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Wednesday 13 December 2006
	While not actually torrential, the falling rain is dominating our attention. There's been some flooding (at the usual location, those with poorly-draining storm drains) but nothing more than somewhat inconvenient. In doing our chores we notice the brand new palm tree planters at the Castro Safeway. These are all Canary Island palms, although I suspect they're grown locally. (There was a recent article about date palms, showing lots of different species being raised in the California desert.) It's time for Isaac to get new shoes; replacements for the supposedly waterproof Geox brand we picked up a month ago. The first saleslady doesn't mesh well with Isaac, but the second one enlists his aid in moving shoes around, picking colors and styles, and all goes very well. Hey, we're over at the in-laws, celebrating the first day of Chanukah; see the menorah? Marion asked for a portrait of the "team" but it looks like a collection of people closing their eyes at an inopportune moment. (Sadly, this was the best of the photos.)
Tuesday 12 December 2006
	Dziadziu swings by the dojang to see us enjoying Hapkido. It's really great having grandfather so near-by; the kids get a blast by having him frequently in their lives.
Monday 11 December 2006
	It's a cold and wet Monday evening, and I'm spending it at our elementary school's student site council meeting. From left: Ted, Sondra, Principal Villem Vroegh, Anna, --, and Kim.
Sunday 10 December 2006
	Woo-hoo, happy birthday cousin Ziggy! Here's Lila, Felicia, Adam, and Ziggy at the Berkeley Ice Skating arena. The kids (and adults) love it! What a cool - pardon the pun - idea! Here I am bringing the cake to Ziggy, who is already preparing to blow the flames right off the candles. Later in the day we head out to Fort Mason with another set of cousins: Here's Lila with uncle Neil and cousin Jessica. Diaper time. This was for a theatre production for kids, during which photography wasn't allowed. Coincidentally, today is the day we're celebrating Isaac's birthday. Usually this happens at our house, but this year Isaac wanted to host an evening at In-n-Out Burgers and Krispy Kreme, in Daly City. So here we are with auntie Pamela, my god-children Kaeli and Natalie (and parents Kevin and Wendy), and cousins Jessica and Matthew, and Zadie Leonard and Bubbie Marion. We get the big, circular table at Krispy Kreme. The lighted signs show that hot glazed donuts are being made. They taste best right off the assembly line; just a few minutes later they're just not as good. Opening presents... the best part of the party, says Isaac. Isaac takes great delight in reading through all the cards, handwriting and all. A dragon-shaped piggy pank! Yea! In addition to the glazed donut handed to us as we walked by the plate glass window overlooking the automated donut factory each kid got to pick a decorated donut. The rainbow '8' birthday candle is about to be lit. Ahhh; I get to take a break to enjoy a custard-filled chocolate glazed donut. Isaac made sure all adults don a hat. One of Isaac's presents is a junior ranger utility belt complete with walkie-talkie slash public address system. Now in use! Lila rides Kaeli, perhaps her favorite person in the whole world. The other god-child, Natalie. Isaac with Kaeli, outside.
Saturday 8 December 2006
	We're back at martial play, with Alex Vanderburgh Sensei. Here Isaac is doing an inside block. Lila is intently watching Alex as she begins a high block (a moment too late, I suspect). There's an exercise where the kids pick up balls scattered all over the floor - each with an emotion written on them - and place them into one of a dozen or so white cans. Afterwords, Isaac celebrated by adding himself to the can. At the end of the session, after we help Alex pack up all his things, the kids want to "make a sandwich" as Alex is getting dressed. In the evening we unexpectedly lose the kids to the in-laws. We run downtown to Espetus, a Brazilian steakhouse. It's one of our favorites.