The kids and I needed a behavior improvement plan by the time summer ended. They filled up our gratitude container with 300 pompoms for all of the manners and acts of kindness over the first month of school. The reward they chose was a Pokemon party. They ate popcorn, had ice cream, watched the Pokemon movie and played Pokeman with Joel and Tyler from swim team. Everyone had fun, including Rubix.
Rubix has been skipping naps often when he is home with me. I would say he usually only takes one nap now, over the three days I am home (Friday through Sunday). Here he is trying to compromise with me one day when I really needed to get some work done. I checked on him and he was "sleeping on the couch". That is exactly what he is telling me in this picture, "I am sleeping mommy."
On Oct 6th, Harker had their annual Picnic. The kids all had a blast. Axel primarily hung out with Beibei and his other friends and was on his own for the most part. Phoenix found her good friend Ashley and hung out with her the entire time. Rubix and I started out with Ashley and Phoenix, but ended up going off on our own. Rubix loved the pony ride.
I couldn't tell if Phoenix enjoyed the pony ride, but she really wanted to go. She almost looks too big.
The theme this year was Candy Land. Here Ashley and Phoenix are making crowns.
Here they are after getting their faces painted.
I asked both Phoenix and Axel if they wanted to go on the bumper cars with Rubix. They both said no, so Rubix and I went a couple of times. Here he is steering/ driving. I pushed the gas and brake because he wasn't tall enough to reach, but he did great reaching the steering wheel and having us avoid bumping into others.
Axel ended the picnic with a little concert. Yes, he is playing his flute again since he didn't make the dance team. He is taking lessons with Mr. Hoffman, the director, which I think I mentioned last time, but I am not 100% sure. He is also starting to learn how to play the drums. We will see how that goes. As you can tell, it was really hot out and the young musicians were melting. Harker was nice enough to give each student their own umbrella hat. What a hit they were!
Phoenix, Rubix and I made it through the first 2 songs before they needed a break from the heat. We went inside the gym while Axel finished his mini concert. Here you can see Rubix making one of many shots. He is such a natural! Look at his form. Lets just say, Phoenix hasn't found the passion for working on form and technique so she just threw the ball as hard as she could and only made a couple of baskets total. Rubix made at least a dozen shots. I was really impressed!
Here is one that Phoenix did make, but it was in Rubix's basket :) Both of these Rubix "swished" in.
Rubix and I still go to the library every Friday. He loves walking on the letters and learning the alphabet. He likes it when I say, "A is for Ashley's absolutely, amazing, awesome, apples!" Or whatever, A words I can think of for the day.
And the big event......Last night, on October 18th, when I asked Phoenix to brush her teeth after she showered she yelled for me and said, "My tooth fell out." Yes, her tooth sure did fall out. I took a picture and then took it off her tongue and placed it in a baggie. She was so excited she had trouble going to sleep. I was busy with Rubix as he was sick and had thrown up everywhere an hour before, I didn't get a chance to brush her hair.
Here is Phoenix still excited with her wet hair, now dry and still not brushed. The tooth fairy left her a cute little box with a receipt, money and a tooth report. Grandma Susan made one for her and Braylin and it looks like both girls love them! Phoenix's other bottom tooth is also loose so we are giving it a couple of weeks before it comes out.
Today was Saif's 7th birthday party in the park. Phoenix was her fun self as always. This picture captures her grumpiness when she is not getting her way.
And another photo of, I guess I will try to smile.
Axel, Phoenix and the birthday boy!
Here is excited Rubix after his nap enjoying the bounce slides. I wouldn't let him go on it for the first few hours because he was throwing up the night before and I really didn't want to get anyone sick. He cried so much and he looked much better after his nap. I washed his hands and face as thoroughly as I could and then let him have at it. He came up to me after going up and down the slide a few times and said, "I am so happy, I am having so much fun!". I love how he always tells me exactly what he is feeling. He is such a sweet boy!
Axel and Phoenix played for 6 hours straight. It was fun to see Axel having so much fun being the older kid.
Axel got invited to the Harker open house to show off his computer science project tomorrow morning. He is really excited to be there with his partner, Pascal, and favorite teacher, Mr. Chung. Axel is also getting excited for his upcoming 5th grade trip to the Marin Headlands in a couple of weeks.
Keith is working hard to prepare for his next Asia tour coming up this Friday. We are trying to prepare for birthday and Holiday season. Keith will be very missed during Halloween, but the kids are so busy with activities that the 15 days will fly by.
I hope to post within a week after Halloween so check back soon!
