What's in a Name?

When I was pregnant, Louis' grandparents asked us to promise to give the twins "normal" names, with "normal" spellings.

"We think people today are giving their kids "weird" names," said grandma.

I guess they are not fans of all the unique names and spellings that seem to be the trend lately. They needn't have worried.

I'd like to think we are old fashioned when it comes to names. But maybe it's just that we're boring, but all the names we considered for the kids were not made up, unusual, or unique. Both Louis and myself have names, while not unusual, use the less popular spelling and know what's it's like to always be spelling your name for someone.

The joke is that the names we chose are so "ordinary" that in all the classes, playgroups, etc. we attend, we have yet to come across another Sarah or Matthew. A friend's four year old daughter said she had never heard the name Matthew before when she asked his name. I guess we could of gone with Math'u or Cer'ah, but we are not that imaginative. Or we didn't want to condemn our children to having their name misspelled for the rest of their lives.

When my friends and I talk about naming our children, I like to share some of the "gems" in eighteen years of teaching. They said I should post a list. Of course there are the names that might seem unusual but are not as far as the family's ethnic or cultural background. I'm talking here about names that have no ethnic or cultural connection. Included are those that had a funny reason behind the name.

These are the actual, legal names on the birth certificates.

In no particular order:

- Narfy

-Otayah

-Festus

-Jazz America

-Princess (mother's name was Queen)

-Tom (a girl)

-Denver, Sydney, Jose (3 brothers each named for the city where they were conceived)

-Chee Chee

-Holy, Holly, and Angel (3 sisters, mom liked Christmas)

-Junior (not really a "junior" because it was not his dad's name)

-Ximena, Yolanda, Zephyr (parents wanted siblings that names started with X,Y, and Z)

-Ebyam ("maybe" spelled backwards)

-Sandy Pond

-Czar Alexander (dad liked Russian history)

-Meshach, Abednego, Shadrach (brothers who win "most biblical" award)

-Starlight

-Zoltan

-Rainbow

-Windy (born during a tornado)

-Zen

-Ranger

-Happy

-James Bond (and he didn't even go by "Jim")

Any others you can think of?

Twin Tuesday: Behind the Wheel

In honor of the anniversary of California's first freeway which opened in 1940, Matthew and Sarah are showing off their new cars (courtesy of grandma). And remember, if you drink and drive, make sure it's only apple juice.

Christmas Samoyed

Instead of Santa Claus we got a visit from Iorek this Christmas. While his parents are in NY he is snuggling with us and entertaining the kids.

Twin Tuesday: Merry Christmas!

Happy 18 Months!

A year and half old!

This was taken in the elevator on the way to church. They are now old enough to go to the nursery all by themselves.

Paris: Day 3

The theme for the morning was Napoleon.

So off to the Arc de Triumph which was built in honor of the victories of the Napoleonic wars.

The largest monumental arch in the world

The dot is me (to prove I was there). The problem with sightseeing alone is that you can't take any cute couple pictures.

Then off to the Hotel des Invalides.

It was originally built as a hospital and retirement home for injured soldiers by Louis XIV. It now houses the French military museum. The Church of the Dome is one the other side which you can see peeking up in the back.

The church now houses the tomb of Napoleon, his son, two of his brothers and other French military heros.

Beautiful dome

The final resting place of the little meglomaniac. It's six coffins, one inside the other.

After lunch it was off to the Musee d'Orsay which houses French art dating from 1848-1914. It was a former railway station converted to a museum. I got to see some of my favorite Impressionist painters and others.

Then off to the museum bookstore for some books to bring back for the kids.

(have to start that love of history young)

Next, it was across town to the Montmartre district. The friendly feline likes scratches behind the ears before you go inside.

Sacre Coeur stands on the highest point of the city. You can see the people gathering on the steps waiting to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, you can not take pictures inside. The interior was beautiful.

Jessica the dog greeted us for dinner that night.

