Morning Treat.

One of the benefits of Jeff's job is it's flexibility. When he has late appointments, the boys often get to go out to breakfast at the local coffee house, also know as "The Pancake Store," or "Loretta's House," according to Marco.

They get chorizo, pancakes and fruit and I get a photo texted to me... At work... Where I've been for hours.

Here are just a few recent texts.








Jealousy is so ugly on me. :)

Yeehaw!

In case you missed these adorable pics from Clara's cowboy-themed 4th birthday party here and here, check out these (mostly stolen) from me.

Marco loves his cousins, wearing his cowboy hat, cupcakes and riding a "hony," so it was pretty much a winning day in his mind. 

Here's the adorable, dusty proof:

 

Tiny Chairs

We survived our first parent/teacher conference! We were hosted in the circle time room at a tiny table with tiny chairs by Marco’s small group teacher, “Johnny Bear.” Yes. Adults and kids all call him Johnny Bear.

Marco’s class has 26 students and 18 of them are boys – 10 of them have birthdays within a month of Marco. Yikes. Johnny Bear said that this class has a special dynamic – full of energy! (Teachers have a nice way of saying things.) I was a teeny bit worried about Marco’s rambunctious play. Johnny Bear simply responded, “Boy, boy, boy – not a problem.”

Daily, after circle time with the larger group, they break up into three small groups of 8-10 kids for their project work. Marco has the only male teacher and he’s been at the school for over 30 years! :) I liked those things. Johnny Bear says it doesn’t really matter, except on the playground there’s a certain amount of pride to be in so-and-so’s group.

I told Johnny Bear that Marco’s former daycare was worried that he didn’t want to sit down to work on art or homework. He smiled and said, “It is developmentally inappropriate to expect a 3-year boy to sit still for any long amount of time. Our activities are designed in half hour increments.”

I also asked him about the lisp that Marco has picked up at school. Johnny Bear said it's normal. "It's more about experimenting with words and sound and imitating what he hears and sees. It's not uncommon for kids to pick up a lisp, an accent or even a tick." So much to look forward to.

He peppered the conversation with other notables, “happy kid,” “easy transitions,” “good relationships with adults and kids,” “not a picky eater,” and “good self-serving and self-care.” (I’m pretty sure that means he goes to the bathroom by himself and wipes himself. Yes, seriously.)

He wrapped up with, "We like Marco - we'll keep him!"
It was all music to my ears from a very nice man – and that’s why they call him Johnny Bear.

(Marco and Benny having a snack from their matching lunchboxes.)

The Sea Air

We escaped for a week again this year to Catalina where we enjoyed Grandma and Papa, the ocean, fresh air, delicious food and my favorite seat in the world - bellied up to the bar on Poseidon.  I think Marco likes the spot too.

The Captain's hat was just about the best $8 ever spent.  Everyone we encountered had something to say.  Walking down the street, "Well, hello Captain," to dinghy ride whispers, "Hey look!  It's a little Captain."  Marco liked it too.

Funning & Sunning

We said goodbye to Silver Lake with Heather, Nikos and Olive in tow.

Highlights were cold nights and mornings, a hot, sunny beach day, a bat walk (nod to Aunt Claudia) and bedtime. :)

I'm surprised we had the beach to ourselves with these hotties laying around.


Good trip gang.


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