Ice Cream Walking Tour of SF

Our premise was an ice cream walking tour of SF - a long walk in which we travel from one ice cream shop to another.  We only actually hit three, but the concept was enough to make the day perfect and to keep the kids engaged and uncomplaining about a longish walk.  Gorgeous weather, clear skies, good company, and a stop at a fun playground.  Needed a group picture but never got one, unfortunately.  Our group consisted of the girls and I, Eliz and her whole family, and my mom.  The most interesting stop was at an ice cream shop with a "cheese and toasted bread" flavor.  Glad I tried it, though I wouldn't want a whole scoop.  Now the kids want to do this monthly.  If we do, I'm trying the rye and chocolate flavor next time!..

From the top of the crooked section of Lombard Street

Cousins at Aquatic Park, GG Bridge in background

Funny shot K caught of a man sitting in a bus juxtaposed above an ad so that he looks like he's part of the ad....

Fun selfie of the girls and my niece at a playground.

Rainy Day in the City

Bday wishes from Captain Underpants.  :-)

K loves Abuela

The rain was right in our faces.  This at Aquatic Park in SF

Fake snow at Ghirardelli Square

Meeting up with some favorite old friends

Thanksgiving Prep

Thanksgiving just isn't hard anymore, not with help from this one. We made three pies - apple, pumpkin, and this beautiful berry one with blackberries that we picked in Gualala in September and then froze. We also prepared a surprisingly awesome tofu loaf, "quattro formaggio" (fancy mac and cheese), an arrugula salad, and some gluten-free cauliflower stuffing with vegan sausage. Oh! And G topped it all off with a really wonderful chocolate souffle - all her idea. Working with her really makes everything so much easier and its nice to get to the holiday itself and not feel exhausted. Awesome kid - a hard worker with great ideas.

Surprise Breakfast

Her Girl Scout troop earned an unusual badge - a "kidnap breakfast," in which they show up at your house when it is still dark, wake you up, then take you out to breakfast in your pajamas.  When they showed up with two kids already in the car, those kids saw me waiting on the porch and said, "was this planned?"  Yes, girls... parents knew, kids didn't.  Looked like a lot of work for the two troop leaders and a lot of fun for the kids.

Annual St. Dominic's Picnic Reunion

A lovely - if smokey - afternoon.  Happy that so many people showed up, despite the terrible air quality.  It is always wonderful to see so many good friends, to pray together for the ones we have lost, and to spend some time in gratitude for the richness of these friendships.

Some of the kids are young adults now themselves; everyone is so big and grown up!

Wonderful to see everyone and to remember those who we have lost, especially Jay and Mary.

Girl Scout Investiture

She got sworn in and received a load of badges, all at once.  A productive troop:  badges for book making, archery, marine mammals, and more.  Early in the morning, she was awakened by two Girl Scouts in her room, waking her to take her to breakfast.  Apparently, the "kidnapping breakfast" is a thing and there's a badge for that, too.  It was a long day with a beginning when it was still dark, but I think she had fun!

Self Directed Learners?

I wish I saw more of this on a daily basis, but here was at least a glimmer of hope that there's a possibility: their teacher couldn't make it, so the four of them did math, history, and literature work independently.  I was hovering nearby (to shoot this picture to send to the other moms) but didn't interfere, prompt, or encourage (nor did I need to, much to my amazement).

A Weekend of Playoff Games

G shot the winning goal in overtime, bringing her soccer team to the championships!  K's basketball team concluded the season with a lot of fun, truly playing together - sometimes serious, sometimes silly, but always fun to watch - even when they didn't win.

Just missed the ball in this photo, but I got G, moments after making the winning shot

Goalie kick in another game, earlier the same day

When I play K, she's unstoppable.  Sometimes seems that way even on the court.

Scout Tour of Bank of America

For a budgeting badge; looked like an interesting tour and overview of budget and finance issues.

Fall Sports

For G:  Soccer
For K:  Baseball and two (slightly overlapping) basketball leagues