Lila + Harper (Karl too)

winter saturday

2012-01-07T16:50:00.001-08:00

after lila's ballet class and before harper's nap there's a magical part of the day.

to sydney, with love

2012-01-07T14:21:00.003-08:00

The girls had their first summer christmas in sydney this year - three weeks filled with cousins, sun/rain, aunts, santa, uncles, sausages, old and new friends,sand, prawns, grandparents, fish n chips, and most especially NONNIE! It was lovely to see everyone. Lila and Mackenzie were quite the pair. He taught her a little more about sharing and yoga. She showed all the cousins the power of just the right handbag (thanks grandpa Barry and Susan). Harper was happiest getting her toes painted by Francesca and playing with Lucy. Alexandra made Lila's trip by giving her a loved, little, yellow horse.

Christmas was a big highlight - a swim at Clovelly and a scrumptious lunch prepared by Sarah and Matt. Our last full day was another highlight - the whole family gathered at Bilgola Beach for lunch and a swim.

It was really hard to come back. Nonnie took amazing care of all of us. We're looking forward to our next big trip to Australia and many more visits from everyone down there.

xo

life's a beach.

2011-12-04T19:15:00.001-08:00

We took Karl and his 50 foot leash to Ocean Beach for a walk today. This is our last weekend with Karl for a couple of weeks - the girls got to practice getting sand between their toes and dodging a 50 foot leash. Karl got to run, bark and be his beach-self...thanks to the leash B didn't spend the day chasing Karl.

thankful for grandma, baba and santa!

2011-12-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

We had a nice visit from Grandma and Baba this Thanksgiving. Lila and Harper enjoyed baking cookies with them and even a trip to see Santa. Harper was a bit nervous about the bearded elf but Lila gave him lots of hugs and told him she wanted a "pink rocket ship" for xmas. Not sure where Santa is going to find that but....we shall see. Other highlights included LOTS of tickles. See the video. xoxo

baby gamer

2011-11-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

yes, harper is playing a game on the iPad.
yes, she is good at it.
just another way she resembles dear ol dad.
xo

passport application lodged, oz here we come....

2011-11-08T13:01:00.001-08:00

just about a month to go. harper's first trip down under. parent's first trip with two babies.

The big night arrives! Happy Halloween from Thing 1 + Thing 2

2011-10-31T19:09:00.001-07:00

for the record, this is the last year I will pick the costumes...xo

Ghouls preparing for Halloween

2011-10-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

We headed South to Half Moon Bay to pick pumpkins, ride ponies and a train...all in the name of All Hallow's Eve. For the record, the girls loved the ponies (Lila was on "Bonnie" and Harper rode "Stormy")

Autumn on Paris Street

2011-10-31T19:02:00.001-07:00

The most beautiful girls during the most beautiful time of year in San Francisco.

ribbons, tulle and twirling

2011-10-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Our little dancer started at a new ballet school. She loves it.

Harper meets Oz

2011-10-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

While Lila and B were off to ballet, Angela and Harper hit the local cafe. They met some new neighbors - including Oz. Amazingly Oz has the same hair as Harper. They had the instant connection of strawberry curls and naughty smiles. Something tells me this is going to be a good friendship.

mermaids brushing teeth

2011-10-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

I never, ever want to forget their mermaid names. Lila is Princess Sparkles and Harper is Shell. Angela is affectionately known as "boss who washes hair"...Lila, as usual is the source of the narrative. I can't wait to hear what Harper has to say about all of this. (She talks now, but it's mostly limited to "Dora", "Sorry" or "Por Favor"

xo

fun times with grandma + baba

2011-09-19T19:27:00.001-07:00

come back soon! we love you. xoxo

toe tapper

2011-09-13T10:06:00.001-07:00

angel island adventure with the roblees

2011-09-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

we took a ferry, saw deer, had a lovely l

cardigan by nonnie

2011-09-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

Another beautiful creation from Nonnie. xoxo we love it + you.

Grandma and Baba visit...

2011-08-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Grandma celebrated her birthday with us this year, which was lots of fun for all. The girls loved spending time with their grandparents doing lots of fun things. One of the highlights was a trip to the Discovery Museum. Lila dressed as Curious George and Harper took the opportunity to get more cuddles.

a tasty touch up

2011-08-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

pink monkey

2011-08-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Lila + Harper at one of their favorite playgrounds

2011-08-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Harper is getting to be a lot more fun to play with. The girls love running around together (usually with their dog) and screaming and enjoying each other. Having a sister just gets to be more and more fun.

Happy 4th!

