Children of the Corn

Excellent day at the Corn Maze.

Todays After School Cluster Fuck

This afternoon, Miranda and Emma had a playdate.   Elizabeth has an after school class until 4:10. I neither want to make the girls stop their playdate to go get her or leave them alone so I asked Elizabeth in the morning how she feels about walking home on her own. She, of course, feels fine. In fact, she asks if she can scooter to school with Parker and then home. I think this is great since she will get home faster.  When I went to pick up Miranda, I double checked that she was ok doing it (sometimes she is ok in the morning but then not later in the day). She said she was.

I started to feel a little strange about it so I asked Parker to scooter up the block to meet up with her. He left at 4:10 when her class was out. At the same moment, my friend Jessie, who I had asked if she could bring Elizabeth home a couple days ago but who never responded one way or the other, texts me that she was sorry she didn't respond and did I want her to take her home, adding that Elizabeth says she wants to scooter.  I tell her Elizabeth can scooter. Jessie asks if she wants me to follow Elizabeth home. I told her no, Parker is headed up to meet her.  Then I look out the window a few minutes later, and there is Jessie in her van. And sure enough, there is Elizabeth on her scooter.  I ask Elizabeth if she is ok, since I'm not sure why Jessie is there. She says that Jessie asked her to go another way so she could follow her. I explain to Elizabeth that she HAS to go the way she says she is going to go so I can find her if there is a problem.  I emphasize getting home at the time she says she will is also important. She seems on the verge on tears so I let it be. Then I wait outside for Parker to come back. He doesn't.  I start to worry so I hop in the car, doing the thing that I didn't want to do, and start to head up to school. Then my phone rings. It's Mr. Lewis, the fourth grade teacher.  He has Parker, who is very concerned that he couldn't find Elizabeth. I pull up to the curb, chat with Mr. Lewis for a moment, say thank you and then Parker and I head home. I explain the whole thing to Parker who is still a little shaken up.  As Mr. Lewis said, "Lesson Learned."

Picture Day Redo

The kids had picture day a few weeks ago, but the memory card the photographers used broke so they had to redo them.  Elizabeth was thrilled to have another chance to dress up.

Spookfest

The girls have been clamoring for more halloween decorations.  Since I have no interest and even less creativity, Michael took over and helped them make these super spooky tombstones.  A big hit all around.

Tilden Field Trip

I drove on a fieldtrip for Parker last week. It was to Tilden Park to study landforms, but basically it was just a downhill hike, a snack and hours of playtime. Fun, but not so educational.  

Goal!

Parker is enjoying soccer more and more. Especially when we scores goals like he did just before this shot.    He is quickly losing interest in baseball, though, since he's finally figured out it's just a bunch of standing around waiting for something to happen.

Chime recital

Parker did a recital through the music group for the piedmont. It was lots of little girls playing piano and violins poorly sprinkled with one or two that had some talent. With the exception of a boy who wasn't in the program who played the guitar while chewing gum, Parker was the only boy. He played a jazz piece.  The whole concert was under can hour which was about 15 minutes too long.  Hot chocolate and cookies helped us leave with happy kids. Oh and we were amused that Amy Martin was a piano teacher for some kids

Par

Long Weekend

We went down to LA this past weekend to see my dad and celebrate various birthdays. As always, Julia's party was a hit with parents and kids alike.  Space ships, aliens dropping space balls in the backyard, space walks, and delicious chocolate cake. What's not to love?

Sunday we all went to a new park in Santa Monica. The girls goofed off while my dad got some of his necessary exercise. He's doing amazingly well considering his condition just two months ago. It's astonishing.

And no trip to Santa Monica isn't complete without a visit to muscle beach and Hot Dog on a Stick.
With an easy quick drive both down and back, it was a good weekend.

Boys night out

Parker's busy weekend

As everyone knows, Parker is a man of action. If he isn't moving, he isn't happy. Unless of course, he's seated for hours of Super Mario Brothers and then he is very, very happy.

This weekend was a tri-sport situation for him.

Saturday morning, the whole holy family got up super early to go to his swim meet. We had to go early to bring the canopy. With almost 1000 swimmers there, you can imagine the chaos.  After waiting almost 3 hours, Parker got his 17 seconds of fame when he swam the 25 yard free style and got an "A" time which is the pretty damn good and qualifies him for other meets.  Problem is, once he turns 9 in December, there is no more 25 yard option and his time will drop.  But for now, he is happy. He had three other events (fly, back, 50 free) but we scratched them because he didn't want to miss the soccer game starting at 11:20.  He got dressed in the car as we flew back to Piedmont from Moraga and made it with minutes to spare.  He didn't make a goal in the game, as he did last week, but he looked good and the coaches are very pleased with his progress.  For kid who has only been playing for just over a year, he is quite good.

Then Sunday, he had a baseball game. I drove him out again to Moraga where he got two base hits, one hit, but out at first, and one strike out (swinging). He doesn't look as happy playing baseball as he does soccer and he says it's a little "boring".  Michael and I prefer he does baseball, but I guess only time will tell.  As long as he doesn't become a really good swimmer, we are ok. Swim meets are horrible, horrible events that no one should have to endure.

This weekend, he is missing the trip to LA to play his soccer game, attend a bday party and do a piano recital.  I'd like to see one weekend where he swims, kicks, bats, tickles the ivories, and gets a checkmate. That would be a fun weekend.

Safari West

Took Miranda and Beck to Safari West today. The visit was a bday present for her. I was expecting a fairly cheesy situation but it was all pretty low key and we got super close to many animals including giraffes, zebra and ostrich. Miranda was quite happy.