40

40... it's here.  I can't believe that I am 40.  I thought that I would "feel" something but it just felt like a normal day with the exception of the beautiful flowers, card, and thoughtful gift!  What will this year bring???

6th grade!

Noah is off to Palms Middle School in the Gifted Magnet Program.  This is the first year that he will be on campus with me in many years!  I am so grateful that I could be around during his elementary career as a room mom in Kindergarten and then working at his school from 3rd to 5th grade, but now he is off.  I hope makes good friends, feels safe, and tries his best.  What will this year bring for him???

5th grade!

This is Micah's last year with me at school.  He is the big man on campus now and I am thankful that he has many good friends.  He is going to have a successful year and I am going to cherish my morning commute with him because next year he will be at a new school and I will be driving to work by myself!  What will this year bring for Micah???

MoPop

We had the best time at Seattle's MoPop Museum because they had a special DC Exhibit.  The average time in the exhibit is about half an hour but of course my boys exceeded that time and spent almost two hours going through each room!  They had a blast.  I love that my boys are comic geeks...  will they want to write their own origin stories???

Congrats Isaac!

Congrats to Isaac and Kelly.  We are so excited to be in Seattle celebrating their nuptials!  They had an eclectic, rustic, farm house wedding theme and it was so personalized to their personalities!  Noah and Micah had a great time running through the property and playing with the animals.  When will we visit again???

Gum wall

The infamous Gum Wall...  it smelled sweet even before we got there and to my surprise there were a lot of bees!  We had to make our contribution to the wall and Micah was really excited to do this since he has not chewed gum in a year due to his expanders!  Will we even visit this place again???

Chihuly Gardens

This will go down as one of my favorite places to visit... the Chihuly Gardens was so beautiful!  I can't believe all the sculptures that he made!  It was fun to go to room to room thinking there was nothing that could top what we just saw, to be amazed all over again!  The boys had a great time too and Noah loved taking pictures.  It was also nice to spend this time with the family!  When will we go back???

Space Needle

I was so surprised that the boys were scared to go up to the top of the Space Needle which is 605 feet high.  The look of fear that was on Micah's face when we were in the Loupe that has a rotating glass floor was unforgettable.  He was so scared that he was holding onto a pole!  There was a great view from the top and we could lean back on the glass to take photos.  We will ever go up the Stratosphere in Las Vegas (which is 1149 feet high)???

Maui love

This is our greatest hits trip.  We enjoyed all our favorite things and had new adventures.  Our last night on the island took us to Feast at Lele.  We enjoyed a five epicurean courses from the Pacific island nations of Aotearoa, Tahiti, Samoa, and Hawai'i all while enjoying cultural music and dance from these areas.  There was so much food and all you can drink, so the boys were very happy.  It was an awesome experience and the boys loved the fire dancer at the end. There are so many other places that we would like to travel too so it'll be goodbye to Maui for now... when will we return???

Jet skis

The boys went on key skis for the first time today!  This was such a new experience for them being on the open water of the Pacific Ocean (Micah rode with Jawsh and Noah rode with me).  They were nervous and excited and often times could be heard telling us to "slow down."  The water was definitely choppy and the wind didn't help so I was glad when we finally stopped.  Will they want to ride jet skis again???

Happy 13th Anniversary

To celebrate our 13th anniversary, we dined at one of our favorite restaurants, Mama's Fish House.  We love how the fish is so fresh that it is caught within 24 hours of service and how the fisherman's name is listed on the menu!  We had a lovely dinner and we enjoyed the view.  When will we return????

Maui waters

The boys love the clear warm waters of Maui.  They enjoy swimming, body surfing, and snorkeling so much.  It's fun to watch them while I sip on my Koloa Mai Tai, which I have been bringing to the beach daily.  I love being here with my boys... no wonder they call it paradise.  When will the boys learn how to surf???

Aloha

Aloha!  We made it to Maui.  Our first meal was at Tin Roof and it was absolutely delicious.  We love Chef Sheldon on Top Chef and his food is good!  Then we made it to the Westin Resorts and love our spacious room.  We can't wait to head to the beach and swim in the pool!  What new adventures await???

Piano and ukelele recital

The boys had their piano and ukulele recital at Sunrise Senior Home.  They played a duet, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which was well received and played to perfection.  I hope the boys can appreciate the gift of music that they have and the time that it takes to prepare.  They did a great job.  When will they perform again???

