Celebrating #5 @ Stern Grove

How Time Flies and Sometimes Plays a Few Riffs

Whoa! I just woke up today and looked at my little baby and, well, he is a giant, beautiful, strong, smart almost 5 year old boy bounding over tall shrubbery in a single bound, tackling a chord or two on his 'ax,' while preparing for his first year of school. How did this happen? I am pinching myself and it's not a dream. Heavens to Betsy.

Garden Cuddles on a Warm SF Day

Milestone...2 wheelin' pride...

Birthday Bliss

Po left this morning with lots of Ezra kisses and hugs and Ezra was left with lots of presents, lots of love and lots of good times to remember. Knowing that cognitive memory starts at this time, we are certain that he will fondly remember turning 4. 

Birthday Bikes and Blessed Boys

Boy is blessed. These past two weeks could not have gone more perfect for a little boy turning four years old. What started with a Bee Farm Birthday and a sleepover, has ended with bikes, a visit from Po, chocolate cake, pizza and a lone wolf.

Certainly there was the expected treats of a red-flamed Specialized bike in the kitchen when he woke up on his birthday. He received lots of goodies from his Grandma's and Aunties. His friends supplied him with games and books about doggy flatulence. After all, birthdays and presents are synonymous.

But, it was also those unexpected moments that were really special. Like when the upstairs neighbor and his teenage friends were sitting on the stoop with cardboard swords while Ezra and his pal Argus ate chocolate cake and sparred with the boys through the mail slot. When Ezra came running up to me saying, "there are pirates outside with real swords." I thought he was kidding. He wasn't. And, he was in little pirate heaven.

Or, the unexpected wolf sighting. While we ate pizza (for the 3rd time this week), a customer leashed up her wolf dog outside in perfect view of our table. "A wolf is outside keeping us safe, Mommy." And, we haven't stopped hearing about the wolf ever since.

I know that beyond all the gifts and chocolate treats he received this year, some how those little unexpected gifts will most likely be remembered. As well as his time with his beloved family members. Morning snuggles with his Po are always a highlight in E's world. Again, our little boy is undoubtedly blessed.

E's Mommies are unleashing their pup more and more as he begins to trust the world around him. Year 4 is huge in many respects. I am proud and utterly grateful he has been equipped with a helmet and an expected large dose of unconditional love.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Ezra!

Birthday Sleepover

E was so happy to have his friend Remy all to himself. I think we will plan this kind of birthday celebration next year too.

The Celebrations Bee-gin

Just a little bee birthday for our little bee.

Only a Month Away to the Big #4

When you are almost 4 years old you strike a pose for pictures. (no joke...it's the pose he chose)

90 Days

In 90 days or less we will know:

1. If we are still married.

2. How marriage will be defined in the state of California. 

3. If a minority will run the risk of having rights taken away by a 50% of the vote. 

4. If we will need to continue to march. 

Freedom To Marry- Please Don't Divorce Us

From the Courage Campaign/Regina Spektor:

"We, the undersigned, share President Barack Obama's view that "for too long, issues of LGBT rights have been exploited 
by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond 
polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect."

Yet, on December 19, 2008, Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality 
of Prop 8 and seeking to nullify the marriages of 18,000 
devoted same-sex couples solemnized before Prop 8 passed.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days. We, the undersigned, ask that the Court enforce the equality promised 
to each of us by our constitution and invalidate Prop 8. So 
doing will protect all loving, committed couples in California -– including the 18,000 who said "I do" last year –- and prevent 
the initiative process from being a tool for stripping vulnerable minorities of precious constitutional rights.

As Americans who believe in the rule of law and fundamental civil rights, we know that Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's shameful attempt to nullify equal protection 
and all these bonded unions will be condemned in the eyes of
history. We know that, ultimately, love will prevail, no matter "

Please go to their site and sign this letter before Valentine's Day. 

It's true...we've been little distracted

Ezra would say that we were playing Hide and Seek, but life and certain online social networks have prevented us from posting. 

To catch up and give you the 'nutshell' of our lives looks like this:

Since the holidays Ezra has made it through 3 successful weeks of preschool without chaos...it appears that may be coming to an end. So we are looking at other means for school next year. I heave a deep and hollow sigh. 

Ezra went to the doctor yesterday and is 40 1/2 inches tall and 38 1/2 pounds. He is still a cuddle bug and talks endlessly about work. He was so amazing at the doctor he got a little ice cream treat after dinner. 

Photos below are an awesome trip to the Symphony to see and listen to Peter and the Wolf narrated by Leonard Nimoy. As you can see from our seats, we were kind of behind the orchestra looking down into the pit. And, we were in the row directly in line with the French Horns....the instrument that represents the wolf who Ezra loves and adores and was for Halloween. We have come to terms with his empathy for the wolf. 

