Penny's fall violin recital

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/kgc2g8KVVHY8YdFG8

Summer 2023

This summer, Max did a few camps (baseball, golf, and music) but Penny did not want to do any camps or structured activity.  She did continue taking violin and flute lessons and we went to the pool whenever possible.  Penny and Minkz went to San Diego and we had a long weekend family trip to Sea Ranch with friends and Monterey with our cousins.

Sea Ranch

Monterey

New York in Mar/April

Minkz went ahead and got Opening Day Giants v. Yankees @ NY tickets without consulting me and we planned a New York trip around this game which was a bucket list item for him.  The trip was also over his birthday, so it was his celebration. We saw the game. We stayed in an airbnb in Bedstuy, Brooklyn. We ate great food and at some nice restaurants. We walked a lot including across the Brooklyn Bridge and to the Little Island park. Penny and I saw Moulin Rouge on Broadway. We also saw Times Square and went to MoMA. Overall, it was a great trip!

Disneyland March 2023

We all followed Penny to Disneyland again this year to see her perform with her chamber orchestra.  I was especially proud since she was first chair and was sitting front and center.  It was a great trip and although we didn't get to hang out with her (because she had to stay with her school group) we did manage to get on a lot of rides and do everything that we wanted to.  I also liked the nice hotel room we got this time.  Max loved the Flight Deck flight simulator place (outside of the parks) where he got the highest score against adults.

The best intentions...

Max had an opportunity to participate in an after school math program, called Math Olympiad, because of good state testing scores.  Naturally, I wanted him to be challenged since regular math class tends to be too easy for him.  I signed him up and after attending the class on Wednesdays he seems energized.  However, there is some homework due each time and he complains about doing it.

Similarly, there is a special science program, Science Alliance, for 5th graders where they work on a science fair project with a high school mentor's guidance for several months.  This was open to any 5th grader in the district and competitive to get in.  I sat at my computer ready to click away at the site as soon as they opened the registration and I did end up getting him a spot.  Unfortunately, similar to Math Olympiad, he seems happy after meeting with his mentor, but as for the work, he is not excited about it.  He went through several project ideas because he couldn't find passion for the first ideas.  The project he settled on was, building a levitating water fountain with a stroboscopic effect. It turns out, he is not very passionate about this idea either, but it is too late to change it.  Now that it is deadline time, dad is stuck doing a majority of the work to build the fountain.  Also, I just told Max that the science fair is all day where he will stand by his project, present it and answer questions.  He was not pleased to hear that.

Honestly, any activity I sign him up for has the same outcome.  While he may agree to it at the beginning, anything that takes him away from gaming at home (which is anything) becomes a nuisance (for us both).  With each of these, I was hoping that it would be a stimulating exercise, but instead it seems to cause distress.  Hopefully, we will see the benefit later and he will be thankful, or at least it will "build character".

Japan 2023

We went on a long (3-week) vacation to Japan.  The kids had enough time to see family, soak in a bit of the lifestyle and the language, and hopefully had some experiences that they will remember for a long time.  

 

Max goes to camp!

Next week will be Max's 5th grade outdoor education camp week where he will go to overnight "camp" (in cabins) with his class for 3 nights!  This is a big deal developmentally and dad and I can barely believe that this time has come already.  It is hard to imagine this house without Max's energy and voice for 3 nights (4 days).  I'm excited for him and I know he will have a great time.  At the parent meeting, I learned that many parents are very anxious about separating from their kids.  Concerns came up about food and keeping tabs on their kids.  My concern was more about whether he felt ok and since he is ok, I am ok!

Fall photos

 

School portraits 2022

 

8th grade

5th grade

End of summer and beginning of school

We enjoyed a 3-day getaway to Santa Cruz with our family.  Unfortunately dad had to stay home and work.   Just like that, summer is over!  The school year starts in early August in our district.  I heard this is because families like to have more days off during the school year.  It seems like that would be inconvenient for working parents, but I do understand that you want options for vacations other than summer.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Wharf

First Day of School

Kid's music spring and summer 22

I'm so proud of both kids for learning instruments and it is a joy to watch them perform and entertain me!

 Max on sax! Spring school concert:

Penny Area Strings Concert - Cal high, two middle schools and four elementary school orchestras:

Penny's school spring concert:

Penny private violin recital:

Penny's school chamber orchestra performance at Disneyland:

Birthdays

 

Max's birthday - Go Karting with friends

Penny's birthday - ice skating with friends

Dad's birthday - dinner out with family

Christmas break!

We had guests for Christmas this year.  It was a fun experience to hang out together for several days!  We played games, cooked, and watched movies.

 

While I went on a trip with my dad, Minkz took the kids to Tahoe and stayed with our friends.  It even snowed while they were there!

Penny suggested we have a staycation, so we got a hotel in the city and made the most of our two days there.  These are from our cable car ride back from dinner and from the Museum of Modern Art.  It was a great idea and I hope to do it again!

Penny's school pic 2021

 Penny's school picture finally arrived!  She is a determined young lady!  She can be found crocheting and  singing songs from Hamilton lately. 

2021