Santa Barbara Courthouse:
"Express Yourself" self-portrait, with emotions colored in:
Picasso-style sailboats:
More artwork
Here is some more of Todd's artwork.
Santa Barbara Courthouse:
"Express Yourself" self-portrait, with emotions colored in:
Picasso-style sailboats:
Santa Barbara Courthouse:
"Express Yourself" self-portrait, with emotions colored in:
Picasso-style sailboats:
Happy 8th Birthday!
Holy moly. EIGHT years!? Where does the time go!? Today we celebrated Todd's 8th birthday at the SB Gymnastics Club. It was the first time since Todd was born that we had an actual party with his actual friends (well, we did try to have one with his kindergarten classmates on his 5th birthday, but only one classmate came, so that... doesn't count?) and he was soooo excited! So were we, but in a different way-- could we handle a room full of kids? Well, that is precisely why we held the party in a location where we could pay the staff to actually run the show :-D
The kids had fun bouncing around and doing all kinds of obstacle courses and exercises on the floor mats and gym equipment. The staff kept them sufficiently busy so that they were pretty tuckered out by the end of it!
Boys being silly:
The outside of the gym:
Lot of festive decorations inside:
Panoramic shot of the facility before the kids arrived. Trying out the new panoramic feature of my new phone's camera. Click for the original sized shot:
The kids had fun bouncing around and doing all kinds of obstacle courses and exercises on the floor mats and gym equipment. The staff kept them sufficiently busy so that they were pretty tuckered out by the end of it!
Boys being silly:
The outside of the gym:
Lot of festive decorations inside:
Panoramic shot of the facility before the kids arrived. Trying out the new panoramic feature of my new phone's camera. Click for the original sized shot:
Mother's Day Lament
After lamenting the fact that the church has special activities on Mother's Day (like hiring a photographer!) but nothing like that on Father's Day, which Todd found insulting, he added this:
"Someday I'll be a father and then the church will insult me by not taking photos on Father's Day!"
"Someday I'll be a father and then the church will insult me by not taking photos on Father's Day!"
Daddy the Handyman?
On Daddy fixing the leaking bathroom sink faucet:
Todd: "Is he going to do it himself, or is he going to hire someone? You know, he should ask Opa to help. Opa's good at fixing stuff, and plus he's family!"
Mommy: "What, you don't think Daddy can fix it himself?"
Todd: "No, of course not!" (and then jumps right into a story about how Opa fished out a toothbrush he got stuck in the sink drain once)
Don't We Count??
We had friends over to our place to hang out and sing some home karaoke. June and Ron were the first to arrive, and Todd and Jake promptly started playing together. They were in the dining room, eating a snack, while the grownups sat around the couch, conversing.
Neither June nor I wanted to get up and sing, we said we wanted to wait until there were more people.
Ron and Allan took offense to this, saying something along the lines of "What, don't we husbands count!?"
Todd peeked around the corner of the dining room and said: "Yeah, and what about your SONS!?"
Sigh... yeah, I supposed husbands and sons are people, too ;-)
Neither June nor I wanted to get up and sing, we said we wanted to wait until there were more people.
Ron and Allan took offense to this, saying something along the lines of "What, don't we husbands count!?"
Todd peeked around the corner of the dining room and said: "Yeah, and what about your SONS!?"
Sigh... yeah, I supposed husbands and sons are people, too ;-)
Santa Barbara County Fair and Expo, 2012
Every year before/around my birthday, the SB Fair and Expo comes to the Earl Warren Showgrounds. This year, we decided to go with Ron and June and their 4-year-old son, Jake. Todd had such a blast being able to go on rides with a friend rather than having to rope Mommy or Daddy to accompany him, or simply go by himself. Most of the rides, both boys could go on, but there were a few where Jake was too short to go on, and even one where Todd was too TALL to get on. Surprising! But at least the height restrictions were equitable amongst the two boys :-)
JoJo's baby shower
All of our church friends threw a baby shower for Kevin and JoJo at our church's main building. It was one of those rare co-ed showers, which I always love better than the girls-only ones. Todd enjoyed the games immensely, particularly the "Advice Mad Libs" that we brought along :-) Here is Daddy and his own "baby":
Bee cake pop
Went to Taylor and Justin's gender-reveal cake party today. It was a yellow-and-brown bee theme, so the cake pops were shaped like bees. Todd managed to find the lone cake pop that featured a bee wearing glasses. Here is my little close-up shot of him:
Charlotte and Levi's birthday party
Our friends' kids, Charlotte and Levi, born just a couple days apart, celebrated their 2nd birthdays today. Todd was one of the oldest kids there, but that didn't stop him from finding another kid close to his age and having a ton of fun with both big and little kids alike.
