La, la, la...!!! Weekend of delight

Theron spent the weekend with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Richard. It all started Friday evening at Marie Callendar's in Valencia - our meeting point - where Theron ordered a cheeseburger, but more or less had nothing but a strawberry shake for dinner. Then he was off to Bakersfield for a weekend of video games and some Spiderman research with Grandpa.

Saturday Ash and I drove all the way to Torrance to hit the Japanese dollar store and Penzey's Spices. I am embarrassed to say how much we spent at the dollar store, and I almost couldn't even tell you what we bought - lots of spoons, tea, ummm..., crackers, Hello Kitty soda... I don't know. Penzey's is a great place. We've ordered from the catalog so we already love them, but in person you can smell everything and buy small amounts for amazingly reasonable prices.

On the way home I got another Christmas present from Ashley - a Huskavarna Husky Star with one-step button holer. It is sooo beautiful. I get to go to a class week after next to learn how to use it.

It was nice to have some time alone together but we actually spent a lot of it talking about Theron and how much we missed him.

We had a fun weekend just hanging around Echo Park. We drove around and imagined our dream home, up on a hill with a beautiful view and our own parking - we can fantasize, I guess. We stopped at the dollar store which is fun for everyone. Theron got some great stickers and he made us the picture above. On the back he wrote, "To my parents. Be happy". He actually didn't get in trouble for anything all day Sunday.

This last week has been pretty good all around, except for colds and sore throats (me and Ashley - Theron just keeps going full speed ahead). After a lot of talk about what to do about Theron's first grade year, since he will be done at his current school after kindergarden, Ashley looked into it and paid a visit to our public school only 4 blocks away. It turns out it is a science and math magnet, though the rest of the school has a very strong arts program. They have an artist in residence program, they work closely with LACMA, they teach performing arts, and the woman in the office told us that orchestra is part of the 1st grade curriculum, as well as computer science. Anyway, it was a good thing we checked when we did because the deadline for the magnet lottery is Friday. If he doesn't get in this time we'll just keep trying, but at least we know he'll be in a good place in the meantime. Theron's teacher says he loves science and she thinks this would be perfect for him. Well, just the other day Theron said to me, "Is it true that fire needs air to burn?" and I said yes, and he said, "So...Batman was right".

Saturday we spent 2 LONG hours at Chuck E Cheese. We hope maybe next time he goes Grandpa Flip can take him. Grandpa Flip? Don't eat the pizza, just play the games. I'll say one thing, that kid can not drive. But who knew that if you drive through someone's garage in Malibu all you have to do is flip off the balcony and you're back on the PCH? He's not a bad shot, though.

Tonight my sweet husband went out with a flashlight to find the cabbage that fell out of my grocery bag and rolled under someone's car. He let himself look like a crazy person on his hands and knees trying to find cabbage in the street.

Off to an okay start in the New Year

While Theron is still found in the time-out chair upon pickup at least one day a week, he is making some improvements. Twice last week he resisted the naughty temptation of his partner in crime and he was praised by the teacher. He feels good and very proud of himself. He said, "Maybe I'm a superhero who keeps learning".

Well, we know where all the people are now - they were all at The Grove, just like us, Saturday. We took Theron to see Charlotte's Web which was good, but too long. Dakota Fanning makes the cutest Fern.

Here's Theron with his new haircut, courtesy of Daddy.


Here's a picture Theron took with his camera, - that he loves so much.

New Years Traditions

Here's Theron taking a picture of the new year's mochis he made at school. They all got to take turns pounding the dough with what sounds like a large pestle. He got the camera for Christmas and he loves it, it seems he doesn't quite believe it is his.

Since we don't really go out anymore we do have a little tradition of a new year's eve seafood pig-out. Mussels and crab legs and shrimp and champagne. Yummy.
And finally, here's Theron and Sam, taken before Christmas the day Grandma took us to see Santa.

