I have to tell ya, after a busy five days at the office and contending with a heavy cold throughout, there was no better way to end the week than with a bit of Christmas cheer.
Tonight, Santa came to Burlingame, and of course, William and daddy were there for all the fun. Check out the tree lighting ceremony!
Tomorrow we're going to Hiller air field to watch the SantaCopter land (yes, really) and on Sunday we're off to a Christmas concert in the city. Standby for an onslaught of Yuletide video!
It's been a while since I last blogged...and for good reason! Emma, William and I have been on an extended trip to England and Italy for our summer hols.
Suffice to say we have hundreds of photos, a few hours of video, and enough stories to last several dinner parties. For now though, here's a quick summary of the new life experiences we've totted up since I last wrote (both good and bad!):
Gained: Shopping list of new music as a result of attending the Glastonbury Festival. Highlights: Stevie Wonder, Shakira, The XX, Pet Shop Boys, The Magic Numbers, Marina and the Diamonds, Paloma Faith and Ellie Goulding.
Lost: One World Cup Final. Okay, okay...so the Dutch played in a manner more befitting WWF than Total Football....but damn it, we nearly won the World Cup, and it hurts to lose! On the other hand, beating Brazil in the quarters was SWEET!
Gained: Newfound appreciation for Michaelangelo (during visit to Florence). That chap really was pretty handy with a chisel and chunk of alabaster. I never thought I'd say I was moved by a sculpture, but the eight-feet-tall 'David' ain't no ordinary sculpture, folks.
Lost: Hanging baskets, jasmine shrubs, lawn etc. Must remember to ask neighbors to water plants next time we go away for two weeks.
Gained: Plenty of good times with family. William single-handedly charmed the entire clan, of course, not least with his ever-expanding repertoire of words, which now includes: "bike", "night-night", "hot" and "cheese" (whenever anyone points a camera at him!)
Lost: Any last semblances of belief that long-haul air travel with an infant is a good idea. On the flight to London William threw up all over Emma and I. On the way back, he slept for two hours, then required constant feeding / play / reading for the remaining eight-and-a-half. I suspect if someone had offered us a nanny for $10,000 during either flight, we would have willingly maxed the credit card.
Gained: Pounds. Not British money, but ounces in abundance as a result of delicious Italian gelato, pizza, pasta, wine etc. Lovely stuff. I tell ya, Italy has gone up greatly in my estimations.
Lost: Hundreds of Euros. On a car rental in Italy. When you see how the Italians drive (nose-to-tail at 80 mph on the motorway) all the extra insurance seems a VERY wise investment.
Gained: Huge admiration for Tuscany. Wow, that place is beautiful. I'm lucky enough to have seen a good chunk of the world, but I've honestly never seen towns, cities, architecture and countryside as beautiful as that which we saw in Tuscany. Siena is the most beautiful city on the planet, and the little medieval hill towns of San Gimignano and Volterra...well, words don't do them justice, so here's a peek:
On the way home after his 100th birthday party, William's great grandfather (for whom William is named) said to me with a broad, mischievous smile on his face: "Dave, I wish it could be my birthday every day!"
That moment has stayed with me as a reminder that you're never too old and never too young to deserve a special birthday.
And what better age to start a fine tradition of special birthdays than at age one!?
It was with that spirit in our hearts that Emma and I dragged ourselves out of bed at 6.20 this morning to go and sing "Happy Birthday" to William for the first time in his life.
OK, so it took us a bit too long to get to his room, and by then he had tears streaming down his cheeks, and snot running down his nose, but it all got better from there!
The sing-a-long was quickly followed by two simultaneous webcams with Oma Wil and Grandpa David and Grandma Ann (while unwrapping presents) followed by another webcam with cousins George and Lauren and Auntie Sarah (and more present unwrapping).
After a little exploring of new toys and a brief nap, off we went to Il Fornaio for lunch, where William ate his first ever ice cream (Oh boy, does William like ice cream now!). Then there was just enough time for a little more playing with new toys, before another nap before dinner and a grande finale of chocolate birthday cake before bed.
What more could a one-year-old want?! Happy Birthday, William!...and here's your first "Happy Birthday" song again!
I'm a bit behind on uploading videos of William's adventures. I'm pleased to report however that he has continued in his fearless ways right up until the eve of his first birthday. (Yes, William will be turning one on Tuesday, I'm amazed to report.)
And in years to come, as he adds more words to his repertoire (which today includes: "tree", "daddy" and "wow"), he will no doubt brag about the fact the he locked horns with a frisky goat and came face-to-face with a vicious alligator within his first 12 months on this planet!
First...his encounter with the goat at San Francisco zoo:
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