Here come the holidays, whoooo!! whoooooo!!

All righty! Well, I think I have us signed up for almost every holiday event out there. Here are a few photos of the Christmas tree lighting in Tiburon and the Santa Claus Express Train (aka the Napa Valley Wine Train). Both were with our friends Mike and Hilary and their little guy, Luca.

Hot mamas

Well, normally we have no holiday parties to go to. However, this year, we have TWO! Yippee! The party shown here was hosted by one of the many kick butt mamas in my mommy group. Time has flown but I have been a part of the group since Kiira was a mere babe which puts us at almost 5 years now. I have to say that I am always amazed at the group of women we have. We have those who have worked in the Fortune 500 crowd, those who are entrepreneurs and those that are everyday creative overachievers! There is always something going on and someone to learn from. Here's a large part of the group. Several are missing but you get the idea! Go girls!
I have to include a photo from our other party since Kiira and Alan both look so dashing!

Anticipation

Okay - not only do we have anticipation of the holidays on the gift side of things, but also we here in Tiburon, eagerly await the lighting of "the lights". Hmm...what do you mean by that you ask? Well, funny you should ask. As you come down Tiburon Boulevard towards our home, you decend a bit with a hill ahead. Perched part of the way up this hill is an apartment building that, every year, puts up a "photo" of lights. It seems to have a theme each year. The first year I remember was a shark. Clever, as Tiburon, means Shark in Spanish. Last year I also distinctly remember, an angel holding a rifel. Not my favorite. This year, they got it just right. A 40'-0" Peace sign. That sums it up.

Nostalgia

Well, as some of you may remember from my traditions entry in the blog, I am a nostalgic gal to the heart. Got my fill of said remembrance when the family and I went a Christmas tree pickin last weekend. It really was EVERYthing it was cracked up to be. We loaded up the kids, the dog, plenty of snacks and drove the hour to Petaluma to pick out that perfect tree. The place had lots of different types to choose from, hot cider, and they provided the saw and a little cart to drag it back to your car. The only thing missing was the Christmas carols. Alan's come a long way on the celebrating of Christmas so I thought I wouldn't push it. Maybe next year. Kiira and I have been belting the tunes out in the car so by next year she'll know more words that me probably (and those of you who know me well, know this is probably the truth!). Her favorite last year was Rudolph and this year we both are working on memorizing the 12 days of Christmas. She's beating me so far.

There's no beating around the bush here...

What is it about kids and beaters? It must be in an innate thing because I'm not sure Evan has ever seen anyone lick a beater. And yet, after I was done mixing the cake, I got the eehhh...eeehhhh....and paws reaching high for the beater. I thought, what the heck, let's try it. Well, as you can see, he dug in like a pro. Maybe it's hereditary! :-)

The poopy party

Here we are again. I've posted this photo - stay tuned for an explanation for those of you who don't know. Believe it or not, it ties in with the fish. Who, has died by the way - did I mention that? 3 strikes and I'm out. This third one actually jumped to her death. Am I that bad?

Memory Lane

Well, today was just a buzz of activity. Kiira and I, on Thursdays, go to Nicasio to a wonderful barn there called Kilham Farm. I am not sure of the heritage there but the owner is a wonderful woman named Lumpy. Yes, Lumpy. Now, with a name like that you would expect a colorful character with something of an accent. Well, how wrong I was! Lumpy is actually a down to earth soft spoken woman who runs and owns a barn to rival the best! The horses and barns are immaculately kept and the indoor ring is a blessing in the rainy season. There are yet TWO other outdoor rings to choose from. Now, I have to admit, I was looking for slick but somewhat hesitant about what may accompany it. I've had my share of snooty horse people believe you me. I tend to think that that crowd could rival the best snooty people anywhere.
I am happy to report that I've found the slick factor but don't have the baggage to accompany it.
I mounted my trusty steed Orbit today and said a silent prayer that after 6 years, my muscles would remember their duties while mounted. Although a bit floppy, I made it through my first lesson since babies. Ahhh....the muscles relaxed as did my mind and my form of therapy took hold.
All the while, my little one, not yet five, was mounted on her own trusty stead, Robin Hood. And SHE was doing magnificently. She has masted the walk. She can turn and stop. So, of course after only 3 lessons, she moved on to the trot. She was a natural. No really, I'm not kidding. She is really good and does not have any of the fear that I thought she would. Yes, she is cautious, but who wouldn't be of a beast that weighs 15 times what you do?
You see, my strategy here is...start 'em young. Give them something to be passionate about. Something that will distract them from all the evil our world has to offer the young. I know, I know, it sounds dramatic. But, seriously, there is alot of temptation to go down the wrong path. And, well, it worked for me, so perhaps, just perhaps, I can preserve my precious one's childhood that much longer. Life is long. Childhood short. Let's give them as long as possible to live in safety, good, and innocence. Let's face it, if you could go back - wouldn't you?
Attached - Heidi and my first pony, Memory Lane. I am 10 years old.