New Year

A Very Spidey Christmas and a Batty New Year

Well, we did it. All the dreams of being ultra prepared were not quite realized, but still things were much better than they could have been - most gift shopping was done a week in advance, big improvement. Ashley did try to go to Toys R Us the Saturday before and couldn't get any where near the place which was predictable, but elsewhere in town I was still asking where is everyone?! That Saturday, the 23rd, I went to Trader Joes, Gelsons, Ralphs, and CVS in less than 2 hours, had no trouble parking (there were TWO parking places right by the door at Trader Joes which NEVER happens) and there was only one person ahead of me in line at every place except CVS where there was no waiting.
I can't believe this happened, but we really didn't get many pictures of Christmas Day. Ashley took video this year and things happened so fast. Theron woke up later than expected, 7:30, but Ash and I had been up until midnight wrapping presents and making the living room presentable. We told him he had to wait until 8:30. So Theron sat on the bed watching the digital clock and announcing the minutes: "It's 8:07. It's 8:08..." So we got up. Theron had all his presents open in record time. In years past he would open one gift, then play with it, then open another and the whole process seemed endless. He was probably in his room watching new videos in about 15-20 minutes. Then we got ready to go to Grandpa Flip's, where there was more bounty. Also, Theron really love staying in hotels so when he heard Grandpa had reserved us a room he was extra excited. The next day we went to breakfast with Grandpa at Carrows and while waiting for Grandpa to meet us Ashley mentioned that the coffee was the worst he's ever had. So when the waitress came back to refill his cup Ashley was just barely able to get Theron to stop talking before he pipes up, "DADDY SAYS THAT'S THE WORST..."

These are pictures Theron took because he wanted Grandpa to see what our room looked like.

We had a happy and safe holiday and we are just happy to all be mostly healthy (Ashley's jaw is still not quite right) and together. We wish you all a happy new year and we look forward to hearing how everyone is doing.

The Real Santa and Where is Everybody?

Well, I suppose we've finished shopping though the chaos continues. Theron and I did make a batch of sugar cookies for Santa but we ate them all, they were delicious. Even Ashley, still on soft or liquid foods, figured out he could nibble them with his front teeth, so all gone.

Theron's Christmas pagent was last Friday night. He and his class sang Feliz Navidad and a Hillary Duff song about Santa Claus Lane, or something. Feliz Navidad had about 5 verses and apparently they are all exactly the same. After the show the kids went downstairs to get a gift from Santa and eat some food. There was absolutely nothing Ash could eat since he didn't want nacho cheese without chips. Theron declared that the Santa was good, but not real. He was Santa's helper.

The very next day he and I went to Bakersfield for a Santa party at the house of a friend of Grandma's. The kids put oatmeal and glitter outside to tempt the reindeer and Santa came in with a bag of gifts. Theron got a Spiderman video game and he was so amazed because he hadn't said he wanted a game but Santa knew. Theron says this was the real Santa.

Anyway, for all the advanced planning I suppose Christmas preps, at least in our house, will always take exactly as much time as you have, though I have been getting lucky. I took packages to the post office last week and there was only one person ahead of me. It was a business man paying in pennies, but they were almost done counting when I got there. Then I went to Target Sunday night and again, no one was there. I took my car in for a service and normally I am idling in the street at the end of a very long line but this time there was, again, only one person ahead of me. But the strangest one of all was my trip to Trader Joe's last night. I even parked around the block to avoid the usual havoc of the parking lot and when I got there the lot was half empty! Never. I have never seen that. Where is everyone?!

Santa's Helper

The Real Santa

12 more sleeps to Christmas

Well, in spite of vowing to be done Christmas shopping in October here we are still scrambling to finish up. I have packages to mail, so much for a family portrait card, and we still have to clear a space for the tree. Between Friday and Saturday we have 3 holiday events, including Theron's school pagent. Theron has been practicing - he walks around the house singing Feliz Navidad. Theron went to a co-worker's party with me Sunday and accidentally knocked the one year old over onto his face. When I told Theron to go apologize he said, "But he doesn't know how to talk".
One person who will not be overeating this season is Ashley who, while recovering from dental surgery, dislocated his jaw. The surgeon had a look and said to give it two weeks. In the meantime he is very hungry for meat and crunchy things, and just food in general. And in pain.
Theron helped me make sugar cookies. He says he likes helping, just like Spiderman.

Last Days of Vacation

It went so fast, but it was so nice and worth it. One day we went to Avila Beach where they have a fruit stand/petting zoo. All the little goats were happy to see Theron and his corn husks. We all definitely love goats. Ash says if we ever get some he will make the cheese if I will milk them. Sounds like a deal.














Our last vacation dinner was of fresh mussels. I only bought 2 lbs because I didn't think Theron would eat them, but I was wrong. He even sucked up the left over broth.















This first week back was far from normal. All 3 of us went to the doctor, Theron and I for checkups and flu shots, Ash for dental surgery. He had all 4 wisdom teeth out. He's doing great, but then he has the highest tolerance for pain in the family. Theron takes after me. When it was time for Theron to get the shots at the doctor's office Monday he ran all around the exam room in his socks and underwear trying to hide. I finally caught him and he sat in my lap for two shots shouting "Help! Somebody help meeee!!!!" Now we laugh about it. The doctor also took out a huge wad of wax from one of his ears which I though might explain a few things but the doctor said not really.

Montana De Oro State Park

Theron's favorite part of the day was walking on the rocks.

