Photo Journal: Day on the Embarcadero

We started out the day eating breakfast at Townsend, a SF eatery near the ball park that Marc and I liked when we were young and lived in the city. We thought the kids would like it because they put a basket of homemade mini muffins and scones on the table as soon as you arrive. There are also boats and trains that can be viewed from the window, plus countless dogs (Matthew wants one SO bad) taking their morning walk. Matthew wanted every single dog that passed by..."can I have that one?"...over and over.

After breakfast we thought it would be fun to walk down the Embarcadero to see Phoenix the fire boat. We have a book about it and how it helped to put out the fires along the Marina after the big earthquake. Matthew was stoked to see it in person. Somehow we never got a picture of it though! We just kept walking. Here is Marc and the kids cuddling as they walk. The fire boat is in the distance back by the Bay Bridge.

And we kept walking and found a sculpture in the form of a spider.

We ended up all the way down at the Ferry Building. A long walk for 2 sets of little legs. It seemed like we just ate brunch, yet the kids were famished and needed lunch. Matthew remembered going to the Ferry Building with Popo during his visit and insisted on recreating the day and asked to order hot dogs and sit out by the water. He wanted a hot dog because he likes them but also because the bread doubles as entertainment when the birds come around. Here we are sitting on a bench outside waiting for our food to be done.

Matthew soon spotted a bench closer to the water. Here we are in our new front row seats and food in hand.

Matthew asked if he could take a picture of us. He did a great job. See below.

Madeleine and I fell asleep very early after we got home from Thanksgiving. I think we were trying to fight off a cold. Marc told me that he and Matthew walked all the way to Home Depot in search of logs for the fire. Apparently, he wanted to make a fire and then take a picture of his parents in front of it. Unfortunately, Madeleine and I didn't wake up until the next morning. Poor guy. He hoofed it all the way to the store, carried his log all the way home, and then we were asleep. So, here's the picture he took today instead. Everyone is awake!

After eating their food, they shared some crumbs with the birds.

We tried to take the train back to our car, but we had to walk awhile before finding a station with trains going toward the ball park. So, we walked again and on the way Matthew took more pictures. Here's one that resembles a Times Square backdrop with the mega tron and tall buildings behind us.

Here's the kids running around amongst some trees on the way to the train station.

We made it to the train station! Matthew took another picture of us. In 1 day we have more pictures of Marc and I together than we have over a period of years. I like having our new little photographer in the family.

Here's Marc and Matthew (and some other dude) on the train. Interesting note...Matthew has a shirt on with pictures of trains on a track while he's riding on a train. It brought us back to the car. Whew! We made it. A fantastic family day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're leaving for Carmel in a little bit and looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with all 23 members of Marc's immediate family...2 grandparents, 7 brothers/sisters, 6 spouses, 8 little kids (and a partridge in a pear tree). There is a lot to be thankful for this year. At this stage in our lives, Marc and I feel very blessed to have 2 wonderful kids that inspire and fill our lives.

Yesterday they celebrated Thanksgiving with a children's banquet at the preschool. They were each assigned an ingredient and brought it to school. Madeleine brought 3 celery stalks and Matthew brought jello.
All the kids spent the morning cutting (with real knives), spreading, mixing and of course playing. It all culminated in a wonderful feast at a long table filled with happy faces and yummy food.

Matthew and Madeleine made peanut butter and egg salad sandwiches. They even cut them into squares all by themselves. Matthew also helped with cutting veggies and filling Dixie cups with a scoop each of red and yellow jello. Teacher Barbara brought a crock pot so that we could put all the veggies in for a soup.

Madeleine took time out to play the piano. Other kids got out their energy throwing pillows in the back room. Of course there was a parent supervising, or was he playing too? That's his daughter catching the pillow, so I suppose he knows her strength.

It was a fun day. The kids had a blast. We always have a lot of fun with them and are looking forward to a few days to enjoy each other as a family. God, thanks for giving them to us!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Mystery Solved!

For almost two years Matthew has insisted on wearing long sleeves with a preference for pictures over stripes. He also likes pants and not shorts. It has made shopping for him very easy. I just have to make sure to have enough long sleeves on hand in February to last until August when they start selling them in the stores again. The sales in January always help with this.

We never questioned his steadfast penchant for full coverage, even on the hottest days. We just supposed that kids have various things they get stuck on.

A recent visit to the doctor finally unveiled the possible science behind Matthew's clothing selection. He has been experiencing eczema for several months. We have been trying all sorts of creams, lotions, ointments, body washes, and bath regimens.

The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes. Matthew has experienced both, but our biggest concern lately is the dryness and the itching that results. He has been itching all over all the time. Our doctor sat down with us this week and explained why this is happening to him and how we can help make him the most comfortable.

We learned that skin cells are shaped like a hexagon and fit together nice and tight. Matthew has inherited a gene (on the chromosome that also includes genes for other allergies) that forms his skin cells with flares on the corners of the hexagon. This means that his skin cells don't fit together nice and tight and moisture can evaporate causing dry skin and itching. The doctor explained various things we can do to help him, including the use of long sleeves and pants (when temps are not too hot)!!! Apparently, when skin cells are formed this way, it doesn't feel desirable to have air flow over them.

That's it! That explains so much. However, the science doesn't explain why he prefers pictures!

To Infinity And Beyond!

For Halloween this year Matthew decided to dress up as Buz Lightyear and Madeleine picked out a poodle costume. She had originally wanted to be a frog, but it proved difficult to locate one in her size. She seemed equally as happy about the poodle once she saw it in the store.

She still has her birthday to fulfill her froggy dreams. She's been asking for a frog cake ever since she spotted one in a recipe book over the summer when we were looking up ideas for Matthew's birthday. She often reminds us about it. We'll see what happens come January.

Matthew has wanted to be Buz Lightyear ever since last Halloween when 2 friends at school had it. His love of the Toy Story movies has kept his dream fresh over the year. It was unfortunate when we found out that the Disney Online store was out of stock on his size. Thank you Ebay! We found one NWT (new with tags) for half the price (plus shipping) AND we won the bidding. There's a button on the wings that makes them light up. I thought it was SUPER cool on Halloween night to have the wings light up as he ran to each house.

His costume came in the mail a week before Halloween. He put it on and wouldn't take it off. I asked him to take it off when we went for a trip to the store. It's hard for his skin to breath with it on, so I thought it would be a good break. As soon as we came home he put it right back on. He even fell asleep with it on while I was reading to Madeleine. I took it off and changed him into PJ's. Next morning, he put it back on right away. His imagination was full speed as he rattled off all the things the toy Buz says when you push the buttons..."to infinity and beyond", "space ranger to the rescue", and he loved pushing the "laser button" and imitating the sound. There were lots of blast off spitting sounds too with his arms up in the air.

All in all, it was a really fun Halloween. The party and parade at the school was great. They all took an instrument and made music as they marched around the block. Older people at home during the day came out to see them and some waved from the windows. Madeleine kept up with the best of them when hitting the pinata. And trick/treating at night with the whole family was really sweet. In the past, 5 houses was enough. This year we hit nearly every house on our street. The kids loved all the decorations and music that were displayed and it was fun to chit chat with some of our neighbors.