Cabo- El Segund Dia

Mira was her old self today and we are thankful! We had a wonderful breakfast outside and swam and swam and played ball and napped and mooed. Great dinner too. It's a bit chilly here though to be honest. And windy. All in all, still better than home. Mira took her very first shower tonight with Mommy. Very fun indeed!

LOTS of new sentances this week too! My Da Da car. I'll get it. Get me the ball. I have a ball...too funny!

Night night for now!

Cabo Vacation Follies

Here we are in beautiful Cabo! San Jose del Cabo for some and Cabo San Lucas to others. The 2 cities are about 40 minutes apart and between them lies a dotted line of hotels and time shares. Our hotel is about smack dab in between the 2 cites. Although close, vastly different if feel. San Jose is our favorite with its gallaries, old feel Mexico Town Square and wonderful eateries. Not as "clubby" as CSL.

After a pretty rocky start to the trip with Mira barfing about 9 times in the course of 5 hours starting when we landed, then at the rental car agency and ending at dinner. (See last post.)

She slept well in the room and had a pretty light breakfast and lunch. We swam a couple of times and played by the pool until about 2 today. Mira loved the pool and looking at the ocean.

Dinner went well and she actuallty felt about 99% "back" in our estimates. She felt so much better that she wanted to stay later in the square and dance around greeting passersby. She is in bed now and we are following shortly. We hope to have a 100% day tomorrow and get to the beach for some sand castle building! Buenos Noches.

Holiday Horrors and Other Stories

Well, let's see...where to begin. Once upon a time an entire family came to California for Christmas. One little boy was sick with a tummy virus and the whole family ended up either running to the bathroom or barfing for 3 days. The end. Seriously, the food was great and it was wonderful to have everyone in our home for Christmas. Mira loved seeeing her Nona and Aunties and Cousin Tabor. Loved her gifts too. Now, really the end. Sorry, no photo for this one. They wouldn't be pretty anyway.

Pop Pop, or George?

Yesterday Mira was opening a Hanukkah card from Bubbie and Pop Pop. She enjoyed getting into the envelope and pulling the card out. Once the card emerged from the envelope, a crisp one dollar bill came drifting out. Mira grabs the bill and studies it for a while. Then, like a light bulb clicked in her head, she looks at the bill and says sweetly "Pop Pop" Or Pa Pa as she calls him. Kevin and I became absolutely hysterical. So, there you have it. Pop Pop does indeed resemble George Washington. With his mildly receding white hairline and peaceful demeanor. Out of the mouths of babes...

Reflection

This year we have made a donation to the Save Darfur Coalition. If you are not familiar with the genocide that is taking place in Sudan, please find out more by going to www.savedarfur.org. Darfur has been called the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century. Not since the Rwandan genocide of 1994 has the world seen such a calculated campaign of displacement, starvation, rape and mass slaughter. The ongoing devastation has killed an estimated 400,000 and displaced over 2.5 million Sudanese since February 2003.

Darfur is the century’s first genocide. Look beyond the headlines, understand that a genocide is occurring right now, look for how we can support a solution – and ways in which we may be contributing to the problem. These people need our help. As humans, we owe them our support and prayers. As Americans we owe them our courage and experience. We must do something to help those who suffer, and this time we can.

We have also "adopted" a family through the Santa Cruz Adopt a Family Program this year and the gifts left today. Our family is a single mom, Aimee with a 2 1/2 year old daughter, Willow. Willow will be receiving lots of books, a Dora doll, stuffed kitty and a great big activity pad with crayons, paints and paper dolls. Mom will be receiving a Barnes and Noble GC and another GC for Safeway to get some holiday goodies. They are currently homeless so please send your prayers their way.

As another way to help others we have given to the American Lung Association this year. In memory of my sweet Bubbie, Pop Pop, Co, (Kevin's Dad) and my Aunt Kandi who all passed away too early of lung related illnesses. We miss them every day.

An early Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to everyone. Please take some time to reflect on how blessed we all are. Let's not forget the real meaning of this time of year.

I was deeply saddened by the loss of a local San Francisco father this week, James Kim. While returning to the area with his family (wife Kati and daughters Penelope (4) and Sabine (7 months) they became lost in snowy forests of southern Oregon after taking a wrong turn. After several days, James left his family and headed out to look for help. Kati and his children were later rescued but he perished. This tragic story reminds us all how life can change in an instant. Hug your loved ones close as often as possible.

Give thanks for each other every day. Hugs to all.