Trees and mountains

It makes total sense to take a telescope with you in the car to see all the trees and mountains.

“mommy!! Take my picture!”

School pictures

School pictures were successful this year.

Party time

Saturday Calvin and Ellie were both invited to the same birthday party at Jewelry Heist. E had her birthday party there a couple years ago so she was very excited. The birthday girl is at Calvin’s school but knows eE because her older brother is in Es class. Her mom and I have also become fast friends (and the dad took E to zoo Camp last week). So we were all very excited to celebrate her birthday. 

Ellie was very excited about her necklace, bracelet, and keychain for her backpack. All of which have a “I ‘heart’ soccer” charm. 

I was very impressed with Calvin’s focus. He did well stringing the beads. He made a necklace for himself (with a baseball charm), a bracelet for me (to match my earrings), and a keychain for Susu. 

Black Friday at Universal Studios

We spent the day at Universal Studios. Calvin and I hadn’t been since he was a baby and hadn’t seen the Happy Potter world. Ellie hadn’t been to Harry Potter world since becoming 48 inches tall. We arrived just before the park opened and went straight for the big ride at Hogwarts. It did not disappoint. A great ride. 

The rider switch program at Universal is pretty slick. All rides have a room or play area adjacent to wait for the big kids and parents while they ride the ride. Some rides if you are child-switching it you get to go through the short VIP lines (people pay extra to get into those lines) and others you wait the actual line. But either we timed it right or it wasn’t crowded because we didn’t wait more than 35 min for any ride. 

We got on all the big rides, including the team ride (Studio Tour), and the kids had their bathing suits so there was water play for a while. We did the Harry Potter ride twice actually. Saw a couple of shows...pretty much did it all, and then some. 

The Studio Tour is not Calvin’s favorite. Poor kid was traumatized in the Earthquake portion. He started screaming and crying. He was not a happy camper. However, after talking about it for the rest of the day I think he has realized it was just pretend. 

Didn’t take a ton of photos. But trust me when I say it was a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year Jim hosted Thanksgiving at his place. Between the good food, exterior seating for appetizers and dessert, and good company it was a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Feast!

Today was the multicultural feast at Calvin’s school. We took cookies but enjoyed the food brought by all the other families. A family brought brussel sprouts and Calvin was the only kid who had any. He ate quite a few actually. His plate was full and very colorful; many parents commented on his diverse palette and appetite. Every time a teacher asked who would like th food they were passing...Calvin enthusiastically raised his hand. 

Playground painting

A parent at Ellie’s school came up with a plan for sprucing up the playground for the kids by painting the asphalt. Saturday was the first trial/mock-up to try the paint and the system of application. The goal was to paint the four-square courts. So we volunteered to help and Ellie even got in on the painting.

Phase 1 appears to be a success and so there are now grander plans for the playground including a neighborhood on the kinder playground. 

Batkid

We love hand me downs. We have friends that have older boys and often we get gifted fantastic clothes for Calvin. Calvin’s teacher was going through her sons closet and came across some sweatshirts and jackets that no longer fit them. So she brought them to school to pass on...well Calvin grabbed a Batman sweatshirt right away. 

And when he wears it he talks in his Batman voice. It’s fantastic.

He shoots...he scores...maybe

Basketball is back at Meher. They got some new balls and the kids are back to playing basketball. And Calvin spends most of his recess playing. Apparently he is pretty good, but, when I saw him playing he didn’t make a single shot. Oh well. His dribbling is much better that last time I saw it.

Morning reader

Ellie has been getting up a little earlier than normal lately. And she has been curling up on the couch with a book. Generally she starts a book at night and then finishes it in the morning (yeah, we keep telling to read harder or longer books...). 

She’s really gotten into mysteries and says she has to know how it ends. Of course this morning she was reading about the World Series, but only because she didn’t have a new mystery to start last night. She definitely has specific genres she likes. Not fantasy (sorry Harry Potter and fairies). 

So, poll time...is Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys okay for an 8 year old? She has read all the Cam Jansen books (too easy) and the Nancy Clancy books (Nancy’s hero is Nancy Drew). I got her some Boxcar Children mysteries from the library tonight so we will see if she likes them. Other recommendations? 

Domestic explorer

Soccer

Ellie has a great team and coaches this year. Her team, going into Saturday, was ranked 4 out of 25. Saturday they went on to win their toughest game against the No. 1 team in her league. The great thing is it really is a team effort. The girls are working together and have really fallen into their positions. Ellie had two assists (for both of their goals). 

Calvin seems to enjoy snacks (it was our turn on Saturday) and has made friends with Es teammates little brother.