My beautiful almost-9-year-old 4th Grader

Ella, at work with me on August 31 (school-free day).

Almost the last week of school!

Just one more week to go and the 2011-12 school year is over! Ella was accepted into the school orchestra (for kids who have never played before) and she chose the flute. I didn't suggest it at all, she picked it herself! This week was their end of year recital and here's one of the songs they played - "Let Me Teach You How To Dance" from the movie "Miss Potter". Ella is sitting in the back row at the right side of the stage to the left of the white raised part.

It was Felix's turn to be the VIP of the Week in his class. On Monday he shared the poster he made, on Tuesday, he talked about his favorite toy (his talking Spider-Man) and on Wednesday, after he came back from his class field trip, he was allowed to read a book to the class ("Beans on Toast").

This morning, he wanted to read to me on the way to school. He read it to Jim last night, the first time he's read all the way through a long book.

Open House 2012

Yesterday evening, we attended the kids' school open house, where they showcased the projects they've been working on this school year. First we visited the book fair in the library and bought soft-serve ice cream from one of the food trucks on site. Then we went to Felix's kindergarten class, which had baby chicks, butterflies, and lima bean plants, as well as the many art projects they'd done.

 Felix and his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Marti Conn

Baby chicks! Wish we could have one (so cute! free eggs!) but I don't think our cats would take too kindly to having a pet chicken running around.

Lima Beans

Next was Ella's class. They had made a 3-d map of California, a Native American display, printed books and lots and lots of art!

Ella and her teacher Mrs. Lois Siskin

 

We also stopped in at the computer lab where Felix showed us his keyboard skills, visited the science fair in the auditorium, and took a peek in a couple of other classrooms where they might be next year (1st & 4th grade).

Easter weekend 2012

Roadtripping, plugged in. Heading East to Palm Desert with a traditional rest stop at Del Taco.

After cautiously sitting on the steps of the pool at Granny's house the first day and a half, Felix was coaxed into getting all the way into the water by Ella and now he's jumping in by himself. He first plunged in while he was sitting on a blue floating chair which was perched on the edge. Ella was using it as a water slide, then he wanted to try and he slid right in underwater. After he came up and recovered from the shock, he realized it was actually quite fun, and then we couldn't keep him out. He came running up to me, shaking with excitement, saying "You know what makes me special? I can jump all the way into the water now!" The security of having goggles also helps, of course.

Felix: "You're a good sister!"

We had brunch with Grandpa at the del (Sherman's Deli).

When we got back, Julie, Rachel and baby Molly were there too! We drove back to see them again the following day so we could get to know the famous and adorable Molly a bit better, before they had to leave.

 Getting ready to try some mashed banana! What a photogenic baby.

Felix had to act like the monkey he is and climb the Meyer lemon tree (no lemons this time of year).

On Saturday evening, Granny & the kids dyed boiled eggs which Ella was an old hand at because she'd done it at school every year, but Felix had never done before. It was a bit confusing for him, he had only ever seen candy-filled eggs before and he asked, "Oh so this is where the plastic eggs come from?" Sunday morning, the kids swam in the pool again and then did the egg hunt (both "real" and plastic) and afterwards, we had a delicious brunch (I got the dress that Ella has on at the consignment sale!).

Halloween 2011

Felix and Ella went to their school's Halloween Carnival dressed as an 80s Girl and Spiderman, and on Halloween night went trick or treating as Bumble Bee (Transformers) and Minnie Mouse.

Good Halloween for them! They ended up with something like five pounds of candy!

Felix Dance Show

Here is Felix performing four songs in the end-of-school-year dance presentation. He was focused and super energetic.



This video is about 6 1/2 minutes long. The songs are:
- I Gotta Feeling
- Baby, Baby
- Calle Ocho
- Born This Way
If you REALLY liked it and want to see more, the full-length 15-minute version is here: http://youtu.be/Wk6TjUbjdGA

Broccoli

Felix wanted me to make a movie of him eating broccoli. It is his favorite, the way Jim makes it: sautéed in a little soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. He is smacking his lips on purpose, for sound effect.