Golden Gate Park Adventures -- Part One

In the first of what will be a multi-part series on the enormous, wonderous green thing in the middle of our fair City, we start with the windmill. Or, as Ruth calls it, the "Giant Fan." Though we are Giants fans (particularly partial to the other team in the Bay Area), she means the gigantic windmill teeming with Spring flowers (from the record-breaking, never-ending Spring showers) near the ocean side of the park. From there, we continued on to the Bison, closer to the middle. There isn't much to do with the Bison, but is sure is interesting that we have any kind of paddock, let alone a Bison one.

Ruth continues to ask about the Bison and is slowing coming to realize that someone is staying, bringing on epic shyness attacks and temper tantrums to shake the very earth. Otherwise, all is kisses.

Japanese Tea Garden

One of the great things about her early childhood development class is that they have field trips. Last week, we got to go to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park with her class. First we got to take our favorite bus ride, the 44 line, which takes you up past the beautiful Glen Canyon Park (surely a future NTTN post), and you get to hop off in front of the enormous new de Young looming over everything like a Mayan temple. Then you get to Zen out on the garden grounds, eventually having a nice pot of green tea and cookies (all for $3!) to finish the soothing trip. That it was free to get in and there were squealing toddlers all over the place made it that much better.

Sausalito Ferry

On the 2nd Anniversary of someone's arrival in the world, we decided that a day trip to Sausalito via the Golden Gate Ferry was the way to go. It provides big, cheap thrills with fantastic (and patriotic) views of the Jewel by the Bay. Once in the shoppers paradise-disguised as a small town, you can help yourself to a rich, delicious Lappert's Ice Cream (or two) or just stroll the tiny, shop-laden streets with a contented grin on your face.

INTRODUCING...

GEORGIA! After the bars closed on Friday night, and just as everyone was finishing up their super quesidilla suizas at El Farlito, Georgia arrived weighing in at 8lbs 2 oz, just as her father predicted. Ruth was in dreamland at the time, having no idea that her landed position of prestige as first born was just bumped up a notch by Georgia's position as recipient of all big-sister ire and love. Thank heavens for her grandmother and the ever present Mr. Myers, who made the family's transition seamless. Georgia makes a nice addition to the neighborhood.

SCHOOL DAZE

City College of San Francisco has an early childhood development program that includes hands-on, real life, no holds barred toddler immersion in the form of free "school" at the local rec centers around town. It is hard to find info online, but show up at the Mission Rec Center (21st and Treat) between 9 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays, go upstairs, and join the class. The activities change every 20 minutes or so and include letting loose rug rats in a room full of bouncy balls, snack time, story time, ring around the rosy time. Ruth loves it, and so do we.

Tao Cafe

We had been there before, and it was delicious, so when we were both too disinterested to cook and someone (read: FoR) had not fed someone (read: Ruth) a suitable snack, we moved on to the lovely local Tao Cafe. At the early hour (6:00) they were still empty and they were very accomodating for Ruth, as they had been in the past. She is seen here enjoying a spoonful of coconut ice cream (read: Auchiee, gud).

In other developments, MoR is ready to burst and we wait to tell the world of the new arrival (read: Georgia).