See Colin go to the park

 

 

Doesn't everyone walk home from the park while hula hooping?

 

 

When math calls for cake

Colin's math lesson was working on reading a recipe, making correct measurements and working on fractions.  It provided a recipe, but I figured if we were going to bake something, it should be something that we were excited about.  Colin asked to make a chocolate cake.  It was the most delicious cake I have ever eaten...we will most definitely be keeping this recipe for birthdays.  Colin and Alison added to the fun and decided to decorate it with the random sprinkles we had in the pantry.

 

You know a cake is the most delicious when it doesn't last 24 hours.

Too bad math doesn't call for baking cakes every week...

For mom and dad (aka grandma and grandpa)

My attempts to make a video were not stellar, but I wanted to give you a glimpse of a few things.  

First of all, I have been super impressed with the Kiwi Crates.  They are basically fun school in a box.  The materials are top notch, the instructions are clear and kid-friendly and even come with substantial books to learn more about their projects.  I was a little nervous that the boxes would just produce more junk around the house that would just have to be thrown away, but the projects they've done so far are things that they can actually keep using and I really like that.

 Here's a too long video showing you some fun things...I started making a video of a tour of the whole schoolroom but it was too long and awkward, so this is the edited down clip...

 

Alison's piano playing has skyrocketed!  She has a great teacher, but actually all props go to her.  During quarantine, she decided to learn her entire book, so she could surprise her teacher when they could finally meet again.  Then she broke her wrist...but that didn't stop her!  So even with a long quarantine and a broken wrist, she has on her own, learned a few classical pieces without her piano teacher even knowing.  There have been times that I've heard the piano and thought it was her listening to YouTube, but then realized it was actually her!  I just love hearing her play.  Pieces didn't really happen this year, so I bribed Alison to make a little video for you.  

Here's a little peak of Alison at piano lessons.

To the beach we must go

Colin was feeling the strong need to go to the beach.  So much so, that one day he set up a pretend beach in our living room and did all his school there.  He even turned on a beach scene with ocean sounds on the TV.

 

He wore his swimsuit for 2 days in anticipation of going to the actual beach.  We had plans to go to the harbor and paddle board as a family the next day, but it turned out to be much too windy for that.  Colin still really needed to go play in the sand and I never turn down a beach opportunity, so we had our own little beach afternoon.  While it was 85 at our house, the wind by the ocean made it feel very cold.

I bundled up in a blanket and Colin played in the sand.  Doesn't everyone take a hulu hoop with them to the beach?

He attempted to boogie board for all of 2 minutes and then was ready to go home because he was so cold. 

 

We still had a really fun time.  The harbor has become one of my favorite spots...I just love watching the boats come in and out with the mountains behind them.

New Year's + Eli's rubix cube

New Year's Eve we rang in the new year with games and Harry Potter.

 Eli mastered the rubix cube in no time!

Christmas, part 2

My beautiful girl, showing off her new earrings.

The boys building Mario Legos.

{roses from our anniversary}

 We spent the day playing, talking with family and resting.  

Maya dished out kisses.

For dinner we had prime rib, sourdough, mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts.

That night, Colin and I went on our last walk and yes, he went in his jammies and slippers.  I wasn't able to get a good picture, but I just had to document my favorite thing...this was in front of the best house in the neighborhood.

 

 

We stopped by the Little Library; a stop we made often on our walks.  There are a lot of these around our area, but this one up our street, I appreciate SO much.  Many of the little libraries have closed down during Covid, as well the public library, but a lady up the street has kept her running and it has given our family a little treat.  Colin will take a few books up there and pick a few for himself and Eli.  Some times the lady will leave little treats in the bucket; the week of Christmas she left fun sticker activities and stamps.

And we couldn't go to bed until we got in a little target practice.  This gun can shoot really far!

We had a wonderful Christmas, full of sweet memories, thoughtful gifts and yummy food.

The next day: Ben and Eli building his electronic kit.

Christmas Day, part 1

Christmas finally came!  I've heard rumors that Eli woke up all the kids at 5 am and convinced Alison to watch Star Wars with him in her bed, while they waited for 6:30.  Then everyone was on our bed for stockings!

 

Coffee and breakfast was started and we started opening presents as the sun came up.

There were too many wonderful presents to document them all, but here are some highlights:

Alison got a new trick board

Colin got a riffle nerf gun

Maya got a sweater 😂

Alison got a "Prada" bag from Nana filled with goodies.

Colin got fun slippers

Tea pastry time!  We added a new egg casserole this year that is definitely a keeper.

Maya is convinced that she is now a human when she is wearing this sweater.

Surprise!  Colin also got a new trick board too.

Alison got new piano music.  I loved seeing her just sit and look through all the songs.

Eli got a soldering kit with another kit that he could build his own gaming unit.

And Eli got the new Lego Mario.  He really was excited about it, but for some reason, just didn't show it until later.