Here are shots (taken by Matt Coon, Charlotte's dad) of Todd playing in/around a clubhouse that the birthday kids' parents build out of several large cardboard boxes:
Here are Todd and a new friend using their fathers' phone to take pictures of each other while Mackenzie looks on:
And here's a nice closeup of Todd after finishing his scavenger hunt and getting his goodie bag:
Here are shots (taken by Matt Coon, Charlotte's dad) of Todd playing in/around a clubhouse that the birthday kids' parents build out of several large cardboard boxes:
Here are Todd and a new friend using their fathers' phone to take pictures of each other while Mackenzie looks on:
And here's a nice closeup of Todd after finishing his scavenger hunt and getting his goodie bag:
Bedwetting Alarm
With Todd rapidly approaching his 8th birthday, I thought it was high time we started doing something to address the fact that he is still not dry at night. During his annual physical exam, his doctor mentioned that a lot of people have had success using sleep alarms-- they sound an alarm when the sensor detects moisture, thereby waking up the kid before he completely empties his bladder. The idea is that it trains his body to recognize when he has to go pee, and then wake up when he does.
So we got Todd an alarm and are trying it out today. We'll see how it goes!
So we got Todd an alarm and are trying it out today. We'll see how it goes!
Hide the stuffed animals!
Todd, as most little kids his age do, likes to play with stuffed animals. Especially as an only child, he considers them his friends, and likes to have at least one accompany him everywhere: in bed, at the dining table, in the car. Lately, he's been bringing one of his favorite stuffed animals into the coffee shop where he and Daddy enjoy a snack before his karate class on Tuesdays.
Today, Todd and Daddy were busy with their stuff-- eating, drinking, doing their work, when all of a sudden Daddy was surprised when Todd thrust his stuffed animal at him. He looked around, and noticed that one of Todd's karate classmates had walked in.
So while our little boy still loves his animals, he doesn't want his friends to know about it!
Today, Todd and Daddy were busy with their stuff-- eating, drinking, doing their work, when all of a sudden Daddy was surprised when Todd thrust his stuffed animal at him. He looked around, and noticed that one of Todd's karate classmates had walked in.
So while our little boy still loves his animals, he doesn't want his friends to know about it!
Midget Todd
More silliness: Todd discovers how to make himself look several inches shorter (and with extra long arms to boot). He used this as a cover photo for his class "newspaper"-- a project that each kid has to do once during the school term, wherein they create a newspaper that centers around them.
Todd in a Box
We got a new memory foam mattress today, and when it was delivered, it was vacuum sealed and rolled up tightly, packed in an elongated box. After we got the mattress out and unrolled, Todd made a beeline for the box, figuring out that he could fit in it perfect! Here he is, after discovering how to climb into it and stand up without toppling over. Now all we need to figure out is how much postage it would cost to ship this package out! :-)
Todd's Artwork
The art teacher at Todd's school publishes some of the children's more accomplished artwork on a website called Artsonia. Here is what Todd has done so far:
First up, a landscape inspired by David Hockney:
Then, a self-portrait inspired by Modigliani:
The Artsonia page:
http://www.artsonia.com/artists/portfolio.asp?id=3404934&artid=16664245
First up, a landscape inspired by David Hockney:
Then, a self-portrait inspired by Modigliani:
The Artsonia page:
http://www.artsonia.com/artists/portfolio.asp?id=3404934&artid=16664245
Squirrel S**t?
This morning, as I was lying in bed, waking up, I heard Todd chattering in the kitchen over his breakfast, as he does every day. This morning, however, I could swear it sounded like he was saying "bulls**t! bulls**t!" over and over again. At first I thought I was just mishearing him, since I was on the other side of the house.
But no, Daddy, who was right next to him, wondered too. To Daddy, it sounded like Todd was saying "squirrel s**t!".
Daddy: What did you say?
Todd: Squirrel s**t!
Daddy: What!?
Todd: Squish.... it!
Ooooohhhhh!!!
And here I thought that maybe Todd had picked up a few choice things from the parade hecklers a couple weeks ago!
But no, Daddy, who was right next to him, wondered too. To Daddy, it sounded like Todd was saying "squirrel s**t!".
Daddy: What did you say?
Todd: Squirrel s**t!
Daddy: What!?
Todd: Squish.... it!
