Pre-trick or treating

Lizzy

Pink ladies

Bishop, knight, and rook

black knight

School recital

Parker did a school recital the other night. He played Bach Prelude in F Major.  He did one two years ago and was the best kid there. Not so much anymore. This 7th grader did a 5-minute ragtime piece that was quite amazing.  And the girl standing next to him to did a piece he worked on last year, but she was much better at it.  He had fun since a few of his friends were there.  And the best part he said, was going out for frozen yogurt afterwards.

Pink lady

Half Vampire, Half Pirate, 100% Miranda

Miranda and Green Day

Saturday? Must mean gymnastics

Elizabeth had her fourth meet yesterday in Mountain View. Elizabeth had to be there at 10:30am for warmup and then the competition goes from 11am - 2pm or so, including the award ceremony. Here are the girls listening to what I assume was an inspirational talk from Coach Jenna:



Elizabeth seems to be in her element during these events, marching around dead serious and doing her thing. There is a large amount of waiting in line for her turn, during which I think there is plenty of idle socializing, which must be just heaven for her.

She had a hard time on Beam last week, so it was nice to see her get an 8.3 here.

I continue to be thoroughly dazzled by her floor routine, and her ability to do a round-off back handwpring. I realize I am just a big galoot, but it seems pretty awesome.



The award ceremony is engineered to ensure that every girl gets at least one medal, and it's very generous overall, with medals by age group for each team, so for example at this meet, Elizabeth was competing against 13 other 8 year olds, but none of the 9 or 10 year olds. Yesterday she got 7th in floor, and I think 11th overall in her age group. Everyone also got a teddy bear. Except for Miranda, who didn't care for that one bit.

Each meet is essentially a fundraiser for the hosting gym, with $10 tickets, and raffle baskets, and plates of donuts and baked goods at 2 for $5, etc. This one had a bit clothing booth, and they gave each girl a $10 credit there, which I thought was awfully sneaky as I shelled out another $30 for the sweatshirt my little gymnast simply had to have.

And then we went to sushi.

The panda situation is getting out of control.

And now, a musical interlude

Math Festival

I took Miranda and Parker to a math festival at school. We got there when they opened and were there when they were closing. Miranda, who didn't want to go, had a good time. Parker was engrossed the whole time.  Elizabeth was at gymnastics, where she always is.

Skinny jeans

Glamping

The kids and I went glamping this weekend.  Glamping is like camping but in a lodge with a bathroom and beds.  So really it's hotel camping but in a campground.  (Michael went to Reno to help take care of his mom who had a stroke last week. She is improving slowly and was moved to stroke rehab facility this weekend.)

We met up with four other families there. Families we don't usually hang out with but who were all very low key and easy to be with.  We had a communal dinner at our lodge Saturday night that was lovely. The girls had fun with Ava and Parker had a good time with Ryan, Peter and Jackson.

We all went to the boardwalk on Sunday and ate too much amusement park food which was delicious. Elizabeth was desperate to win this game that is impossible to win. She didn't win.

View from our lodge

Had the pool to ourselves

Then the other kids joined in. Miranda had a thing for Ryan.

Back in the pool the next day.

The Stokes have a blue minivan with three bikes on the back. So did we.

First ride!

Miranda thought this was hilarious.

She had to get the red bar before it flipped over. She didn't make it.

Salt Dough Maps

In fourth grade, the kids learn all about california.  On this day, they made salt dough relief maps making sure to include places like Mt. Shasta, Lassen Peak, Death Valley, Monterey Bay, Mono Lake, Mt. Whitney and more. Parker really enjoyed it and I was pleased we had been to so many of the places.

Miranda's Monologue

Eli

Elizabeth had a gymnastics meet in the morning and a chess tournament in afternoon today. She won a couple medals on vault and all around and a trophy for winning her quad at chess. This is how I found her asleep in bed.

8 year old check up

Girls had their 8 year old check up today. All is well. Elizabeth is 1/4 inch taller than miranda for the first time. They were both super goofy in the appointment. The doctor couldn't stop laughing.

Parker, Ed and Ted