2011-07-04T23:19:00.000-07:00

No fog this year, ladies and gentlemen....
We joined the Roblee clan for a bbq and fireworks at Kirby Cove - it was a spectacular place to spend the afternoon and to enjoy the fireworks. We had a special guest raccoon who showed up in time for the fireworks...a gorgeous day with great friends.

a doll in the toy box

2011-06-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

we see you harpie.

zen in the japanese garden

2011-06-26T20:09:00.001-07:00

we spent the morning enjoying another lovely day in SF. Harper enjoyed mastering a walk along the garden pathways with Lila as a coach. Brendan and Angela enjoyed watching the little zen masters....we all enjoyed some Indian food at a food cart after the adventure. ohm....

lila's very first graduation...

2011-06-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

here's to many, many, many more graduations. Yes, Angela was crying. I can't imagine how we will survive watching her graduate from high school and college. The final report from her teacher was that Lila mastered the art of sharing (for the most part) and that she was very bright (clearly) and that she loved contributing in class (she talks A LOT). Brendan, Angela and Maria were very proud of the little grad. xo

vbp company picnic

2011-06-16T15:42:00.002-07:00

fun in the marin sun. as expected, lila jumped to her heart's content in the jumping castle and harper chilled on the blanket. she still isn't sure about walking on grass...city kid.

hula girls take their first trip to hawaii

2011-06-05T23:11:00.000-07:00

Lila and Harper might not remember everything when asked about their first big family trip. They probably won't remember the early morning walks before dawn, Lila's froot loops for breakfast or watching the penguins eat (not sure why penguins live at the Hilton). They might not remember the koi ponds, seeing the luaus from our room every night or dressing alike. But I bet they just might remember just how much fun it was to swim with their dad in the big pool, well, Lila probably will. I hope they remember just how magical it was to go somewhere new + discover new things. Lila discovered "hi-biscuits" (hibiscus flowers), Benihana and that a hula hello kitty could make the homesickness go away. Harper decided that sand was not for her but that showering herself with water bottles was. We all discovered that Harper's hair goes very curly in humidity.

Here's to many, many more trips filled with fun discoveries. xoxo

happiness is sun, friends and memorial day picnics

2011-05-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Jasper Roblee and his parents Kate + Matt organized a fun, last minute bbq on Sunday. Lila's new friend Sebastian and his little brother Atticus were there with their parents too....This was a good practice run on the sunscreen for Hawaii.

Uncle and Jane are gone...sad and tired

2011-05-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

we miss you already....

2011-05-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

Uncle Quentin + Jane spent a couple of days cuddling, tickling and giggling with the girls on their way back to Sydney. Harper loved meeting her Aunt and Uncle. Lila can't believe it has been two years since she last saw her Uncle and Jane. Sometimes we wish the world were smaller. Karl knows that deep down Q loves him too. xo

walking and talking with harpie

2011-05-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

Aloha SF, we're going to Hawaii!

2011-05-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

We booked our first family holiday today - Honolulu or bust - hitting the beach Memorial Day week (just after Q&J visit). Swimsuits, shorts, water wings, sand and sunscreen here we come! xo

harper as a pastel hued russian dancer

2011-05-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

something for my girls. xo

2011-05-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

A Mother’s Prayer for Her Child By Tina Fey
Posted on April 15, 2011 by Melody Godfred
Bossypants
Tina Fey Hard At Work

“First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, may she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her when crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels. What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen.Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, that she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back. “My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.”

-Tina Fey

dancing girl

2011-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

what's so funny?

2011-05-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

love.

2011-05-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

happy mother's day to all the moms and mums. xoxo

guess who is sleeping in this bed...

2011-05-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

couch potato tot

2011-05-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

not really - she rarely sits as it's too much fun to walk around look for trouble.

sun is fun

2011-05-03T06:44:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was so warm and sunny the girls got to wear their Hawaiian sundresses from Grandma and Boba. It was a nice change from the cold, foggy norm - the perfect weather to laze around the backyard.

Last week, Lila had her first real day at the office. She accompanied Brendan on the annual'take your child to work day.' She lasted about half the day. Smart girl. And our Harper has become a very solid little walker and talker. If you say something, chances are she will repeat it. Her favorite words: Lila, Bubba, Dora, Mama, Dadda, Pato (bottle), Agua, Bye and Dog (sounds like doh) or Karl (sounds like kah).

Easter chicks

2011-04-23T10:35:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter Everybody! xoxo Lila + Harper

she walks!

2011-04-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

creativity is messy

2011-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

you can do it, harpie

2011-04-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

silly sissies

2011-04-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

Lila's school

2011-04-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

Angela played hooky this afternoon so she could check out Lila's school. From the dancing to the "jobs" to the cupcakes to Lila being the leader on the walk around the block, Angela was very proud of her little star.

sis, you missed a spot

2011-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Nobody likes bath time as much as our Harpie. She giggles, wriggles, splashes and splishes. Sometimes her enthusiasm is just too much for Lila who has been heard remarking, "Harper is annoying" in the bath.

reptiles everywhere

2011-04-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th birthday to Cameron - we celebrated on Saturday with a bunch of reptiles and (thankfully) hand sanitizer. Harper was blissfully unaware of the green, scaly beasts.

lila starts ballet

2011-04-11T09:33:00.001-07:00

"Mom, I don't know how to curtsy."..Not yet, Lila, not yet.

bubble girl

2011-04-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

harper tries out her swiss rattle

2011-04-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

thanks G. She loves it!

flamingos are not as awesome as pb&j...

