Familiar Look

I got a very complimentary email from the school photographer (to read: secretary) about how I should check out the very best photo she's taken for their website.

Handsome devil.

Pumpkin Patch 2016

Lucky boys get invited to the family Pumpkin Patch excursion when their parents have to work.

Happy October!

Twain Harte 2016

We spent another family weekend in Twain Harte this summer with Marco's new favorite toy, cousin Danny. 

Marco's notables were his third year of passing the swim test (this one actually looked legit) and lots and lots of diving board action. 

As the family historian, I should mention that the trees all have a disease this year and the locals are worried that they'll all be fallen or dead by next year. Removing 1,000s of trees isn't seem like an easy or affordable feat, but we still hope to see you next year, Twain Harte.

Proof:

Urban Adventures

Nestled in between all the ridiculous Summer fun we've been having, Marco got to check out Urban Adventures Camp - a camp filled with walking, public transportation, museums and lots and lots of Twitter. I got all of these pictures from their constant tweeting. We love social media!

And here's the proof:

Let's go Cubs

Jeff and Marco are playing baseball again and this year Jeff is head coach. Marco's first inning on the mound - walked one, struck out three.  I'm so proud!  He looked like a real baseball player!

Good thing we took these pics and a video because we couldn't see through all those tears of pride. :)

Me and My Family (Video Project)

This is Marco's computer class project.  We may need to revisit where he's from.

The Year of The Ear

I remember when we started kindergarten, one of the parents told me that the second graders are the ugliest kids in school.  And not any second graders, but all second graders... with their big teeth and just-beyond-the-age-of-cuteness looks.

But we may have taken the cake this year when Marco woke up with a giant swollen ear the day before school pictures. Giant. Luckily, the swelling went down significantly in one day, leaving only a minor head defect for his pics.

There might be something to that rumor about second grade... which will forever be known in our minds as the year of the big ear.

The Sea Creature Report

As the State Report is to first grade, the Sea Creature Report is to second grade. Marco got to choose his sea creature and selected the whale. Reading, writing and speaking are all included in this months-long project that earned him (and us!) a lifetime of knowledge about whales, (or cetacea!)

Baleen versus toothed, one versus two blowholes and a whale's relationship to a dolphin regularly found its way into conversation. And if he could drum up any interest, he'd launch into a full monologue -- even sneaking away to introduce his presentation board.

What Marco lacks in academic patience, discipline and focus, he certainly makes us for in presentation skills, confidence and style.  I even saw a spark of board room potential when he asked for questions.

A classmate raised his hand and said, "I know another fact about whales!" Marco quickly and calmly retorted, "Great! We can't wait to hear about it during your presentation. Anyone else?"

And here's the proof:

Summer 2015

As we draw eerily close to Summer 2016, I thought I'd put a few of these in the books.  Last Summer, we spent a lot of time with friends, at the cabin, baseball camps, family, boating camps, sleepovers, no rules, Catalina and more.

Marco grew a ton, eating his weight in sushi and most other things he could get his hands on.

All in all, a great traditional summer.

Starting off with the last day of first grade, here's the proof:

 

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