Many thanks to Paige Gaines for the photos of the cars (including mine) I "borrowed" for this post.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Cards, Cranes, and Dangerous Toast

This last week was a call week, so I was heading up child development as Mama worked in the hospital tending to those less fortunate, especially those unlucky enough to spend Thanksgiving day away from their families.

A while back Mimi and Kuri celebrated their Mama's birthday.  Papa ran around securing cards and cakes during the day so that all would be prepared for Mama's arrival.  As soon as Sumie returned home with the kids, I ushered her into the bedroom and took the kids to write their cards.  Kuri even managed to get some ink on the page, though his favorite thing was to mash the card up as much as he could.
Mama was very pleased with the special treat.
Rather than going out (which can be more stressful with these two kids than cooking a full meal at home) I attempted to prepare something special for the birthday meal.  I bought two cracked crabs, shelled the meat, and warmed it up in butter.  I then tossed it with fresh pasta, onions, and mushrooms sauteed in white wine, butter, and truffle oil.  Thankfully, Sumie approved.
After dinner, Sumie attempted to blow out the candles on her cake, but Mimi, as usual, beat her to it.
The following weekend found Sumie at work, so I took the kids to the open session at the gymnastics center on Sunday.  Even Kuri got into the fun, doing his best to climb up the angled mats...
...and sharing the foam stars that were being flung about the room by his older sister.
When it's just me and the kids at home, Mimi usually confronts me with two options: 1. play with me, or 2. let me watch TV.   We don't allow much screen time, so I'm usually roped into some kind of shenanigans by my 4 year old.  Here is a shot of her "you're-going-to-do-something-with-me-or-I'll-make-you-suffer-in-ways-you-cannot-begin-to-imagine" face.
One of the best things we do together (and also one of the messiest) is to play with Legos.  Mimi's almost old enough for standard Lego, but with Kuri around, we just have the Duplo out.  That's still enough for now, though.  Together, Mimi and I made a crane, a train, a plane, and a robot.  I decided to name the robot "Wayne" so that he'd rhyme.
Kuri got into the fun, too.  I think he likes taking things apart best.   He loves the way his arms fling out frenetically to the side when two pieces finally separate.
With Kuri now 1 year old, we're beginning to see just how different little boys and little girls are.  In many ways, Kuri is somewhat easier to handle than Mimi, but he also has his own agonizing little quirks.  Like most boys, he's very adept and finding, and insisting upon, the most dangerous way of doing anything.  Here he is eating toast, which he'd only submit to if he was also holding a fork, with the tines pointed at his face.  No matter what utensil is on the table, Kuri will always make a beeline for the sharpest and pointiest.  Case in point, while writing this very post he was looking at me with a butter knife held against his neck.  Had there been a steak knife on the table, I'm sure he would've used it instead.
Every time I'm out with these two on my own, I learn something new.  For instance, I am now fairly sure that a love of BBQ is not transmitted genetically.  Here we are at the Pork House, with Mimi refusing to eat and Kuri attempting to see just how far back he needs to lean to have his high chair fall over.
I also learned, on this outing, that some things are well nigh impossible when juggling two children. Immediately after our food arrived, Mimi declared that she needed to go pee.  Unfortunately, I did not have a stroller or a Baby Bjorn with me.  Once inside the bathroom, I quickly learned how to hold a 4 year old in one arm over a toilet seat while balancing a toddler in the other.  The trick is hold the toddler sideways.  Well, at least it was for me.

This, however, was not the most challenging bathroom gymnastics undertaken.  I also had to go. Mimi could stand on her own, which was nice, so all I had to do was hold Kuri.  Easy stuff.  I took care of my business and then realized that I'd forgotten something: it is virtually impossible to button jeans while holding a toddler. Somehow, 5 minutes later, we were able to leave the bathroom without the toddler having been set down and with my jeans in place.  I still don't quite know what I did to make this happen, but I do think I worked off some of my meal in the process.

