You're a Good Boy, Tommy Galvin

Aunt Jen joined us for a road trip to Santa Rosa to visit the Charles Schulz (Peanuts) Museum. I've never been and wanted to do a little research for the show. Above is us posing with Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree. I think this was my favorite thing!

We ate lunch at the Warm Puppy Cafe next to the Ice Rink but we didn't end up skating. I hadn't been to this rink since I went in 5th grade to watch Amy compete.

This bench outside the cafe has a live webcam on it. So we called Aunt Barbara and she brought up the page and could see Tommy.

Then we went over to the museum. When we approached we were horrified to see a sign that said "Closed Tuesdays." We'd all looked at the website... it didn't say that anywhere. We drove all the way up and it was going to be closed?!? FORTUNATELY, they changed the schedule because of the holiday this week and they were gloriously open! Here are some pictures from outside the museum. You can't take pics inside :( Inside they have many collection of strips, many originals, with various themes. They are a small museum so I think they rotate collections often. In addition, in and around the museum there are tons of sculptures by other artists inspired by the Peanuts characters. Remember when San Francisco did the thing with the heart sculptures they had different artists decorate? St. Paul, Minn. has done that several times with Snoopys, Charlie Browns, etc. So there are a few of those scattered around.

We met this painted Snoopy in May at the Giants Game.

There's Even a Kite-Eating Tree

We had a great time and didn't spend that much money in the gift shop! It looked dangerous walking in there! I'm sure we'll go back again - we want to hit that ice rink!

Christmas... it keeps going and going and going

Well it seems that the month of Christmas is finally winding down. I've just uploaded all Christmas photos into an album. We had breakfast with Santa, Barbara in town, Fake Christmas at the Galvin's, Christmas Eve at our house, Christmas Morning, and then Christmas Day in Gilroy. Here are the pictures!

Here's Tommy playing with his gift from Santa (the tracks) and his already large collection of trains.

*Updated* Jen sent some pictures today that I added to the slide show. Below are my 2 favorites you might have missed!

No Dabara, Tommy do it.

Tommy's Aunt Dabara is here visiting from Portland.



She didn't realize that Tommy knew all the words to "There's A Monster at the End of This Book" and insisted upon reading it himself when he figured out that she was only reading the first sentence on each page!

and he knows all the words because his Aunt Jen fell for the "more grover" plea last week and read the book at least 4 times.

Saturday with Santa

Here are pics from Saturday's SI kids' party with Santa. It was great to see all the cousins and fellow Faculty Brats there! "Tommy can you see me?"

The Dogwalker's Diary

Our dear friend Greg has a blog of his own. I dare not link to it because it's not always "family content." Plus, I don't want the students who know Greg finding my blog.

Greg is enjoying being a college graduate with a theatre degree in a terrible job market. Ok, not really. Really, Greg is going crazy. So, he's walking Cali and Finn a few days a week for us which is a gigantic help since the sun now sets at 4:30. I actually live in the theatre again now, so I don't know what time the sun actually sets. Anyway, our family has received some "shout-outs" on Greg's blog recently and I thought I'd excerpt them for your enjoyment!

Nov 22nd: Greg writes:
"So after I worked with kids this summer (see my first post re: getting punched in the face and dealing with pants-wetting), I vowed to never ever have children. I like the concept of children, but not necessarily the practice. I can't imagine having to be with a kid all day and be responsible for making sure he or she becomes a contributing member of society. Talk about pressure! After spending time with Tommy Galvin (shout out to Tommy!), I think I changed my mind. Tommy melts my cold, black heart every time I see him. Now that he's just about 19 months old, Tommy recognizes me. And while he can't say "Greg," he does have a name for me: Deet. I'll take it! Tommy likes to play with the zippers on my hoodie sweatshirts and also likes to sit on my lap while he draws on his fancy Magnadoodle. I personally think he has moved out of his pointilism phase (poking the Magnadoodle) and into his scribbling phase, but I don't think he's fully abandoned his artistic roots. He's going places, watch out. A couple of weeks ago, Meredith and I took a trip to Babys Backwards R Us. Tommy needed a diaper change and I thought it was encouraged to change your baby in the middle of the store-- test drive the merchandise, if you will-- but Meredith changed him in the Mother's Lounge. In my imagination, I equate the Mother's Lounge with a Piano Lounge, but something tells me they're not the same. I was perusing the Baby cards and heard Tommy yell out "Deet! Deet whaiwareyou?" You know that moment where the Grinch sees the Whos down in Who-Ville enjoying Christmas without any presents at all? My heart grew three sizes when Tommy asked where I was, and then shrunk back to it's normal two sizes to small size when I watched the family with about 12 too many kids on TLC. No thank you."

