Creative Play for Kids

We're thinking of moving from the house we've lived in for nearly 10 years to a larger home.  In preparation for this, we've started making some small updates now so we aren't working on several large projects as we get closer to selling.  Upgrading our appliances was one of those projects.  We decided to swap out our old white appliances for new stainless steel.  In doing this, we were left with a decent sized box that Rick was going to throw away.  

It was starting to drizzle the Saturday after we had them installed so the kids were getting bored being cooped up indoors.  I decided to bring in the box and do some wall tear downs so they could easily go in and out.

someone is teething

They both loved it. They climb in and sit and talk to each other.  Graham babbles of course.  Addie brings in her blankets and acts like she's taking a nap.

I cut out a front door and this side window.  At one point it was a walk up window to order food, sometimes a house window, and my favorite, the puppet show window.

Addie has used it as a parking garage as noticeable in the above picture.

Friday after work, Rick was at happy hour with a couple coworkers so it was just the kids and me.  It was so nice outside and I knew it was probably one of our last nice days of the year so I pulled the house outside for the kiddos to play.  

The fresh air starting getting to the kids and they soon were knocking their house down and climbing on it's exterior walls.

The do it yourself home didn't last after that rumble tumble and it's been tossed to the trash.

The best part, I get to sit back on my deck and drink a glass of moscato while the two of them get to use their imaginations.  Easy, free fun for such a long period of time.  I think we'll actually need to purchase an outdoor playhouse next year since we won't be purchasing anymore dishwashers.

-stephanie

Recipe: Parmesan Zucchini

This summer we ate out on our patio often each night, taking full advantage of each beautiful night.  One of the easiest sides I made was Parmesan zucchini.  It's so easy to make, literally takes 5 minutes and another 7-10 minutes to cook.

Start by halving the zucchini.  Drizzle a little EVOO and salt & pepper.  I also added Italian seasonings.

Add your shredded Parmesan cheese, add a little more salt, pepper & Italian seasonings.

Pop into the oven on 350 for about 7-10 minutes until the cheese melts.  Broil off for another minute until you get good color.

2 zucchinis will get you enough for 4 people as a side.  It's so good but still healthy.

-stephanie

Our Trip: San Francisco

Rick works in the financial industry and recently received several designations through work.  Because of this, he was rewarded with a trip to the annual LOMA conference which took place in San Francisco.  There are many parts of San Francisco that are really pretty.  Others, to  be honest, I'd pass on.

We stayed at the Hyatt Embarcardero which was a huge hotel.  We waited nearly 2 hours for our room after the standard check in time so we were upgrade to a room with a view.  And what a view.  Above is the port building and so much traffic comes through that building daily.  The bridge off to the right is the Oakland Bay Bridge.  People either drive over the bridge or take a ferry from Oakland to the port building.  

Our favorite spot is the port building.  

We stopped in to Hog Island Oyster to have lunch.  

I had the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had.

But then we thought, we should probably at least try the oysters.  So we did. It wasn't terrible.

Our last morning in San Francisco we walked over and had breakfast at this great coffee place.  Coffee was good, waffle was better, but not as good as the waffle in the North Market in Columbus.

We took a trolley tour.

Passed through Chinatown.

Alcatraz is just a stones through from shore.  This was the one thing I'm bummed we didn't take advantage of.

We visited the Coit Tower.  You can see Lombard Street in the middle of the picture.

We saw the Transamerica Pyramid.

It's 43 floors.

Ghiradelli is my favorite. I was in heaven.

As my face shows.

It was so rich.

The view at the park outside of Ghiradelli square is the Golden Gate bridge.

On our last day we picked up our rental car to head over to Napa.  Before leaving, we decided to drive the rental around San Francisco to all the places we didn't get to earlier in the week.

Like the painted ladies.  Famous from the intro to Full House.

The large house over my right shoulder was the builders mansion. He lived in it while he built the painted ladies.

We then drove down Lombard Street since our view from the Coit Tower wasn't all that exciting.

This is what you see as you drive down the street.

And the view back up.  It's such a weird street.

From Lombard we drove over to the Golden Gate bridge.

The cable you see holding up the bridge is actually a lot thicker than you'd think.  See below.

Along the bridge are these very strange signs.

I can't believe people jump from the bridge.  It's so high.  We walked across the bridge which is long and windy.  And those cars don't drive slowly.

Across the bridge is Sausalito.  Gorgeous little area.

Then we hopped in the car and drove across the bridge to head out to Napa.  

Part two to come soon.

-stephanie

The Versatile Dress

I found this dress at Gap and I love it.  It's so flattering to my body type and think it would look great on anyone.It has a cute little flair to the skirt making me feel like a princess and it has pockets!

It's such a great dress because you can wear it to work, wear it out for a date, wear it out with the girls, for a baby/wedding shower.  You can wear heels, flats, wedges, TOMS.  You can wear a cardigan, statement necklace...The list goes on.  

I highly suggest adding this into your wardrobe!

-stephanie