Category Archives: Family

Chalking it up on the front porch

A sunny day came along and we just couldn’t stay couped up inside. The girls wanted to “doll up” our dreary front porch, also known as the sidewalk on Second Ave between James and Yesler.    Naomi and Simone decide to … Continue reading

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He said, “Nobody gets out of here alive.”

Was there a moment in your life that calibrated you for everything after it? This was one of mine. The summer after high school, I enrolled in a choreography workshop at Harvard University. Bill T Jones, Arnie Zane, and Lucinda … Continue reading

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Crazy hair day at Evergreen

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Naomi’s party

We made lanterns at Naomi’s birthday party. Pirate Naomi attacked the bull pinata with everything she had. And Annabel swung on the tire horse. Until Eli finally broke the pinata open and let the toys out. The party guests hanging … Continue reading

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“You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.” or How many times have you been married …to the same person?

“You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.” -Barbara De Angelis —————- Don’t you think re-reading vows and being part of a raucous party makes sense.   Proposing again?   Better skip that part.  Chances are, at … Continue reading

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Naomi’s birthday is just around the corner.

Naomi will be four years old on May 16th. I couldn’t love her more. What a wonderful being she is! Enjoy.

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Simone’s book club

The first graders at Evergreen decided to launch a book club.  Boys and girls gathered to talk about Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn Dixie. Everyone loved this book. Next we read two books from Jim Benton’s “Franny K Stein” series, … Continue reading

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The importance of vulnerability

Rob Harmon sent me a link to Brene Brown‘s TED speech and I laughed so hard.  It was one of those cathartic crazy laughing things.  Brene Brown takes us on her personal research journey and then pulls everything together to show … Continue reading

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Easter 2011

We started the day coloring eggs. We heard there was a bunny parade and ran over to Occidental to see.  Naomi left directions for the Easter bunny. Hopefully he will come by again. The parade arrived bringing a WOLF, two … Continue reading

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Why they were saying among themselves that it cannot be done, it was done.

“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” – Helen Keller Simone is working on a report about Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Though Helen … Continue reading

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Which moments do you remember?

My neighbors and good friends, the Strains, were written up in the Seattle Times today. Jeff believes that living downtown proffers more family moments..those revelations, discoveries and “good times” that you stumble upon together during a neighborhood romp.  He says, these … Continue reading

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Naomi tells the story of Rosa Parks

Naomi’s PreSchool class is working on a play about Rosa Parks.  Naomi tells me about what they were learning here. Three year old Naomi tells the story of Rosa Parks

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Half the Sky is both a brutal awakening and an unmistakable call to action. -Melinda Gates

Our friend Amber Vandermeulen, a third grade teacher in the Kent school system, said that she and her husband had just read Half the Sky to one another on their last road-trip and she thought I might like it.   … Continue reading

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A half century of kids playing with Circuitry

A toy, similar to “Snap Circuits“ was covered in the September 1967 issue of Electronics Illustrated. Then and now, what you get is a box of domino like magnetic pieces that allow kids to snap together cool electronics such as … Continue reading

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Simone’s take on Dolphins

Simone gave a presentation in her classroom today about Dolphins.  She used questions to start the talk. Her peers listened avidly.  The whole thing surprised me.  Her ease in front of the class and the attentive behavior of the class. … Continue reading

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How to have a lovely birthday.

What a great birthday! Thank you! Breakfast in bed, the 1st grade book club and then friends over for a party. Debbie and Peyman, Monica and David, Margit and Ben, Andrea and Dana, joined David, Naomi, Simone and me for … Continue reading

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A sheet holding confetti and balloons

The girls went over to Trixie and Vivian’s house for a Disco New Year’s Party. Sarah and Scott Miller have been doing this for a few years and the kids love it. At 7pm there was a huge countdown and … Continue reading

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Simone’s on the cover of Life Magazine in Shanghai

Peter Lundberg, the sculptor of massive concrete works, and Graceley, the curator for the Chinese Olympic sculpture collection, came to visit last week.  Gracely brought a copy of Life magazine from Shanghai (There it is called The Bund).  Would you … Continue reading

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They are so much fun!

Goofy as can be whether we are in the minivan… Or the apartment…. At the park… On writing on our sidewalk.  Playing is an art form, mastered by kids. They crack themselves up… …and, of course, I’m in stitches by … Continue reading

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Airport Santa

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