Dec 10th Greg writes:
"Hear ye! Hear ye! I have a job. I am a professional dogwalker. I use “professional” in the “gets paid to” sense, as I may or may not be qualified to care for living, breathing, things. 3 days a week I walk Tom and Meredith’s dogs, Cali and Finn. The other two days I walk my cousin Adam’s dog, Rocky. Rocky is a 6 month old Boston terrier who is a stubborn but loveable little guy. I take him to Stern Grove, the only dog park I know. Rocky falls asleep in my lap on the ride home and just loves me to pieces. Cali and Finn, on the other hand, are big dogs- and Finn loves to sit in the front seat. And by “loves to sit in the front seat” I mean “will growl at Cali if she tries to usurp the passenger seat”. Our rides to the park are a little more intense than with Rocky. I have been shifted into neutral by a dog more than once and the barking is something else. I am going to film one of the car rides so you can see just how excited these dogs are about the park. Cali doesn’t even bark—she warbles. I think she’s trying to talk. She is a human inside a dog’s body. Last week she put my hazard blinkers on- twice- and today she changed the radio station AND turned on the Air Conditioner. Tom and Meredith, apparently your dog hates Christmas music and is having hot flashes.
On our first day in the park, Finn peed on a white Mercedes Benz. Yea! Down with the upper class! The next week, I pulled Finn away from a Buick, BMW and Porsche. He peed on my car. Down with college graduates who walk dogs?"

Thanks Greg, let's hit Denny's this weekend!

More Catching up

Pictures from football with Dad and visiting Nana's house.

Tommy got to practice his "Go Niners" cheer and Yes Yes Yes as the 49ers played well for the whole 60 minutes and won the game.






At Nana's. I was lying on the floor as my back was out of whack. Nothing like being tackled by Tommy to make it better!

Nana's friend Ruth Anne gave Tommy a Thomas the Train lunch box which came with Thomas books. Hooray!

Learning a new skill....beater licking

I think he's getting the hang of it.

Cheers!

Santa's Breakfast

Gma C had the brilliant idea of going to the SG Santa's Breakfast this morning. We were going to meet at 8:45... piece of cake. Tommy never lets us sleep later than 7:00...

At 8:25 I sprang out of bed and called Mom... they had just left the house. We left our house at 8:45 only a little behind schedule and I think that's pretty impressive. Gma and Papa picked up Joey and we met in the gym.

It was delicious and we had a great time. Even if Tommy wants nothing to do with Santa this year. We got a much cuter family picture to make up for the terrible experience at Stonestown. I think I warned you all, but just in case... the Stonestown Santa is new and terrible. The old Stonestown Santa is sorely missed.

Here are the pictures from breakfast:
Papa and Tommy play ball on the schoolyard

Tommy keeps one eye on Santa at all times.The making of our Christmas card.

"Can't smile... eating breakfast."

Catching Up

It's almost Christmas vacation!!

Tom passed the CSET (single subject history exam) and has his LAST (for real this time) class at USF on Thursday. Then he'll be done and will come away with a masters, a multiple subject credential, and a single subject credential. phew!

Other than that we've just been busy and since the musical starts next week and we haven't even done the dance concert yet... it will only get busier.

So here are a random assortment of recent pictures that we've meant to post.

Hockey in the house...

We're seeing a lot of this lately...

Zombie children watching tv

Climbing in the furniture

Papa holds court on Fake Thanksgiving with Clara, Marco, and Christian. (Sorry about the bottle mom, I took the picture through the window...)

A Very Real Thanksgiving

The Cecchins traditionally celebrate what we fondly refer to as "Fake Thanksgiving" this weekend. Today we're taking the show on the road down to Gilroy to give multitudes of thanks for Eda's incredible life and family. Eda passed on early this morning surrounded by children and grandchildren. Today her sister, 6 children, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (no to mention in-laws and cousins!) will all gather in Gilroy! Another party for Eda!

Evening with Nonna, and Prayers Please

Last night Tommy, Gma C and I drove down to Gilroy to visit Eda. Tim had been down Tuesday, Jeff and Marco Thursday morning, and Mike will be up tomorrow. All the other grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been by or will be there by Saturday. All of her children will be there by this afternoon. I can think of nothing she would like more.

We stayed a long, leisurely evening hanging out, praying, telling stories, making pasta (well, Brian made pasta). It was wonderful. We'll be back down tomorrow with everybody in tow!

Please keep Eda in your thoughts and prayers as she makes this transition. The hospice people call it "the event"... isn't that awesome! Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Mary and I read this great quote online that I wanted to share here because it totally reminded me of Eda.


From the beginning of [Mary's] life, she was dedicated to God. She herself became a greater temple than any made by hands. God came to dwell in her in a marvelous manner and sanctified her for her unique role in God's saving work. At the same time, the magnificence of Mary redounds upon her children. They, too, are temples of God and sanctified in order that they might enjoy and share in God's saving work.

As Tommy said last night as he blew her a kiss... "I Love you Nonna!"

Afternoon with Aunt Jen

I had the day off and was eager to go back to the Academy of Sciences. I thought it would be fun to take Tommy along. Worked out all the details, Nana's car, stroller, daycare logistics and we're ready to go.

Tommy was not at all bothered by the teeth marks on his cheek and was ready to go. He did ask where Nana was. Logical since we were in Nana's car. We're pushing up just to the Academy entrance and Tommy said "no penguins, no fish, no alligator". Hmmm. "Really Tommy... no penguins?" "No" he says and shakes his head. "How about sharks?" I ask. "What do the sharks say?" Faithful blog readers know the answer to that one. As does my nephew and he ROARED. So off we went.

We saw sharks, fish, the albino alligator and off we went to the penguins. We were there in time for the penguin feeding, which was great but a bit crowded so we didn't stay for the whole feeding.

It was a great afternoon.
Thanks Tommy.


Feeding.


The penguins.



Watching the fish and the sharks.