Francesca at 7

The photos above are from the spring - some spring soccer (games only - no practice) and a nice long weekend in Palm Springs to celebrate Francesca's Pop-Pop's (grandfather's - Matthew's father) 70th birthday. Since it was spring, from March to April we also hatched butterflies at home and a few days post hatching Francesca would set them free. It was fascinating to watch them go through their life stages and we are all chagrined that we can't shape shift. The next group of photos are from June, which was all about the final weeks of school and the first swimming of 2009. The bunny was at a last day of school party.

And in July, finally, Francesca's first lost tooth - woo hoo! She now has lost both front bottom teeth - with one currently wiggling - and has had three molars come in - with the fourth clearly coming soon. Somehow the loss of teeth is correlated with starting to say charming things like "whatever." But she still can't lie (at least not well) through those teeth, old or new. After Halloween a piece of Laffy Taffy had been left in her room and one night about a week later Francesca was taking a long bath ... at the end she carefully and thoughtfully told Ioana "you know, mama, I'm really sorry but I threw out the Laffy Taffy and I really should have asked you or papa if you wanted it before throwing it away." Ioana told her that was fine and not to worry about. After a long pause, Francesca hastened to add "but you don't need to look in the garbage for it" and when Ioana gently asked Francesca if she had eaten the candy she burst into tears. Still so sweet.

The group of photos above are from the longest vacation we three have ever taken. We were gone for 3 1/2 weeks with an itinerary that took us from San Francisco to London (stayed with Ioana's childhood friend Liz and her family - daughters Zoe and Lexi are on the counter with Francesca) to Bologna (hello pigeons and cafes) to Solarolo (Ioana's small town in Northern Italy where her maternal family is from - and where Francesca loved tending to the chickens and playing soccer at midnight) to Riccione (Liz and Co. joined for a week on the beach; over one of many plates of spaghetti alle vongele Francesca mused whether we should move for the food) to Roma and then back. It was good for Francesca to learn that she actually has many relatives (though next to none in the US) and great for all of us to be together. It's also nice that we could all eat generous portions of gelato every single day for weeks and come back the same size -- I think that only works on vacation though...

Francesca threw her 7th birthday bash at one of her favorite places - Glitter and Razz - where the kids got together (while the parents were at the pub across the street) and the women who run G&R had them make up a story, prepare costumes, practice and at the end of the party perform for all of us. It was truly great fun and interesting how so many kids (over 20) with very different personalities all were engaged and had fun. Francesca's birthday came days after the beginning of second grade. She continues to thrive in school and tells us regularly that she wants to 'challenge' herself - a testament both to her and her teacher. Francesca is nimbly reading complicated books and is currently on a Garfield comic strip kick. She also loves science and nature so has thrown herself fully into her grade's study of soil and natural habitats.

The photos above are of Francesca relaxing (many books a day), scootering, and being a Rainbow Dolphin. This was her second fall of playing with this great group of kids and it was even better than the first. Francesca continues to throw herself heart and soul and body into the game and her favorite position is goalie - she loves that at the most tense moment it is all about her and stopping that ball.

October, of course, was all about pumpkins, Halloween, and the annual school walkathon. Francesca dreamed up her own costume - the tooth fairy - and happily wore it while walking 6 miles for the school and winning the lower campus costume prize. Matthew was the master of ceremonies for this year's walkathon and, bowing to popular demand, pulled his gladiator costume back out for the event. She also insisted on bringing a bag of change to hand out to folks but I am told that she did not win the costume constest by bribery. Francesca's nonna Karen (Matthew's mom) was in town in October and so got to see both her son - and granddaughter - in full effect. The morning of the walkathon Francesca posed by the signs she selected for our yard - yes for Obama and no on Prop 8. Speaking of marriage, Francesca recently asked Ioana if you can marry more than one perso - Ioana said no - Francesca said "oh..so that's a BIG decision - Ioana said yes, it's a good thing you don't need to make it for at least twenty years, to which Francesca replied "no - it's good that I've already made it!"

In late November we ventured to Disneyland for Francesca's first visit and all had a most excellent time. The girl in the pictures with her is her good friend Sydney, who now lives near Disneyland. Francesca cannot wait to return so that she can try out Space Mountain and both she and Sydney willingly walked endless miles to go on many rides, hear music, interact with the character actors, and watch the parade.

This December Francesca had her choral debut. She joined Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir in December and LOVES it - loves the singing, loves the rigor, loves the rhythm, loves the challenge. On December 16 they sang in Oakland and Francesca not only sang with her group but had a lengthy solo which she did calmly and fully despite the hundreds of unknown people looking at her. While she refused to admit to any nerves, the relief at having gotten it over was evident as she took her flowers, placed them on her head, and danced around like Carmen Miranda. A nice bonus was that her uncle David was in town so he was able to be there as well.

We spent the final few days of the year in San Diego with Francesca's good friend Will and his family. The days were filled with swimming in the hotel pool, rock climbing (Francesca's second time in her life and she shot straight to the top, looking an awful lot like a lizard in the process), excellent gelato, balloon animals, and two days of the wonder that is Legoland. We were there for New Year's Eve, where Francesca got to rock out and see her first big fireworks display. A fine way to end a fine year.

Sending many wishes for a wonderful, safe, healthy, and joyous 2009 to everyone!

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