Hau`oli La Hanau Max (that's "happy birthday" in Hawaiian to you mainlanders)

Since Max was born in Hawaii, we went with a Hawaiian Luau theme. Of course, here you can't get the real thing, so we had to settle for pizza, "tropical" punch, and fake flower lei, but the idea still worked.

Isaac Graduates Kindergarten

It's hard to believe that my "baby" is graduating kindergarten, but there you have it! Isaac had a pretty good celebration today....the graduation, cake in the classroom, lunch out, AND a graduation party at the pool with cupcakes! I'm beat! Here's also a photo of him with one of his best friends Joseph and underneath that is a link to a short video of him receiving his diploma. Sniff, sniff.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_pxJogYPME&feature=user

Isaac Turns Six!

Isaac had his birthday party this year at Chuck E. Cheese. He got to invite all of his classmates. We had a pirate theme (which is why he is dressed up like one). It seemed to be a big hit (but I'm too tired to know for sure!) There's a video link under the photo for your viewing pleasure (Also look at Max "dancing" in the upper right corner. I didn't realize he was doing that, but it's pretty funny).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAN1TSbPQVs

Isaac has a Party at Chuck E Cheese

More party photos! There's another video link of Isaac below the last photo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2V3oifWPYI

Max the Magnificant

For the second year now Max has brought the house down at his school talent show as Max the Magnificant. He was a hit, and was even asked for his autograph (and to do another paying gig at a birthday party this summer.)

Chalk Drawing by Isaac

We were leaving Isaac's kindegarten classroom the other day and saw this on the sidewalk. :o)

Octopus Garden

Max's class performed Octopus Garden in the Spring performance. Max was a green sea turtle.

You can see it in video (not the best quality) by clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qamcvbYM8kk

Isaac Turns Six!

Isaac's Kindergarten Play

Isaac's kindergarten play was called "Bugz." Here you see him in his stickbug costume delivering his line. He had the flu all week, so he was a real trooper!

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, after hunting out all the eggs left by the Easter bunny at our house, we joined our friends for brunch and guess what? There was yet another egg hunt! This time, the Easter bunny left a map for the kids to follow. That rock looks like the mother of all Easter eggs!

Isaac makes a haul as usual....

The haul......

Even Martin got into the spirit....

Neighborhood Egg Hunt

An old collegue of mine (now retired) puts on an Easter egg hunt every year for the neighborhood kids. It's always great fun, with pinatas and lots and lots of eggs to be found. The boys came home with a LOAD of candy.....sigh.

We've (almost) made it ten years!

Since our wedding anniversary (May 18th) happens to fall during finals week, and just days before Isaac's birthday, it often goes uncelebrated. But this year since it will be our tenth, we decided to celebrate it early so that it wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. So for the VERY first time, Martin and I took a weekend away, just the two of us.

We went to Carmel (the town where Clint Eastwood is the mayor), stayed in some funky little cottages, got some beach time in, and were even able to wander into shops and art galleries with out contantly saying "Don't touch anything!

We also ate some wonderful meals that didn't come with a free toy. On Sunday, we had a great "Jazz Brunch" at the Mission Ranch, (an historic ranch that was saved by devlopment by Clint Eastwood and turned into a ranch resort and resturant) and were even seated by Mrs. Eastwood!

All in all, it was a very nice weekend (although, of course, Max ended up sick with a stomach flu while we were gone, and Martin's parents had to deal with a sick kid!) But now that we gave it a try, I think there might be more weekends away on our calendar.

Pajama Day

The kids had Pajama Day at school last week. They finally got to wear their little silk PJs that we got in Hawaii last summer. They were a hit!

Max and Isaac become ski bums

We took Max and Isaac up to Badger Pass in Yosemite today and they had their very first ski lessons. They both did really good. It was a beautiful day and we have hopes to turn this into a regular family activity.

Crazy Hair Day

Friday was crazy hair day at the school. Isaac had blue spikey hair with gold and silver glitter. Max had a spikey mohawk (thanks to elmer's glue) with confetti, and blue stripes. It looked pretty cool if I do say so myself!