Berkeley Dine Out For an Edible Education

We're lucky here in Berkeley that we have so many fabulous restaurants, cafes, bakeries, farmers markets and take out places to eat at.

While dining out in Berkeley always means that you're in store for something delicious, today dining out in Berkeley also means you're helping out thousands of students throughout Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD).

At present fourteen schools (from pre-K through to high school) across BUSD receive federal funding to support Berkeley's well known Edible Schoolyard program. The Edible Schoolyard program provides children in public schools the opportunity to learn about food and nutrition by growing and cooking fruits and vegetables themselves. It's an important program and one that is at risk of being lost.

As of this October, BUSD will be losing all of its federal funding (approximately $1.9million) to run the Edible Schoolyard program. Without this funding the program can not continue to operate.

For today only a large number of Berkeley's restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pizzerias, take out joints and coffee spots will be taking part in Berkeley Dine Out. These establishments will be donating a percentage of their sales for the day to help keep the program alive. If you're in the Bay Area please help out by dining at one of the participating eateries.

You can find out more about Berkeley Dine Out, including a full list of participating eateries, at their website: http://berkeleydineout.com

To whet your appetite here's a look at how we're helping the cause by eating around Berkeley today...

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After dropping Ava off at school Lola and I headed straight to The Cheese Board, the first on our list of Berkeley eateries to visit today. Being Thursday, it's our favourite day to visit The Cheese Board: Asiago Schtick Day! Oh how we wish they made asiago schticks everyday. They're one of favourites.

We also grabbed a copy of The Cheese Board's book "The Cheese Board Collective Works". I've been meaning to get a copy for a while and today seemed like the best time to pick one up.

Here's Lola picking out and paying for our asiago schticks.

Mmm... asiago schticks

Bumps

In spite of my current illness, my little pregnant belly has recently popped out quite a bit. I'm now finally at the point where strangers are noticing that I'm pregnant. It's only taken 20 weeks!
Until recently (and by recently I mean this past weekend) friends kept telling me that I didn't look pregnant. To me however I thought my belly was pretty big. I'd look down and all I could see was a big round belly. But to others apparently it wasn't so noticeable.

20 weeks with my pregnant friend who is 2 weeks ahead

(Not so) happy birthday to me...

Today was my birthday and Memorial Day.

We had planned a nice day out heading up the coast to Humboldt Redwood State Park to drive through a few drive-through trees, visit a kitschy one log home and take in the majesty of the beautiful redwoods along Avenue of the Giants.

Instead I came down with a nasty gastric bug and, after much vomiting, spent the night and morning in hospital hooked up to an IV. Not really the day we had planned.

Hooked up to the IV

So much replacement fluid

I'm pleased to say that after all that fluid, pain killers, anti nausea medication and not-what was pumped into my veins I'm feeling much better. Still very tired and not really able to eat, but much better than last night. 

Not really the bracelet I wanted for my birthday!

We'll just have to go for that birthday adventure in a few weeks' time instead.

BAM Runathon 2013

This week Ava's school, Berkeley Arts Magnet (or BAM for short) has been holding a runathon to raise much needed funds.

Each class in the school has been taking part in the runathon during their regular PE class. Ava's class took part in the runathon on Tuesday and I was there with my trusty camera to get some action shots.

Ava's class with their runathon certificates

Could there be anything cuter?

Is it possible for there to be anything cuter than three little friends having fun together on a sunny day?

I think not!

Throw in a fun location like Oakland Zoo and you've got yourself a cuteness overload!

Just have a look at how much fun Lola and her little friends had at the zoo today.

What could be cuter than walking hand in hand?

Maker Faire 2013

On Sunday we headed down south to San Mateo for Bay Area Maker Faire 2013.

What an amazing festival! This was out first Maker Faire and based on how much fun we had it certainly won't be our last.

There were so many fun exhibits to keep us busy: robots, crazy bikes, 3D printers, a giant hydraulic hand, electronic musical instruments, light shows, an inflatable forest, innovative new toys and loads of things that shot out flames. So many flames!

This Way?

My Little Triathlete

I'm a proud Mummy today!

Well, I'm always proud of my kids but today I'm extra proud of Ava.

Ava competed in her first ever triathlon this morning and I'm so proud to say that she came in second place for her age group. Way to go Ava! What a fantastic result.

Our little winner

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

The second Tuesday of each month is free entry day at San Francisco Botanical Gardens. Yesterday just happened to be that day so after dropping Ava off at school in the morning Lola and I hopped on the train and headed into the city with some friends for a few hours amongst the flowers.  

So much green

Mother's Day Cards 2013

It's Mother's Day again. And that means Mother's Day cards...

Lately the girls and I have been taking lots of photos with the hearts in San Francisco's Union Square. This gave me an idea for a cheesy Mother's Day card. Much like our Valentine's Day cards, I like my Mother's Day and Father's Day cards to be just a little cheesy. Not sappy or overly lovely-dovey, just a little bit cheesy - in a cute way.

We love Nanna!

Bike to School Day

Today is Bike to School / Bike to Work Day.

Ava loves riding her bike to school but she usually rides her scooter instead as it's much easier for me to keep up with her as I push Lola in her stroller. Today we decided that both girls could ride their bikes to school (while I ran along side!) to celebrate Bike to School Day.

Here's a look at Ava and Lola riding their bikes to school.   

Ready to ride as we leave our building

1, 2, 3...

Time for a little news...

Ok, so it's actually pretty big news but it involves a very little person.

In just over five months time our little family of four will become a family of five.

That's right, baby number three will be joining the Mason family in October!

1, 2, 3...

Ava and Lola are pretty excited that they are going to be big sisters - or a big, big sister in Ava's case. 

Both girls have been coming up with names for their little sibling (some good, some not so good) our favourite of which is Lola's suggestion of Mr Pops! A nice gender neutral name ;)

Lola has decided that she too has a baby in her belly; a baby also called Mr Pops. Wow, is that going to be confusing having two kids called Mr Pops in the family!

So now that my news is out you can expect to see a few pregnancy and baby related posts coming up in the future - when I'm not feeling overly exhausted that is!

And now that everyone knows I can finally quit sucking my belly in all the time! And, breath...