As we get closer to the holiday season, I'm looking forward to more time with these three and the rest of the family.  I am sure many small, but memorable adventures await. I'll just be sure to have a Baby Bjorn with me to face them.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Mendocino via Vintage 911

This weekend was the first time in two years that Sumie and I slept under a different roof than our children.  They remained at home, kindly, and excitedly, watched over by Grandma.  Sumie and I blocked off a luxurious 30 hours of "us" time and fled to the north coast of Mendocino.

Looking back over nearly 5 years with kids so far, I think it's safe to say that Sumie and I still travel quite a bit, but it's always as a family.  Christopher, in his first year of life alone, logged more airline miles than I did in my first twenty.  Traveling with young kids can be a lot of fun, but it's never quite a vacation, so this was a real treat for the two of us.

Our trip began with a quick drive up 101 and then crossing over to Bodega Bay.  From there, we drove up the remaining 100 or so miles to Mendocino along Highway 1.  We marveled at the scenery and completely different pace of the small towns through which we passed.  This is perhaps the only place in the world in which it takes 15 minutes to toast a pizza bagel.  And when it finally arrives on the counter, it's a pesto bagel.

We arrived at our bed and breakfast, The Agate Cove Inn, in the late afternoon.  The setting had looked fantastic on the website, but was even better in person.  Quiet, serene, with just enough ocean roar to calm the senses.
The inn even matched our car!  Upon arrival, I put the top back on the Porsche.  It did not come off again on our trip.  I love a targa or a convertible, but Sumie is not a big fan.  "You can't talk!"
While unfolding the roof, I brilliantly managed to pinch my ring finger in the hinge mechanism, resulting in a nice, steady stream of blood.  Sumie, always the doctor on call, quickly responded with a very manly Dora the Explorer bandaid, which I wore proudly through the rest of the trip.
Despite the somewhat humbling arrival, we were quite pleased with our room.  Gas fireplace, a soaking tub big enough for a moderate-sized high school swim team, and a supple leather couch with an amazing view out the front windows.
This is the basic view we had from our sitting room and the front porch.
Back in NYC, Sumie and I ate out all the time.  We reveled in good food.  Today, it's an exceedingly rare treat that the two of us can enjoy a good restaurant.  Young kids have a way of keeping fancy food at bay.  As such, our trips as a couple often center on good food, and plenty of it. For our first meal we had reservations at Coq au Vin, a country-style French restaurant in Andersen Valley.  By the time we headed out (top on the car, and Sumie much happier), it was already dark.  Now, anyone who has driven through the Northern California coast knows that cell phone reception is, at best, spotty. And anyone who has driven a stock 911sc at night knows that the factory headlights are about as bright as a 1 watt bulb hooked up to the exercise wheel of a lethargic hamster with emphysema. This delightful combination resulted in us overshooting our hard-to-see restaurant...by 14 miles. But, thanks to my German obsession with being on time, and a similar German obsession with fast cars, we still made it.

Coq au Vin is by no means fancy.  It's a favorite of the locals and the decor and comaraderie matches the laid-back atmosphere of the north coast.  The food, however, is first rate.  We started with mussels and an order of French onion soup.  Sumie pronounced this soup the best she has ever tasted. I heartily agreed (and nearly ordered a second cup).
Sumie followed with the cod...
...and I tucked into the roast tenderloin with Normandy sauce.  Both were simple, but wonderfully done.
The next morning we enjoyed a breakfast at the inn (which had the best muffins I've ever enjoyed) and pottered around the grounds.
 Upon check-out we made the very short drive down to the town of Mendocino proper.
 The downtown was very cute, and also very dangerous.  Well, at least for my wallet.  We found a little shop that specialized in jams and jellies, and another in Belgian chocolates and automobile memorabilia.  We even came across a man who ran a perfume shop and built custom speakers.  This, for me, was perhaps the most dangerous.  Sumie, however, had the strength to pull me out before I could be led to the listening room and a potential purchase that definitely would not have fit in the back seat.

