patrol game

Aiden is all business with the safety patrol. He was invited to a special safety patrol basketball game where they were recognized on the court before  the game.  He is also all business figuring out this mystery puzzle with our Chat-n-Chew lunch bunch group. If I could just get all the kids to actually read the book it would be easier ;) but we have fun with activities...

spirit week

These guys go big for spirit week!  Mix-it-up Monday was a favorite - they had wiki stix people dancing in their hair - haha! Keaton's giant puffy conch shell hat may be a favorite too.  Aiden has new shoes with fabric that lights up!

knitting cheese

Some relaxed new knitters with a bonus highlight at the end - Tableside raclette cheese at Cheesetique! It is even better than I expected!

knitting

It's a dream come true! Both boys learned to knit! I even woke up one morning and they were both relaxing on the couch knitting.  I recently uncovered my very first knitting project (long buried in my old bedroom my parents are clearing out in what I now affectionately call the cringe chest, my old camp chest full of notes and old papers that are sometimes embarrassingly cringe-y). Those first white stitches my grandma helped me with when I was in between Keaton and Aiden's age, probably 9 or 10 years old. The red sideways cable knit with the red baby alpaca yarn my parent's brought me from Peru a while back is my latest project.

tidbits

Our good friends moved back to VA!  I wasn't sure if this is something that ever actually happens after having a good number of friends move around each year... but we are so glad they are back!  Keaton and Sydney picked up right where they left off in preschool and it is especially nice for me - I have a good friend close by again!

This goof ball was excited to celebrate his 100th day of school - even though the excitement kept getting pushed back because of all the snow days and delays this year.

J was invited to give two guest lectures on moral philosophy to Aiden's class. He did a great job and it was fun to see how Aiden and his classmates reacted... Making memories for these fifth graders!

this guy

Getting ready to turn 8 years old really soon...

Four years ago, just after he turned 4 years old with tiny chicklette teeth: https://ababybrennan.blogspot.com/2015/05/this-guy.html

good list

Cheestique had a special table side raclette event and it was even better than I expected!

J and I went out right before Valentine's for some delicious small plates and then found the bar hidden in a donut shop!  Even more fun than expected! ;)

valentines

We helped create some breakfast bags for the needy at the neighborhood Valentine's party - nothing like spreading the love for the holiday! Also, check out those valentine treat hauls!

valentine class

Aiden loved his finger eye ball valentines and Keaton gave a fun telescope and a mini slinky!  The class parties went smoothly. I helped the pin the heart balloon game and springy heart pencil topper in Keatons' class where they also had a straw game, a bean bag game, and cookie decorating.  Aiden's class was set with a big spread of crafts where pom pom making took over as the all time favorite.

monster golf

These guys love this glowing Monster mini golf!

tidbits

Aiden wearing the new Hamilton inspired cowl - Work!

Feels like the weekends are mostly full of these guys hanging out with their friends... The bottom two pictures are Aiden at various birthday parties.  At the Laser Tag, I arrived to Aiden hoping to stay longer to play video games.  They were very close to solving the WWII inspired escape room.

Aiden in the upper right is straight off the laughing gas after having two canines pulled in an attempt to avoid braces.  The new teeth hidden in the gums that are pointed sideways right now will hopefully come down straight now. Watching teeth being pulled is not my idea of a good time... but man, it's a lot easier than I expected.

Going out to eat is a favorite around here - check out that Korean spread!

cali sunset

So lucky to see a best friend and join his family for a few days in such a beautiful place. Can't wait until the next time I can get back to Montecito and I know the boys would love to come too!

moxi

Love this spot in Santa Monica - such a great interactive museum with amazing rooftop views!

montecito

Ah, it doesn't get much better than playing in Augie's forest with smiley baby Ellie! Fresh oranges, and so much to explore!

vegas 2

So much food, fun, and laughs in Vegas!

vegas

Kicking off a big year where we all turn the big 4-0! These old friends went back to our first girl's trip for my bachelorette party in Vegas - oh man, so much changed since that first trip in 2004!  Celebrating Lara's engagement and upcoming June wedding too!

crafty

Lotsa crafts bouncing around lately! There are the owly friends made from that fleece ;) The crEATe sign from the ALX workshop. The Fern and Feather is complete and fits me and Aiden ;) Still going on the sideways cables in the red alpaca my parent's brought me from Peru a while back.

wool

This may be one of the crazier time sponges lately! An old preschool friend has sheep and he gave us the fleeces.  I could not believe how much work it is to get it in a workable form... but we did manage to get to combing some and using it to make some felted animals.

maker's mile

Alexandria figured out a way to be more charming, by setting up a bunch of shops with crafty stations (with a tote and pins to collect! my favorite!) I went with my friend to kick it off and the boys came back with me the next day to do two more spots.

snow day

Mr. Fox's adventures included an extra snow day to make his visit into a long weekend. He loved wear pants and boots for the first time and sledding tucked into Keaton's coat.