Leif and Maneki Neko

At our local favorite family-friendly sushi joint, Mika's, there sits Leif's new best friend - a Maneki Neko (good luck kitty) that Leif affectionately refers to as Mao Mao. While we wait for our dinner, Leif coos to the Maneki Neko, hugs it and kisses its whiskers - sometimes he would rather sit next to the statue than eat his dinner (which Mika's makes custom for Leif - toddler serving sizes of sticky white rice with chicken drizzled in Teriyaki sauce and cucumber slices on the side).

Please let us know if you spot a good deal on a Maneki Neko bank.

Father's Day Re-Cap

Kris celebrated 

his second year of Father's Day festivities by being sent on a 3/4 day sport fishing excursion out to 

the Coronado Islands with his Pop and brother, Skyler.  Pretty thoughtful of Leif, don't you think?  Kris won the pot (he caught the biggest fish) and was stoked. 

Leif spent most of the weekend spoiling his Grandpa Jim - climbing dirt mountains, making messes, and watering the garden (a new favorite activity for Leif...unfortunately, he also likes to drink from the hose), and spending time with his great-grandpa - the Great Mister.  Leif also pinched/held caterpillars, chased butterflies,  and ate a delicious fish Barb-B-Q at Grandma Bart's.

All in all, a pretty great weekend.  

First Haircut

Yesterday, we treated Leif to his first haircut...not much of a treat for him, but we were delighted by the experience.  We went to Kids Kuts in Santa Monica - Leif was seated in a large blue Jeep to distract him while his stylist cut away the wispy bits around his ears, neck, and eyes.  They gave us a lock of hair, a certificate, and photos of the grand event - and they were so nice.

Not much of a difference in the before and after shots, but the stylist did a far superior job than the buzz cut Kris was contemplating!

New Headshots and Leif's First Paid Photo Shoot

Here are Leif's new headshots - hope you enjoy them.  

We are timidly entering Leif into the entertainment industry as a model and child actor.  He is signed by Ford Models for print work and Maverick Artists for commercial/theatrical.  We figure it's a good way for Leif to earn money for college...especially given the shocking and disgusting news that Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed to dismantle the CalGrants program, which helped Gretchen afford her college degree.

Thus Far, Leif has done a modeling job for DisneyStore.com (photos below) and had auditions for Baby Gap and Huggies.  We have yet to be followed by the paparazzi.  

Weekend Update: CDP, Pelosi, Elmo, RTV

Gretchen spent this weekend in Sacramento attending the California Democratic Party Convention and catching up with old friends from the Angelides for Governor Campaign of 2006. Highlights included dinner with Jamus at Cabana, grading papers with Lola, personally meeting Nancy Pelosi at a fundraiser Phil and Julie Angelides hosted (quite the smashing success!), being a delegate and receiving free swag (including a VIP ticket to Gavin Newsom's Wyclef Jean concert, and hanging out with Mo, Doug, and Mara Jade.

While Gretchen was away, her guys did play. Leif met his own VIP - none other than ELMO and played at a local children's gym. Kudos to Mikey and Johnny for taking care of Leif while Kris worked late hours on Friday at KTLA in the news promotions department. Hey - please drop Kris a line if you have any leads on job opportunities in the entertainment sector for writers, editors, or colorists - his gig at KTLA is up towards the end of May.

First Beach Day of 2009, a Tight Fit, and the Padres

We spent last weekend in San Diego - highlights included easter egg hunts (photos to come soon), homemade hot cross buns with dried cherries, Leif's first beach day of 2009 (long gone is his fear of the ocean...now he makes  a run for it), a hilarious picture of Gretchen and Leif in his porta crib, a date night for Kris and Gretchen that included a Padre's game (we Won) and dessert at JSix Lounge.   Enjoy the pics.

First Trip to the Emergency Room

Last night, Leif brought Gretchen an earring while she was fixing him a snack...a purple beaded earring with a metal hook.  He gently placed it in her outstretched hand as a dozen thoughts flew across her mind, including "WHERE is the other earring?"  Gretchen then proceeded to search the house high and low for the missing earring. No luck.  Next thought - "OMG, did he swallow the other earring?" Leif then coughed, and Gretchen felt sick with worry.

We took Leif to the emergency room two blocks over at Cedars Sinai.  We were relieved that the wait was minimal, the facility was very nice and clean and that the nurses fawned over Leif.  An X-ray was taken and Leif was proven innocent - no earring to be found.  Just a cute kid with a snotty nose and two very worried parents.  We took our beloved little man to Jerry's Famous Deli for chicken tenders and chocolate cake and pondered whether framing the souvenir X-ray would be too...Adam's Family.