








On my birthday we went on a family adventure to Japantown in San Francisco. I had a goal of finding a bamboo fountain (a shishi-odoshi fountain). I was unsuccessful in that goal, but I did find some neat ceramic dishes and a sake set because I think it looks neat.




Our adventure in to the city just about did us in. But did go out to dinner and then get back home for cake.

Corinne’s birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so we got to pack in a full day of celebrations. We started by opening presents.
Then we drove up to Walnut Creek for birthday lunch and ice-cream at the San Francisco Creamery (clearly not located in San Francisco). Then it was off to Tilden Regional Park to ride the steam trains and the carousel. Corinne wanted me to ride in the spinny seat with her the first ride so I needed an inner-ear break for the second ride.

After the park it was time to get the exhausted kids back home for cake and bed.


She’s a happy little girl. She’s been in preschool this year, 2 days a week for a couple hours each day. She has swim class on Mondays. And gymnastics on Wednesdays.
Heather turned 7!




She had to make her way through the laser beam maze:

Then cross the pit of lava without touching:

And solve math problems to know which squares were safe to step on:

After her 3 trials she uncovered her treasure, a new bike!




I made a yellow sour-cream–butter cake with American caramel frosting.