Lantern Walk

Each year the Mountain School has a Lantern Walk. Kiira has saved her lantern from years before and Evan has a new one he made. Each child has a tealite in their lantern and they walk out in the big field behind the school in the dark. It is meant to celebrate the Winter Solstice. As the dimming light of Autumn approaches and the growing darkness of winter overtakes us, the light is a symbol of us rekindling our own light. The lantern is meant to be the symbol of this light amidst the darkness.

It is a precious event and although it was held inside this year because of rain, we still enjoyed the still beauty of the event.

Kilham Farm Christmas party

This year we hosted the Kilham Farm Christmas party. It was great fun with about 30 people, young to old attending. Plenty of food and drink and the most interesting activities abounded. A few snapshots from our Breyer horse show and monster feet walking.....

More Lansing High

Jenny and I had fun on Friday when we met another Lansing High alum passing through our fair city. Rocco Macero came through on business and we all had dinner at Zarzuela's in Russian Hill. We sat and talked for 4 hours catching up over the last 20+ years.

Again I love the fact that people from my past come through our city and give us a chance to catch up. Thanks for coming Rocco!

What's this mommy?

Recently Kiira saw a contraption that she'd never seen before. So she asked, "Mommy what is this?" My reply - a typewriter. Boy did I feel a bit dated.....

Auntie Liisa and Harper arrive!

Liisa and Harper made the long haul here to the states for the holidays. Tom will join December 11. Yeah!!! Kiira and Evan have been talking about it for weeks now.

Surprisingly, Liisa said the trip with an almost one year old was not as bad as she had thought. Harper is slowly adjusting to the time change and despite catching her cousin's colds, has been a good sport about it all.

While Kiira has embraced her cousin with open arms, kisses and a motherly attitude, Evan, well.....let's just say he is not taking it as well.

Evan had decided that Harper is a threat to his attention getting and while claiming he is a big boy, is stuggling with the fact that a baby is taking over his reign as youngest in the house. Commonly heard from Evan's mouth, "No, I NOT Harper's cousin" or "mommy, DON'T hold Harper, hold ME!" Mr. Jealousy has occupied the body of my Mr. Funnyguy. Harper turns one on December 19 and Evan had already decreed that that is NOT her birthday that is HIS birthday. Hmmm....perhaps it's time to crack the old Sibling Rivalry book again for some tips.....

Celebrate Mississippi Cactus style

Recently my friend Kim turned 40. We all celebrated this FUN FUN time at the Red Devil Lounge listening to Mississippi Cactus - her brothers's band. They flew in from Milwaukee as did her parents to party party party!

It was a great time to catch up with friends that I hadn't seen in awhile. Margaret and BZ live in the east bay and I never get to see them at all anymore. My friend Michelle was also here whom I haven't seen in 7 years. She was my triathlon coach eons ago when I had time to dedicate to various extra curricular activities.

Happy birthday Kim, thanks for including us - and "maaaaaaannnnny mooooooore!!!!"

Fleeting moments

When Kiira was younger, she liked to come everywhere with me. It didn't matter if I was going to the grocery store or the drug store. All that mattered was that she was with me. Admittedly, there were days I wanted more alone time but I tried to keep in mind that this phase wouldn't last forever. In fact, as time has gone by, many other things have become more appealing than mommy. Friends, staying home to play, drawing, you name it. Who can blame her? I wouldn't go grocery shopping if I didn't have to.

When I steal a moment back in time, I am learning to treasure those Wobegon days. Not long ago, I went to put on my bathrobe and when I came out, who had their bathrobe on too? My big girl Kiira. She even vocalized, "I want to be just like mommy!"

A glimpse at their sweet little hearts makes your whole being melt and the sassy looks and smart alack remarks seem light years away. Again, they are your sweet innocence child who can do no wrong and thinks mommy is the center of their lives.

Treasured moments are fleeting. Etch them in your memory. Savor them when you need to.