Holiday Cheer East Coast Style!

We were fortunate enough spend the Christmas holiday back east, thanks Dad! The plan was to be there for nine days. The weather changed our plans. By the time we were heading west, the boys had missed a week of school and we racked up 16 days on the east coast. I'm still trying to figure out why we couldn't get a flight out until seven full days after our original return date. Well, I don't spend much energy thinking about it, actually. I got an extra week with my mom and dad and sister and brother - and New England. Ah, New England. Need I say more? I mean, paradise is nice, but New England is still home in my heart, so intricately woven into my DNA.

We arrived on Tuesday, December 21. There was snow on the ground and we set straight to building things with it. When things got too cold or we'd had enough, we would build a fire in Nana and Papa's fireplace to warm ourselves. We drank lots of hot beverages, cocoa, coffee, tea. We ate Nana's "Don't *@!# With My Apple Pie" Apple pie. (that was an inside joke. when Chris was first getting to know Mum he was discussing her apple pie recipe and mistakenly made some suggestions to adjust it. To which Mum responded "Don't *@!# with my apple pie". Anyone who has eaten Nana's apple pie knows there is no improving on it. It's perfect.) We even had apple pie for breakfast one morning. Cookies were piled high about the house. There was even a special secret box of frosted date balls for Chris and I - which I devoured virtually on my own. We spent several delightful days with Auntie Mary and Eva Rose at Nana's and at Eva's house. We went swimming, if you can imagine. Chris and I spent time with Chuck shopping and just hanging. I must say I do love Chuck's new career. He's so Chucky-like these days. Loving my brother. Wow! we visited Angella at The Science Museum, I met up with Jean, Graham, and their girls in their new home, we saw The Dewsnap Clan, The White Clan, I got to see my favorite neighbors EVER, Natasha, Tony and Helen. We also had a chance to visit my favorite museum, the MFA. And it was a even new experience for me, because they have added on and changed the entrance and rearranged their collection. It was an old and new experience.

January 6th was our return flight. And it was nice to arrive home. We are so grateful for the time we were able to spend there, the snow that fell while we were there and for all the people who took time to spend with us over their busy holiday break.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Super Power Ring

It's that time of year again. School for Tese. The most recent assignment I completed was a ring that isn't round. It's second life (after I get graded on it) is going to be a pendant. It is also a compelling wee sculpture. The assignment was to also consider what we would like for a super power and what that "super power ring" might look like. My list of super powers was learning tolerance, compassion, patience and mindfulness. These are not easy things to illustrate. And, to be honest I gave up on that aspect of the assignment after I wrote the list. However, once I completed it I realized it has a quiet, contemplative nature. And that embodies the super powers I desire. Now, if I could only get it to work.

Chris' Birthday!

This past Sunday Chris had a birthday. We celebrated with a walk in the rain/sun/rain/sun on the beach in Capitola. Uncle Mike Goldberg then joined us for a few Laser Tag sessions at the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Out to eat, then home for cupcakes! It was a wonderful day of Daddy Love.

Coleman's First Trimester; Progress

I went to Coleman's parent-teacher conference November 18th. I have to say, that though school has been an emotional roller coaster this year, his grades were pretty impressive. He's reading at grade 6.4 (fourth month of sixth grade). He scored better than 96% of the nations 3rd graders on reading! He's doing well in math, science, history and social studies. His writing skills need work, but he's at grade level there. The one frustration is that he's inconsistent in his efforts. I'm proud of the effort he does put in and think he is too.

Field Trips This Week

This week Coleman's class traveled to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Max's class went to the Elkhorn Slough (pronounced Slew). I went on both trips and lived to tell the tale...

The Aquarium - I was unable to find my camera the morning we went on this trip. So, unfortunately I only got a couple pics with my phone. Above: In orange, Lucas and Coleman in "mini-me" mode. Note the sweatshirts over their knees. Also: Coleman and Cosgrove looking at an exhibit about conservation, the woman in the picture (which is a woman in the fridge) is talking about shopping locally and for food in season, etc.

On Wednesday Max's class went to Elkhorn Slough. (Slough: Widely used term for wetland environment in a channel or series of shallow lakes. Water is stagnant or may flow slowly on a seasonal basis. Where fresh water meets sea water.) We dissected owl pellets, and went for a 2.5 mile hike. I was able to take lots of pictures on this trip. The sun wasn't out the whole time, I would like to go back when it's sunny out and get more shots. I thought it was a beautiful place. The most exciting event was finding a rabbit head and entrails. Wow. The kids were intrigued.

Scenes From Soquel: September and October

Coleman on his ninth birthday at the county fair.

Coleman in a log. Vienna Woods trail, Nisene Marks State Forest. This is "Our Hike".

Creek on Our Hike...

Same hike, Coleman, Max and Kitty.

Max and his friend Fiona on a school hike/picnic.

Max and Kylie. She's a sweet little bird.

Rainy day reading.

More rainy day reading.

Hawk Eye. She's a keeper.

Kitty in the window (with Papa's old slipper). Who could resist that face?

Max had a day off of school. We built some stuff. Had fun. You know.

A glimpse of the inside of the house.

Halloween!

Friday Max went on a field trip with his school to an organic farm. There was a wonderful pumpkin patch there. They went on tractor rides, fed horses, sheep, bunnies and chickens, picked and ate strawberries and were able to take home a wonderful pumpkin! We had a great time at the farm.

This is Max with his teacher, Ami.

Akira, Lucas, Alex and Max waiting for a turn to feed the goats.

Max, Akira and Caio.

 

 

 

 

On Sunday Max and I went out with some friends in Aptos for a trick or treat extravaganza! Max filled his pumpkin to overflowing! It must have weighed in at 10 pounds. The pictures below are from Halloween night.

On Halloween we Max and I went out with some friends for trick or treating!

 

A scene from the neighborhood we tricked n' treated in.

Another scene from the neighborhood.

Santa Cruz County Fair

Coleman's third grade class had a field trip to the Santa Cruz County Fair today. I was able to get a few shots. We saw: Racing Pigs, Many chickens, Cows, Science stuff, Lego Contest, Photography, food, K9 show...I'm sure there are many things I missed. We're going back on Sunday with the whole family! We had a great time while there. And I am hopeful this year will be a WAY better year for Coleman at school. His teacher is very observant, straight-speaking and seems kind-hearted. And I think he might "get" Coleman already. Phew.