Star Wars Puzzle

The first puzzle of the pandemic.  This one was challenging with 1000 pieces plus all of the black from Darth Vader didn't help either.  The boys worked together and were happy that they finished the puzzle.  Since they have time, I am going to bring out the MC Escher puzzle out next.  How will they do with that puzzle???

Rice Krispies

Tonight the boys made Rice Krispies.  Although they wanted to make cookies, flour is hard to find at stores.  We were able to order Rice Krispy cereal and marshmallows so they enjoyed making that.  They did a great job.  Will they start making treats now???

Skateboarding

The boys have a few weeks to learn how to skateboard now that school is officially out for a break due to COVID-19.  We know that we have to stay socially distant from friends and family now.  What will the next few weeks bring???

Google inspired

These Google illustrations were drawn by Noah (top) and Micah (bottom) with the theme of kindness.  With all that is going on in the world, our hope is that we can all show kindness right now.  How will we show kindness to others???

Cousins are our first friends

The boys love spending time with their cousins. They have so much fun together and they always seem to find the fun in whatever they do. As the girls get older, we see the boys playing with Liam a little more but we can always find Emma giving the boys a makeover (and Kaitlyn on her cell phone).  What will they get into next???

New car

After a lot of deliberation...  we finally decided on a car that we both liked.  Jawsh wanted a Hybrid or Electric car and I wanted a SUV type car so we landed on the RAV 4 Hybrid Limited.  It took a few hours to go through the process but we are glad that we finally decided on a car together.  Our last car, the Honda CRV, lasted for 15 years and we hope that this car will do the same.  What will the boys think of the new car???

Noah's First Meet

Noah swam in his first swim meet today at Santa Monica College.  He swam with the Playa Vista Swim Team.  It was his first swim meet and he didn't know what to expect.  Jawsh and I split up... I took Micah to his soccer game and Jawsh went with Noah to his meet.  Noah did very well swimming the 100 years in 1:22.  This was a record time for Noah!  Will he want to swim in another meet again???

Happy Birthday Jawsh!

Happy Birthday to Jawsh!  We went to Scopa to celebrate so he could order one of his favorite meals:  Honey gem Lettuce Salad, Branzino, and Delicate Squash with a Negroni Bianco.      It was such a nice dinner and we hope that all of his wishes come true!  What did he wish for???

Region Champs

Congratulations to the Blue Jets for winning their Region!  They are headed to Sectional Championships and if they win the next match they will head to Arizona to The Western States Championship Game to defend their Championship from last year.  This is a great feat for our boys and I am so proud of their tenacity, heart, and grit!  Will they make it back to Western States???

Visiting with GA

Here is a great photo of the boys and Grandpa Art.  We are so thankful that the boys get to visit with him.  Noah and Grandpa Art have been writing letters since Noah was in first grade and they affectionately call each other "Penpal."  The last night we were in Reno, Noah and GA spent sometime talking at the table about GA's experiences growing up and living through World Wars I and II.  Will the boys remember these wonderful memories as they get older???

Fun in Reno

This weekend we ventured to Reno to visit family.  The boys loving visiting and staying at Bubbe's house.  It's almost a tradition to land in Reno and then to head to Sup for a healthy lunch.  The boys loved seeing the snow and hanging out.  We also went to a comic book/coffee shop (Jawsh's world colliding) and then we visited with Grandpa Art.  What will tomorrow bring???

Soccer mom

A lot of my free time is split between my responsibilities at home and my responsibilities as the team soccer manager.  I never thought I would be a "soccer mom" but here I am.  There is a lot of behind the scenes work but it makes it all worth it when the kids play hard and have fun.  This is a special team and they look like they are on a winning streak.  This weekend, The Blue Jets came in first place in the Hawthorne Holiday Smash tournament.  The final score was 2-1.  The boys were so happy and they really liked the medals (it had a snowman with a soccer ball) and the scarves they received.  Will they make it to Western States again???

HNY

Our family likes to head to the beach every new year... this year we headed to Manhattan Beach.  We had brunch, walked down the pier, and watched surfers and fishermen.  It was nice spending time with the family and looking forward to all of the wonders of the new year.  Going to the beach shows us how vast this world is... watching the waves and seeing how expansive the sea is reminds us to have gratitude for the new year.  What will the new year bring???

Mandoo

After sleeping in from last night's festivities, we celebrated the new year by making Korean mandu. Mandu are Korean dumplings filled with minced meat, tofu, green onions, garlic and ginger and usually served with kimchi, and a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar and chili. They are time consuming to make but worth it once you get to eat it!  The boys made a few then they lost interest and went to play with their cousins.  The mind was delicious nonetheless.  Will they remember these traditions when they get older???

Happy New Year

Happy New Year's Eve!  Our last day of 2019 was spent at my parents' home.  It's been a while since we brought in the new year with cousins.  My sister and brother were also there and I think the last time we were all together at NYE was over 10 years ago.  The family loved playing Catan.  What will the new year bring???

Merry Christmas

This Christmas, we had a delicious holiday meal which consisted of prime rib roast, green beans and bacon, sweet and mashed potatoes, four cheese mac and cheese (and a bunch of other tasty foods). The kids enjoyed opening presents and the adults had a White Elephant gift exchange.  Kaitlyn was sick this year so she was confined into her room and Atticus was upset that he was not sitting with his mom.  What will Christmas bring next year???

Graphic novels

I love the fact that the boys love to read graphic novels still.  They love heading to Dream World Comics and finding the latest book.  Is this something they will enjoy as they get older???

Happy Chanukah

Nothing says Chanukah like lighting candles on the menorah and making latkes.  The boys love this holiday because it's 8 nights of fried foods, presents, and Dreidel.  Will the boys continue these traditions as they get older???

Growing up

Micah is half way through his first year in middle school and we can confidently say  that he is doing well and has "figured" it out.  By that, he knows how much time to get to class in passing periods, he is understanding the expectations (and different personalities) of his teachers, and probably the most important thing... he knows that if he works on his homework at school he has less of it to complete at home.  Jawsh and I are  so proud of him.  Here he is with his favorite Chanukah gift- new AirPods...  what will the new year bring???

Post-it show

Jawsh's 3rd Post-It show is at GR in West LA.  It is such an honor to attend the show and fun to look for Jawsh's art!  Which post-it will be sold first???