Birthday Gifts

It's such common practice to add "No gifts, please." to birthday party invitations that we forgot to do it. As a result, Rai received gift after gift after gift from the guests arriving at his birthday party a month ago. We felt a bit awkward because we had not anticipated, nor wanted, gifts. The gifts, however, were all thoughtful and wonderful. Rai is enjoying each and every one very much.

And... the Holidays Begin!

Now that school's out and Rai's attended his final day of preschool yesterday, the summer holiday has officially begun. Now, we can spend entire days with the boys -- something we've been looking forward to for a long time! Nothing beats this family time. The other morning, rather than rushing around, getting them (and herself) ready for the day, Ashe took it slow in the morning and just let the boys have some fun in our bed. It's this change of pace that makes the summer holiday's so wonderful!

Happy 75th, Golden Gate Bridge!

For months and months, every day, we'd spot a reminder that this year is the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. A sign here, a billboard there, and many newspaper articles reminded us that the day of celebration was coming soon. Finally, the Google Search page let us know that the day had finally come.
It took a little while to explain it to him, but Rai finally understood that a Bridge can celebrate a birthday just like a person does. On the other hand, he couldn't quite understand just how old 75 is. He would hold up three fingers, asking, "this old?" No. Four fingers. "This old?" No. Five fingers, his limit. Nope, much older than that. On May 27, 1937, after four years of construction, the Golden Gate Bridge was opened. Seventy five years later, it remains as impressive and iconic as it was on opening day. Some call it "The Parthenon of America".
All day long, we enjoyed the diamond anniversary party. From the "International Orange" art exhibit at Fort Point to the music stage at Chrissy Field, it was a wonderful event. In the evening, I took a half hour break from painting my new classroom to climb up to the roof of the school for a view of the fireworks show. Happy Birthday, Golden Gate!
Let's finish with the poem written by Chief Engineer for the Golden Gate Bridge, Joseph P. Strauss.

The Mighty Task is Done

At last the mighty task is done;
Resplendent in the western sun
The Bridge looms mountain high;
Its titan piers grip ocean floor,
Its great steel arms link shore with shore,
Its towers pierce the sky.

On its broad decks in rightful pride,
The world in swift parade shall ride,
Throughout all time to be;
Beneath, fleet ships from every port,
Vast landlocked bay, historic fort,
And dwarfing all--the sea.

To north, the Redwood Empire's gates;
'To south, a happy playground waits,
in Rapturous appeal;
Here nature, free since time began,
Yields to the restless moods of man,
Accepts his bonds of steel.

Launched midst a thousand hopes and fears,
Damned by a thousand hostile sneers,
Yet ne'er its course was stayed,
But ask of those who met the foe
Who stood alone when faith was low,
Ask them the price they paid.

Ask of the steel, each strut and wire,
Ask of the searching, purging fire,
That marked their natal hour;
Ask of the mind, the hand, the heart,
Ask of each single, stalwart part,
What gave it force and power.

An Honored cause and nobly fought
And that which they so bravely wrought,
Now glorifies their deed,
No selfish urge shall stain its life,
Nor envy, greed, intrigue, nor strife,
Nor false, ignoble creed.

High overhead its lights shall gleam,
Far, far below life's restless stream,
Unceasingly shall flow;
For this was spun its lithe fine form,
To fear not war, nor time, nor storm,
For Fate had meant it so.

School's Out!

School's out. No more teachers, no more books. No more pants, too. At the annual end of the year math party, another math teacher planted the idea that tomorrow (today) is no pants day. Rai loved the idea and, this morning, reminded us that today is no pants day. Ko joined in and, before we knew it, we were outside walking around with no pants on. The boys got some smiles. Daddy... not so many. Meanwhile, check out the photo of Doug and I at school -- he's got trouble written all over him, doesn't he?

Messy Eater

Kids are messy eaters, or so we've heard. Rai wasn't. He was always a tidy eater. A few years later, we can see that this was an early sign of his personality -- he is quite meticulous and likes things a certain way. Ko, Ko on the other hand, is the opposite. Now we know how messy a toddler can be. Dinner with Ko is quite the experience.

Class of 2012

A month ago we attended the Senior Prom for the Class of 2012 and yesterday, it was time for the big one: graduation day. On stage, seated beside the team of Seniors who had helped organize the event, we may have gotten a bit misty-eyed ourselves as we looked at them and observed the emotions they were going through. Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

Another Zoo Visit

Rai and Ko were able to make another visit to the Zoo this week and, this time, it was even better because Grandpa was there with them. Just look at how Rai looks at his Grandpa and you'll get what I mean. Our boys light up when Grandpa or Grandma are around.