Hungry Caterpillar birthday

Noah's kindergarten class celebrates monthly birthdays all on one day... so today Noah had a Hungry Caterpillar themed party with friends.  The kids had a great time making book markers, caterpillar hats, and they loved their cake pops.  Doesn't it look like a fun party???

Hungry Caterpillar cake pops

These took so long to make... I had to post a picture.  Jawsh was a trooper and he helped me melt all the chocolate to decorate the pops but swore to never help with this again.  Can you blame him???

Chess rules

Noah received a medal in chess today for completing his workbook and scoring the highest in his age division.  Ten minutes prior to receiving this award, he scored his first check mate against his buddy, Nicky.  Noah had a pretty memorable chess session today, wouldn't you agree???

Deja vu

Today is Noah's birthday and he wanted one thing... to head right back to the Santa Monica Pier to purchase a small bag of marbles.  It was a crazy request but we made it happen and we went back to the pier.  While we were there, Daddy and Noah tried the rock wall (something we didn't do yesterday) and then we went to CPK.  Anything to make his day... wonder what he wished for???

6

Noah's 6th Spiderman themed birthday party was at Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier.  The kids enjoyed all the rides, especially the bumper cars and the roller coaster.  They even got to meet Inky the Octopus.  I can't believe that Noah is already 6 years old... where did the time go???

70

Happy Birthday Harabujee!  He was with all his grandkids blowing out the candle... I think he got his wish, don't you???

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with traditional American fare and of course kimchi. This family get together was extra special because we were celebrating my Dad's 70th birthday!  It was so nice to see my family and we look forward to Christmas... what will that be like???

CSC

Noah spent the day with friends at the California Science Center.  We had a fun time going through the various exhibits. The kids liked the Discovery Rooms, especially the Transportation section where they got to design their own cars.  Noah loves hanging with these two guys... wonder what we'll do next???

Karaoke Bleu

Our annual Fall Social was a good evening full of beer and bowling.  Afterwards, a few of us went to Karaoke Bleu to sing the night away.  It was really fun to watch friends on stage belting it out.  A few hours into the singing, a woman went on stage, who looked really familiar.  I recognized her as the lady on The Voice.  Once it was confirmed by her friends, I was super excited and felt the need to get a picture.  Erin Willet and I at Karaoke Bleu.  Is it obvious that I don't go out that much???

Camping with friends

This weekend we camped at Leo Carillo State Beach with 14 other families from preschool.  It was quite a weekend with all the kids running around.  Camping with our preschool friends was such a great experience because there was always someone to hang out with and all the kids got along very well.  When will we go again???

4 more years

President Barack Obama was re-elected tonight!  We are so thrilled and excited to attend his inauguration in January!  What will that be like???

Trick or Treat!

Last year we dressed up in Pokemon costumes but this time around it was about DC Comics...  Batman, Robin, Catwoman, and The Riddler were in full effect.  We went out with Grandpa, Grandma, and the Tripp Family.  What will we decide to do next year???

FFF

Today Bubbe came to celebrate the Fall Family Festival at Noah's school.  We had such a great time... the kids loved the games, the bouncers, and Fairyland!  I spent most of the day, volunteering at the festival, but it was well worth it as we raised a lot of money for the enrichment programs at Noah's school.  I am so glad that he has ipad/computer access, music, art, and PE on a weekly basis!!!  When will we see Bubbe again???

Space Shuttle Endeavor

While the Space Shuttle Endeavour flew towards LAX, Noah's classroom was outside cheering the plane on as it flew over the school.  A few miles away, Randy's Donuts was busy making shuttle donuts in honor of this event and I was on my way to pick up the last two for my boys.  Here they are holding their shuttle donuts... a moment in history symbolized by a donut... does it get any better than this???

Noah's first fieldtrip

Noah's first field trip was to the LA Zoo.  He was very excited to ride the school bus along with 45 other kindergarteners and 30 parent chaperones... yes, 30 parents volunteered!  In all my years of teaching, I have never had that much turnout for a fieldtrip, which shows just how involved the parents are in this class.  Noah was in a group with a bunch of his friends and it was super enjoyable because the weather was cool.  Where will they go next???

Celebrate good times!

Today we celebrated both Micah and Bubbe!  We had a nice dinner and Bubbe made awesome Batman Cake Pops for Micah which Noah devoured!  I sewed the apron that Bubbe is pictured in and I was so relieved that she liked it!  Wonder what cooking class she will wear it to???

Happy First Birthday Liam!!!

We celebrated Liam's first birthday. Jawsh made an incredible slideshow that reflected upon his first year of life, games were played, and the food was enjoyed by all. A highlight of the evening was the Toljabee. Laid out in front of him was a stethoscope, pencil, thread, basketball, and money. It's said that the child's future is predicted according to what they grab and Liam grabbed the money (signifying riches).  Wonder what he'll be when he grows up???

Brown Bear

I volunteer in Noah's class on Thursday mornings... today the kids were reciting the book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?  Noah had the part of the red bird... this is such a classic Kindergarten moment that I had to snag a photo with my phone.  I can't express how lucky I feel that Noah is in this class, in this school, at this moment... will Micah get in???

Checkmate!

Noah is learning how to play chess after school in the Chess Club.  Jawsh and I debated whether we should hold off but Noah has a penchant for games.  Research shows that chess players show greater confidence, develop problem solving skills, logic and reasoning, develop mental discipline and concentration while learning good sportsmanship and strengthening rudimentary skills.  All great things, so why not???

Fun at the Fowler

A nice perk living so close to UCLA is the opportunity to visit the Fowler Museum.  The boys and I headed there to make their own crazy critter mask combining their favorite animals drawing inspiration from Fowler in Focus: Curious Creatures from Mexican Popular Arts.  Noah decided to make a zebra/ butterfly and Micah chose to create a peacock/ cat.  I think the get their creativity from their dad, would you agree???