October 31

Our Thanksgiving pictures are pretty dull so it's a good thing I still have Halloween to share. This year Audrey was a vampire; Claire a candy corn witch; I was an angel (no stretch, I play that role every day); and Mark was a devil. Both of my kids chose a costume I would not chosen for them, but then they can't be princesses and ladybugs forever. They were both very happy with what they got. I was happy, too, but still amazed by the high cost of a badly-sewn costume made from the cheapest material known to man. Don't worry - I didn't say that to the kids.

We carved our pumpkins - grown and donated from a community garden friend; went to the school parade; and trick or treated far and wide. Mark and I both noticed a change from years past. All Audrey wanted to do was lose us - and she was successful. We're not sure where she went with John and Lisandro - and that sounds pretty bad when I put it into words - but she got home allright and was totally ecstatic. Claire was happy to stay with us, and for that we were grateful. We're not ready to be obsolete. It being a school night we only stayed out 'til 8, but I say we stopped just in time. The kids get about one piece a day, but Mark and I eat unchecked quantities, and there is still a ton left.

Audrey with her class

Claire with Jedi and good friend Jason

Not a good shot of my wings

All of us reacting to Audrey tripping over one of the lit pumpkins nearly catching her
highly-flamable costume on fire. The camera was set to timer.

Phew, no burning clothes

Happy and full of chocolate

Happy, tired and full of chocolate

The cheerleader and the soccer player

Audrey and Claire are busy, but not too busy, with various extracurricular activities this fall. Audrey does piano, sculpting, Brownies, and just finished a week-long cheerleading clinic at West High School. Claire is playing soccer. It's fun to watch them, we parents are so proud of the littlest things, and I think they are enjoying themselves.

With Melinda and Natalie

Dolphins huddle

She's ready

Endeavor

We went to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor make its way across Los Angeles city streets to the California Science Center on Oct. 13. We headed toward Crenshaw, watching the Goodyear Blimp and several helicopters above, and magically found parking on a nearby residential street. Claire asked me if we were at a parade, and even though it was not technically a parade, it felt like one. Police, camera crews, and tree crews were all busy doing their various jobs. There was music, there were hot dog vendors, there were families, there were crazy homeless people - and the crowd grew from hundreds to thousands.

After 30 minutes or so, and an announcement from the police that the shuttle would cross the intersection in 45 minutes, we decided to walk toward it instead of waiting. We ended up at Vernon with a huge crowd and saw the shuttle's nose at the corner ahead. It was an amazing sight - I read a quote in an article online that summed it up: "There's a space ship going down Crenshaw - now I know anything can happen."

We got ourselves a spot right at the police tape and took as many pictures as we could. The shuttle was enormous and its transporter just as massive. The wing crossed directly over our heads and everyone around cheered like crazy. I was so thrilled my heart was pounding. The girls were so excited - I'm not sure they knew exactly why this was such an amazing experience - but they knew. I didn't have to explain that it was a once-in-a-life time moment.

The shuttle moved by us and continued forward slowly with an armada of police, fire, utility and other service vehicles following. We walked along, keeping Endeavor in sight, for as long as we could. Its tail cleared some temporary power poles and people roared. Then it stopped for quite awhile so more trees could be cut. The transporter's wheels moved diagonally and sideways to shift the shuttle so its wings would miss trees and buildings by inches.

I know we could have just waited until the end of the month to see it at the science center, but being there on the street was something else. I'll never forget it.

This yellow sign says "Cut here for emergency rescue"

Under the wing of Endeavor

Stopped for tree cutting

One of the stranger, but not nearly the strangest, sights of the night - a city bus full of cops

Conversations with a 5 year old

"Dad, when was I born?"

"March 22, 2007."

A gasp of delight and surprise. "I was born on my birthday?!"

"Everyone is born on their birthday."

"Wow!"

School days

School started Sept. 6 here and it was a big event for us having both our girls going to their first day. Claire was nervous and excited, Audrey was reluctant and excited, mom was sad and excited, dad was proud and sad and busy with the camera. Having Claire in kindergarten and Audrey in third grade has changed the status of our family completely. No more preschoolers around here. And now there are two sets of forms to fill out, two backpacks, two homework packets, and two after school activities schedules. It's a good life - we can't complain.

Audrey wanted to be prepared so she set out her clothes the night before

Looking so grown up in the cool outfit Nanie bought her - funny how mom had no idea Audrey was ready for new styles

Hmm, there are 45 dresses in here, which one should I wear today?

 

Dad's two sweethearts

On our way...

 

After school pick up

She might have missed her mom a little