Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?: October 2006

Happy Halloween from the Brewster Boys

I came home early from work tonight to go Trick-or-Treating with the Jenny and the Brewster Boys. We decided to go out to nearby Bay Farm Island for Halloween with Russell & Punky's friends Matthew and Joey (they're also brothers). For weeks, Russell has been waiting to show off his James the Red Engine costume. On the other hand, Punky does not like to get dressed up in costumes, so Jenny dressed him in his soccer uniform.

The boys had a good time checking out the other kids' costumes and going door-to-door for their Halloween treats. At one random house, Russell tried to walk into the living room and make himself at home. And Punky still doesn't really understand Halloween at all. But the Brewster Boys and their friends enjoyed each others' company immensely, which made it all worthwhile.

Punky and Russell get ready for a frightful night of Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Russell meets up with his friend Matthew for a Halloween outing

Punky and his friend Joey are both dressed as French soccer player Zinedine Zidane for Halloween--although neither was willing to shave his head

One of the characters we encountered while Trick-or-Treating in Alameda

Russell wants to eat his lollipop as soon as he gets it

After a night of Trick-or-Treating, the boys sample their Halloween booty

Punky munches on pizza after a night out on the town

A Disney on Ice Weekend

We took Russell and Punky to see Disney On Ice this weekend. Personally, I found the show to be boring and rather outdated. The featured four short Disney stories: Peter Pan, 101 Dalmations, the Little Mermaid and Lilo & Stitch. The only segment that the Brewster Boys recognized was the Little Mermaid, which was recently re-released on DVD. Both Peter Pan and 101 Dalmations are very old stories that most kids under age 10 have probably never seen outside of the Disney theme park, while Lilo & Stitch is a TV show that my kids don't watch. Next time, we don't plan on going to see Disney On Ice.

Punky watches "Disney On Ice"

Russell watches the "101 Dalmations" segment of "Disney on Ice"

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on Ice

The climax of "Disney on Ice" at the end of the Lilo and Stitch segment

Pictures of the Day

In his Giants uniform, Russell wonders if the Tigers can come back to win the World Series

Punky does his best imitation of World War 1 flying ace Manfred von Richthofen (a.k.a "The Red Baron")

Remember When?

It seems like only yesterday that Punky was born and Russell became a big brother at age 2. Back then, Russell's hair was longer and he didn't talk at all. When he wanted something, he just pointed to it or pulled one of us to where he wanted to be. I had to go to sleep with him every night. Change his diapers. Feed him. And read him bedtime stories every night. Russell has come a long way since then. I still miss those days, though.

Russell on the day Punky was born

Russell heads out for Halloween trick-or-treating

Russell tries his hand at computer games

Russell's hair used to be a lot longer

Blast from the Past: Russell back in June 2004

A Weekend Shopping Trip in San Francisco

It was my idea to spend a Sunday afternoon with the kids checking out the new Westfield Shopping Center in San Francisco. We knew there would be plenty of eye candy for the kids, along with a large selection of restaurants for dinner time. While the stores and displays were nice, the crowds were so enormous that both Jenny and I thought better about returning before Christmastime. Still, the Brewster Boys thoroughly enjoyed their day off.

The restored dome ceiling at the new San Francisco Emporium

Russell and Punky look at the the domed ceiling at the new San Francisco Emporium

Russell and Punky check out the knick-knack display at the new San Francisco Bloomingdales

Punky and Russell munch on a cookie at the Food Court

Russell and Punky both pull a rabbit out of a hat

Jenny and her Mom browse the kitchen gadgets at Bloomingdales while Russell checks out the cheese graters

To Chinatown With Grandma

Jenny's mom likes to come to Chinatown as often as possible to shop for groceries. This time, we went with her for lunch and a trip to the bank. Lunch at the Happy Cafe was cheap. A hot dog, fried egg, noodle soup, toast and a drink was only $3.50. While Punky flirted with the waitresses, Russell pilfered Punky's fried egg. I think we will eat here more often.