The Giving Tree 2008

The Giving Tree 2008
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The community tree is lit, and so begins the holiday season in earnest. After the big tree was illuminated, we saw "Bolt" a fun little flick that Helen loved. It was the first time I can remember her reacting in real time to both the humor and the sad parts with belly laughs and tears. These are the things that make us realize how quickly she is maturing.

Turkey Trot 2008

Turkey Trot 2008
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

What a fulfilling day, with an emphasis on the "filling". Started with the Turkey Trot -- a tradition we picked up 2 years ago. Helen & Baba ran/pushed the 5k while I ran the 10k. Dinner was at Derek and Oshi's. They provided an excellent venue complete with older kids to entertain. Helen had so much fun, she even found it hard to eat her pie in a single sitting. Thankful does not begin to describe how we feel at the end of the day. Salud!

Big Bike with Great Uncle Joe

Big Bike with Great Uncle Joe
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Not all bikes are created equal -- a little something Helen learned while visiting the Citrus Heights crowd this weekend. She was actually quite happy to ride her little bike to visit the ducks by the lake.

Full Gallop

Full Gallop
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

It's so cool that Helen motors herself now.
Our stroller days may actually be over.
Go Helen Go!

Helping GiGi Rake the Bocce Ball Court

Helping GiGi Rake the Bocce Ball Court
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

As if it wasn't enough to roll down the grassy hill many times over, Helen also helped GiGi rake the bocce ball courts. GiGi couldn't believe that she could maneuver the big heavy rake around to clear the regulation sized court, and we can't believe that Helen's great grandmother is still learning new sports! Cool.

On our way to Wonderland

On our way to Wonderland
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We also saw Alice in Wonderland this weekend. It has inspired a few tea parties and some fun Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum reenactments. Particularly exciting was seeing Grant Nilson perform as the Four of Clubs -- what a card!

Presenting Helen, In Disguise

Presenting Helen, In Disguise
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen loves a good disguise. She loves to hide, and she loves to be found. She loves discover things that she didn't know before. She loves to pretend that she is someone else, trying out various "professions" -- comedian, musician, magician, actress, doctor, dancer, and cook. She loves to play... and especially, to be silly.

Another Day, Another Promotion

Another Day, Another Promotion
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Now that Helen has had her first promotion in Judo, she will regularly earn stripes or, degrees in the various belts as she progresses through the program. Here she is posing with some of her Lotus friends in her class.

Water Music

Water Music
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Encore for the one-girl band! We'd really like an encore for the whole weekend -- it was 90 today in our backyard in the middle of November.

Running Board

Running Board
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

As long as I'm in the minority of people who have Veteran's Day off, I figured the least we could do was attend the parade. Somehow it felt better knowing that the next administration will approach world conflicts in a different way. Anyhow, Helen and I had a great day together. She was charming all day long, and then later at dinner, managed to charm the manager at Su Hong's so much that he sent her home with a huge bag stuffed to the brim with fortune cookies. Some days, good feelings and fortune really do runneth over.

By today, fortune had run out, and our charmer had turned sassy. "Mama, what does sassy mean?" This is a tough word to translate for a 4-year-old... My first try was "irreverent" which didn't translate at all. 2nd try: "It means a little bit disrespectful." (silence) "Oh" she said. "I get it now." Our "teachable" moments seem to be multiplying these days. It makes for very rewarding and very exhausting parenting.

Soft Landing

Soft Landing
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

A soft landing. That pretty much sums up our weekend. Besides a birthday party, and Mandarin class, we stayed close to home. We caught up on chores, on sleep, and on family time. Most importantly, we figured out how to turn on the pilot light of our furnace. Looks like I may thaw out by Monday.

VOTE!

VOTE!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

A simple message for complicated times.
We "early voted" as a family on Sunday.
It was an 1.5 hour process, and required an umbrella.
It was also efficient, and inspirational.
I've heard that the number one factor in whether your child becomes a "life-long reader" is whether they see you reading. I hope it works the same way for voting.
So -- Vote Here. Vote There. Vote Anywhere. But most importantly...
VOTE!

Mission Family 2008

Mission Family 2008
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Back to San Antonio Mission for another fabulous wine tasting event. Great wine, great food, great company. With this kind of setting, the event works at any age.
As rain doused the beautiful courtyard garden, we meandered through the corridors and alcoves, enjoying the feel of Fall.

Mission Family 2005

Mission Family
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We went to this same event in 2005.
It was much smaller then, and so was Helen.

Tamales Con Mi Abuela

Tamales Con Mi Abuela
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen really preferred that we leave her at Grandma and Grandpa's house instead of heading home at the end of the evening. Can't blame her. We left with new books, an apple pie, and a beautiful quilt. Just imagine the bounty with an extended stay.