Halloween Hoopla-Go-Go-Kronos

It's my favorite day of the year. Halloween brings out the creative genius in so many people I just love it. This year for Halloween I dressed as Kronos from Greek mythology. Kronos is the timekeeping system I'm responsible for maintaining at my company so I've been labeled the "Kronos Queen" for years. I decided it was time to cash in on my title and make it real.

After a bit of research on the name I'm not so sure I like the title afterall. Chronos (actual spelling) was Zeus's father (so technically I'm breaking office policy about no cross-dressing but oh well). Well when Chronos was given a prophecy that one of his children would someday kill him, he ate all his children. Nice. Except his wife ran away and hid herself and their last child Zeus who she raised alone. Eventually Zeus came back and beheaded his father and all his siblings came walking out of Chronos's neck and he was banished to a pit somewhere. Pretty crazy story but there it is. And here I am with my All-Purpose-Fairy friend.

Modeling the new along with the ancient model of Kronos timeclocks
With some office buddies
And just my upcoming team-triathlon teammates

Zana is a "Go Go Girl" from the 60's, Zeth is a rookie basketball player and Ram is his coach (which is just my creative way of saying he's once again, himself). Zeth was pretty tripped out by the change of scenery at our church 'Trunk-Or-Treat' last night. We tried to get him to wear the afro but he just wouldn't do it. So Daddy was a hero and wore the wig for him. Good coach.

Here are some of my other favorite shots from last night.




Zana only walked around trick-or-treating for about 10-minutes before coming back and asking if she could hand out candy with me. She even gave away all but about 10-pieces of her own candy. She sorted her loot and chucked everything back into out give-out bowl except for a few lollipops and Skittles. It's just crazy how she doesn't like chocolate still. But I'm not going to push it, I'm just relieved we won't have a huge pile of sugar this year like last if all goes as planned tonight. Speaking of which, it's time to go trick or treating now... again.

After Bath Aftermath

I just love the joy that bath time brings. What mother could deny their kids the thrill of throwing ping pong balls at each other and dousing their sibling with cups of sudsy water. They love their time in the water and I can't say I blame them. Here's their happy squeaky clean faces after one recent bath time.

I'm all energized today because a few days ago I was invited to join in on a local half-Iron Man (triathlon) next month. Turns out it's a team triathlon so each person on the team does only one of the events. I have 'Participate in a Triathlon' on my personal 'Bucket List' and after reading more about this event I knew this was the best starter tri I'll ever find. So I found 3 able athletic friends (all teams are required to supply one volunteer to help staff the event) and we formed a team. I'll be doing the swim portion which entails 3 laps around a buoy in a bay. I'm just a little nervous because I've swum around this particular buoy once and it was no cake walk. I'm not sure what the actual total swim distance is yet but I know it's gonna take a lot out of me. I can't wait.

I've been a swimmer since the age of 12 when I joined my first swim team, the Anderson Aqua Gators, in northern Cali, and have stuck with the sport throughout my life. I'm fortunate to work on a college campus which gives me free access to a pool which is an employee benefit I can't put a price tag on. I have been swimming laps during lunch time 3-days a week pretty regularly the past several months so I have a good base to build on. Today I set my baseline and swam one mile in 35 minutes.

In reviewing my daughters homework assignment recently, I got hung up on one word she misspelled and couldn't figure it out until I read the whole sentence. This explains why she usually mispronounces "problem" and it comes out more like she spelled it. I love how she says it and don't want to correct her on this one just yet.

Dubble Bobble

Caught a glimpse of Zeth's 2 newest dental arrivals. Looks like just in time for Halloween, he'll have 2 full & 2 half teeth to grin at fellow trick-or-treaters with. I have given up looking for a Tigger costume for him. I searched the stores here for weeks and went online but found nothing I liked. I could go with the basic Jack-o-lantern but that's too obvious. I think I'll stick with the ball theme from his 1st birthday and just go simple this year ala NBA or something.

He's dealing with the teeting pain really well. He's his normal jovial self busily climbing up everything he can get a toe on. However, as the night grows long, "take 2 bottles and call me in the morning - around 3a.m." seems to be the prescription working best for him.

Lucky 13

Keeping with the tradition for a little while longer, Zeth is 13 months old today and it's time for a little update on his progress and activities. Up to this point the word Mama has only come out of his mouth on rare occasions of extreme need. I'm usually referred to as Dada, Baba or my personal favorite, Yaya. But this week, he's been catching on and using Mama a lot more much to my delight. He's a smart little jokester though, he knows how cool I think it is so he plays with me and refuses to say it but instead gives me a dramatic head turn away tease or responds by calling me Dada again. I think he knows he's being funny cause he gives me that little giggle that just says, 'Haha, I'm playing with you!"

While walking, climbing, throwing and dancing have come fairly naturally to him, growing teeth has been his biggest challenge. He finally got his 3rd tooth a week ago and #4 will be coming soon, I hope. This week I also noticed he's starting to try to sing along with music. Like during General Conference last weekend, every time the Mo Tab started singing, they had his full attention and he would try to sing along. So cute. He loves playing the piano too.

I learned something new about yeast infections a couple weeks ago. I thought the week following his 1-year immunizations Zeth was having a reaction to the shots or maybe he was just teething really hard or a combination of the two because his mouth was swollen and unusually red inside. After a few days I noticed what looked like blisters and he was obviously very uncomfortable. At the same time he had diaper rash which is pretty uncommon for him. So off to the doctor we went. Turns out he had yeast infections in his diaper and in his mouth! I had never heard of an oral yeast infection. So we went through 10-days of medicine 4-times daily which he hated but he has improved a lot. His mouth is still a little pink but it's looking better and he's not fussing anymore. Thank goodness. The things you learn as a parent.

Yes on Prop 8

I don't live in CA but I feel it is every American's responsibility to get involved, stay informed and spread the word about what Prop 8 on the ballot next month in CA means for all of us. “The door’s wide open now. It’s gonna happen, whether you like it or not!” unless we all do something about it.

If this proposition fails to pass, a huge house of cards will crumble and all sorts of freedoms we have today will be attacked. In my belief, marriage is not just about 2 people in love, it's a sacred institution meant for one man and one woman to be united in a relationship with God at the head. Homosexual couples are within their rights to chose their partners but it is not their right as a minority group to redefine the institution of marriage for everyone to fit their lifestyle. This proposition is not about punishing same sex couples or taking away their civil liberties, it is, among other things, about protecting every American's freedom of religion, of speech, of moral standards taught in public schools, and certain service agencies ability to continue to pursue their objectives and not be sued for discrimination.

When the same issue was pounding on my state's door some 10-years ago, I stood in support of the fight for traditional marriage and am happy to say that it worked in my state. So the gay and lesbian agenda organizers packed up and went looking for another cracked door to open in a different state. This time it's California's turn to take a stand on a political issue so important to all that I believe in. While I can't vote for the measure in CA, I hope you will if you are a resident.

Even if/when Prop 8 passes in CA, I know the issue will just keep moving on looking to pass in another state, but we as individuals and as a nation cannot just stand ignorantly by and do nothing. Please spread the word and get involved.