Apple camp

The boys signed up for Apple siding camp with a couple their friends and Kaitlyn and they learned how to use Sphero.  It was interesting to watch.  The kids did nice job of going through the challenges and coding.  Will anyone end up as a coder???

Noah's art

Here is are Noah's pieces.  We think Noah did a nice job as well.  Will Noah want to continue doing art???

Micah's art

This week the boys participated in art camp.  Here is Micah's piece where he worked on shadow and shading.  He did a nice job wouldn't you say???

LACMA

We love going to LACMA together as a family.  Today we met up with Jay and his boys.  We had a little mishap when Micah swallowed a piece of candy and almost choked in one often exhibits but all in all it was an okay day.  It's great to see Jay and his kids... when will we see them again???

Santa Monica Pier

We love spending time with my partner teacher's children...  we only see each other so much because they attend a different school district and our schedules are so busy... so when we do see each other it's a lot of fun.  This time we ended up at the Santa Monica Pier.  The kids had a great time on the rides and of course, eating Hot Dog on a Stick.  When will we get to see each other again???

M&M world

M&M World is what we will do...  the kids had a fun time eating M&Ms and watching the 3D movie.  They even got to take picture with a character M&M.  It was a short trip for us due to All Star Baseball but we were glad that we got to come for a few days.  When will we see our cousins again???

Las Vegas

We didn't think we could make it this year to the annual Las Vegas trip.  Micah had All Star commitments and they were still playing into early July. Once they lost their game, I decided that we would book a flight to Vegas so within a few hours of losing we were off to see our cousins.  The boys were so excited to see everyone and it finally felt like summer!  What will we do tomorrow???

Summertime games

It's summer time so time to play Monopoly!  I love that the boys can play classic games.  I will enjoy it even more when they stop fighting.  Will they ever play a game of Monopoly without fighting???

Walking the parade

One of the perks of playing for the city All Star Team is walking through the July 4th Parade.  Micah and his BFF walked about a mile and enjoyed hearing the cheers of their friends.  They threw soft baseballs and had a great time.  Will Micah remember this great experience???

Puzzle time

It's summer... we have time for puzzles... and this one is making us really excited for our upcoming trip to Maui!  What will we see under the sea this time???

Noah's last year

This was the last year of the Grand Match Gala for Noah.  He played extremely well in his age group, securing first place.  Overall his school also did well, securing the top two.  Noah along with one other students chosen to play for first place on the big board.  They played speed chess and tried their best, but they lost.  What they learned though, was every set back has a come back, so hopefully they will try again next year (but without Noah).  Will Noah appreciate all the things that he learned through Chess Tutors???

New clusters

Noah is off to Palms Middle School and now its only Micah left.  We just found out that Micah will be in Blue Cluster and his BFF will be in Yellow Cluster. What will it be like for them not to be together this coming school year???

Walking

Jawsh and I took a stroll, on a Monday night, through our neighborhood.  Because we live by so many restaurants and stores, we were able to sit at a fire pit, put our feet up, and listen to live jazz.  This is such a gem of a neighborhood...  we are so blessed to live here...  what will we do next???

Westchester All Stars

BFFs on the Westchester All Star Team.  Micah is very excited to depart of the team but it will take a lot of commitment!  He has practice 5 times a week and many hours of practice!  Will he be tired of baseball by the time this is done???

Tennis camp

This summer the boys spent a lot of time at tennis camp.  Noah has a real knack for the game... he has good instincts, form, and he likes to play!  Will he end up playing more tennis in the next few months???

Art walk

The boys are so lucky to have such strong friendships and in turn Jawsh and I feel so blessed to have friendships with their best friends parents!  This summer, H, offered to teach the boys about abstract art!  They met for a few days and painted, explored, and went to Bergamont Station to see art in action.  It was such an amazing experience.  I hope they will look back at their summer and feel thankful for these experiences.  What will inspire them next???

Culmination Party

Noah's 5th grade culmination party was a hit!  He hosted some friends (including girls) to the private screening room in our complex to watch Jumanji.  They had a great time eating candy, eating pizza, and playing Pie Face.  It was quite interesting to see the boys and girls sitting separately and avoiding each other at all costs.  This is that age.  Will Noah remember this time when he gets older???

Culmination

Congratulations Noah!  He is finally moving on from the protective gates of elementary school to middle school!  Noah has been so blessed to start here at Open School.  He really hit the lottery when he was chosen out of 800 or so applicants for the 48 spots available at the school.  He has been part of a true learning community where he learned through meaningful experiences.  His classes were thematic and project-based and with the teachers' constructivist approach to teaching he really experienced a wonderful education.  How his middle school experience will compare???