Also, our garden is a growin'. The fava beans will be ready soon and we will have so much garlic come the Spring we will be making, um....lots of garlic recipes. Suggestions welcome. Ezra and his Mommy spend a lot of  time out in the garden even when it is cold like it has been. Cuddles in the garden are the best. 

Work

For the last year or more, Ezra has been going to work. We never actually see him go, but he gives us constant updates and references about what he does at work, what he has at work, with whom he works (mostly Minna and Frog) and sometimes even the food he eats at work.

When we talk about a new place, he says, "Oh yeah. I've been there at my work." When it is time to eat vegetables, "I already had some at my work." "Minna likes to eat that at my work." He has adopted our old ipod as his cell phone, and can often be found having 'work conversations' on it. And the weird thing is, it really sounds like a work converation. "Yeah. Okay. I think it should go over there."

About a year ago I asked what kind of work he does, and he told me he is a teacher. Sweet boy, no?

Last week his friend Plum was over, and they were talking about work. I asked Plum if she works with Ezra, and she said, "No. My work is in China. And sometimes India."

When we ask Ezra where his work is, sometimes he points to Sutro Tower and says it is on one of the neighboring hills. And then after Christmas, we were driving down 7th Avenue toward the bridge, and Ezra pointed to a white apartment building and said, very nonchalantly, "Oh. There's my work." Jackie and I jumped in excitement and for a moment I almost turned the car in the direction of that building, thinking that we could go there and see his office.

But why work? Where is the fairy land or imaginary world kids his age generally invent? Sure, I understand that I go to work every day, so he knows it is a place that could very well be either imaginary or filled with fairies (unfortunately, of course, it is neither). I also know that since I don't come home miserable too often, work could be as pleasant as any imaginary world he might think of. But there is something about the change this represents, that I am somehow tainting childhood by allowing my 3 year old to have a career that makes me uncomfortable. Or maybe he is setting himself up for an adulthood in which work is joyful and fulfilling. Who knows.

Merry Holidays!

Ezra Anecdotes

Ezra said in response to listening to Peter and the Wolf and when the hunters emerge out of the forest,
"I will shoot them." (E has a hefty and healthy amount of empathy for the wolf)
"Hmmm," I said. "What is shooting?"(I wanted to hear E's version)
"I will shoot them with 'guns'." E said
I had to ask, of course, "How will you do that?"
E replies, "I will chew, chew, chew and blow the biggest bubble and it will pop on them and pow!" Many a hand gesture is flailing.
"I see, you will shoot them with your gum(s)." I said.
E shakes his head vigorously.

Another one of my favorites.....

"Sometimes it rains when I spit."

Baking and Making

Repeal 8 - Nice to know we have such great friends, even if our statewide neighbors are still a little fuzzy on the whole civil rights thing.

We feel so high maintenance. Our friends took on our wedding like it was their own, planning, consulting, cooking, cleaning, dreaming about our wedding. What we thought would be a carefree day was a lot of work and our friends worked their butts off on October 18, including our families. It was the most beautiful day I could have ever imagined and we have all been in a state of bliss/shock ever since. After our family left we all settled in for the most historical election of our time. We woke up on Wednesday morning with much excitement and with much sadness. We received phone calls and emails from friends expressing their sympathies as well as their glee about Obama. What California felt about our love and family, all in the name of religion, was a bit hard to swallow. This past Saturday, our friends came out in support again. They arrived early at our house. We made signs, we ate bagels, we marched outside to the train with signs that read, "My family loves your family." We made it down to the rally on a sweltering November day. We could hardly hear what the speakers were saying. Our kids were melting down. But, everyone stayed in support. They watched Ezra while Jess and I moved closer to listen to the speakers. We yelled. We cried.

Obviously we are feeling like rather lucky newlyweds. We are pretty high maintenance newlyweds that have pretty darn amazing people in our lives. We are immensely grateful for the gift of friendship that has been given to us. Despite what 52% of California thinks, I think god likes us quite lot. 

We Are Still Married

Check out the organized and peaceful protests springing up all over the State.

No matter what 52% of Californians may think, our family is strong, unique and bound by enormous love from our friends and family. If 52% of the people can change the constitution, then so be it. We will continue to teach love in our family and to never discriminate against anyone. 

We have hope. An African American man is president. He mentioned us in his amazing speech. As Obama continues to do, he gives us that bit of hope. Yes we can.

As he quoted from Lincoln last night, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. and it continues....The mystic cords of memory will swell when again touched as surely they will be by the better angels of our nature.”

 In NYC last night, Nov. 13, 20K people showed up to protest the passing of Prop. H8 outside the Lincoln Center Mormon Temple. Photo by David Shankbone (flickr photostream).

The Big Bad Wolf Says You Better VOTE!

....the role of the wolf is played this year by Ezra. Peter by Po, Cat by Momma, Grumpy Grandpa by Mommy. 

No one wanted to be the duck. Bird flew the coop. Hunters in the forest....

Voters out on Tuesday. Vote No on Prop. 8. It is unfair and wrong!