03 Mar 2026
As I suspected it might, the full week seemed like it went by faster than the four-day week. I'm not sure how it always manages to feel that way, maybe because a full week has all the routines and everything goes back to "normal." But as we all know, no two days are exactly alike when you throw kids into the mix. At least I know my life will never be boring.
- Rapunzel, let down your hair!
Josie this week got very into Disney's Tangled. It's always her request when I ask what she'd like to watch, and it's always what she wants to listen to in the car.
Tangled has my heart for many reasons, so I don't mind that Josie is obsessed at the moment. I remember the first time I watched it: I was home from college and my dad must have rented the DVD from Netflix. I honestly did not have high expectations, only because I hadn't been a huge fan of the Disney movies that had been released around that time. For Tangled, they brought back acclaimed Disney composer Alan Menken for the film, so how could I not love it? Menken mentions on his website that the animators originally did not want the typical Disney formula, but in the end, the movie is basically an updated version of the classic animated Disney musical and it really, truly works. I was also a big fan of Mandy Moore's pop music back in the day, so that's another element of nostalgia I enjoy in the film.
I cried at the scene where Rapunzel's parents, the king and queen, release the first lantern into the sky in hopes of finding the lost princess. This was even before I became a mom, so can you imagine how this movie affects me now? The song that Rapunzel and Flynn Rider sing, "I See the Light," perfectly captures the way I felt the moment Maggie was born. I honestly never aspired to be a mom, but I was always open to the possibility. When I was pregnant, I was worried I wouldn't be able to connect with the baby, that I would lack the emotional depth necessary to be the mom that the child deserved. But, truly, once Maggie was born, something in me changed. My heart had opened a door I never knew it had.
And at last I see the light,
And it's like the fog has lifted,
And at last I see the light,
And it's like the sky is new,
And it's warm and real and bright,
And the world has somehow shifted...
All at once, everything looks different
Now that I see you
If you've seen the movie, you may also remember Flynn Rider's real name... Eugene.
- Swing, batter!
Potentially against my better judgment, I decided to sign Eugene up for baseball. I struggle to know exactly how much I am supposed to push, especially for the kids' extracurricular activities. Maggie is the type of kid who benefits from a little nudge to see her full potential, usually rejecting the idea of an activity at first but is often pleasantly surprised once she gives it a try. Even if she's not in the mood, she will still give it her all.
Eugene, on the other hand – if he doesn't feel like doing something, he absolutely will not do it. So far, we've seen him melt down at swim meets and on the soccer field, so I anticipate a baseball diamond could be a similar experience. The thing about Eugene though is that he can do it, and when he does, he does it really, really well. He knows how to swim 25 yards and can pass a soccer ball. He's doing great at learning how to swing a baseball bat. I have to remind myself constantly that he is still only six years old, just a small kid trying to figure out how exactly to live in this big world.
On Saturday, the city's little league had their opening ceremonies and parade. I have to say, Eugene looks pretty good in a baseball uniform. I really hope he at least enjoys being part of something, part of a team.
- The Big Chicken tradition and a friendship
February is always a pretty great time for beer. San Francisco beer week usually takes place around Valentine's Day, with many breweries distributing their trademark triple IPAs. Russian River Brewing Company was basically the first to pioneer a very drinkable triple IPA with Pliny the Younger, but so many breweries have followed in their footsteps.
I first met my friend Ashley when we were working together at Pottery Barn Kids (PBK). I think technically we had interviewed for the same assistant planning job, but thankfully a role opened up for her shortly after I was hired. In an environment that was mostly cold and rigid, Ashley was a warm beam of light: kind-hearted, intelligent and just a wonderful person to be around.
I didn't get a whole lot of fulfillment during my time with PBK, but I was lucky to gain a friend in Ashley. I don't know if I just like a lot of niche things, or maybe I just have a hard time finding someone to enjoy these things with me, so when I do find someone, I cherish them.
Take, for example, where I am while I am writing this: It's Sunday morning, and I'm sitting on the Francisco Street sidewalk, waiting for a bakery to open its doors. I've been here since just about 7:00, and the bakery opens at 9:00. Joe just texted me to ask how the line was, and commented, "the things you do for pastries."
So, maybe Joe will never wait in line for pastries with me. But I did see Ashley for dinner and a couple of beers on Friday, and it turns out she is not only a fan of beer, but she's also a fan of the bakery I'm waiting for. Ashley and I meet every year around this time for a very specific beer, the Big Chicken by HenHouse Brewing. We were reminiscing about how this tradition started and dated it back to 2021, when we noticed we both followed HenHouse brewing on Instagram in hopes of tracking the Big Chicken. The tradition has become one of my utmost favorite things, an old reliable where Ashley and I know exactly when we get to see each other.
I invited Ashley to join me at the bakery this morning. She already had plans, but it's nice to know that I have someone to ask.
- Embracing (some of) the digital world
I believe I may have created another photo booth enthusiast in Josie. When we're out and about, she asks me if we're going to take pictures and often requests we visit a booth. I used to be more partial to the analog booths, but the kids have shown me that the digital booths can be a lot of fun too. They especially love the ones where you can overlay graphics and silly things on the photos, which just adds another element to my photo booth hunt since so far I have only seen a booth like that at Chuck E. Cheese. My goal is to visit one photo booth a week, ideally one I've never been to before, but it's an ambitious goal because I'm discovering that many photo booths are placed in 21+ establishments.
In addition to my anxiety and excitement for Eugene's little league season, March also brings swim lessons, St. Patrick's Day, two four-day weeks (oh boy!) and my dad's 70th birthday. I'm sure I am forgetting a few other things, but I hope this month's going to be a good one.