catch-up post

it has been a long time, i know. this is a photo of the infrequently seen underside of the bay bridge, taken from the peaceful and comfortable oakland-alameda ferry. yes, i have been avoiding this bridge lately. i will say no more.

what has been happening?

trip to the snow:

sledding, sledding, and more sledding, check

maya and natalie bickering over an extra-special snowball, check

big brother accidentally smashing an iceball in little sister's face, check

snowman and snow unicorn, check

amusing crowd of non-drinkers plowing through free hard liquor during the manager's special at the embassy suites, check

insane hotel pool scene with 10 children per adult, many near head injuries, check

much lamenting when we had to leave early because of incoming snowstorm, check

fun last frolic in the fresh snow on the side of the road as rich crawled in the muddy slush trying to put chains on our tiny car for 45 minutes, check

sign half mile later telling us to remove the chains, oops

what else? insane budget cuts to the san francisco schools which many people still seem unaware of. miles and i will be marching to city hall next week! what do we want? money! when do we want it? now!

rich is now 42. chocolate brownies with icing, homeade kid cards and a crazy expensive long awaited new computer.

the garden is getting going. blossoms on the peach and plum trees, lots of little seedlings starting on the deck, and a few attempts to build some wind blocks. we will see what happens this season. maybe we need an all carrot and onion garden, but i will keep trying to grow some greens.

basketball games. snake books all over the place. miles read his first chapter book. kids coughing, coughing, coughing, coughing. maya becoming a very equal opportunity player at her new preschool (boys and girls with a reduction in princess obsession). she even has a freckled and red-haired little boyfriend she plans to marry. phobia therapy which seems to be making things worse. my growing awareness of the inequities in sfusd special education and the people and processes that create them.

and a weird hopeful feeling about the future, i guess it is the arrival of spring.