Sunday, August 28, 2011

I am a rock, I am an island......

I learned something relatively unimportant about myself the week of my San Francisco trip. I will do anything alone, but very little with kids. Alone, I am fearless, adventurous even, but with kids, I am weary, afraid and trepidatious.

While I was in San Francisco I went to The Ferry Building, Little Italy, China Town, all through the Financial District, the Mission District, in about a dozen cafes, through a museum, to Sausalito, to a movie, and to lunch by myself and loved every minute of it. There was one moment of the day when I thought, "I haven't even heard my own voice for over 4 hours.... this nice"

I was like this when I lived in New York too, I went everywhere alone! My roommate worked the night shift, I worked the day shift, so I did most things by myself. I went to Wall Street, Rockefeller Center, Broadway, Time Square, and took the train and bus up to Boston and cruised around Boston mostly by myself too. I am totally in my comfort zone doing this.

But, when it comes to kids I am a complete looser. If someone gave me free tickets to OMSI I'd probably have to pass unless I had a sister or a very close friend to accompany me and even then the timing would have to be perfect, my kids would have to be on their best behavior and all the stars would have to align for me to work up the nerve to do this.

My only explanation for this is that kids stress me out more than most things, the running around, trying to keep them contained, constantly counting heads to make sure no one has been kid napped or run off, my stress level is at a 10 when I take kids to most things, but walking alone through NYC at night even around homeless people and crack whores doesn't even phase me. (Sorry I said whores on my blog)


Which leads me to my next point, I LOVE Moms that can take their kids to do things and actually enjoy doing it. I wish I was blessed with this gift. I have found a few blogs this summer and they blog about all the cool things they take their kids to do, like bike across the Brooklyn Bridge, go to Washington Park, go to Lagoon in Utah, go to the Beach, when I go the the beach all I'm thinking about is which kid is going to go under and out first. I really admire strong Moms, I wish I was a little stronger. Just a few of the things I enjoyed alone in San Francisco
(my favorite breakfast, chocolate banana cream pie with a gingerbread cupcake)









The Ferry

Building


Tartine Bakery,

I was hoping to get some eclairs, but they sold out, so I got a piece of chocolate cake instead, but it did inspire me to come home and teach myself to make my own eclairs,

they were a success if I do say so myself.










Mission Pie,



they say pie is gaining in popularity when compared cupcakes, I can see why.






I couldn't decide, I got peach and banana cream.



















































I'll say it, Fisherman's Warf is the most overrated thing in San Francisco, way to touristy.








The best candy shop in Little Italy
































3 comments:

Nate and Rachael's Family said...

You are a such a food maniac! I love it! I still really like a good Red Robin burger - seriously hard to beat. I think I've lost my sweet tooth - thanks or no thanks to my super diet! I'd rather eat cottage cheese than ice cream most of the time - what the heck!??

You are a strong momma! Your kids are happy, well fed, creative, kind and active thanks to you! Don't you forget it! The worry goes away with exposure to new things with kids - it takes doing it. Let's plan an adventure sometime!!! I'm thankful for my no worry personality and it might be contagious so be careful hanging out with me!

Jennifer said...

I feel exactly the same way you do about doing stuff with kids. For a long time, I thought it was just me, and I kind of beat myself up about it. It's better now that they're older, obviously, but I was never one of those moms where if my friend said, "I have free tickets to OMSI; do you want to go this afternoon?" I could do it. I literally had to schedule it for another day (tomorrow, next week) so that I could gear up for it. I felt guilty for a long time, but I've come to the conclusion that everybody has gifts and talents, and that's not one of mine. Kids are VERY stressful for me. That's why I can't compare myself and feel guilty for having "only" 3 kids. Because 3 for me is equal to 12 for someone else. And I'm maxxed out. And that's okay. Knowing your limits is better than not knowing your limits!

I LOVE seeing all the pictures from San Fransisco. I know I say this every time, but I love that place! I love all the food you enjoyed, too, and just the city, buildings, blue sky, etc. Love that place.

Maggie said...

I identify quite well with these sentiments. I have a recurring dream I am back in London strolling the streets and sites all alone. Pure bliss. I kinda wish I could tag along and ruin your solo bliss though cause San Fran looks amazing.