"Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay"

As I pondered what to name this post, I remembered a tongue-in-cheek parenting book that I read many moons ago, and felt the title was relate-able so I borrowed it. Today is February 1, and another dry day in California, further adding to our drought woes. But since it's the weekend and Randy is off, we headed out to the beautiful Napa Valley. Now, most people I know wouldn't dream of bringing their kids to wine country, let alone into a winery. I agree that it's not the most kid-friendly place, but I did my research and chose a winery that had a more relaxed atmosphere. Besides, I tend to toe the line between "kid-friendly" and "adults only", because I firmly believe that exposing my kids to more mature environments helps develop their social skills, broadens their knowledge and teaches them about appropriate behavior. 

Today we took a leisurely drive out to Calistoga, a tiny, quaint town about 25 miles past Napa, to visit Sterling Vineyards. 

Waiting for his tram ticket

I chose Sterling because it was often named in travel articles and blog posts for people seeking kid-friendly activities in wine country. A big selling point for the little people in your life is the aerial tram that takes you up to the actual winery. The views are impressive and kiddos love the ride.

The only winery with an aerial tram

All aboard!

Cruz was a little apprehensive at first

View from the tram

Admission price at Sterling includes a tasting of 5 varietals. We tasted a pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, a meritage (a blend of Bordeauxs), zinfandel and a sweet muscat. Our favorite pour was the pinot gris - crisp, bright, refreshing with apple notes. Delicious!

Souvenir glasses for wine tasting

Sterling is aesthetically unique in the Napa Valley. It's architecture is modeled after classic buildings found in Mykonos, Greece. With it's whitewashed walls set against the cerulean sky today, I could almost imagine myself in Greece...wishful thinking!

Antique church bells that chime hourly

The winery offers a self-guided tour, and the tour takes you to a couple of outdoor patios that allow you to take in the sweeping vista of the valley around you. Despite the parched grasses and browner-than-usual vineyards, the view was still beautiful. It felt so good to sip a glass of wine, bask in the sun and watch the kids scamper about.

Great vantage point

The self-guided tour was great because it allowed us to go at our own pace.

Initial fermentation tanks

Watching a video on harvesting and fermentation

Top quality Oak barrels for aging

There were also beautiful pieces of artwork throughout the winery, all done by local artists.

Hallway of art

After the winery, we popped into downtown Calistoga for a late lunch at one of the many eateries on the main drag. On the return trip home, we made pit stops in St. Helena and Napa for some shopping and strolling.

We are so blessed to live an hour away from this world-renowned wine making region, and even more blessed that we get to enjoy it as a family. I highly recommend Sterling Vineyards for any parents who want to have their wine and drink it too!

First Baby Tooth to Go!

Oh man, talk about bittersweet. Cruz lost his very first baby tooth the other day. It was an exciting day but on the inside I thought "waaahhh, my baby is growing up!" Such is life. 

Look at that happy, handsome, gap-toothed face. I just love him.

 He actually already had a little bit of a gap next to the wiggly tooth, so upon closer inspection it looks like he may have lost two, but it really is just one.

I could not believe how itty bitty the tooth was!

Is that a tooth or a grain of rice?

Marveling at his tooth

At his last dental cleaning, they gave him a tooth box for just this occasion.

Cruz said to me "I'm so excited my tooth came out, now I'll be rich!" When I asked him how so, he replied "oh you know Mommy, the tooth fairy gives you money for your teeth. Like $10". Good luck with that kid, we're in an economic recession, haha!

Putting the tooth box under his pillow

The next morning, he found a friendly note from the Tooth Fairy, encouraging him to stay away from too much sugar, and keep up the good work brushing and flossing. She was quite generous still and he scored 5 buckaroos :)

And just like that, another milestone reached. I can't keep up, SIGH.

Afternoon at the park

Unseasonably warm winter weather (peep the alliteration) means lots of park time. As you moms out there know, park time is a saving grace in more ways than one. Parents and kids alike get to breathe fresh air and soak up the Vitamin D, but more importantly, it tuckers them out and you can just smell the nap/quiet time coming your way.

Here are just a few snapshots from a recent gorgeous day. 

We are super lucky to live a block away from a park

Aspiring baller

No trip to the park is complete without swing time

Scootering

Daddy and Lucas shooting hoops

Monkeying around

Taking a break

Clear blue skies and 70 degrees in the middle of January. Reason #152 to live in California.

