Carnaval in San Francisco 2008

Fat Tuesday and Lent are long past when Carnaval happens in San Francisco. Memorial Day weekend is when we celebrate our "letting go of the flesh." It's either dramatically foggy and cold or sunny and hot, but this year brought a little humidity and overcast skies. We found a nice spot on a curb on Mission Street.

As you can see, Ezra sparkled, clad in his festive outfit. He liked to drum along with the many drumming contingents.

The Friday prior, The Chicken Coop had its own parade. The parade route was simply out the door, up the street and back for snacktime (these kids are always hungry).



Fortunately a couple of neighbors came out to join in our revelry. They were so darn cute!

Now, back to the big parade. As we watched dancers, drummers, fancy cars and floats, occasional pieces and full packages of candy pelted us in the head and the heads of our curious children. Realizing that for the past 5 months we have attended at least two birthdays a month and have managed to indulge in only a minimal amount of sugary treats, which took much consideration and strategic planning by Mommy and Momma, we were caught having to think fast while kids scattered for Red Vines and Jolly Ranchers. While Ezra pulled and tugged on the packaging, Momma was able to trade the Jolly Rancher for a stick of cheese, stomp the hard candies into the ground, and save the Red Vines for after dinner (at which he chose a scoop of ice cream over the twizzlers). We were pretty successful making it only a moderately sugar filled day.

We asked him later what his favorite thing about Carnaval was....to which he replied, "The treat trucks!"

Good news on the Equal Marriage Front! If all goes as planned, we anticipate an Oct. celebration!

m.u.d.

I Do!

Today the California Supreme Court ruled that Ezra's Moms could actually get married. They said that the same-sex marriage ban violates the "fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship."












In 30 days we can have a ceremony. In November opponents to this ruling will no doubt have a initiative on the ballot to change this historic victory. It may be short, but dammit, there's definitely going to be a big party this summer.

Ezra says that we should celebrate by pouring chocolate on our heads.....our ceremony is going to be very interesting.

Dude, Look At My Cool Room...

Yup, what was once Momma and Mommy's Bedroom before we were Mommies, and then The Office, and for a time Grandma's Room, then The Cat's Room (and Storage for everything that doesn't quite fit anywhere)...is now Ezra's Room. He only naps in it for now. But, one day he may sleep in it through the night.

Dude!

...."and I am 3 years old, and this is my new scooter....

.....and I have this helmet to match...it keeps me safe....and it's blue.....it's a nice day today....."

Our boy turned three this passed week and not only is he big and strong and beautiful, his verbal skills have vastly changed. He is now having conversations with people on the street. He tells them about his age and his birthday gifts. He tells them about the safety of his helmet and then comments on what a nice day it is. We are blown away. He's been talking a lot but not to random people. The shy gene might be disappearing.

Well, we have been celebrating and the cows have not come home yet. Whoa! Ezra's 3!

He ate lots of coconut cake with ginger snap ice cream.

And, he shared his moment with his pal Argus. His birthday was a blast and we missed those who were not able to be there with us. There was lots of dancing and lots of eating.

Ezra's Po broke the plastic rule and Hot Wheel Tracks are now part of E's toy assortment. No worries Po, you aren't fired. The joy on these little boys faces says it all.

And, since E had been reaping the many prizes for his birthday, he and his civic minded friends (and Parents) exercised their right to protest being sprayed with an icky pheromone for the Light Brown Apple Moth. Chicken Coop pals were at the Play Not Spray Play-In at the Civic Center on 4-28-2008. If you haven't heard about this, please read about it here. Sign the petition, call or write Schwarzeneggar and your Senators. There has to be a better way to take care of this issue other than spraying our kids and pets.