Dragon Wall Art

Helen in Chinatown

This photo does a pretty good job of capturing Helen’s summer growth spurt. I’m pretty sure that someone came in the house one night and replaced our little girl with a much taller version. While her shoe size hasn’t changed since last year, she’s certainly sprouted up, and is looking much more mature. She had her first “birthday slumber party” this weekend, and oh my... she came home ultra cranky from lack of sleep, and totally smug that she had managed to see a Harry Potter movie. Look out world.

Rowen's Red Egg & Ginger Party

Rowen's Red Egg & Ginger Party, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Rowen, the littlest Leary, had her Red Egg and Ginger party on Saturday, following her big brother Liam’s baptism the night before. (Chris is Liam’s godfather.)

After having gazed at back of the “Empress of China” restaurant from the Chinese New Year parade the last two years, it was fun to finally inhabit their 5th floor banquet room for this special occasion. Rowen was all smiles as she made the rounds with her adoring friends and relatives.

Daisy End of the Year Picnic 2011

Daisy Play Structure, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

While Liam was being baptized, Helen and I enjoyed the Daisy end of the year picnic at John D. Morgan Park. Helen, who is hanging from the wall on the right, was one of many Daisies who played their hearts out until dusk on one of the longest days of the year.

Sand Box Buddies

Sand Box Daisy Friends, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Helen and Cassidy have really been enjoying each other’s company this summer. Something about being school friends since age 3 gives them great ease together. They’ve been swimming up a storm, practicing their Odori dance, and looking forward to more scouting adventures.

Return to the FCC Campout

After a 2-year hiatus, it was back to Olema for the annual FCC Campout. This is such a great Father’s Day weekend event, and how fun it was to do it in company with 40 other adoptive families. Per tradition, we shared a campsite with the McNab’s, and tried to “out-gourmet” each other in the food department.

Making Friends with Marshmallows

Outer-Loop Roasters, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

In addition to reconnecting with families we know, we always meet new families too. Ian and Zoe live in SF, and it was wonderful getting to know their fabulous parents while the kids became fast friends over important bonding activities like s’more-making.

West Marin Walking Team

Walking Team to Pt. Reyes Station, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Because we spent two nights at the campground, we had time to do some exploring, including a 2-mile walk into Pt. Reyes Station. John provided presidential trivia to keep those little legs moving, and I provided the ice cream bribe. West Marin is simply beyond beautiful.

Rock Ripples

Rock Ripples in Olema, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Back at the campsite, the kids did the kind of romping, exploring, and rock throwing that happened in childhoods past.

Night Rider

Night Rider, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

And, Helen was the most recent of a long line of FCC Campers who truly became two-wheel proficient on the circular dirt road connecting our campsites. While she’s been riding her bike sans training wheels for a while now, Helen made the transition from wobbly, to speed-demon. She spent all her spare moments peddling furiously – even after the sun went down (thanks to my headlamp!)

40 Families Strong

FCC Campout 2011, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

While other years have been better attended, there was a strong showing, and kids ranged in age from 2 to teenagers. A Saturday-night barbecue allowed us all to dine together without having to wash dishes afterwards.

Hiking: With Various Degrees of Enthusiasm

We are 7, and unenthused about hiking (except Kate), a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

On our way out of town, we managed to get Helen, Claire and Kate to hike another two miles out to the bay. This trail through the pasture was gorgeous, and did eventually take us to the water after passing through an incredible wildflower, and poison oak spread.

Father's Day Dinner at Howie's

Father's Day Dinner at Howie's, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

After all that hiking, and poison oak dodging, we earned a lovely gourmet pizza dinner at Howie’s. Could there be a cuter Father/Daughter photo on the planet?

Oma and the Artiste

Oma and the Artiste, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Oma brought summer to California, and her own special warm rays for us and for Helen. She got to see Helen wind up 1st grade, CYS Dance, and Dharma school. Helen sang “What a Wonderful World” at 8th grade graduation, and had yet one more dance performance at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple. The weather was so nice that most of the weekend was spent enjoying the yard. Good thing we were mellow, because Helen came down with the flu on Monday and ended up being sick for the first days of summer camp. Thank goodness Nurse Oma was here to tend to our sick little bug.

Hooway for Wodney Wat!

Helen also had her last after school drama performance. She wowed us with an outstanding performance in “Hooway for Wodney Rat” as Camilla Capybara, a rodent bully who throws her weight around, along with her smarts, to get her own way. This is truly the only time I’ve seen Helen be mean to other kids, and she did seem to relish the role, and the permission to be snotty!

Kite Day Sand Play

Kite day was a bittersweet bridge between first and second grade. You don’t want to feel like you’ve peaked at grade one, but Mrs. Crotty is one of those amazing teachers that you remember for a lifetime. The kids actually love that she’s “picky” and fall all over themselves to please her, and to push themselves to new heights. They were encouraged all year to make big mistakes, and to learn with abandon. Helen tells us all the time how much she LOVES school, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Vanessa's Baptism

Just a couple of years ago we gathered in St. Joseph’s for Edith and Jerrod’s wedding. On Saturday, we gathered again for baby Vanessa’s baptism. The scores of family and friends that were assembled to celebrate this occasion are an overwhelming indication of how special this family is, and the warmth and love that surrounds this beautiful child.

Daisy Troopers Ready to Bridge

Say goodbye to the turquoise tunics – it’s Brownie time. Helen’s Daisy Troop did a final group photo in their Daisy duds before “bridging” to the next level of scouting. Helen is seated on right with the tropical yellow glasses.

Beach Girl Brownies

In additional to taking an official oath, various troops provided entertainment, all with a beach theme (which, unfortunately, didn’t mitigate the wintery weather outside). Our girls sang “I wish we call could be Brownie, Brownie Girls” to the beach boys favorite, which included a funny interlude where Helen delivered the line, “I thought that Brownies were something you eat...”

Kids Sunday at the Quilt Museum

This weekend we finally made it to the Quilt Museum for the once a month kid’s craft. The "H" Crew, Helen and Haley, learned how to do slinter bracelets with 3, 4, and 5 strands. The 4-strands were the hardest, but the 5-strand required a lot of dexterity.

They both exhibited great concentration, and stuck with it even though it was hard for them at the beginning. Eventually they figured out how to hold the string taut and how to interweave their fingers. They also enjoyed seeing the artwork on display. Two things caught their attention – a maternity dress made out of cigarette butts (no hidden message there) and a 60-foot long scarf made out of pill squares stiched together. That piece apparently represents the number of pills you will take in your lifetime.

Oreo Milkshake "Cheers"

After making bracelets, we treated ourselves to a yummy lunch at Johnny Rockets where Oreo Milk Shakes were the big hit. Didn’t the choices used to be chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla?

Helen's 2nd Piano Recital

Helen's 2nd Piano Recital, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

At Helen’s first piano recital, she had only been playing a short time, so last week’s recital was a good chance to see her progress. Despite her sporadic practice, she played her two pieces very nicely. I can’t say I practiced any more when I was a kid.

Lately I’ve heard a few notes of me channeling through Helen that will make me revise some of my phraseology going forward. For example, the other night Helen came up to me and asked, “Mom, are you available for a hug at 5:30?” (Why yes – in fact, I’m available right now!) And, just as disturbing, when asked to make her bed one morning she replied in total seriousness, “I can’t this morning, I’m too busy.” Hmmm... might as well have said, “right back at ‘ya mom!”