Here's Theron teasing the waves then running away.

Theron took our picture.

Lethargy Sets In

We are really relaxing now. We can barely move.
Not Theron, though, he is all fired up.

Vacation!

I don't have any pictures to put up today, but surely tomorrow. We're housesitting for family friends who have a house overlooking the ocean. They also have 3 little boys with a cool room and toys and so many shared interests with Theron. He has found himself in a a sort of parallel universe - the same and different superhero toys. An identical Spiderman costume and mask only he says this Spiderman costume itches under the arms. All his life Theron has either been in the same room with us or right next to us. Here he is in the boy's room, up and down a small flight of stairs and around the corner from us. We did a practice run the first night to make sure he knew where to come look for us. It went fine but we both agree we like him a little closer.

We're trying to make ourselves relax. Today was mostly spent getting situated. Doing a little shopping. One of the goldfish died (actually we think he was killed) (we didn't do it). Okay, I should explain, - the other fish were nibbling his fins and when we found him he was vertical. He wasn't actually dead yet, so I guess we did kill him. I'm sorry, Joan, we didn't find him until it was too late.

Okay, time to relax!

Batman's Birthday

Batman and Spiderman were together again Saturday for Batman's birthday.

There was an inflatable jumping room (I don't know what they're called) and a couple of older boys that were really great villians to our tiny superheros.

And this is the picture Theron took of his friend, who subsequently got in trouble for making the mud you see featured in the photo. Behind him you can see the water bottle he used to help him dig up the garden. Needless to say this little friend is Theron's usual partner in crime at school.

Theron's favorite part of the day was attacking the older boys in the jumpy thing. My favorite part of the day was that Theron was not the worst behaved child at the party.

Theron's been reading on his own A LOT. Before school, if he gets dressed in time, he gets to watch a little tv. Last week I actually found him on his bed reading. Out of our 3 bedtime books he now reads one all by himself.

Post Halloween

As I mentioned, Theron is in Christmas mode, but I wanted to add a few more pictures of his exciting day. Here are some of him with Batman before the fight.

Still in love. Looking at ants.

And after. Sitting as far apart as two members of the Justice League can be.

Pre-election

We are so tired this week and we have more or less decided that answering the phone in the evenings is pointless until next Wednesday. We're already starting to lose it with these poor people making $6 an hour. Ashley is right now going through the propositions and trying to make decisions. We both took the quiz on NPR to help you decide who to vote for for Govenor and we both had Angelides #1 tied with the Peace and Freedom candidate, Arnold last. Which is good because I was afraid I might actually agree with that guy.

Anyway, we are returning to normal after the build up to Halloween. The decorations come down tomorrow and I'm sure that will be a relief to the mailman because the box is pretty well webbed up and even I have trouble getting the mail out. Theron is taking it well. He's a well trained consumer and has started to make his Christmas requests.

Recently Ashley introduced Theron to the joy of having his hair washed in the shower. Usually I do it during his bath and we have this complicated routine where he holds a washcloth over his face while I dump huge cups of water over his backward leaning head. We agree before hand how many rinses we will do that day. Anyway, Ashley had such great success last week with the shower that we tried it again with less stellar results. The good news is that he asked to try it again this weekend, so we are moving in the right direction.

Last week we finished Trumpet of the Swan and now we are reading A Cricket in Times Square. Currently Theron gets 3 books before bed and he's been wanting to read along with the easier ones. He's actually a very good reader, but we take turns reading to keep the pace up. Tonight he gave me his Superman coloring book with no words in it and asked me to read it as a story. So I tried to make it sound like his other coloring books, and then after he had saved Lois Lane twice for no apparent reason I told him how Superman had to put his suit in the washing machine because the neck was all dirty and then it shrunk so he had to be Clark Kent for awhile. Next was a picture of Jimmy Olsen with his arm around Clark and I said, "And Jimmy said, Gee, Superman, your hair smells really good, you must have done 5 rinses in the bathtub" and Theron cracked up so hard no sound was coming out and we had to take a little break. He has the most infectious laugh and he has the best sense of humor. Then he went tucked in all his many stuffed animals- he calls them his friends, or kids - and they all went to sleep, excited that tomorrow is the weekend.

Countdown to Halloween: Ding, ding, ding!!! At last!



Festivities at Lumbini began at 10:30 today. The kids trick or treated in Little Toyko and because he is in the big kid class now they went last, after the preschool classes. Theron is the Spiderman sitting down in the group picture.
Miss Leslie asked them "What do you say when you get the candy?" and they all said "Thank you!" and Theron pipes up, "Or arrigato!"
Theron's friend Jonathan was also Spiderman and his favorite friend Alan was Batman. They had a grand time until he and Batman had a falling out and that's when I think things started to go downhill. It wasn't terrible but there was just a little too much excitement and he was having a little trouble controlling himself. Right now he is back in costume, helping Daddy distribute candy. He says his favorite part of the day was when he got grape Nerds in his bag. My favorite part of the day is that Theron doesn't care much for chocolate. Ashley's favorite part of the day was the hope of setting his computer up with voice recognition software, but there are still some kinks to work out.