2011-04-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

...just ask the seagull who swooped down and grabbed this sandwich from Lila. It was a bit of a shock for our snacker, but she took it all in stride. Harper stuck with raisins.

jones girls by brian...

2011-04-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Our old friend Brian came to visit from LA and took some snaps. Thx B!

do you think he likes her?

2011-04-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

peacocks and milestones

2011-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

It's a big week in our house. Lila starts "pre" pre-school today. For the next few months she will be taking classes for two hours, every day (M-F). She's very happy and looking forward to being with her "fwends".

Harper is now facing forward in her stroller and enjoying a new point of view on the world. She's getting more and more assertive but still the sweetest baby in town.

This weekend we enjoyed a trip to the zoo and had the girls's 1 and 3 year check ups. Lila was very brave + the doctor predicts she's be about the same height as her mom. Harper was a little brave and has to stop drinking so much milk.

Here's to many more trips to the zoo, new points of view and lots and lots of "fwends"

Spring is finally here...

2011-03-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Angela stayed home sick. It also happened to be a record-breakingly warm day in the city. The girls enjoyed a walk around the Excelsior, a trip to the park and bowling in the backyard...not bad for a sick day.

Maria and the fairies

2011-03-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Magical Maria introduced the girls to magic wands and tiaras yesterday...Lila doesn't want to take her's off...who can blame her?

Harper turns one. Cupcakes for all!

2011-03-22T20:39:00.001-07:00

Baba and Grandma joined us to celebrate Harper's first birthday on Sunday. It was a great weekend - including a trip to Nordstrom for Harper's first "real" shoes, lovely calls and messages from friends and family overseas and mostly just a lot of time celebrating our sweet, little girl. Lila learned that the next best thing to having your OWN bday is sharing in your sister's big day. xo

Harper paints

2011-03-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

sisters are lovely

2011-03-09T14:25:00.001-08:00

An update on the littlest jones

2011-02-20T20:16:00.000-08:00

Harpie is officially 11 months old today so it feels like the right time for a post all about her. First of all, there's never a quiet moment with Harpie in the house. She simply never, ever stops making sounds, talking, commanding, owning, running or expressing a thought. She stands on her own two feet and makes proclamations with fervor. Occasionally she will point skyward and with a sound that comes from deep within she simply says, "Do-ra"....Yes, Dora. And she's pointing at an old balloon from Lila's birthday party. It's one of her first real words.

As far as walking, we think she will soon. She stands a lot and gets up from a downward dog sort of position without any trouble...oh to be that flexible and agile. When she's not standing, she's making a fast crawl for somewhere you probably don't want her to go. She loves turning on buttons, picking up the phone, finding tiny things to put into her mouth and basically never stopping.

Speaking of...she's a champion eater. She loves everything but you'd better be fast. Because if it takes more than a couple of moments to share what you have, put something on her tray or simply throw something directly in her mouth; the lady will protest and protest loudly. (See paragraph one). Our lady believes in a good meal many times a day, thank you.

So, in the beginning we worried that our gentle little lady was going to be a bit passive in this strong household. I can tell you today that certainly is not the case. We are lucky enough and responsible for two very strong girls. And we'll take 'em cause we need 'em.

Here's to strong girls!

Lila's third birthday jumpapalooza!

2011-02-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

Grandma and Baba came for the biggest party on Paris street. About 40 people joined in to celebrate Lila -- even Karl took a turn on the slide. An amazing day was had by all...xoxo

Gong Hey Fat Choy!

2011-02-05T20:53:00.000-08:00

Bring on the year of the rabbit!

"Mama, a rat is a famous mouse."

2011-01-31T20:56:00.000-08:00

almost every day lila says something with amazing logic.

walkabout

2011-01-30T18:41:00.001-08:00

puddle jumper.

2011-01-30T18:39:00.001-08:00

10.5 months of wriggly, crawling, toothy awesomeness

2011-01-30T18:32:00.000-08:00

For those that thought Harper might be more comfortable in the shadow of Lila, rest assured, we have another strong little lady on our hands. If Harper sees you snacking, you'll hear her gorilla-like "OOOHH-OOOHHH" until you share. If Harper wants you to pick her up, she'll make the same noise and flap her arms until you pick her up. What Harper wants, Harper insists upon....we wouldn't have it any other way.

