Soggy + Soccer = Sogger

There's a special place in Heaven for soccer moms...

Bend It Like Wynham

Jack saw this picture and said:

"Wynham, Wynham, he's our man;

if he can't do it, no one can!"

and Claire said:

"Hey, whatever happened to those pom-pons, anyway?"

and Chloé said:

"I'm going to make chocolate chip cookies."

and Wynham said:

"Mom! There's not even a BALL in the picture!"

Ya win some, ya lose some.

I simply like this photo for all

the possibilities just beyond the frame, and

the way Wynham is running up to greet them...

Strummin'

There are many other snapshots of Thanksgiving I could have posted (potatoes being mashed, rolls baking in the oven, raised glasses, smiling faces), but this (unlikely) quiet moment caught my eye. I love the light, and Wynham's earnest contemplation in the midst of the surrounding chaos. Just a simple pleasure for which I am thoroughly grateful...

Whatchoo Lookin' At?

He's a hoot...!

Angels and Demons

Even in an acolyte's garb, Wynham is challenged to keep a straight face...

In His Element

Wynham is having the time of his life here, with every possible form of entertainment a teenage boy could dream up. It helps that Uncle Pepper is every bit as wild and crazy as he is, if not more so; the two of them get up to no good and I just look the other direction. If Wynham had his way, he'd probably just move in...

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!

An Apple a Day

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

they had a better time playing outside...

Bring on the Gravy

Wynham muscles a mean mash!

Love it!

The Best Gifts...

, ...aren't under the tree!

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!

Go Giants!

Redwood Frosh team won today! Yay!

Buzz Cuts for Boys

Keeping cool-headed this summer!

Three's a Crowd...

Wynham loves to crash a party...

Give the Dog a Bath

I don't think Louie enjoyed this experience, but the kids had a blast.

What not to do with the doggie dryer...

Coming of Age

So many rites of passage for Wynham this weekend! Today was his Confirmation at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, with the amazing Bishop Steven Charleston presiding. Even more pomp and circumstance than yesterday, and the clouds parted just for the occasion (photo slideshow here). All this "growing up" stuff knocked Wynham out: he was asleep in his bed three minutes after we got home this afternoon...

The Graduate

Wynham was looking quite handsome for his 8th Grade graduation ceremony, here with a proud granddad (who helped him a lot with his science this year). Lots of pomp and circumstance!

Later, the look was more casual as Wynham worked those disco moves on the dance floor at the afterparty. How his nice silk necktie ended up around his head, I don't want to know...

Boys' Day Out

Wynham's friend Dakota is spending the weekend with us, and since everyone else in the family already had plans, I packed the boys up and took them into the City for a day of fun. This included giant hamburgers at a greasy spoon, a couple of hours of ice skating, a matinee, a few rounds of virtual bowling, and $20 of tokens at the Metreon arcade. Now they're watching a movie at home, still going strong, but I can barely keep my eyes open. I hurt in places I didn't even know were there...

Smile and Say "Cheesecake"

Wynham wants cheesecake, Wynham gets cheesecake.
Happy Birthday!

Where There's Fire, There's Wynham

When the new youth pastor at our church asked Wynham to burn the palm fronds that would create the ashes for use in Ash Wednesday services, I must admit I felt a certain dubiousness about how that might play out. Anyone who knows Wynham knows that it's wise to stand back, waaaay back, when he has matches, a lighter, or any other fire-provoking implement in his hands. There's just that particular gleam in his eyes...

Everything seemed to go smoothly until the flames were about three feet high -- that's when he decided to jump over the fire for everyone's amusement. "OKAY, that's eNOUGH!" said the rector. Talk about being in the hot seat!