Christmas Lights!

There's a popular street in Alameda that has a fabulous Christmas lights display every year and this is the second year we've taken Aidan. Last night we finished dinner early and the weather was cooperating so we decided that was the night to go. Every house on this street is decked to the hilt and there are carolers strolling around and singing and even a Santa Claus in the middle island for kids. People come from all over to see this display and it was a lot of fun to go - some displays were quite creative such as one with a Nightmare Before Christmas theme and another using plastic lawn flamingos with antlers instead of reindeer. Aidan was beyond excited with it all.



This was Aidan's first experience sitting on Santa's lap. We went through a brief rehearsal as we stood in line for his turn about what to expect. I didn't want him to be scared. He did great and totally enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what he wanted for Christmas. While we don't really celebrate Christmas, I might be persuaded to getting Aidan a little somethin from Santa every year. He loves Christmas - what kid doesn't?

Below are more pics from some of the great displays.

39

Yeah, I'm 39 today and like anybody who gets older, I contemplated the aging process and something about entering midlife is weird. I think this is something that everybody goes through as we enter the passage from youth to middle age and then into our senior years. Even as my face, body and hair are changing (not an easy thing to see either!) I was contemplating that as I'm going these life stages, at least I'm making this journey with someone by my side who is also going through the same thing. And I look at the fresh, round, perfect face of my little son and I understand on an instinctual level about passing on what we know and believe on to the next generation. I also find comfort that the thoughts and feelings I've been having is not new and NO ONE is exempt from getting older.

Anyway, so happy birthday to me. :)

Chinese Proverb About Money I Liked

With money you can buy a house, but not a home.

With money you can buy a clock, but not time.

With money you can buy a bed, but not sleep.

With money you can buy a book, but not knowledge.

With money you can buy a doctor, but not good health.

With money you can buy a position, but not respect.

With money you can buy blood, but not life.

With money you can buy sex, but not love.

Project after my Book is Done

Once I'm done writing my book to include all of Thailand, I'm going to start a new project on myself based on a book called The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron. It is a 12 week program with exercises to access and reawaken your creativity and it has gotten rave reviews. I've forced mine down for so many years that it needs some serious resuscitation. It will certainly help with my painting!

Deep in the Midst of Potty Training!

Last week, with the Thanksgiving holiday and our Thailand trip at an end and routine returned to the family, I had had enough of Aidan's diapers and decided it was high time he be potty trained, even though he wasn't enthusiastic about it. I'm dreadfully tired of diapers and their high expense - besides this kid is 3 1/2 years old - it's high time he uses a toilet!

The first two days were 100% accidents and I was puzzled and rather depressed that my son didn't get it, especially being as old as he is. But on day three, he went to the toilet every single time with no accidents. He was especially motivated by the small chocolate coin I'd give him as a reward. He still poops in his diaper, but that will change soon too. We're hoping to start him in a preschool program a few days a week once he gets potty trained.