Yee Haw!

Generally, I'm not a big fan of Halloween. I think it's scary, especially the part where the kids go all crazy on sugar... But I got a big kick out of our neighbor in her pink cowboy hat, bow and all. She and Claire made quite a pair; I mean, what are the chances?

Cheesy

Okay, I admit it: I occasionally feed my children -- gasp! -- a fast food cheeseburger. But as fast food goes, In-n-Out gets points for simplicity and quality. Going there is a rare enough happening that the kids actually consider it a big treat. And it's obvious that they really enjoy it and have fun...

Out of the Shadows

Claire and Jack had a blast playing with their new shadow puppet theater this evening. The concept is so simple, and I love hands-on, involved entertainment. The stories they made up were so creative, and they entertained themselves, and the rest of us, for a good long time. It just proves that it doesn't take much to have a happy childhood, no matter how old you are...

Swingin'

Claire participates in a musical group called the Lunch Bunch, a handful of kids who give up their lunch break a couple of times a week to make music together. Their hard work this fall culminated in a Gypsy Jazz concert (they all dressed the part), where they sang a song set to the tune of a piece by Django Reinhardt. It was a magical evening in the cozy setting of Old St. Hilary's...

Coming Home

A passel of teenaged girls primping for the Homecoming Dance. You can only imagine the noise level. But as someone once reminded me: if your kids hang out at someone else's house, you're lucky; if they hang out at your house, you're blessed...

Mother of the Lake

A lovely day, bitter and sweet;

remembering my mother on her birthday.

Slideshow here.

Unexpected Pleasures

Chloe and I were delighted, on our first trip to the "new" Academy of Sciences, to discover that it now houses a chic restaurant called the Moss Room. Elegant without being over the top. Delicious. A charming respite for two hungry explorers. The museum was great, too...!

Blue Angels, Grey Skies

Ominous and Beautiful...

Shaken AND Stirred...

Claire gets artistic with the iPhone while I get dinner on the table...

Could You, Would You?

I love the notion that you can take it with you, whatever "it" might be. Maybe I'm suffering from a midlife crisis thing, but I've been seriously itching to pack my carry-on and hit the road. Or the tracks. Or the oceans. Or the skies. Not a highly practical notion, but at the very least, no one can deprive me of my armchair travels...

Go Giants!

Redwood Frosh team won today! Yay!