Eternal youth

I feel like I'm in some sort of strange eternal youth groove with the universe lately.  I recently re-read Tuck Everlasting, a favorite book from my childhood.  And, like the rest of the world these last 24 hours, I've watched a sad recounting of the life and death of a certain Peter Pan.  

Today I came across a story about Brooke Greenberg.  Brooke is 16 years old, but she hasn't aged physically beyond the stage of infancy.  Her mental development matches that of a toddler.  Doctors are baffled by her condition, and her parents are left to wonder if their daughter holds the secret to the fountain of youth.  ABC's 20/20 will air a special tonight on Brooke's story, 10 p.m. EST.

It's a fascinating story; a sad one too.  Parents wish for their children to enjoy a long happy childhood, but not a permanent one.  

Thanks to my friend Jamie for the link.

The Friday Four: Bay Area events for kids

The San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival

Food, wine, art and music, plus hands-on activities and rides in the Kid Zone for the little ones.

www.sananselmochamber.org

Downtown, San Anselmo
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: Free


Paw-A-Thon & Pet Resource Fair

A 1-mile fundraising dog walk-a-thon.  Fun and educational.

www.fourpawssociety.org

Marina Park, San Leandro
Saturday, 8 a.m. - noon
Ages: All
Cost: Free


The Sonoma-Marin Fair

All of the typical county fair fun, with lots for the under 12 set including a Diaper Derby.  Highlights include The World's Ugliest Dog Contest, and live music from Night Ranger and The Charlie Daniel's Band.

www.sonoma-marinfair.org

Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma
Saturday, noon - midnight
Sunday, noon - 11 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $15 ages 13 and up, $10 ages 12 - 4.



SF Pride Parade

This year's theme is To Form A More Perfect Union.  The parade begins at 10:30 a.m.  along Market Street, beginning at Beale Street and ending at 8th Street.  

www.sfpride.org

Ten ways to tell you live with a preschooler

There comes a day when some parents start to look around their once beautiful surroundings and realize their life is indeed no longer their own. 

I used to love looking at sites like Apartment Therapy, not that my apartment looked as good as the ones featured on that site, but there was always hope that maybe one day it could.  It's sort of like looking at the Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn catalog; I know that very few people actually live in homes that look like that, but a girl can dream can't she?  Well Reader, I'm here to tell you that dream has come to an end.  Or at least it's been pushed to the gunky oatmeal-spackled back burner for now.

Our once hip apartment in the coolest neighborhood, North Beach, in the best city in the world, San Francisco, has taken on a different "feel".  Basically, on any given day it looks like Ikea and Target took on Fisher-Price and Crayola in a grudge match to the death. 

We no longer own a desk.  My piano is in storage.  The CDs have been moved onto a hard drive, the books have peanut butter smudges, and the rugs and furniture have strange unexplainable stains and smells. 

There's a new sheriff in Apartment Town and he's a preschooler.  I offer you photographic proof.

Not so much for people trying to get in so much as for people trying to get out.

First thing you see when you walk in my front door.

There's a nice little view of Alcatraz from that window if I remember correctly.

Self explanatory.

A monthly purchase creatively stored in cupboards meant for dishes.

My kitchen when it is "clean".

Absolute necessity.

I've served wine in the back hoe cup.

A toothbrush, a stick of deodorant, and a bar of soap. That's what there's room for on mommy's shelf.

This is what happens when I try to clean up and put things away.

The fangs are out!

Could we be in for a Bill versus Edward, True Blood/Twilight vampire grudge match to the bloody death?  No, but would I fight for a front row seat to such an event?  YES!

Here's what Stephen Moyer (True Blood's Bill Compton) had to say about Robert Pattinson (Edward Cullen of Twilight).

I think I'm going to have to go Bill Compton here, although I really wish he was sparkly like Edward. 

Which vampire would you choose?

Hi, I'm Gretchen