Bobcat's Tracks: 'Twas the Month Before Christmas

Twas the month before Christmas and all those short days quickly filled with shopping, parties, decorations, and plays.

Mom, Josie, and Roz scored tickets for How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. The girls were enamored with the adorable Whos and their singing and dancing, but pretty well terrified of the Grinch. Josie became quite emotional during the performance and was reduced to tears at the end. Roslyn is currently working on questions about the Grinch: (1) Why is the Grinch so mean? (2) Where does the Grinch go when it's not Christmas? To the first question, she hypothesizes that he didn't have any parents. As for his current whereabouts, she believes him to either be in Mexico or the California Bell Tower near the theater.

Josie, Mom, and Roz in front of the Who Tree

Evidence that Roz liked edamame at one time

Attending the SoNo Chili Cook-Off has become an annual tradition. This year, as usual Roslyn sampled chili while helping Neighbor Gina sell her t-shirts.

80 degrees in December is perfect for hats and chili!

Fun in Grammy's handmade holiday hats

This year instead of celebrating her birthday along with all the other summer birthdays at the end of the school year, Josie celebrated her half birthday in early December with foods cut in half (those damned water bottles spilled everywhere!) that, you hope, did not leave her classmates only half full.


Evan, Mrs. Greaves, Josie, Roslyn, and Donovan (who always wears a cool sweater)

JP's holiday party had a 1920's theme and was held in downtown San Diego this year. The party was smashing, and, for some, smashed. JP should note that it is not necessary to carry a flask when the party boasts an open bar.

Hey, old sport!

Josie and Roslyn helped cut out and decorate cookies. Either they are getting much more dexterous or Mom is wising up about how to dole out the cookie decorations.

Before all the infamous polar vortexes of 2014, there was just good old fashioned snow in Pennsylvania. The Joh(a)ns(e/o)ns were fortunate enough to coordinate a visit to maximize outdoor play and minimize nose freezing.