2nd and 5th grade

 

First day of school, 2nd and 5th grade for these monkeys.  I keep wanting to make the time for all the amazing summer fun family memories here on the blog, and I probably will, once I fully recover from motel summer season.  So in the mean time, we'll celebrate another start of the school year.  Both boys have the same teacher they've had for the last 2 years, so they're both like, "Yeah, been there, done that."  Ben's really excited about a computer programing class he gets to take on Wednesday with his enrichment class and Josh is excited about the tumbling class.  They're both suppose to be working on their country projects (see below), Josh is doing Botswana and Ben is doind Ancient Greece.  We're trying to find the right work/school balance, it's a bit more of a challenge this year with the campground project full steam ahead.  

Happy 10th Birthday Mr. Ben

Happy 10th Birthday Mr. Ben.  There are so many wonderful things about this young man, he loves reading, is obsessed with Mine Craft, is training for his black belt in Kuk Swool Won, still eats most vegetables with ketchup, loves pepperoni pizza and cookie dough ice cream.  His highlights this year included: a trip to Alaska, a visit to Disneyland with Uncle Mino and Lisa, Camp Nana on the Salmon River, a day trip to Camp Augusta, going skiing in Crested Butte, going camping, going swimming in Nana's pool, going to the Maker Faire, playing with his friends.....

For his birthday party we went to 49er Fun Park with Raja, Tavish, Reyn, Amarion, Toby, Orion and Aiden.  Thanks Geoff for helping drive one of the Go Karts.  

Dan and I are proud to have such a fabulous kid, and kudos to us for surviving our first decade as parents!  We get that this is a life time agenda and are excited about the future.  

Alaska Sea Life Center, Caines Head hike and more

More photos from Alaska, a trip to the Alaska Sea Life Center, a hike out to Caines Head, a wet walk up the river creek.  

O Alaska

O Alaska, so many beautiful places...  we loved the train ride from Anchorage to Seward (I say that in the plural by meaning that Erica and I loved the train and the boys had varying moments of loving it and loathing it).  Welcome to Alaska.. so great to hang out with college friends and relax.

Camping in Lakes Basin

3 nights away, my camping check list continues to include: no cell phone coverage, a nap, coffee and wine outside and reading.  Taking a hike is bonus.  Spent Thursday day hanging out with Jesse, fun to go for a hike in the rain.  The boys joined us Thursday night.  Friday afternoon and evening we were joining by Lillian, Julian, Kim, Peter, Ana and the Dixons (Erin, Randy and Ani).  It rained quite a bit, but thankfully we had the gas fire pit, an awning and a heater in the caravan.  It was a treat on Saturday to go for a hike in a hail storm, how often do you hike through high alpine lakes with every weather pattern available (it rained, the sun came out, we heard thunder).  Dan's first try with the dutch oven didn't quite go as planned, but I think we'll give it another try.  We'll skip the details on Josh's intestinal issue, but just say that Dan continues to prove himself a saint.  Great to spend time with friends and get away from the never ending to do lists.

HMB and the Maker Faire

A quick trip to the coast, the boys and I made a pit stop at the beach, then hung out at Lobitos Creek Ranch.  The purpose of the trip was to go to the Maker Faire, which, according to Ben was "Amazing" and "double amazing" said to Josh.  Ben's favorite things were: robot karate, giant metalic robot shooting flames, R2D2.  Josh's favorite things were: robot bug, shooting fire robot, metal rhino and eating a corn dog.  I enjoyed chatting with the folks about screen printing, the Airstream mobile shop with model t cars, the crafty vendor shop, the giant bubbles and glow in the dark installations.  The faire was a bit overwhelming and very crowded, but I'd probably be talked into going again.

Slices of life, May 2015

Last night I had the realization that Josh was no longer going to be a toothless grin child for long (one of his front teeth has broken through), so I thought, "I'd better capture this stage before its gone."  But every stage seems like a fleeting moment.  My favorite Ben and Josh statements this week are...

Kissing Josh good night on Saturday, "Good night Josh.  I'm so proud of you, did you know that?"  "Yes mom, I've known that since the day I was born."

Ben spies the Penn Valley Northridge out the window on our way to the Kuk Swool Won black belt testing and says with excitement, "Mom, did you know there's a Northridge here, we have to go for pizza."  And I reply, "Everyone I've talked to says the Penn Valley Northridge isn't as good as the Nevada City one, we don't need to go there."  And then Ben replies, "Mom, I want to make an informed decision and not make my decisions based on what everyone else says."  Gotta give the boy credit for creative bargaining.

Other photos include Josh reading a new book from Ruth and Skip about National Parks.  The boys at the black belt testing, this was Josh's first (of 12) tests for his black belt and Ben's second test.  Both boys did a great job.  The week before Josh had his Guhm Moo Hyung test and did a form 100 times.  The photos below are from a quick trip to Camp Augusta, the boys had a field trip with school and then we went for a quick visit for an Outside Inn blog post.  And it was great fun on Monday to see the Tour of California speed through town, click here for those photos.