http://millvalley.backtalk.com A family of four remembers the year ahead Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:44:11 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Once a week Nathaniel writes a letter to us in his writing notebook. A couple of weeks ago he wrote this letter, spelling and all: Dear Dad, We are starting our fanatasy book project. After I read my fantasy book, I will get to design a diorama. ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/the-wizard-of-zo/ There are many stages of a boy's life, and most appear gradually, over extended periods of time. You know the kind, where Granny Weez (my mother), who hasn't seen the boys in six months, says "The boys are really growing aren't they?". And we, who have been here the ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/growing-up/ Rachel's sister Katie married a well-known (in the UK at least) wine merchant by the name of Bill Baker. He died last week of a massive heart attack while sleeping in the Gaunt family home in Cornwall (where we spent a wonderful two years). I supplied the photograph that ran ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/goodbye-bill-baker/ Regardless of who you're voting for, this video is inspiring... Yes We Can Video by Will I Am (from Black Eyed Peas). http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/yes-we-can-video/ [ This year's New Years email] We hope this email finds you well, rested, happy, and ready to start a New Year. It's been a busy year here in Mill Valley...Frank took a new job and now gets to ride his bike to work, Rachel has a steady stream of ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/happy-new-year/ Two years in a row we've been lucky enough to have visitors from Cornwall over the holidays. Last year was the Rileys, this year the Roads. Before Christmas they stayed at the Stanyan Park Hotel (a real find!), near Nicky's sister in San Francisco. We saw them once before ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/cornish-visitors/ Merry Christmas! The boys got up early and brought their stockings into our bed to open. Ahhh, the delights of childhood...the wonder on their faces...the light and sparkle in their eyes...long may it last. The big hit this year was Lego. Rachel found someone on Craigslist ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/two-christmases-45-years-apart/ Just finished The World Without Us. A real page turner...well written...fascinating...couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. A+. http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/books-the-world-without-us/ Great piece in the UK paper a while back about how the distance we allow our kids to roam has been drastically reduced over the last 4 generations. I can't find the article, but this graphic says it all... p.s. Thanks Rodney (see comments) for finding the original article at ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/how-far-do-you-let-your-child-roam/ I sent an email to Nathaniel's principal at Tam Valley Elementary School awhile back, and came across it again as I was cleaning out my inbox...I think it's worth remembering. Hi Gail, Got your letter about Nathaniel's tardies...most, maybe all, of those are my fault. Not that it excuses anything, but ... http://millvalley.backtalk.com/archives/sir-ken-robinson-do-schools-kill-creativity/