Kieran y Gabriel's Aikido Test

Belen's Aikido Test

Chase's Aikido Test

The Garden

The Chef

Scarborough Affair

Paging Doctor Singh

Kieran discovered two bug bites that were itching him terribly at dinner. The doctor in the house decided to take charge to take care of her brother with soothing creams and many bandaids!

A Christmas Memory

I found this wonderful picture of Belen and Grandpa.

Strawberry Fields...

My little gardeners helped with our strawberry patch today. We have about 25 plants and five different varieties. Hopefully we can enjoy them this summer if we can keep the birds away....

Belen's India Fiesta! :-)

Oh, what a party! Belen and her friends had a fabulous time exploring the wonderful world of India. Their imaginations took them to Delhi, where they rode elephants, they celebrated Diwali and finally enjoyed the joys of throwing colors for Holi! Ok--I almost burned out my Cuisinart by making colored powdered sugar, but it was worth it. It was the highlight of the party. The girls all took home "goodie bags" full of candy, bangles and bindis. One of Belen's friends comments that she was still playing with her sari a couple of weeks later.

Gabriel At The Science Fair

This is the first year our elementary school held a science fair for fifth graders. Each student had to select their own experiment, provide a hypothesis, and show the results. Gabe chose to grow pea seedlings in various types of soil to prove which medium is most fertile.

Chase's Free Throw Skills

During his team's fundraiser, Chase scored the most free throws of his team....and here's why.

Santa

More car conversations......
Mom: Belen, shall we go see Santa tomorrow?
Belen: Yeah, but I haven't made my list.
Mom: We can do that when we get home and we'll go in the morning. Have you decided what you'd like him to bring?
Belen: Well, I think I shouldn't ask for too many things, because if I ask for too many things then Santa will have to bring the same amount of things for the boys.
Mom: That's a good point.
(pause)
Belen: Do you think Santa knows when my birthday is?
Mom: I don't think Santa keeps track of birthdays.
Belen: I think he went to Santa class, because he looks kinda smart.

Boy Crazy

Driving home from aikido a conversation occured.....
Chase: Next time at aikido, Belen is going to tell Adrian he's her boyfriend.
Mom: No, she's not.
Chase/Gabriel (in unison): YES, SHE IS!! She does it all the time!! he he he
Belen: No, I don't! Only if they're handsome!

Belen's Halloween Party

Halloween Treats

Belen's First Day of School

The Chocolate Girl

Crossroads Mall had a mini Indian festival with vendors and performances all day today. We fell into it by accident since Belen had a hair appt. but we did watch some of the performances and had mehndi applied to our hands. While it was drying Belen rode the carousel several times and I sat down to people watch. All the Indian women with their colorful saris, it was a joy. One woman, carrying a camera, asked her friends, "Who is that chocolate girl?" There was a dark little Indian girl walking by in a bright green lehenga. I watched the woman walk towards her and then turn in circles, looking perplexed for the parent of the little "chocolate girl". After asking everyone in reach, she looked at me, questionably....."Is she with you?" It was Belen she had been looking at, wanting to take her picture for some smile campaign. Of course Belen stepped up and gave her best.

Today's Harvest

So I have a green thumb after all.....