Superstars

Noah and Paxton are showing off the culmination shirts that Jawsh designed for the 5th grade class.  These two boys will be heading off to middle school together next year.  Will they have the same classes???

Micah in the city

Today was Micah's final presentation of the year.  He created several buildings that revolved his favorite places.  We were really proud of him and his public speaking skills.  He did an amazing job and had such a wonderful experience this year.  Will he have an even better year next year???

Noah's first phone

We were unsure if this was the appropriate time for Noah to have a cell phone.  In fact, we were against it.  But then Noah wrote a persuasive essay about why he needed a phone, the benefits, and the pitfalls that having a phone would entail.  Needless to say we were impressed with his thoughtful and reflective essay.  He read the pages to us and it was a convincing 5 minute speech.  So, Noah got a phone.  It wasn't a new phone.  But hey, he got a phone.  How will this phone change his life???

Mini Golf

Today we spent a hot afternoon playing mini-golf with the V and K family.  This was an all out family event as the parents played golf along with the boys.  Everyone had a great time, but I think the parents had an even better time at Three Weavers, the local brewery we went to afterwards.  When will we do this again???

STOMP

Today was Noah's STOMP performance.  They have been practicing for a few months and his group did very well.  They worked really well together and Noah had a great time.  During the intermission, Noah played a piece on the piano which was beautiful to hear.  All these experiences are so wonderful for him to haves final year... will he remember these special times???

Minors Champs

Congratulations to Micah's Minors Team...  the Dodgers!  They had a great season!  Micah's team played against the A's, which one of his best friends is on.  Micah had a very memorable season, including a home run and a Grand Slam.  Will he want to play again next year???

Grand slam

Today was a very special day for Micah... he hit a Grand Slam in his game.  This is the first Grand Slam of the season and he was very excited!  He received the game ball along with his teammate, D, who also played very well.  Will Micah want to keep playing post season???

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to me.  I received beautiful hand made cards, expressions of love, and my favorite designed chocolate.  How am I so lucky???

Open Expressions

I was so proud of Micah and Simone because they had the courage to perform "Lava" at Open Expressions, a talent show at their school.  Noah played ukulele and sang with Simone.  It was so darling.  They were the only co-ed, mixed aged group- which surprised me!  They had a great time.  Will they want to reunite next year and perform something else???

Dodger day

Tonight was Teacher Night at Dodgers Stadium.  It was a great night of baseball but I only stayed for a few innings.  If truth be told, I spent more time walking the corridors, and looking at all the food, than watching the actual game.  After all the walking, I ended up with a beer and Dodger Dog.  Not so unique.  Oh well.  It was fun to hang with my co-workers.  When will we go out again???

Fun times

Uncle Jawsh loves spending time with Emma.  Here they are making rainbow erasers!  What will they make next???

STOMP

Today we went to the Pantages Theater to see STOMP with the V family.  Noah and J are in Blue Cluster and they are performing their own version of Stomp with their class this year.  We thought they might enjoy going to see the Broadway version.  The boys had a fun time and they really were inspired.  I wonder what their show will be like???

Homerun

Tonight Micah hit an in the park home run against the Braves.  This was an interesting game and they won by the most runs ever, 21-6.  The boys had a great time.  Will he hit another home run???

Object parade

Micah was a Visa credit card in the Object Parade.  He shared the history of colonial times and he sang various songs with his class.  These are all his buddies in Yellow Cluster.  I wonder what next year will be???

Rainbow Award

Noah received a Rainbow Award for his work in Social Studies.  We are always so proud of the work that he is doing!  We love that he is curious, inquisitive, and engaged.  What will life be like for Noah in middle school???

Puzzles

1,000 piece puzzle of different types of chips.  Micah loved this puzzle.  What will be our next one???

Good times

When I think of my childhood friends, I often think of the kids that we  spent the most time with our parents.  We knew that if our parents were friends, we would see them more often than not.  I hope that our boys will remember all the times we hung with the V and K family because we have grown to love them as extended family.  Next year, Noah and P head to one middle school and J will go to another.  And Micah may be in a different class than his two buds.  No matter what, we hope that we will continue to hang out.  When will we do movie and dinner again???

Chess winners!

We were so delightfully surprised when Micah and Noah won chess trophies for this session.  They are both in the Advanced Class and so we know that they are really developing their game.  Noah has been undefeated the whole year so he has received many trophies but this is the first trophy Micah has received this in the Advanced level.  How will the boys do in the GMG???