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.

The State Report

As a rite of passage in Miss Lee's class, every student must complete the state report.  The student chooses the state - California! - and begins a months-long project to learn everything about the state. The project includes creating books, collecting memorabilia, and drawing birds, trees, postcards and more. To read: tons of bribery, threats and work. 

The project culminates in two big events. First, a 10-minute presentation in front of the class, "I get to wear a microphone!" and second, the State Fair, where each first grader stands with his project and answers questions from the other classes as they come around to learn about the states.

Since we already knew California was pretty awesome, Marco conducted a survey of his friends, family and neighbors. "What is your favorite part of California?" He even asked strangers and tallied totals in his notebook.  The research was so good for him... and just happened to keep him busy all afternoon at a winery while we tasted wine. His favorite respondents were a group of Japanese tourists with one translator. In typical tourist style, they even took a picture with him. :)

His speaking gig was great, no jitters at all. He even pointed out people in the room who were born in California, "my Mom, my Dad, my Grandma - even my Uncle Phil!"

And here's the proof:

With the microphone...

With the pointer...

Marco asked the students to vote in his survey to earn a jelly bean.  The students' results even matched his survey!  A future analyst!

Niko visiting his booth...

 This might be my favorite picture pointing to the presentation with his hand behind his back.

Good school folks.