Our last stop in town was Cafe Beaujolais, a California-French restaurant (heavy emphasis on the California).  Sumie and I split crab cakes, and then she tucked into her fettuccine.
I had a bacon and chicken sandwich, Frenched up with the addition of brie and served on a baguette. Mine was great, but Sumie definitely won the lunch food round.  Her leftovers are still in the fridge as I'm writing this, but may well be gone by the time she gets home with Mimi from shopping.
 Our drive home on highway 128 took us through dense redwood stands.  It was gorgeous.  Sumie mentioned that she saw an Ewok or two.  We'd had a remarkable time.
We'd also made it home quickly, safely, and comfortably in a 32 year old car with over 200K on the odometer.  Our little 911, which I'd equipped with a spare battery, jumper cables, and a set of tools, saw us through and helped to make our little road trip a bit of an adventure. I can also proudly say that not a single person passed us on highway 1 or 128, despite our keeping, for the car at least, a rather leisurely pace.

After 30 hours away, we returned home to two very excited kids.  They had been amazing for grandma and we couldn't have been prouder of them.  That night, Mimi snuggled into her favorite spot on Mama's lap for a story.
The next morning, I cuddled my two munchkins.
After this weekend, I've realized that a night or two away isn't simply about spending private time with your spouse (though that's much appreciated).  Perhaps the greatest benefit of a weekend away from the kids is remembering just how much you love what you left behind.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Breakfast for Three, Headlands for Four

This past weekend was the first in about two months that we didn't have a fully packed schedule.  It wasn't entirely free, though.  Sumie had to work Saturday and I had a full slate.  The day began with taking Sumie's car in for service at 8:00am.  Thankfully, they had a loaner car as I had two kids with me.  After transferring both carseats, and then both children, we were ready to go.

I told Mimi that the three of us would go out to breakfast.  Normally, going out to eat would send her into rapturous joy, but Saturday morning was gymnastics morning.  As such, Mimi was concerned she'd miss it.  I ensured her we'd make it on time (not fully sure, but pretty sure) and made the concession to eat near her gym.  This seemed to satisfy her.  At least for the first ten minutes.

We went into Novato and ate at the Rustic Bakery, which has wonderful croissants and sandwiches. They also have tables spaced far enough apart to navigate a stroller.

Kuri was, as always, fascinated by his older sister.
Upon finishing, I dumped the 1,400 raisins, which Kuri had spilled, out of the stroller, fed them to the birds, and took the kids for a quick walk while waiting for Mimi's gymnastics class.  Once again, Kuri couldn't look away from his big sister.  I sometimes wonder what he's thinking, and if there isn't a hint of horror.  
A very lazy Sunday morning bled into afternoon.  It wasn't until 3:00 that the whole family roused itself for an afternoon drive.  We headed out to the Marin Headlands for a peak at the Bonita Lighthouse.  Kuri approved.
We missed the lighthouse by about 10 minutes (they close the tunnel at 3:30), but still hiked down the trail.  We were rewarded with a beautiful view of the Golden Gate on a spectacular, fog-free afternoon.  
We hiked back up and briefly explored Battery Mendell on the hill.  I was saddened.  As a kid, I had stayed at the hostel here and the rooms of the battery had been open.  It was fascinating: a memory I have kept the past 30 years.  Today, they are closed and barred, I suppose for safety.  I can't help but feel it's a loss.  I wish the forts and bunkers could be opened for us to explore, at least once in a while.

Mama and Mimi cuddled on a tree...
...and then hiked up one of the many underground bunkers, now covered with ice plant.  
 Mimi loved running down the hills...
 ...and then down the road, despite calls from her parents.
By the time it was time to go, Mimi was fairly worn out.  Kuri, however, was still up for fun.
With the sun starting to go down, we headed to dinner in Tiburon.  We explored the downtown and settled into a little Italian restaurant with great food and semi-behaved children.  We made it through half our entrees before I had to leave the restaurant with Kuri for some distractive sightseeing.

It wasn't much of a weekend, but it was the first time in ages we didn't have a schedule.  I loved it. Why is it that everything is so much more enjoyable when you're not forced to do it?  Perhaps I should take this into consideration at dinner time with Mimi. Nah, she still wouldn't eat.