Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate...

"Beauty is Truth, Truth Chocolate" - that is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know.

Ode on a Chocolate Urn
John Keats and Peter Mansbach

For those of us not from the bay area, here’s a little bit of history. In 1852, Domingo Ghirardelli established his first chocolate factory in San Francisco. I had felt pleased to live in the bay area already, but now that I know this tidbit of history I am PROUD! I really didn’t know.

About two weeks ago we went with some friends (Nor, Dax and Mimi) to Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. It was very chocolaty! Now all can share in my true feelings about chocolate. I love it. And who doesn’t? I suppose there are some that don’t (I'll never understand). This is from an article that I recently read that explains everything:

“Now you know why they're called "munchies": Scientists in today's edition of "Nature" magazine think that chocolate, the dusky brown substance of our dreams, harbors a chemical within it that mimics the effects of cannabis. Which is to say, pot, grass, wacky tabacky -- marijuana. You may never look at a brownie the same way again. So when you eat chocolate, your brain gets more or less the same sensations it would get if you were locked in a closet, breathing in the second-hand smoke of a guy nicknamed "Reefer Bob." (John Scalzi)

Ha! This is really true. Now it’s clear why Mormons consume so much chocolate! :)

I know we've all heard it before, but it's important not to forget the HIGHLY POSITIVE ASPECTS OF CHOCOLATE CONSUMPTION (YOU MUST READ THESE REALLY INTERESTING STATISTICS!):

Chocolate consumption has been scientifically linked to longer life. A few pieces of chocolate every month may make your life both sweeter and longer, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. A survey of healthy 65-year-old men revealed that those who ate sweets containing chocolate reportedly lived longer. Surprisingly non-consumers had the highest mortality of all. As with most things in life, moderation seems to be paramount. Chocolate is considered a major source of dietary copper, which is required for a healthy lifestyle. Cocoa and chocolate are also rich in minerals, such as magnesium and iron. Chocolate is a short-term source for energy due to antioxidants and phenolics it contains. This energy source was even utilized by soldiers during heavy combat situations. A 40 gram chocolate bar contains the same amount of phenol as a glass of red wine and can be a positive source of dietary antioxidants. These anti-oxidants have been proven to reduce the risk of developing cancer or heart disease.

“Hickory, chicory, choc, the mousse was in the wok, the brownies rose, the ice cream froze, Hickory chicory choc.”
Nursery Rhyme and Peter Mansbach

Four Year Olds: the Hard and the Easy

Rory at soccer practice in Walnut Creek, CA (Fall 2007)

Things I find hard about four year olds:

1. It’s hard to be a human encyclopedia. They ask tons of questions. And “Why?” accompanies each and every thing you say.

2. It’s hard being the “ok” and “mmhmm” mommy auto response robot. They need a response for everything! Example: Rory has to tell me every time she needs to go potty, and I must give her my “o.k.” before she will go.

3. It’s hard feeling like you need your ears checked because you can’t hear anything above the noise they create.

4. It’s hard hearing the frequent nagging that is coming from your own mouth because they need to be told to do something at least ten times before they’ll actually do it.

5. It’s REALLY hard to wake from a dreamy sleep at 6am to hear, “I need help wiping the poo!”

6. It’s hard to feel the remorse that comes after scolding them for things that they didn’t purposefully do. (Examples: going #1 and/or #2 in their pants and on the floor because they couldn't make it to the potty on time , big spills, etc.)


Things I find easy about four year olds:

1. It’s easy to listen to the tender lullabies they sing to their baby dolls and baby sister.

2. It’s easy to peak in their rooms and watch them acting out parts in their little fantasy worlds.

3. It’s easy to feel their loving little arms wrap around you as they say, “I love you mommy.”

4. It’s easy to proudly watch their delightful sports/dance/music performances and witness your little ones' growing talents.

5. It’s easy to laugh at all the funny and adorable little things they do and say. Example: the other day Rory was flossing (with what appeared to be floss), then brushed her teeth and got in bed. Later, as I was cleaning the bathroom, I found the used floss, which just so happened to be a strand from her pink hula skirt. :)

6. It’s easy to have your little princess give you regular spa treatments: brush your hair, help you put your lip gloss on (and then help herself to some), bejewel your face with her special sparkle star stickers, and give you back rubs and/or scratch your back.

Isabella and Mommy with her dazzling star facial! (Fall 2007)

Here's some Total Momsense

This clip is so funny! The lady can't sing, but I got a kick out of it.

Gun Shots in the Night

The night before last, Glen and I awoke to the sound of gun fire right outside our window. There were two shots fired. I was freaking out and told Glen to call the police. He went to the window to try and see what was going on. He saw a Latino man walking away from our complex. The police arrived before he even had a chance to call. They were looking around the complex, and Glen had seen the guy leave so he wanted to go out and talk to the police. I wouldn’t let him! So, he yelled down from our window to the police what he had seen. We have no idea what exactly happened--if someone was actually shot or what? The guy was probably drunk and decided to fire off some shots for fun. We’ve joked about this apartment complex being the ghetto. Well, it’s officially GHETTOVILLE! No wonder the sign always says "NOW LEASING". Hopefully we’ll be able to find a nicer place that’s comparable in price once our contract is up. Aahhh, a day in the life at Kingston Place Apartments, the Hood of Walnut Creek.

Granny Rose

This last week granny Rose came to visit us. It was so fun! We wished that she could stay forever. It always takes me a while to adjust to not having my mommy around after she leaves. Why do we have to grow up! Unfortunately she was only here for two days, one of those days being my birthday (Oct. 3rd). We did lots of fun things. We ate out, shopped, ate out, shopped and ate out some more. Isabella loves her grandma! They really bonded. Rory loved all the extra attention she got. Rory found a friend at the fountain downtown near the "Betsy Johnson" shop. The fountain is one of her favorite places to play. She was doing some ballet moves and this cute little boy began dancing with her. Several people commented on how coordinated she was and that I should definitely get her in dance lessons. I haven't enrolled her yet this year. One memorable event was that she actually fell in the fountain and was absolutely drenched from head to toe. She kept jumping back in the fountain since she was already wet. It was definitely a fun time for her, and a great laugh for me and grandma. We went to the Creamery for ice cream both nights grandma was here. We've become quite the regulars there and the staff knows us now. This is not a good thing for dropping baby weight! Anyhow, mom, we miss and love you. Come back soon!

The Kids Get an "F"

The other night we went out to eat with Nor and Mimi while Dax (Nor's husband) was out of town--sorry Dax. However, Dax didn't miss much, despite these pictures that deceive one into thinking the dinner was all smiles and totally easy going. Ha! The kids definitely got an "F" as Nor put it. Both babies were totally fussy and would not be consoled. Izzy was grabbing my hair, my water, my plate and anything else that was NOT baby friendly. Rory was crying and whining and definitely did not have her listening ears on. And Mimi wouldn't let Nor eat until Glen took her on a little walk after he was done with his food. Well, we tried to have an enjoyable dinner, but there was one word that kept coming to my mind that night--Babysitters!

Little Crawler

Here's a couple of cute pics of Isabella trying to crawl. She's also now starting to get up into sitting position all by herself.