A Small Town in the SF Bay Area?

Here comes the Parade!

Petaluma is more like a Norman Rockwell painting than one would think in the urban sprawl of the San Francisco Bay Area.  The city prides itself in maintaining the traditions of a small town with parades and family friendly events. My mother-in-law lives in this happy little hamlet, and we regularly get calls asking  if she can have “her girly” for the night so they can attend this event or that.  A couple of weekends ago, was one of these occasions, as it was Petaluma’s 29^th Annual Butter and Egg Days celebration!

Lilah watching the parade sporting her Le Top Sweetheart Butterfly shirt and capri set plus sunhat.

At one time, Petaluma was known as the “Egg Basket to the World,” and it had a rich agricultural history as one of the premiere dairy regions in the country.  What a better way to celebrate than to dress the kids up as baby chicks hatching out of a giant egg or enter a Cow Chip Throwing Contest.  Yee ha!  With its large stock of historic buildings, Petaluma has been used as the filming location for numerous movies since the 1940s. Some of the most well known movies included American Graffiti (1973) and Pleasantville (1998) .  If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, I highly recommend you visit this quaint little town. I’m sure they’ll have an event happening whenever you stop by!

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Like Father, Like Daughter

My mother-in-law has always said that my daughter is the “spitting image” of my husband. I used to think she said that because she loves her son, and naturally sees him in Lilah. But after seeing “Mini-Me Fathers Day Contest” winners – Jaiden and her Dad’s picture – I started thinking that my husband and our daughter really do look alike.

Evolutionarily speaking, I’ve heard that most kids are “made” to look like the fathers in their first year of life. Fathers need that instantly recognizable connection so, in turn, they will protect their offspring. (Generally the maternal connection is made early on since mom has already had 10 months to bond with baby.) This may all be an old wives tale but then again, maybe not, because Lilah and her daddy are quite the dynamic duo… Wonder Twin powers – ACTIVATE!

Recently my mother-in-law sent me some photos of my husband at Lilah’s exact age (2 ½.) I realize now that she wasn’t exaggerating about how alike they look!

What do you think?

Father

Daughter

On the flip side, the older our daughters become the more they look (and act) like their moms … even if they didn’t when they were younger. Yes, for better or worse, we’re all turning into our mothers!  I attribute this to mom’s role as a model for their daughters’ gestures and characteristics.  Even if my little one doesn’t look like me (…yet) she definitely acts like me when she stands with her hands on her hips, or pretend-talks on the phone. I am happy to be an example for her, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I am a positive one. Trust me, I’ll know right away if I’m not, because… well, she’s my little mirror!

Do you find this to be true in your family?

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