Poor Louis didn't get to see much of Paris since he spent 10 hours a day at the conference. But I had fun and got some shopping done. Definitely worth the trip!

Paris: Day 2

I left early and started out at the Lourve.

BUT

The museum workers were on strike.

It must be a national pastime.

Oh well, I've been there before and most of their collections are online. So I headed over to the Cite to see Notre Dame. I stopped at the Conciergerie. Think of the French version of the Tower of London. Prisoners were brought here during the Revolution (1789) to stand trial and be sentenced for execution, often within the same day. Marie Antoinette was kept here before she was beheaded.

The fountain from the women's courtyard is still there. This is where they bathed and washed their clothes.
The Guard's Hall was filled with ugly modern art.

Don't ask, I haven't the slightest idea.

The Conciergerie is part of the Palace of Justice which was the first palace for the kings starting in the 13th century until they built the Lourve. Now the French Supreme Court and other federal departments are here.

This is the main gate:

Notice the French lawyers taking a smoking break. I'm so spoiled living in CA. I forget the rest of the world smokes--a lot. Even walking down the street can give you a headache from second hand smoke.

Then it was over to Sainte Chapelle, the royal chapel attached to the palace. There is a lower chapel which was for the palace servants and the upper one for the king and his courtiers.

Pretty amazing for the 13th century.

While heading towards Norte Dame, I saw this on the side of a bus:

(Kaari, Sharla, and Alyssa-this is for you.)

I almost got hit by a taxi, but it's all in the name of friendship.

Twilight was renamed "Fascination" and New Moon is now "Temptation." I guess they don't like the whole phases of the night thing in France.

I went up to the top of the towers at Norte Dame this time. 400 steps up a narrow, spiral staircase. That means no one really wide or with a heart condition. Got my exercise for the day.

View of the Eiffel Tower in the distant with a chimera in the foreground.

Back of the Cathedral.


Then it was off to go shopping on the Champs Elysses, but my camera died because I forgot to charge it the night before.

Oh, and French policeman tend to be pretty cute.

Twin Tuesday: Being Spoiled at the Grandparents

While we are in Paris Louis' parents are watching the twinners. Aren't they awesome for doing that? I stole these from my mother-in-law's Facebook page. I think Matthew and Sarah are surviving quite nicely. The fact they are sitting next to each other and smiling long enough to take a picture is very impressive to me. Thanks!

Paris: Day 1

Blog Man has to go Le Web conference this week in Paris and I managed to tag along for the ride. So when he is off talking geek I'm free to explore the city. I haven't been here since I was 15, a long, long time ago. So far this is what we've seen.

Our plane arrived at 10 in the morning (don't you love red eyes?). We got our luggage (it made it!) and went out to the curb to catch a taxi to our hotel.

This is what a man was putting up as we were standing in line:

We couldn't take the bus because the taxis were blocking the expressway to Paris. So that meant the Metro, which for some reason was packed on a Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm.

From the train window:French taggers

We managed to transfer at the right station and almost got on the wrong train once but got off in time after I tripped over my suitcase and bruised my shin.

Our arrival at Auber station:

American movies in French


And the awesome realization that French vending machines have Haribo gummy candies and dark chocolate Kit Kats!

Then a 5 block walk to the hotel with suitcases.

Our 45 minute trip from the airport turned into 4 hours but Blog Man reminded me to be thankful it wasn't raining.

After long shower, some sleep and food I'm ready to see things old and historical.

New Moon

Taking time off from writing an awesome paper on globalization (sarcasm intentional) I managed to slip off for a girls night out. The New Moon premiere was November 20th and K was having a party to celebrate (hey, don't judge, good food, fun friends, a husband watching the kids, and movie will get me out any day).

I have to go with Team Jacob. Why would you want cold, pale and brooding when you can have warm, buff, and cute?

Of course Team Edward was there.

The theme was red and black.

Twin Tuesday: Slip 'N' Slide