Pizza Makers

Pizza Makers
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Nothing could be more fun that making your own pizza. This was a great party trick involving Pillsbury biscuits and bowls full of ingredients. However, the real trick was getting the pepperoni onto the pizza. Mysteriously, it kept getting ingested prior to assembly.

Practicing Bedside Manner

Practicing Bedside Manner
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen gives Naomi a quick check-up to make sure she's o.k. After all, it's important for the birthday girl to be in tip-top shape. We've definitely moved beyond side-by-side play. Or have we?

Mermaids at Montalvo

Mermaids at Montalvo
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We saw a kids production of "The Little Mermaid" at Montalvo today, and lo and behold if we didn't see our own mermaid on the way back to the car.

This was one of those rare days where Helen didn't take a nap, but she still managed to make it through the performance, albeit more wiggly than usual. During a quiet part of the show Helen announced to the theater that we didn't need to take her to the restroom because she was wearing a pull-up.... Busted! Even though she has been potty-trained for months now, we are still creatures of convenience. Guess who needs more training?

3 years old. 30 pounds. 36 inches.

3 years old. 30 pounds. 36 inches.
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We saw the real Dr. B today. Helen brought her doctor kit and listened to Dr. B's heartbeat, checked her ears, and was generally very cooperative -- except for any procedure that involved Helen. So much for our preparation. When shot time rolled around, they had to call in reinforcements to hold Helen down.

We did manage to find out (in spite of Helen's unwillingness to stand on the scale, or to be measured) that she is solidly in the 50% category for weight and height at an even 30 pounds and 36 inches. Average? Not in the categories of "feisty", "cute" or "lovable-in-spite-of-it-all".

By the way, this photo shows Dr. B pleading with Helen to open her mouth so she could look inside. She even resorted to whipping out a flashlight as an enticement. This prompted Helen to inform Dr. Barsky that "flashlights are for night-time." Silly doctor!

Pom Poms

Pom Poms
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen gives a cheer for the King City Mustangs who played Mercy High School in San Francisco for the CCS Playoffs. Unfortunately, KC lost in overtime, but it was an exciting game nevertheless. With Helen's grandpa being a veteren girls basketball coach, she might just get used to the smell and sounds of a high school gym. It sure brought back fond memories for me!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We had a sumptuous New Year’s meal (a couple days late) thanks to iron chefs, Chris and Connie. We had long noodles, dumplings, tofu and shrimp, mushrooms and greens, scallion cakes, and lychee sorbet for dessert. All we were missing was Tsingtao for the adults, but we called it a multi-cultural moment and made due with Corona.

San Francisco Daze

Yerba Buena Kids
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

How to honor one's founding fathers? We decided join the Nilson's for an overnight jaunt to San Francisco. At 8, 6, and 3 -- Grant, Elle, and Helen are all at the right age for enjoying the sights and sounds and hustle and bustle of big city density.

New Kids on the Block

New Kids on the Block
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We started at the Haight which has a more avant-guard arts sensibility... Dinner was at Kezar in Cole Valley, a friendly neighborhood pub with yummy food, but a decibel rating that exceded that of our children. The highlight of the evening for them was a toss-up between riding the muni, getting change at the local laundromat, and watching Dr. Doolittle in the "screening room" at Hotel Bijou.

Carousel Wave

Carousel Wave
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

For our beautiful Monday, we headed to Yerba Buena Gardens where they have a gorgeous restored carousel that dates back to 1906. (Although originally destined for San Francisco, the famous earthquake changed its course.)

Yerba Buena Slide

Yerba Buena Slide
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Less mechanical, but just as fun were the enormous slides.

Passed Out at MoMA

Passed Out at MoMA
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Then it was off to MoMA for a dash of modern art.

We made it through three floors before engine failure!

Dome Gazing

Dome Gazing
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Last but not least, Mama had to see the newly restored San Francico Centre, including the 102-foot-wide skylit dome. It was awe-inspiring -- just look at those faces!

Got a Monkey & Dog... Where's the Pig?

Got a Monkey & Dog... Where's the Pig?
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We almost had all of the last three lunar years represented...

Three is apparently the age during which swinging is finally o.k. with Helen. I thought I would never get to the day where she would demand "more" and "higher" in relationship to a swing.

Texture

Texture
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

It's Chinese New Year's Eve tonight -- and our family has never felt so right.

It's about texture, and touch. A big hug. A gentle squeeze. A flying leap. It's about layers -- the astounding array of emotions that range from sheer joy to frustration to beaming pride. It's about the long road ahead, and also what's behind.

