Ham AND Cheese...

Rock Star for Rent

Possibly, the only thing more egregious than a teenager with attitude is a teenager who goes away to college and comes back with more attitude. Don't get me wrong, Chloé's a good kid getting good grades, and I'm proud of her and all that, but I think her sosie came home for the holidays. Gone is that helpful young lady who could be relied upon to put the dishes in the dishwasher and watch after her younger siblings, the one who never missed a curfew, who called when there was a change of plans, who could be counted on to clean up after herself.

She's been replaced by a somewhat unruly creature who's out all hours, leaves apple cores and underpants on the mantle, has a constant in-and-out stream of adoring fans, and seems to think there's room service 24/7 and perpetual housekeeping services at her disposal. I'm thinking, as her personal manager (every rock star needs one), I could cover the cost of all these amenities by setting up gigs for her, whereby she goes to someone else's house for 24-hour increments and impresses folks with her many talents. Just sayin'.

For any interested parties, please expect impromptu concerts any hour of the day or night, an incredible slowdown in your wireless network, an incredulous look if expectations aren't instantaneously met by the minions, and oh yes, you might want to install a revolving door. And an extra large-capacity water heater. And don't forget to stockpile enormous quantities of chocolate for regular care and feeding of the rock star. You've been warned...

Coco! I love you! *mwah*

In Other Words

The senior advanced theater class put on an amazing performance at CellSpace in the city. They wrote the show themselves and I have to say it's the best production I've seen in a long time. Chloe sang a couple of original pieces and she continues to astound...

She's Eighteen for a Moment

Just can't believe it...!

Belting it Out

Chloe steals the show at
the Night of Blues...

Athena Adorned

At the very last minute (what a surprise), Chloe demanded a crown to embellish her Halloween appearance as the goddess Athena. Lucky for her, it was my night in the metalsmithing studio...

Song Sung Blue

Cabaret at Redwood Theater.
Not a dry eye in the house when
Chloe sings a song sung blue...

Blasting Off

We took off Monday and haven't slowed down yet: breakfast in California, lunch in Georgia, snacks in Tennessee, and dinner in Alabama, where we've landed for a brief respite. Grandfather treated us to a visit to the Space and Rocket Center, and everyone seemed impressed by what they saw; Jack hasn't stopped talking about the Hubble telescope all day!

Higher!

With the age range of all the kids, it's rare to find them having a really good time at the same time doing the same thing... but who can resist the lure of a swingset?

Le PROM!

Coco and her friends Amandine and Allegra were adorable to watch as they excitedly primped for the prom tonight. Emilien and Jean-Pierre arrived looking quite dashing -- such a charming group! My heart pinched only a tiny bit as I watched them drive off into the sunset...

Capturing a Thousand Words

By Chloe Guillemot

I often laugh at my mom

For taking so many pictures.

She says I will thank her later.

Once, she took a picture

Of Claire and me

Down at Kirby Cove.

But she did more than take a picture –

She captured a single moment in time;

She captured a thousand words.

Behind our frozen faces

Full of sunshine,

The Golden Gate took up the blue sky.

Further on still,

The tall San Francisco skyscrapers

Sprang up from the ground like flowers.

The blue bay, an upside down sky,

Was still and undisturbed. Quiet.

Free of boats and sailors.

The cables between the two towers

Of the Golden Gate dipped into a smile,

Reflecting Claire’s smile and mine.

The rays of sun brought light

To everything that it touched,

A golden aura filled the air.

I try not to laugh now

When my mom takes a picture

To capture a single moment in time.

Instead, I look for colors and light,

Smiles and sun, life and more life.

I search for a thousands words.

Step Lively

For her birthday, Chloe requested tickets the San Francisco Ballet's production of The Little Mermaid. It was a gorgeous production and she and her friend Alex seemed to truly enjoy the show, but I have to admit, I actually preferred the dinner afterwards at Jardinière...

Seventeen Again

How did I get to be the mother of a seventeen-year-old? She's been counting the days for months, and we celebrated with a lunch at Left Bank, one of her favorite spots to eat. I have to say, for as grown up as she is now, she's still a kid when the dessert comes. I hope that never changes...

An Apple a Day

Took the kids to the De Young to see the King Tut exhibit;

they had a better time playing outside...

The Best Gifts...

, ...aren't under the tree!

There's a Song in Her Heart

Stage presence. Wow.

Practice Makes Perfect

After a long hiatus, the kids are headed back into the big blue over the winter holidays. So, everybody into the pool! I joined them in solidarity, and also to make sure a certain someone was paying attention... Feels good to get neutrally buoyant!

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...

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...

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...!