Gaisford Family Sugarhouse

January

2009-01-23T08:49:00.000-08:00

To me this is hilarious, I hope it is not to disturbing to anyone. One morning I had been using a certain hand towell in the bathroom all morning, I even washed my face and dried it with said handtowell. Well, eventually Charlotte allowed herself to use the toilet, which has become a much unwanted interruption in her playtime recently. After she washed her hands I offered her the same hand towell I had been using, and she startled and backed away, and said, "No! I put poo on that yesterday!" I looked at the edge of the towell, and sure enough, it was true. The day before there had been an incident when she didn't make it in time, and ended up in the bath, unfortunately, I hadn't been in the bathroom at the time she had wiped her hand on the towell.
So I took a shower. What else could I do?

Stella told me yesterday that she plans to be a vet artist when she grows up, she would like to take care of animals, and would like to give them pictures when they come. She has been working on her talents in the house throughout this cold month. We also have been walking back and forth to the school most days, and she has even had a chance to try her new yellow bike! (from Santa of course).

2008-12-31T10:23:00.000-08:00

Okay the tooth came out! Stella was eating a cookie when finally the giver gave. We found it on the floor. It was the first tooth to arrive when she was an infant and now the first to go. No wonder it went for such a high price, the tooth fairy was completely aware of the value.. she is looking for investment ideas.

2008-12-31T10:14:00.001-08:00

Christmas with Grandad and Nona was so fun.... has it really come and past already!

2008-12-23T12:33:00.000-08:00

Snow is falling in huge flakes, adding to what must be a foot out there.

Christmas greetings are accumulating on the kitchen door. I am grateful for the family we will be seeing in the next few days, and for the family & friends who are far and near..... The abundance of love and holiday and spirit, and the magic my children create and inspire in this household. Winter well wishes to all......

2008-12-23T12:20:00.001-08:00

Almost up to date.

2008-12-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

2008-12-23T11:59:00.000-08:00

The state fair celebration....

2008-12-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

Honestly, time has lapsed. It has been seasons since I have updated. So a quick synapses
is in order. Last installment was in the Spring upon return from
California. Since then I had a four month stint with Montessori school. I was enthusiastic
about the program there and the benefits for Stella and Charlotte, and I loved my
bohemian co-workers, but in the end we had to weigh out the costs and benefits and
chose to have Stella in afternoon kindergarten at Dillworth and Charlotte with me full time, and I returned to household manager and scullery maid. I slept and dreamed life was joy, I woke and found life to be service.... The two combined finding joy through service. My SAHM status reclaimed for an indefinite time as of mid October '08. Stella is very fond of public school her sweetheart teacher, her fun friends and the shorter school days. Her new friend's mom said that her daughter told her she never used to play on the playground at recess until Stella came. Chase is her favorite game. As for Charlotte, she is happy to be in my class, she says. The girls are best friends. More than ever, even in the past week. They are contendedly playing in their shared room right now by their bunkbeds; Wizard of Oz dolls.

Summer passed to quickly, I enjoyed bike rides, runs and yoga classes. Gershon and his band Veloure played three gigs in the fall, all children centered venues. Gershon continues basketball night on Mondays. Lagoon, State fair, Charlottes third birthday, and a month long of halloween celebrating hallmarked the past months. Love conquers all.

Ocean Beach Hotel

2008-06-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

Beaches

2008-06-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

Mai Vu, lovely hostess and my college buddy in the middle.

Far left, I found Ralph glasses in sand! Char and Margot.

Grandfather and me,

girls being angels at

dinner.

2008-06-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

From Long Beach we drove to San Diego to visit my Grandparents.

We played on Ocean Beach for two days and visited and dined with Grandma

and Grandfather each night. Grandma is a gourmet chef, we had curry the first night

and lasagna the second night. We stayed at my parents house on the way home.

Lots of sun and sand. Want to go back to the beach before summer ends!

California Trip

2008-06-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

We went on vacation to California. We drove to St. George, where we spent a night with Gershon's parents and then on to Long Beach for two nights with Mai, Phil, Beatrice, and Margot Pare at Christine and Ming Vu's home. Phil made unforgettable gourmet burgers the first night, I have to remember to get that combination from him! The girls got to play on the beach and play with Bea (4) and baby Margot (11 months).

2008-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

2008-05-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

2008-05-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

One of these photos is not at Jesse's shop.......Here Jesse's beautiful shop. We got to deliver flowers on Mother's Day. Stella and Charlotte love going to visit Jesse at work where she lets them drive the tractor, water plants and take home balloon bouquets and flowers. Gotta love the new sign.

Biking

2008-05-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here we go. There is nothing else we would rather do. Except eat a bag of gummy bears perhaps.

Kickin' around town

2008-05-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

The girls have really been enjoying there bikes and riding around the neighborhood. This time of year we soak up as much outdoor time as we can, less screaming and fighting and chores out there. Or maybe the grandeur of nature just lessens intensity and calms us.
Stella is a speed racer on her bike, my heart. Charlotte has really mastered her bike faster than I thought possible. I am so proud of those little lunatics, I just want to share it with the world. ;)

Wheeler Farm in April

2008-05-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather stays nice enough in intervals for outdoor activities. Seems to be getting only better... We had a fun time at Wheeler Farm with the Molloys (Stephanie, Mason 4, and Sophia baby) a few weeks ago and I am just barely getting these photos on here. Stella was to busy chasing the ducks to sit for a photo at the farm. She was crazy about the sheep and the nest full of goose eggs we saw. Stephanie Molloy's cute little boy told Charlotte she was beautiful, she beamed. Then she wanted to sit by him on the wagon ride. So cute!