Countdown to Halloween: 2 more sleeps. Are we so excited?!

Well, the time finally came to carve the pumpkins. Theron's pumpkin - the squat dark orange one, based on his own design.

It has been a busy weekend. Saturday we all went to a carnival-themed birthday party for one of Theron's classmates. Saturday night I went out with the girls to see ESG (a sister band from the Bronx, first formed in the early 80's that now includes 2 of their daughters). Our tickets said 8:00, but they changed the venue and when we got to the next place we were told the doors didn't open until 9:00. By 9:30 even 25 year old Elly exclaimed 'It's past our bedtime!'. By the time the two opening bands were done and we waited almost an hour for ESG it was midnight. It was very fun but I had to take 2 naps today. Ashley spent the weekend recovering from a punishing work schedule that has lasted for at least the last month. Ash has been husband and daddy extraordinaire, present wrapper, and pumpkin technical support.

Countdown to Halloween: 5 days

We took the bag of candy we were required to submit for the Halloween party in to school today and left it on the teacher's desk. Theron was proud to report and demonstrate that when Miss Leslie asked who left it he raised his hand and said it was him. He wants to bring candy for Mr Rodney, the security guard, who gives him and the other kids a treat just about every day.

Theron is doing great with reading. We finished James and the Giant Peach last week. It has been so fun to see him laughing himself silly while we're on pages where there are no pictures, just his vivid imagination. He likes to read to me now, from his simpler books.

Countdown to Halloween - 8 days

The boys were on their own this weekend while I, my boss, and my colleague Rebecca went to Tucson for a conservation conference. It was interesting, but it was most fun seeing certain old friends. I love Tucson, it is so pretty, cactii and palo verde trees and rock gardens. Really lovely. Rebecca and I both got in trouble at security over the new fluids/gels regulations. I found myself forced to mouth off to the lady and ended up having my bags dumped and searched. Rebecca was told her shampoo and toothpaste were illegal and they were confiscated. On the way back we almost didn't make the plane because our flight was cancelled and we had to wait for volunteers to give up seats. It was a long, long day. Anyway, the boys were fine and the house was cleaner than I left it.
I had my cello lesson tonight and I learn a little more each time, but it is very humbling. My last teacher emphasized notes in tune. This teacher feels it is more important to first get the rhythm correct. It will be slow and I guess that's okay.
I heard a GREAT interview tonight on Fresh Air - it's ALWAYS great, of course, but this particular interview with Andre Benjamin, aka Andre 3000 from the hip hop duo Outkast was especially hard to turn off after parking the car. I'm going to listen to the rest of it later - have a listen.

As you all know I am officially in Christmas shopping mode, so I was delighted to browse the SkyMall magazine, looking for treasures, like this grumpy golfer wine caddy

And this lovely hidden toilet paper holder. You can paint it to match your brown bathroom. Is the bathroom brown to match the fake dead flower arrangement or the other way around?

13 days to Halloween:

Today I picked out the candy we have to take to Theron's school for their Halloween celebration. I hate feeling like my choice of candy is a reflection on me. I want to do it right. Plus I just don't know what the kids want. I know what I want. I browsed Kmart - they had some funny gummy candies called Body Parts - eyeballs, teeth, noses - and they come in a coffin-shaped box. I couldn't do it because to me they didn't look like they would taste good, but maybe I'm wrong and maybe the kids don't care anyway. I ended up getting Nerds because they come in cute white and orange boxes. The parents at his school are kind of competitive. He's had some pretty impressive gift bags celebrating his classmates' birthdays. Look at these beautiful gummy candies he recently got:

My dad sent me the obituary of my Grandma Hope's first cousin, Chuck Rio (Danny Flores), who was famous for writing and performing the song "Tequila". This is what he didn't tell me, listen to this, "In 1957, Flores was playing with rockabilly singer Dave Burgess in a group called the Champs - named for Gene Autry's horse, Champion - for Autry's Challenge record label" !!! I am speechless - I have been six degrees separated from Gene Autry all this time and I did not know it! He performed as Chuck Rio and the Champs.

Here's a nice picture Theron did today. He draws a lot, everyday. He is a true artist. I'm curious why he misspelled "Green" because he's known that word for a long time. Oh, well, he's doing a lot of writing currently.