Happy golden days . . .

Look at Me!
Originally uploaded by hjdong

This is Jamie's favorite new saying, that he is having golden days. Book club days are golden days, today must be a golden day, for the school to playing ratio, and ice skating and looking at lights was a golden day.

Rarely do I appear in family photos, being the photographer. However, Darren does not ice skate, so this is one occasion where I am captured (and not at my best I might add). We took him to a rink, once, when he was 3 1/2 (I think). I was quite impressed that he was able to sort of skate this time. He was extremely impressed he was able to sort of skate this time. And told everyone in three feet how well he had done. He loooves ice skating. We then took in the lights and some dinner.

The lights are displayed on a local hotel. As we walked by, bundled in our winter gear, we pass by some pasty people, baring their pasty arms, checking in, staring at us, hats, scarves, sweaters, coats, mittens. And in my case, wool socks and Birkenstocks. It's 60 degrees. Welcome to Southern California. Yes, we really do find it cold.

However, when we arrived at the restaurant to find that a high school jazz band was playing a benefit (Jamie's immediately reaction was to put his hands over his ears), we opted to eat outside. "Outside?!" the maitre de says. "The heaters are on?" "Yes, and I guess you're dressed for it." We sure were.

Hope everyone is taking time out for some golden days of their own. Merry Christmas, a bit early.