Thursday, June 25, 2009

Strawberries!

It's not easy

holding the baby, tickling the baby, and taking pictures of the baby, all at the same time!




but I'm sure I'll keep trying!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Alaskan Storm Troopers


Sam and Gaj, awaiting the start of the "Midnight Sun Run". Totally awesome!! I wonder if they can actually run in those outfits?

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Quote of the Day

Elias, overheard talking quietly to himself at the art table, "Now I'm drawing Mt. Mckinley, the tallest mountain in the world!!"

While our facts might not all be correct, I think it is safe to say that Alaska is making a big impression on all of us these days!



Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Monday, June 15, 2009

sam in AK


First picture of Sam from the far north. He is having a great time. He, Grannie, and Grampa Moustache are in Denali Park tonight. Everyone cross their fingers that they will have lots of great animal sightings tomorrow!

ps. this should also lay to rest many questions raised by my previous post with a Sam pic. He has NOT cut his hair- I just posted an old picture.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Quote of the Day


Entry from the Far North.

Yesterday Sam and Grannie had the opportunity of a lifetime. The tour company that Gaj works for had some last minute cancellations, so S and G got to board a 9 person plane and fly up to the Arctic Circle, over the Brooks Mountains. They landed, visited an Eskimo village, and saw a dance and drum circle.

As they were driving over to meet the plane Grannie remarked to Sam that they were so lucky to have this opportunity. And Sam replied, "Gran, we are lucky just to be in Alaska!!"

Friday, June 12, 2009

1st grade- Done!


Sam is officially on his way to 2nd grade now. He finished school this week with a lot of great memories, tons of artwork, and his very first main lesson book. His school is a Waldorf methods charter, which means that it operates separately from public schools and the various requirements and strict curriculum you find there. Stonebridge emphasizes education through arts, creative and imaginative play, and helping the kids "learn how to learn." Along with math and writing, Sam's 1st grade class integrated knitting, playing the recorder, spanish, drama, and dance into their curriculum. And instead of workbooks or textbooks, each students crafts their own individual books for each subject they worked on over the course of the year, recording and illustrating each lesson taught. At the end of the year, the books are combined and bound, creating the main lesson book that Sam came home with on the last day of school. It is a beautiful creation.

Sam and his classmates put on an amazing play for their families this past week. It was so impressive to see this group of 30 seven year olds singing and speaking in front of a quite sizable group of friends and families. The kids memorized SO much- songs, lines, poems, movements- really, it was incredible.

And following directly on the heels of his last day of school, was the start of another adventure for Sam. He and Grannie flew off to Fairbanks, Alaska for two weeks. They will meet up with Grandpa Moustache, who is already there, staying with Gaj (Great Aunt Jill) and Gus (Great Uncle Sada), and cousin Liz. Sam was so excited for his big trip. We are missing him already, but so happy that he and Grannie have this amazing opportunity!

The !st grade class, on stage.


The brave knights.

Post play silliness.


Grannie, with her boys.We'll miss you Grannie and Sam. Have fun and hurry home to us!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Babyhawk

Have I mentioned here that Atti likes to sport a mohawk? It is really more of a tuft of hair on the top of his head that is prone to sticking up, but either way, it's pretty adorable.

Here it is, back lit by some morning sun.


And here it is again, in various poses on the couch. I'm sure I didn't really need to post all of these shots, but I just couldn't choose between them.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Beach trip

We recently spent an excellent day at Stinson beach with a bunch of friends. The weather was perfect, warm, sunny and not too windy. All the kids played together happily, no one got sunburned- all in all, it was a great day. The water was freezing, as always, but we had a hard time keeping the kids out anyway. Patch, especially, loved playing in the surf. The one difficulty with being at the beach with three kids, one being only four months old, is that you aren't left with a lot of time or free hands for photo taking. There were lots of plenty photogenic moments, but alas, they were not captured...you'll have to use your imaginations.

Here's what I got.

Atti, being tended to by the two ten year old girls in our group. They LOVED him!!


All the kids working on digging a giant hole.


Sam, looking like the true California boy he is.


Our littlest beach boy, with his dad, who miraculously had the day off from work and got to come with us!