It's about the journey and being on it together.

Helen Hits the Slopes

Helen Hits the Slopes
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Our second trip to Lake Tahoe with Helen had fantastic results. She is officially on skis, thanks in no small part to her friend Claire, who literally paved the way.

Ever conscious of what everyone else is doing, Helen wanted her own goggles, and was pushing hard for poles -- although I finally convinced her that keeping our retinas attached to our eye sockets is something worth preserving.

Hoola Hoop Harness

Hoola Hoop Harness
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The genius who came up with using a hoola hoop for a harness deserves a medal. This was even more impressive that the cool "magic carpet" that moves kids up the hill in a standing position like the people movers at the airport.

Tubing Adventure

Tubing Adventure
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

After Helen had enough of the bunny hill, it was on to more thrilling pursuits, like tubing! I still can't believe that she did this. Her remark after we hurtled down a much bigger hill than I realized was, "that was too fast". Yep. Oops.

Bite 'O Snowman

Bite 'O Snowman
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The rest of the day was filled with old fashioned winter activities, like making a snowman. Helen was quite disappointed that I didn't bring a carrot for the nose.

Gondola Red Riders

Gondola Red Riders
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The Gondola to and from the mid-mountain lodge is worth the trip itself. As we sailed through the snow-covered trees, we were very appreciative of the overnight storm that made this trip so memorable.

Diehard Toddler Skiers Brave the Storm

Diehard Toddler Skiers Brave the Storm
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Only the day before, we had rain & sleet, which didn't do much to add to the meager base. We joked that the only die-hard skiers that were willing to brave these conditions were the toddlers!

Air Hockey

Air Hockey
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Luckily, there were many fun things to do at the Alpine Meadows lodge. I think Helen may pursue a second career in Air Hockey. She loved hanging out in her cool new monkey snowboarding shirt from Aunt Steph.

Snowboarders are Cool

Snowboarders are Cool
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen can't wait until she can "be a snowboarder like Baba". We told her that she needs to learn how to ski first. But, at the rate she's going, it won't be long.

Doctor B

Doctor B
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Just who is Dr. B? Well, depending on the day, it could be Dr. Baker from "Curious George Goes to the Hospital" or, it could be Dr. Barsky, Helen's pediatrician. No matter which doctor she's impersonating, Helen is having lots of fun with this little kit that JaJa Margie sent for her birthday.

Perhaps her annual visit to the real Dr. B next week will be smoother than usual with all of this "practice". When we role-play getting a shot, our standard response is, "that didn't hurt!" How's that for positive thinking?

Ode to the Blow Dryer

Smooth and Silky
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

After almost two years of watching mama blow dry her hair every day, Helen was curious to try this noisy machine for herself. There is something soothing about its high-pitched whir... something comforting about the warmth that encircles the nape of the neck... something satisfying about the silkiness...

Needless to say, Helen likes it and has added this activity to our never-ending bedtime routine that also includes brushing her teeth in synch with her mandarin brush-your-teeth DVD, and reading no less than 10 stories. I've had to move up bedtime by an hour to accomodate the growing list.

Three Flames

Three Flames
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Three flames on the cake alight.
Three years old, so lovely. So bright.
What do you wish for on this day?
Peace and love?
A brand new bike?
We wish for happiness. We wish for fun.
We wish for contentment with each day done.
Each year you blossom.
Each year you grow.
We love you Helen.
We love you so.

Purple House Party

Party Table North View
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The Children's Discovery Museum offered us a great party place to celebrate Helen's birthday with her closest friends -- so many areas to explore, and a private room for pizza and cake. Another year of memories were inscribed on Helen's special birthday tablecloth.

City Hall Rocks

City Hall Rocks
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

There is no better way to spend a Ru birthday than to pal around with your Ru Family. The Press' arrived on Friday morning and we enjoyed a beautiful San Jose day together.

Birthday Dinner

Year of the Pig Shirts
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Chris made a yummy birthday dinner that we shared with Helen's tias y tios -- Miguel, Juan, Margaret, and Edith. In honor of the year of the pig, we filled our fajitas with shrimp, beef, and chicken.

Sharing a Cupcake with Candy

Sharing a Cupcake with Candy
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

In the first of three celebrations, Helen celebrated her third birthday with her daycare buddies. Each year we are more adept (we made the cupcakes and frosting from scratch this time) and each year we get misty thinking of her first birthday -- the one we missed, but also the day the fedex arrived that changed us all forever.