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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Happy Birthday!

Marco turned eight this year in grand style.

First, we surprised him on Friday at school with Jeff as the "secret reader" in class.  He read Tony and the Pizza Champions and we passed out cupcakes that looks liked little pizzas - made entirely of sugar and candy (yikes).

Marco's birthday lunch on Saturday was sushi (of course!) where we had a star sighting of his first grade teacher. She sent him an ice cream treat, which is pretty much like the President sending you a drink at a bar.

Then, we dragged a gaggle of boys (and cousin Lucy) to the Globetrotter's game. The kids were the perfect age to enjoy the overstated humor, loud music and ball tricks.  Better yet, we did it in style.  A friend from school (thanks Trevor!) offered us his company's box for the night.

The boys had a blast! We had a pretty good time too, I must say. Being rich for two hours never felt so good.

Don't believe an 8-year old could be so lucky? Here's the proof:

Happy Eight.