Silicon Valley Family

Saw Toy Story 5 at our very first opportunity, and it’s adorable! Well done, Pixar! A worthwhile addition to this amazing franchise. ☁️☁️

Be sure to stay alllll the way to the end of the credits for a second bonus scene!

For those who have seen it, how would you rank it among the other TS movies?

My little artichoke monster is home from camp, rested, showered, and ready to dig into the TEN artichokes I’ve harvested since she left on Sunday! Love her expression in the second pic — “I adore you, Meribel, but no WAY am I sharing my artichokes!” 😂😂

Curious: what’s your go-to artichoke cooking technique? I’ve always made them exactly the way my mom does — steamed upside-down, with some lemon to reduce browning and garlic for flavor — but with so many this summer, I’m open to trying something new!

Without a doubt, a huge silver lining of the pandemic era was the creation of car-free, pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining districts in cities around the Bay Area. Every time I visit one — Mountain View’s today, Sunnyvale’s last weekend — and see people outdoors eating, strolling in the street, shopping (especially at the local small businesses), or playing (I love all the games they put out — ping pong, mini golf, co****le, Connect 4, etc.), it makes me even more grateful for where we live, our diverse community, and the year-round gorgeous weather we are blessed with.

Aside from Mountain View (pictured here), Sunnyvale, San Pedro Square in SJ, and the final block of Santana Row, where else can I find car-free areas to eat, shop, and enjoy the sunshine? I’d love some recommendations for summer exploration!

City of Mountain View Sunnyvale Downtown

Is there anything more Californian than growing your own artichokes?? ☀️☀️ Take a look at these beauties coming out of our backyard — we’ve gotten eleven in the last two weeks. Mediterranean climate ftw!

It was so eye-opening to me, in my 10 years living on the East Coast, to learn that artichokes aren’t a staple elsewhere in the country — turns out that nearly 100% of the nation’s supply comes from CA. I ate them weekly growing up, but my husband (from NC) had never even SEEN a fresh one before coming to visit me here. Things you take for granted when you’re lucky enough to live in the Golden State!

‘Tis the season of spontaneous popsicle purchases! ☀️☀️I’ve never tried before and dang, they’re delicious. (Not a sponsored post — just a satisfied customer. 😉) What are your go-to, not TOO unhealthy, summer day treats? The kids say I need to broaden my dessert horizons!

P.S. If you remember this song from childhood, you are my people.

☀️

Perfect spontaneous Sunday in Santa Cruz! We only had two concrete plans when we set out — visit the sea lion pups on the wharf and enjoy a treat from — but everything else was up in the air. Here’s how it played out:

🚗 Parked (for the first time) in the “$5 all day” lot on Washington behind the soccer field. Verdict: Awesome deal, only .4 mi. from the beach and $20 cheaper than parking in Boardwalk lot. Pay via CC or app.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Happened to arrive just in time for the Santa Cruz Pride parade. Walked downtown to enjoy it — so much fun! Happy Pride to all!

🦭Headed to to visit the sea lions. Like I say in one of these clips, I could watch their hilarious antics and adorable pups ALL DAY. Best viewing spots are next to the kayak rental shack (open the metal gate and walk down to the platform), the public landing (look for the sign), and the pilings that stick out across from Marini’s.

🍽️ Grabbed lunch from the counter at — shrimp cocktail, DELICIOUS smoked salmon chunks, fish & chips, clam chowder. Not cheap but so good!

🍺Brought our food to the beer garden just down the wharf and grabbed a picnic table and two of our favorite Socks and Sandals foggy IPAs from Humble Sea. Yum!

🦈Visited the FREE Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, located at the roundabout near the foot of the wharf (steps from Main Beach/Boardwalk). Such a great, under-the-radar find! Practically empty on a PACKED beach day, cool and relaxing, with interesting (to both kids and parents) hands-on exhibits, a theater (with comfy chairs!) showing short films about the Bay, friendly volunteers, and clean restrooms! A nice break from the sun. (If I were an overheated mom with a baby, that theater would be my sanctuary.) Make a donation to support their great exhibits!

🍦Last but not least, ice cream at (across from Main Beach), which has an outpost of Penny Ice Creamery. The Brown Butter Spiced Pecan, Chamomile Apricot, and Very Berry were out of this world.

Five hours, a slew of adventures, great food, and a $5 parking space. Perfect Santa Cruz day!

We have a graduate!! 🎓🎓 Congratulations to “the teenager formerly known as Toddler X” (for those of you who have been here with me since 2013 😉) and the rest of our 8th Grade class (most of whom I’ve known since they were four years old — how time does fly!). I am so proud of you, and of all the other young people in Silicon Valley who have celebrated an educational milestone this spring. Whether it be moving on from kindergarten, 5th Grade, 8th Grade, high school, college, or beyond, every single promotion marks an important achievement. Way to go!

I’m feeling all sorts of emotions right now alongside my pride. This kiddo has been at the same school for ten years now, and for the last five, both of my kids have been there together — nestled safely, four minutes from my house, in a place where I know EVERYONE. Every day when I’d pick them up and load them into the car, I felt like a mama duck corralling my flock of ducklings back together — we’d all be in one place, and my heart would be complete. Next year, the kids will be at two different schools, a 20 min drive apart, and the freshman class will be bigger than the entirety of their elementary/middle school. Every day my heart will be split between two distant campuses and that feels scary and overwhelming sometimes.

And it’ll mean A LOT more time in the car! 😳

Nonetheless, the overwhelming feelings I’m experiencing right now are JOY and ANTICIPATION and CURIOSITY as to what is to come. To my sweet and brilliant firstborn, I can’t wait to watch you grow and learn in the next four years and beyond. You are my sunshine and my joy and exactly the child I was meant to have.

Now let the summer adventures (and the late teenage wake-up times) begin!!

Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. tonight or postmarked by today. Santa Clara County residents can return their ballots at any official ballot drop box, any Vote Center, or at the Registrar of Voters’ Office (1555 Berger Dr, Bldg 2, SJ). You can also authorize someone to drop your ballot off for you by filling out the section of the envelope. And, of course, you can always vote in person.

Please make your voice heard, California.