This photo from earlier summer '06 and taken during Friday "movie night", where the kids pick one special DVD from the library. Generally, TV is allowed Friday and Sunday morning for cartoons, but this may expand depending on my and Sonnet's level of generosity (or more likely fatigue). Here, Eitan shields me out as I take a shot; beloved Doggie and Teddie are happily tucked away for the screening.
Eitan and Madeleine in the same spot where I took the 2004 Xmas photo, sent to some 400 family, friends and colleagues (3/8/06). Since '04, by my records, Eitan has grown16 centimetres and 3.2 kg while Madeleine has sprouted 10 cm and gained 1 kg.
Eitan shot using my Olympus Camedia with 3.0 mega-pixels. While not a SLR or semi-pro camera, I find that the device takes adequately clear pictures and matches my need for convenience and storage (the memory card holds about 200 images). Plus it was cheap. This shot taken mid-day, under an awning at the cabin and the light against the cherry redwood plays nicely against Eitan's colours. While I try to include hands and appendages in all my photos of children, the close-up portraits I was after prevents this.
This photo at Big Trees state park in Calaveras county, California (4/8/06). After buying groceries at the large town Arnold (pop. 4,107), we drive route 4 to the park entrance around susnet so that I can take black & white photographs during the prime light. The trail wanders through the ancient sequoia grove for three miles. Fortunately for Sonnet, looking after the kids while I disappear for several hours, Eitan discovers my digital camera "Look! Look! I love to take shoots (sic)" - of mostly feet, mid-sections and out-of-focus objects but hey, this may lead to a joint hobby and lifetime affair together.
This hamburger joint is in Arnold, CA,and remains the favorite spot for a traditional "burger and chips". Usually we stop here on our way down from the mountains and a nice friendly way to wrap up a vacation.
The past two years I've had two fund clients in Paris - Astorg Partners and Edmond de Rothschild (11/11/05). When visiting this favorite place, I stay at Le Faubourg near the Place de la Concorde and Jardin Toulouse. I make a point of knowing at least one museum or gallery each pass, and my early morning runs take me thru the Louvre and up the Seine to La Cité and Notre Dame cathedral. This photo taken on a dreary winter morning from the Champs.
Sonnet, Madeleine and Grace, representing over 120 years of one gene's earthbound journey, pose on the deck of 2501 Shashone Dr. Grace covers the kids with love and attention, baking a apple pie, peanut butter cookies and strawberry shortcake - all from tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. She is careful each child receives equal attention while Sonnet and I appreciate what we miss from the U.K.
The kids soak up the sun, and this photo taken durina a sun and pool "time-out" (we spent 7 hours at the Bear Valley rec center yesterday). Swim lessons begin at 10AM sharp, and both Eitan and Madeleine enamoured with the older, teenage lifeguard instructors who use words like "dude" and "totally". Eitan practices his Californian tongue but so far with little success.
This is Bru (19/5/06). Bru is Sonnet's cousin and son of Missy, who I met in London in '98. He lives in Rome with his Italien girlfriend Manuela, and has two flats next to the Piazzo Campo dei Fiori not far from the French embassy. From upstate New York, Bru followed the Greatful Dead for a number of years, then applied to Cornell where he received his undergraduate degree. A room-mate introduced him to the Vatican, where he worked in the bursor's office reimbursing Cardinals and Bishops their expenses. Bru's expressive personality is best suited for the Mediterranian, and we have taken joy visiting him on several occassions in Rome, where he has opened the city to us. This photo taken in Colorado at Maire's wedding by Stanfill M. Stanfill - and demonstrates one interpretation of 'cowyboy chic.'
Sonnet, who returns to top running form now that kids etc. allow her to do so, shows her stuff. From London, her exhibition at the V&A "New York Fashion" will be funded by clothing retailer Ecco, which she learned while in LA at Catherine's wedding.
Madeleine shows off her bravery and pool-diving skills. Before we allowed her into the Deep End, I made sure she could swim a full lenght of the 25 meter pool doing the crawl. Her dog-style persists, but we are reasonably happy with her progress, and the many swim lessons in London pay back in droves.
Madeleine and Moe share a special moment. She: "Moe! listen to me talk under water!" Various whale and porpoise noises are made, which are interpreted as conversation somehow.
Sonnet and I leave the kids with their grandparents and drive to the trailhead, departing the cabin at 6:00AM. We have done this route before, pre-kids, which concludes at an alpine lake at about 8,000 feet. The weather is fine and summer-like, and the path winds through alpine terrain, forrests and open meadows. We are treated with wildflowers, which open their blume on our return once the sun has warmed the ground.
This an archive photo I like - Madeleine willingly includes her most expressive possession in this early morning portrait of her, on our way to Montessori school.
Madeleine (and Eitan) discover a pine cone. London does not offer many opportunities to explore nature unless you consider Hyde or Richmond Parks. Both quickly adapt to the setting, however, even if they seem a bit cautious by many of their new experiences. My dream is to walk the John Muir trail with them one day.
Eitan finds his spot at the cabin (27/7/07). Not surprisingly I suppose a battle broke out between the kids on usage time - settled with the kitchen timer (Madeleine can be seen waiting in the background).
Moe remains an aqua enthusiast, dating to at least my grade school when he supported my, and Katie's athletic agenda by swimming laps during our 6:30AM morning workout. This was extended at some point to double work-outs and even the odd triple when he would sneak a swim at the Bay Club in San Francico during lunch. Today, Moe has bonded poolside with Eitan and Madeleine, and remains an enthusiast for their development in this family discipline. This photo taken at the Shashone rec center, 29/7/06.
This photograph taken at my parent's cabin near Dorrington (pop. 9) and Bear Valley (pop. 150) (29/7/06). The property was purchased in 1984 with the Farnsworth and Saperstein families
, who designed the place to spec. Our road is off route 4, a two lane black-top that is closed for four months of the year due to snow at Ebbett's Pass (elev. 8,500 feet). This presents a 60 mile dead-end, which has slowed the pace of development and traffic, and so the area retains its peace and scenic beauty. While we have enjoyed it here since highschool, it is equally suited for Eitan and Madeleine who revel in the general freedom to explore the outdoors (at least within a 100 yard radius).
Madeleine practices her back-start in Los Angeles (21/7/06). The kids can spend hours in the pool, entertaining themselves in various ways. A favorite is the 'time trial' where I simulate the '08 Olympics: "Swimmers prepare yourselves for the 50 meters freestyle. Take your marks - beep!" The kids belly-flop into the pool and flail about until they reach the other side. It is surprisingly competitive even for them, and usually ends in shouts of protest from the loser even though a silver guaranteed.