Top Chef Jones-style

2011-01-30T18:26:00.000-08:00

a random night of cookery...typical bistro fare - yogurt & green beans tossed in a wok

Happy 2011 Everybody!

2011-01-03T09:51:00.001-08:00

Hope your new year is off to a great start. The girls are looking forward to another great year. Harper is still sliding around the floor - seems like she just might crawl soon. BUT the sliding does seem to be an effective way to explore AND she functions as a low-tech Roomba. Lila is pretty happy with her dad's new xBox Kinect - I think she might have inherited the gaming gene. And both girls are looking forward to seeing all of you in 2011!

Lady Lila dances to Lady Gaga

2010-12-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

Nice moves for 2!

first pedicure (well, toe painting) and first hot choc (well, warm)

2010-12-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

a big girl's day out. (Remember Lila's fave saying, 'big girls can do anything!'

swing it sister...

2010-12-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

harpy's first xmas and first dim sum...all in one

2010-12-25T21:22:00.001-08:00

harpy loved everything...santa to the pork bun.

merry christmas to all our friends and family.

hope to spend more time with you all in 2011.

xoxo

xmas morning skyping with baba & grandma

2010-12-25T21:18:00.000-08:00

can you spot lila?

2010-12-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

Lila at Excelsior Family Connections...our neighbor Michael is also peeking through a wreath.

santa speaks to lila

2010-12-17T21:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/8ORQENCQ8jTY0BPdQPdkxA

stockings all hung....

2010-12-12T16:36:00.001-08:00

christmas frocks in front of the tree..

2010-12-12T10:37:00.001-08:00

thanks to grandma and baba for the frocks. xo

harper and her holiday glow...

2010-12-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

someone's been eating my gingerbread house...

2010-12-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

first, there were missing candies from the footpath.
then, the roof started missing candies
once i spied her licking the gutters
but, lila went too far with this bite...
or was it daddy?!?!

beautiful music with jasper.."1.2.1-2-3!"

2010-12-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

dinner showdown

2010-11-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

hop n play at the tanforan mall...

2010-11-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

harper goes wild...seriously

2010-11-27T19:51:00.001-08:00

one thing we know. harper and lila are very expressive little girls. is harper the mellow one? um, not sure....

baby girl's best friend

2010-11-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

it's beginning to look like christmas...

2010-11-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

Lila was really happy to spend some time with Santa today. "He's wee-wee cool." She asked for a big soccer ball to kick. Harper just asked for more teeth because she's really annoyed she can't eat what everybody else is eating!

thankful little girls

2010-11-27T16:02:00.001-08:00

top ten things lila and harper are thankful for...

10. Each other
9. Mah-wee-ahh! (Maria, most wonderful nanny ever)
8. Excelsior Center
7. Long weekends and day trips to fun places
6. Visitors in 2010 (Nonnie, Jo, Lucy + Sarah, Bobba + Grandma, Cliff + Becky + kids, Grandpa Barry + Susan)
5. Visitors we will have in 2011
4. You!
3. Karl (the most wonderful dog ever)
2. Sharing a room with each other and lots of toys
1. It's almost Christmas!

nursery rhyme time

2010-11-20T06:57:00.000-08:00

quick swing before sunset (for lila not harper)

2010-11-14T22:35:00.000-08:00

Karl on watch...just another Sunday on Paris Street

2010-11-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

Persimmon Picking in Sebastopol...

2010-11-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

Big shout out to cousin Yoo-Cee!

2010-11-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

She turns 1 in the US today. Lots of love. xoxoxo

SF wins the World Series AND Lila puts on her pjs

2010-11-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

Bye Grandpa and Susan...

2010-10-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Barry and Susan spent a few fun days in San Francisco. Lila especially loved listening to Barry read stories and showing him around the Excelsior. It was a very special week - thanks for coming + safe travels back to Oz! xo

more scenes from halloween

2010-10-31T20:15:00.001-07:00

Lila and Harper had a big party with the Excelsior Family Center on Friday, which ended with some early tricker treating...Tonight Lila was happy to pass out candy to all the "picker peaters"....

boo!

2010-10-28T12:44:00.001-07:00

fun with the "big girls"

2010-10-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

just back from a freezing but fun weekend in bend, oregon. We were there for Emily's wedding + got to spend a lot of time with the Storey family. Lila and Harper loved hanging out with Audrey and Ava...we miss you girls already! xo

bed bugs...cute but getting bigger by the day

2010-10-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

little birdy tries to fly...

2010-10-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

lila jumps,hops,bounces and enjoys every minute...

2010-10-11T15:32:00.001-07:00

...of her friend Kaitlyn's birthday party at Pump It Up - a wonderland of giant blow up structures...think jumping castles on steroids. If that wasn't enough the partiers ended the afternoon with pizza - Lila had three pieces!

sunday morning ear nibbles...karl doesn't mind

2010-10-04T14:21:00.000-07:00