Category Archives: Holidays

Handstand anyone? Cupcake with Sprinkles?

Simone’s “Person doing a handstand” for her Halloween costume.  Not the easiest costume to sit in…so (as in previous years) she had a couple back-up costumes that she cycled through during the day. Naomi made many costumes this year but … Continue reading

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Making Friends with Every Gecko in Belize

  We arrived in Belize City around noon and immediately headed two hours West, almost to the Guatemalan border. Along the way we stopped at the Belize zoo and, lo and behold, both girls were sound asleep. The zoo was fun but … 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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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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Airport Santa

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What is Santa’s favorite midnight snack?

We’re not religious but we like celebrating so this year we did both Hanukah and Christmas. Above is the note Simone left Santa. It is a two-sided plea to find out what Santa most likes to eat in the middle … Continue reading

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A party about stories

This party started off with the adrenaline and excitement of being together with good friends and conversations in the globe to catch up and share confidences, ambitions… the view. BUT Then, Tom Skerritt handed out movie scrips and assigned parts … Continue reading

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Santa stopped by the tower.

Naomi saw this image and asked me, “Mama, how cold was the North pole? Did you like working in the toy shop? I’m glad you are back, Mama.”

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Ten Favorite toys!

I’ve been thinking about Simone and Naomi’s favorite toys. 1.) A horse tire swing ($79.99)  We’ve tied this swing to a zip line across our living room and use it everday.  Sheets get thrown over the zip line to create a … Continue reading

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14 GREAT Children’s books (7 for a 3 year old and 7 for a 6 year old)

All 14 books have a few things in common.  They have kooky unpredictable plots. They have terrific illustrations.  They have marvelously moody characters that evolve and transcend their predicaments.  Naomi and Simone each received a book a day during the first … Continue reading

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Storytelling gathering for the holidays

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Holiday 2009 or slinky on the hotel stairs

Our holiday tradition is a feast with friends around the table that goes on late into the night. The dinner is usually a couple weeks into December. The food has been the same for the last 8 or so years. … Continue reading

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Sweet and HORRIFYING! or A Whirling Deverish Halloween

Hanging out on the Schembre’s back porch before trick or treating on the top of Queen Anne. Annabelle (Princess), Sophie (Mermaid), Josie (Kitty cat), Simone (Good and Evil), Naomi (Smaller Good and Evil) and Lucy (Clown). The second photo shows … Continue reading

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The BIG DIG Treasure Hunt or Simone’s 5th or Great Traditions

We have a few traditions. One of these is the annual sailing trip, another is the annual BIG DIG treasure hunt that happens every year for Simone’s birthday. We bury chests with treasure across the Global Gardens beach, pass out … Continue reading

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Santa stopped by the tower a week early

The presents have been opened and the girls have left the scene for a few moments to pack up some toys for our afternoon plane ride to San Francisco where we will join in a second wave of Holiday festivities.

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