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Monart - what a great program!

Jack has been going to art classes for about 14 months at Monart -a local art studio. The classes started off for 1 hour, 1 time per week. Monart teaches you the "alphabet" of drawing and how you can use those pieces to draw anything. Jack has come so far in his art. He loves going to class. He loves his teacher Miss Bettina (she's from Germany and so cute!). He is sad when the class is over. Yesterday when I picked him up he asked me to take these pictures so we could post them here.

POPCORN!

Today was the big day for Steven and Josh. They are working on their science experiment for the science fair and they are doing it on POPCORN. More specifically how the temperature popcorn is stored at will effect it's popping. So we popped 16 bags of microwave popcorn -1 test bag, 5 from the freezer. 5 from the refrigerator and 5 from the cupboard. There was popcorn everywhere -even with 4 hungry kids eating it nonstop thru the process (the little brothers -Jack & Justin were not as much help eating the popcorn as I had hoped).

After each bag was popped they had to measure the volume, evaluate the size of the kernels and then count the unpopped kernels.

It only took them an hour and a half and they had fun. Now comes the hard part -graphing and documenting their results. I don't remember 4th grade being this hard~! and the science fair is still a month away.

Walk Thru California....

This is something I have heard about at the kids school for years.All fourth graders participate in this program -every year the same program. I never thought much of it... but when the notice came home and said parents were invited to be in the audience -well of course I had to go. Now I know why they repeat the program each year. It is a valuable use of time and a great experience for the kids. 96 pictures and 2.5 hours later I am so happy I went. The speaker took the kids on an adventure and taught them thru repetition, jokes and shared experiences about this great state we live in. My mom & I both learned a few things as well. Here are a few pictures of Steven from the experience.

Steven giving his "expert" answer on Borders and telling the class that the border between California and Arizona is the Colorado River.

This was a points competition between the four groups of kids in the class. Steven was selected for a final "speed" round where he had to point to items on the California map and name them -he got 13 which was the highest of the 4 kids participating. The others got 11, 11 and 12 -which just goes to show he can talk fast!

This is Steven and his best friend Josh. They dressed as monks -like Father Serra- for extra points. Kudos to my mom for making the great robes they are wearing!

It's that time of the year again.....

We finally got the call we've been waiting for....they had the draft and Steven is now playing in the big leagues! He was drafted onto the AAA Cardinals and can't wait to play competitive baseball. This is a big deal as not that many 9 years olds were drafted, mostly 10 & 11 year olds. They keep score, have standings on the website and have umps at their games --nothing could make a 9 year old boy more giddy! Plus he knows quite a few of the kids on his team --total bonus! I will be posting some practice pictures soon -they have already had 3 practices this week and it is early February!

Jack was also pleased to get the call he is on the Farm Pirates. He will be playing with his friend Justin and that made him happy to! Plus Justin's brother is Steven's best friend -so they are just as psyched to have the little bro's playing together so they can see each other during games.

So we are off .... the weather is cooperating and practices have begun....only 30 days til opening day......

San Francisco - City by the Bay

My mom invited me to go with her and her ladies (red hat society group) to see Beach Blanket Babalyon in San Francisco. Cynthia and I both went and we started out from my house at 8am Sunday morning. We stopped for breakfast at the Cliff House -a true SF classic. I took some pictures there of the view from the restaurant....

The view from our table


the restaurant window we were looking out of


After brunch we took some group photos, I thought I would share a few...

here is my mom & her ladies

Here is Cynthia and I by the front stairs.


Then we were off to the show with a quick stop at Boudin's bakery for fresh sourdough. On the way home we stopped at Applebee's and had dinner. I am amazed constantly at the stir these ladies cause in their red hats and purple clothes. People stare, wonder and several asked if they could take their picture --which the ladies posed for with grace and smiles. When we finally got home at 7pm we were all tired from our fun day in the city! Thanks Mom!!

Pinewood Derby

Well it has been two weeks since we posted so I thought I should catch you up. The boys have been busy with school and scouts and computer club and friends. Our scout Pinewood Derby was Saturday the 21st and Steven and Jack both participated. Jack's car didn't do too well -it weighed only 4.4 oz and the other cars were all about 4.9-5.0 oz which is the limit. He didn't win either race he was in and he came in 11th overall. He was awarded a certificate for "Most Artistic" which thrilled him beyond belief. He spent a great deal of time drawing his car and re-drawing the car to get Spongebob right.




Then Steven raced. He won a couple of races and came in 8th overall. Here he is with his friends Josh and Connor right after their race.


Then here are the kids goofing off in between races. Here is Jack with his friends Megan and Justin.

Then here are Steven and Jack with their friend Luke.


That's it for the Pinewood Derby --til next year that it!

Jack's teeth

This is my few days after picture -taken
to go on the blog.











This is my right after picture in the car.
Here I am before
at Dr. Weideman's
office.

I got my teeth wiggled out. On Wednesday January 4th, 2006. It was the teeth next to where my middle bottom teeth should be. Austin and Dr. Kara took my teeth out. I put them under my pillow. The Tooth Fairy came and left me $2.