Not bad latke for a shiksa

..if I do say so myself. I feel like I'm in the world series of holidays right now. Thanksgiving came and Hannukah is on deck. Christmas is now at bat and if we've run out of a good time well then, Kiira's birthday on the 28th will be the pinch hitter to finish things off with a bang.
Yes, the first day of Hannukah was a success. Again, we reigned in the community for a nice dinner of salmon, latkes, Israeli salad (which I pilched from the Judaism for Dummies book) and some rather American (but quite buttery (ie oily!!)) cupcakes. The kids opened the first round of 8 presents. I'd say, all around everyone was pleased with the well picked, not too extravagent loot.
I will say my favorite part of all is lighting the Menora and saying the blessing. Each year I learn another word or two by heart and will hopefully have it under my belt before my eldest outdoes me. The Menora itself is special to us as Alan's sister and family gave it to us as a wedding present. Not only was the timing of the gift special, but they have the same Menora. I can't help but feel connected to the other side of the country and a new family that is mine everytime a candle is lit. Hannukah samayach all...

'Tis the season

Well, we wasted no time in getting a letter off to Santa in order to let him know a certain someone's wish list. That said, it is easy to become caught in the mass commercialism of the season and we have been brainstorming on ways to show the children the true meaning of giving. Do we go get a new toy and donate it to Toys for Tots? Do we go get some canned food and drop it off for those in need? All of these are good options but I couldn't help but feel that even with these they wouldn't quote grasp what it means to do without and therefore give to someone who needs it more than we. And by "they" I really mean Kiira as Evan could play with a wadded up piece of paper and bat it back and forth with the cat with a big smile on his face. They don't need much as that age.
So, our resolution was this. We have bagged up about 4 bags of toys and clothes that the kids don't play with and will give them to the battered women's shelter. I felt it meant more to have to give away something that you were fond of, or used to be fond of, rather than give away something you had no attachment to to begin with. Again, I'm not sure the meaning has quite sunk in but I look forward to 20 years from now when our children are in therapy because their parents made them give away their past favorite toys. If I haven't screwed up yet, I'm sure I will in the near future. The fund has been started....
So, let the season begin, let the giving and receiving abound and let friendships and family shine through as the most important gifts of all.

Thanksgiving time

Ahh...Thanksgiving is here and gone...A time for too much food, too much fun, and definitely too much wine. AND lest we forget - the BUTTER sculpture. Now, I have not found anyone to relate to this EXCEPT me (that includes my sister who was there for all of my childhood since we did everything in tandem...) but a highlight of my childhood is going to the state fair and seeing the huge, lifelike BUTTER SCULPTURE. Perhaps it was growing up in a dairy community, perhaps it was me being a side freakshow and picking out something that stood out, we will never know. Anyone, anyone? Anyone out there ever seen the jaw dropping, carefully refrigerated, well sculpted butter statue? Add some credence to my rant here....
Well, that said - each holiday I search for a mini-version of said butter sculpture in whatever celebratory form it may take. This year - a well picked turkey for Thanksgiving...THANK you very much! :-)

We were lucky to be surrounded this year by good friends and family (my mom was out from New York). Our friends Nancy and Gideon and their two kids, June and Ginger and our friends Kathy and Chris, and their two kids, Kailey and Jamison came over. Lucky for them, my mom was here to do most of the cooking! I am thankful as always, to have family and friends that I feel I can trust and rely on. Family and friends that I know will be there for me even when I don't know if I'm coming or going. A toast to you all - I am thankful for each small or large part you play in my life. For it is even the smallest gesture that can make a day turn around and look promising rather than forboding.