Rolling Stones

2008-04-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

Something about this photo screams rock'n'roll royalty to me.

Spring

2008-04-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

ok, so i am way behind. i will have to sum up the last little while with a couple photos from each event. what do you got? easter, first of spring, blah blah blah.... so i'm always tired whats the big deal we are having too much fun i guess.... must be all the bike riding and walking around the neighborhood and the ins and outs of warm and cold weather and up in the night and grilling and playing and on.... the girls have been really playing well together, age and gender allowing. charlotte has been riding a big kid bike and still is way into dresses. stella is sounding out words and asking lots of questions..

Winter photos

2008-01-08T09:33:00.001-08:00

Six little things...

2008-01-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, Steph, I have been thinking on this for awhile. Six little things you may not have known about me...

1. When I was a small child, perhaps three, my older sister and friends didn't dare enter the garage because there was a spider in there, and I went in, as I remember it was dark and scary, and I developed this self awareness that I was very brave, and that was a part of my early identity.

2. In the early nineties I was at Disneyland with my college boyfriend and it was a very crowded day. We were standing in lines all morning. We got to the Pirates ride and there was no line, we ran all the way past the ropes and to the boat. We were the only ones in there, we asked the attendant why. She said they had closed off the ride to the public momentarily because Michael Jackson had to get on privately, and now they had just re-opened. She said he was on the boat in front of us. So I spent the rest of the day trying to catch up with Michael Jackson, but I never caught a glimpse of him.

3. When I was 10 or 11 I developed crushes on every male in my neighborhood. I thought the boy much younger than me resembled river pheonix, and the old man next door was clark gable. Then there were all those ages in between. My parents thought it was pretty funny or messed up, I am not sure. My inability to discern between good men and riff raff cost me a lot of serenity growing up. I know that I am damn lucky to be with the fine outstanding individual I have somehow inconceivably wound up with.

4. On laziness. Well, umm, I was so lazy as a child. I used to cry if my dad asked me to hit the light switch I was standing next too. When we had to do yard work, I used every excuse to go back in the house, I peed every 10 min. or got a drink. Exercise felt like unbearable torture until I was 20 and I learned how to tolerate running for weight control. I also dropped out of ballet every fall and then regretted it at the Christmas recitals when my sister performed. I always slept at least 14 hours when I could and napped frequently. So now that I am a mom and I get by on 7 or less most days, I am sure this is how I stay thin. I am grateful for coffee and tea. I love exercise for some mental cleansing and feeling great. So it has all worked out for the best.

5. I heard Anne Heche one time say she believed she was an alien (and was crazy) until she turned 30. Well, I was crazy (delusional and confused) until I became a mom, which was at 30, so I related to her. Although now I noticed in the tabloids, she seems to have turned crazy again. Does this count ?

6. Guerilla parenting. I coined this phrase. I developed this technique when Stella turned one and began her fierce noncompliance. I would ambush her wash her hair despite the protests, or brush her teeth, or put her in her car seat. This actually didn't really work. But it was always the last resort.

Okay those are my six things you may or may not have known about me. I pass it on to Naava. Give us six!

Snowfall

2007-11-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

Stella has been playing in the snow and she even got Charlotte to go out with her yesterday,
We are excited about Christmas and winter holidays. It is time to get some winter boots so I can play with them out there! Are ugghs still in style??

Thanksgiving

2007-11-29T08:21:00.001-08:00

We went to St. George for Thanksgiving holiday...
The girls had a great time.

some highlights from autumn

2007-11-27T15:04:00.000-08:00

We have been busy raking leaves, visiting with family, and sick with strep....
but now looking forward to the winter festivities

Charlotte Suzan

2007-11-07T06:31:00.001-08:00

This is darling Charlotte's pink bee costume from a lovely crocheted dress her Nona made for her last year. She had
planned to be a ghost, declined the skeleton option, and wore
her Cinderella costume for an hour and decided on "pink bee" just
before trick-or-treating. Perfect..

Little Pink Bee

2007-11-05T08:03:00.001-08:00

Halloween

2007-11-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

We had a super Halloween. The little ghost and the
pink bee went trick or treating with friends and got lots
of loot.

2007-10-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Stella and Charlotte attended Lila Rockwood's sixth birthday party at Red Butte Gardens;
They had a tea party, a scavenger hunt, and potted basil plants to bring home. Now I get to
use the leaves in my cooking! They were late for the hat painting but Naava gave them each a
hat to bring home to paint. They also saw a real garter snake crossing the path.

Veloure

2007-10-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

Gershon and his band Veloure got together for an elementary fundraiser carnival.
The children enjoyed dancing and playing at the carnival.

Labor day weekend

2007-09-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

Labor day weekend. This whole summer we have been spending afternoons in
the yard playing in the water. The change of seasons is coming and so pretty here!

Happy in SLC

2007-09-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

Some highlights from the summer...

Milestones

2007-09-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

On August 6th, Charlotte turned 2 and continues to believe it is her birthday every day and will argue about it with Stella.

Stella had her first day of school on Wednesday, August 28. She is in the pm Preschool at the Open Classroom
at Lowell Elementary School in the Avenues. She was thrilled to be there. She got to put a hand print on the wall, and she chose the red paint. She says she likes the dollhouse, the little animals, and a boy named Patrick.

Up To Date

2007-08-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

Stella at age 4, and Charlotte, age 2.

A Brief History

2007-08-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

We got married September 21, 2002.

Salt Lake City

2007-08-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

After 4 years in Southern Utah we have landed in Sugarhouse as of March 2007, We have had a busy and
eventful summer, but wait....
a brief history...