Fun times with grandma and grandpa

We can post this now

Last night a fire broke out in the Painted Cave area above SB. The kids saw smoke and flames and evacuated down to Pasadena for the night. Winds changed and the fire isn’t headed towards the city anymore. #cavefire

Came to Miami

 Saw some concrete. Got a mojito. Met Gloria Estefan.

Welcome to Miami

I’m in Miami at a conference.

Proof of life and pancakes

Kinder school photo

Got the digital proof for Cals kinder school photo:

All in

I think these photos illustrate when I went all-in and lost all my chips at the tournament. I even put in my good luck 100grand candy bar...fortunately even with losing my hips I got to keep the candy!

The woman next to me (in red) won the whole thing!

Poker Tournament

The Pasadena Education Network (a non-profit that supports public schools in Pasadena) holds a poker tournament as a fundraiser annually. Last year I didn’t play, but Nick and his poker buddies all did and had fun. Well, this year I decided to play and help fill out the Webster table. At the table was Nicks poker crew, me, and a pair of Webster parents (whose kids are the same ages and good friends with E and C and so the kids were all stoked to spend the evening together at KidsKlub). Only one went out in the first round before the first consolidation of tables. 

The tournament had about 200 players. 

I happened to the the last person standing of our original table in the tournament. And then with a little luck and some defensive poker playing I made it to the final table. While my stack of chips was the smallest at the final table of 10, I lasted a couple of hands. I ended up in 10th place and with a pretty sweet prize.

Disappointment

Ellie had an appointment with the orthodontist today. From her last appointment there was a strong chance that she would get all the metal taken out of her mouth. Unfortunately the orthodontist decided to leave the braces on a little linger to close some of the gapping a little more. 

To say Ellie was disappointed is an understatement...she has a whole bag of chewy, gummy, sticky Halloween candy waiting for her. 

Long day

Yesterday I saw the sunrise and sunset at the same construction site. It was quite a site and a LONG day. 

Road trip!

Ellie had a soccer game up in SB on Saturday. The girls won their game (3-1) and E had a great game. Bud and Claire were able to make it too! Following the game we ate lunch and then headed back home. Both kids read most of the car ride. And Calvin rocked a new hairstyle due to his rapid hair growth and it’s “floppiness” which makes him happy. 

Ellie gets an award

Today Ellie received a Spotlight Award at school. She was recognized for being a Dedicated and Hardworking Student.

Harry Potter Trivia

Last night was Harry Potter themed trivia at a local brewery. I actually went out in a school night with some friends (not work friends) and we had a beer and played trivia which we did really well at coming in 5th place. We got all but two of the actual trivia questions but fell just out of the running because between questions they would play music and you got bonus points for naming the artist...well, we didn’t do so well with our music trivia. Oh well. We had a blast! 

And they had HP themed beer: Alcoholic  Butterbeer complete with whipped cream. 

Driveway Nap

On saturday, following a soccer game, Calvin went to a crazy birthday party at an indoor trampoline park. He had a blast and was worn out (and ate 3 pieces of pizza...more than any other kid!). He fell asleep in the car for the first time in a while and I had the pleasure of a peaceful rest in the car while he continued to nap in the driveway when we got home.

I’ll take a win when I can

I took Calvin to Trader Joe’s on sunday. He begged me to get Brussels sprouts. So I did. 

Today he begged for me to make them for dinner. I told him he had to help. So he did. 

And they were devoured at dinner along with some corn and baos we also picked up at TJs (the daily sample which he loved and insisted on buying).

He is also writing a story about a monster in an attic.

Ellie just finished practicing flute, studying for her science test tomorrow, and is curled up in bed reading Swiss Family Robinson. 

Checkmate. 

AYSO tradition

Half-time oranges!

Calvin gets an award

Calvin got an award at the school assembly this morning. He was awarded a Super Citizenship award for kindergarten for showcasing the trait of the month, responsibility.