Our life in the City has kicked off!!  Of course, we wanted to get here earlier on Tuesday, but it's stinkin' tough to get out of Sonora.  We ended up arriving late that night to the sweet welcome of our landlady, Dede.  She is a former middle school art teacher, a local artist, and a real delight of a woman.  We feel lucky to have landed her and her sweet pad!

Our flat is actually two levels and is so perfect for us in every way that we're a little bit nervous that we won't love our Marina place quite as much as this.  The location is amazing.  We love being so close to the water and to the cable cars and public transportation. 

We've had a full few days as we've tried to settle in and do lots of cool stuff, too.  The homeschool "routine" is currently non-existent.  We're "doing" school, it's just not in the orderly fashion that I hoped for... at least not yet.  It's tough to nail down a schedule for that when all we really want to do is head out into this beautiful city and live it up. 

On our first day, we checked out the Maritime Museum and much of the neighborhood, getting a feel for what stores and restaurants are nearby.  We found a fabulous Cuban place just down the block from us on Northpoint and of course, In N Out.  Gaige wants to eat every meal there.  Seriously!

Yesterday we spent much of the morning walk/jogging from Aquatic Park to the Marina Green, stopping to play some soccer and toss the ball around at Fort Mason.  We managed to get several hours of school done and shower up before we headed out to Chinatown for Chinese New Year.  That was lots of fun.  We took the cable car down to Chinatown.  None of us had been there before, and it's quite an experience on New Year's Day.  There were loads of firecrackers, lots of happy vendors, and plenty of dead ducks and chickens hanging in the windows.  We had a nice dinner there, but we weren't brave enough to eat at the restaurants that serve the chicken with its head still attached.  Maybe next time.

Today we got an early start and spent the whole day at the California Academy of Sciences.  We literally closed the place down, and the kids had fantastic opportunities to speak with the curators and volunteers about various things.  Love that place!  We were starving by the time we left. 

We ended up heading over a few blocks and finding an Indian restaurant on Haight.  I've been fiending for butter chicken!  The kids weren't too sure about the area, but we walked a few blocks and saw some crazy people, crazy hair, interesting outfits, and all-around true characters.  We had yummy crepes at a creperie.  Apparently not as good as mine, but still delish.... chocolate delice with salty butter..mmmm. 

On our way back toward our car, we saw a guy melting glass with a torch in a shop.  He was creating some little pendant for a woman.  He called the kids inside and said he'd help them make something.  They LOVED it.  Gaige made a turtle, Havi made a dolphin (or rather a psychedelic narwhal), and Ellery made a penguin.  While we waited for the last goodie to cool, "D" brought out of the kiln one last thing he was working on that he needed to finish for this shop..."a functional, funny piece of glass."  Indeed :)  Havi can't wait to go back and create more glass art.  Steve tipped the guy so huge, that I'm guessing we'll be welcomed with open arms.

Arriving at our new place Tuesday night.

Ellery made a real impression with her double black eyes and puffy nose.
Honestly, that girl should just wear a permanent helmet.

We can get to the chocolaterie at Ghirardelli in fifteen seconds flat!
We have enjoyed gorgeous sunshine and awesome views since we arrived.

The little Klingon is starting to look more like herself as the swelling subsides.

A highlight for the kids, especially Gaige... living walking distance to In N Out!!!

A highlight for Mom...living walking distance to Trader Joe's!!!
We just have to be careful to not buy too many heavy items :)