Sous chef

Just a couple of snapshots of my oldest son helping me out in the kitchen recently. From the time he was a toddler I let him help me cook and bake, measuring and pouring and things of that nature. Now that he's 5, he has graduated to vegetable peeler status, and let me tell you, he takes his job very seriously. Just look at his face...

Peeling carrots and parsnips for soup

He's not really this tall by the way, he's standing on a little kid chair :)

I just love my little kitchen helper. Now, if only he was ready for dishwashing...

Art and Mochi

A recent drizzly Saturday brought us to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. It was the first time for all of us. While I knew Cruz would be fine in a museum, Lucas, my spirited little toddler, was a risk. However, I am a firm believer in not restricting the whole family to places and activities that only a 2-year-old would enjoy, so off we went.

What'cha lookin' at Kuya?

Contemplating

The museum is a good size, not too big and not too small. We weren't able to see all of it but covered more than half of the exhibits. It was somewhat slow going getting through the museum since we had to explain so many of the displays and art to Cruz, which was a challenge in itself! But we managed and the kids had a great time. By far, the kids' favorite exhibit was the hall of weapons. They oohed and aahed over the daggers, swords and other sharp objects, like only little boys do.

Little warriors

A highlight of the day was watching a traditional Japanese mochi pounding ceremony. We learned that this is typically done at the New Year and to celebrate special occasions such as a wedding or birth of a child. There was also a master artist who specializes in Japanese calligraphy who did a demonstration. It was very much like performance art and was really interesting to watch.

Creating a piece for the Year of the Horse

Then came the fun part - watching the mochi pounding, accompanied by an amazing group of Taiko drummers. It was interactive too and Randy joined in the fun!

Mochi pounding by the professionals and the audience

And then the really fun part - eating the newly pounded mochi. YUM. It was warm, pillowy soft and had a delicious toasty flavor. It was so fresh and mouthwatering.

Looks like a chicken nugget but it's mochi alright

After a couple of hours at the museum, we spent some quality time with one of our dearest friends April. Our family loves hanging out with her, and being a fellow foodie, we always share a meal when we're together. This time we had dinner at one of our favorite places in the city, PPQ Dungeness Island. You can't go wrong with anything you order here. Since we are smack dab in the middle of Dungeness crab season, naturally we ordered a whole garlic crab. And barbecue pork. And garlic noodles. And crab fried rice. And sea bass. Oh and green beans. Oh yes, and a cabbage salad. We were a little hungry that day.

Just looking at this makes me hungry again

Another fun family day in the books!

Goodbye 2013

Like everyone else, our December was a whirlwind of holiday events, gatherings of family and friends, tables laden with food and lots of new memories made. Some highlights:

Dinner with our dear high school friends. It's surreal sometimes to see our children all together, when once upon a time we were the kids!

Friends from birth

Annual Christmas get-together with our favorite Dizon family. We spend the whole day eating, drinking, laughing, playing games and enjoying each other's company.

Dizon Family

Afternoon tea with the boys and my youngest niece. A different activity for my rough and tumble boys!

Tea time

Baked sweet treats for 5 of our neighbors and delivered these festive goodie plates to them on the 22nd.

Holiday cheer on a plate

This year we were blessed to have Tita Pie (my mom's only sister) and her partner Auntie Annette join us for Christmas. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed a leisurely walk downtown on a sunny Christmas Eve.

Tati Pie and her grandkids

My two little men and I on Christmas day. Randy had to work...such is life when you're a doctor. It was a reminder that some poor people and their families were less fortunate than ourselves and were spending Christmas day in the hospital; another opportunity to count my blessings.

Merry Christmas!

The day after Christmas my older brother and his family arrived and we got to celebrate his birthday with him!

Cheers!

Calpe Family outing at Six Flags

Calpe cousins

Union Square tree

Family dinner

Unfortunately we spent the first few days of 2014 nursing colds. As a result we didn't party or do much socializing. We stuck close to home, but did do some home organization. Randy put his power tools to work and installed closet shelves for us and the boys. Neatness and order make me happy! 

I am lucky to work for a company that affords me some extra time with family and friends at the end of every year. For me it's always a time of reflection and thanksgiving, for all that I have. I am eager to see what 2014 has in store for us - happy new year!