Noah's Reflection #1

Washington DC

Our first cross country trip to Washington DC!  We have been looking forward to this trip so we could visit my sister, the nation's capitol, and of course, President Obama's Inauguration!  We started our first day heading to the Capitol and the Library of Congress (we secured tours through our Congressperson, but were unable to secure Inauguration tickets).  At the Capitol, we got to take the exact walk President Obama took to take his oath of office and we also went down under the Rotunda to the Crypt.  Noah made connections to Presidents that he recognized ("Mom, George Washington is on money") whereas Micah called every statue, "Mitt Romney."  There was so much history and beautiful architecture.  It was such a great way to start our trip, wouldn't you say???

Brooklyn Nets

Noah is playing his first season of basketball.  He is very excited because he is on the same team as his friend. We also had a nice surprise when we found out that his other friend was also on the team.  Just like soccer, he enjoys the game but plays on the periphery of the action... not wanting to commit and waiting for the ball to come to him.  It was very fun watching him practice today... how will he do in his game???

LA Zoo

Noah was recently at the zoo with his class and I realized that Micah's last trip to the zoo was when he was a baby!  We met our friends and enjoyed our day. The weather was overcast so it was a perfect day to walk around and see the animals in action.  It was definitely nice for the kids to burn some energy and enjoy the scenery.  When will we visit again???

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!  We attempted to have a snow day but we hit massive traffic so we detoured and ended up at Scandia!  The kids had such a terrific time miniature golfing (well, for about 20 minutes) and then they really loved the amusement park rides.  It was so much fun watching them smile and laugh in the new year!   What will 2013 bring???

Happy New Years Eve

Today we were on our way to take a day trip to Solvang but while on our way we decided to go to Santa Barbara.  We started off at the harbor and had lunch at Brophy Brothers... Jawsh said it was the best fish and chips this side of the Pacific.  Then we went to the Santa Barbara Mission and ended our time at McConnell's Ice cream.  It was a great way to end the year, wouldn't you agree???

The Griffith Observatory

The last time we went to The Griffith Observatory was when I was pregnant with Noah!  So, needless to say, it's been a long time.  We saw a movie in the Oschin Planetarium called, Water is Life.  The film showed the search for water in space... Micah fell asleep and Noah watched while covering both ears with his hands.  Later that evening, Noah had a nightmare about volcanos inspired from the movie!  When will he be able to watch a space film and not have a nightmare???

Chess

I didn't expect this... Noah's Queen captured my King!  The student defeats the master... the son surpasses the parent...  I wasn't prepared for this but I lost.  I am very happy with Noah's progress and I hope he continues to enjoy chess... I know he enjoyed capturing my King... can't you see it in his face???

Merry Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with family and enjoyed all the holiday food and treats.  Earlier in the day, we took the kids to see the movie, Rise of the Guardians, and of course, the kids had a great time opening their gifts.  What will Christmas bring next year???

6th tooth

Noah lost his sixth tooth tonight!  He and Micah were playing "magician."  They were pretending to make diapers (and the contents inside the diapers) disappear and at one point, Noah slapped himself in the face.  This made his tooth pop out!  Quite a magic trick, wouldn't you agree???

Fifth tooth

Noah lost his fifth tooth in his kindergarten class right after the winter program!  The upper right lateral incisor is out!  I was volunteering at the Korean BBQ Lunch Sale (yes, we sell Korean BBQ at the winter concert) and his teacher, Cathy, brought me his tooth inside a tooth-shaped case.  It was very cute!  When will the left later incisor fall out???

Noah's kinder winter program

Noah's kindergarten class performed three songs in the winter program: Dreidel Song (Jewish), Song-ee Song-ee (Korean), and Mele Kaliki Maka (Hawaiian).  It was a very cute medley that the kids practiced a lot.  Noah had extra support from my parents who taught him the correct pronunciation of words and my cousins sent me links to show him how it was sung in Korea.  He practiced so much in the car, at home, in the bath, etc that Micah has now learned the song.  I wonder if they will sing the same medley when Micah is in kindergarten???

Art class

The wonderful thing about Noah's school is that he gets access to art, garden, library, technology, and music on a weekly basis... and the sad thing about this is that this is not how it is for the majority of schools in California!  Noah's art teacher, Ms. Marya, is currently teaching his class about Claude Monet.  The last art piece he did was this awesome owl (his piece was the only one with a mini-owl in the back).  Isn't this great???

Korean class

Noah finished his 14-week course of Korean language class.  He has learned to identify some characters and sounds, he knows his colors, he can count, and he really enjoyed his time there.  I have to admit, I won't miss the drive to K-town twice a week so I will enjoy this time off until the next course starts in February.  Will Noah learn how to read Korean better than me???

Happy Chanukah with the Shields

The tradition of the Smith-Shields Chanukah celebration continues to year five! Last year we went to their home and this year we hosted.  It was so much fun catching up with everyone and watching the boys dress up like super heroes.  We made Barefoot Contessa's brisket and Wolfgang Puck's latkes.  It's so nice to have the families together. When will we see them again???

Noah's last soccer game

Noah's last soccer game as a Blue Shark was this afternoon and he scored!  What a way to end the season... he received a medal and he was so proud!  Can't you see it on his face???

Rainbow award

Rainbow awards are presented at the school wide assemblies every week.  I was very proud as they announced the following, "This Rainbow Award is presented to Noah Smith for approaching learning with enthusiasm and confidence."  I love the fact that Noah was proud of his own achievement which is the best thing you can ask for as a parent.  Would you agree???

2nd place

What a surprise... when I arrived to pick up Noah from chess club he was holding a second place trophy.  He was awarded second place in his age division (Kinder-2nd) for game play.  I was very proud of him because this is the first trophy based on skill, not simply for participating.  Will Noah want to continue in chess club for the next session???

I did it!

For the past four years, I hid behind the camera and did not touch any of the reptiles or spiders.  The only thing I would touch was the wallaby, but now that this was our last visit from Mr. Valentine I was determined to hold the tarantula and a snake!  The tarantula's feet had soft padding and was very light to hold!  I still can't believe I did it.  The snake was not my finest moment... it was too active and it's head bopped around too much!  But at least I could say that I did it!  What fear will I conquer next???

Mr. Valentine's Nature Class

Today the preschool had a very special guest, Mr. Valentine and his animals.  Mr. Valentine has been an annual guest but this is his last visit as he is retiring!  Micah got to touch a Wallaby, a Kinkajou, reptiles (like a bearded dragon), frogs and snakes. This time around, Micah held a very large snake.  At first he was okay but then he started to cry.  Mr. Valentine called him up and then showed him a few baby snakes and preceded to wrap a very small still snake called, Pinky, around his wrist.  He then told Micah to show everyone his new bracelet which made Micah feel much better.  But I had to post this picture because Micah is just so darn cute!  When will the kids get another experience like this???