Ooooohhhhh!!!
And here I thought that maybe Todd had picked up a few choice things from the parade hecklers a couple weeks ago!
Todd the Shepherd
Christmas performance at school tonight! They told the story of the birth of Jesus through song and music-- some hand chimes and mostly the choir singing. Here is Todd dressed up as one of the shepherds:
Trouble at School
Todd sometimes gets into a wee bit of trouble at school, for talking. He'll occasionally get "talking tickets" for talking in class when he's not supposed to, but other than a bit of rambunctiousness that's natural for boys his age, he's been pretty well-behaved at school.
Well, today, when Daddy went to pick him up right after school for karate, his teacher had to tell him about an incident at school today.
Todd was sitting (eating?) with one of his classmates, D, when a 1st-grade boy, G, came up and joined them. As grade-school boys are prone to do, the conversation quickly turned to the direction of "potty humor". One of the first things out of D's mouth? Telling G that "your mom walks around the house naked". This devolved into the 3 boys coming up with other statements having to do with the word "naked". Three boys enjoying a bit of crass humor.
Evidently, when G got home, he relayed the "mom walks around naked" statement to his parents. His dad got mad, and talked to Todd and D's teacher about it.
Obviously, there are two sides to every story, but from what Todd told us, it didn't sound like he and D were actually making fun of G, all three were partaking of toilet humor, and it's likely that G's dad simply blew it out of proportion because he didn't want his little boy talking about people being "naked".
We warned Todd to think about the things he says and gauge them against 1) would he like it if someone said that to him? and 2) would it upset their parents if they told them about it?
Prime time for the "WWJD?" lesson we've been learning with the book I've been reading him at night!
Well, today, when Daddy went to pick him up right after school for karate, his teacher had to tell him about an incident at school today.
Todd was sitting (eating?) with one of his classmates, D, when a 1st-grade boy, G, came up and joined them. As grade-school boys are prone to do, the conversation quickly turned to the direction of "potty humor". One of the first things out of D's mouth? Telling G that "your mom walks around the house naked". This devolved into the 3 boys coming up with other statements having to do with the word "naked". Three boys enjoying a bit of crass humor.
Evidently, when G got home, he relayed the "mom walks around naked" statement to his parents. His dad got mad, and talked to Todd and D's teacher about it.
Obviously, there are two sides to every story, but from what Todd told us, it didn't sound like he and D were actually making fun of G, all three were partaking of toilet humor, and it's likely that G's dad simply blew it out of proportion because he didn't want his little boy talking about people being "naked".
We warned Todd to think about the things he says and gauge them against 1) would he like it if someone said that to him? and 2) would it upset their parents if they told them about it?
Prime time for the "WWJD?" lesson we've been learning with the book I've been reading him at night!
Snow Day at the Zoo
This is the 3rd year we've been to the zoo on their annual Snow Day. The first year, we met up with my high school friend Amal, and got to meet her family. The second year, it was just the 3 of us, enjoying a sunny day at the zoo. This year, Todd and I went by ourselves, since the zoo decided to hold Snow Day on a Sunday instead of the usual Saturday, and Allan had to help out at church. The boy and I enjoyed the usual antics of throwing snowballs and building snowmen (I even built a snow turtle!). This year, the zoo added something new: an iceless skating rink!
Todd has never even rollerskated before, much less ice skated, but here he is, giving the it a try, with sunny green trees and mountains in the backdrop :-)
Todd has never even rollerskated before, much less ice skated, but here he is, giving the it a try, with sunny green trees and mountains in the backdrop :-)
Holiday Parade
The kids in Todd's class got to ride a float and sing in this year's holiday parade! They were all decked out in the cutest little tuxedo shirts, purple bow ties and purple cummerbunds:
Such a bright and happy and smiling face!
Unfortunately, by the end of the parade, that smile was gone, thanks to an uncouth crowd along the parade route. Read more about what happened here: http://heckledtrio.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-parade-gone-awry.html
Such a bright and happy and smiling face!
Unfortunately, by the end of the parade, that smile was gone, thanks to an uncouth crowd along the parade route. Read more about what happened here: http://heckledtrio.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-parade-gone-awry.html
Lazy Day
Todd and I both have Veteran's Day off work/school, so we were going to spend the day together-- go to karate in the morning, eat with Daddy, etc...
I asked him what else he wanted to do that day. This is how the conversation went:
Mommy: So, what do you want to do on Friday?
Todd: We'll, we're having lunch at GoToCafe
Mommy: Okay, what else?
Todd: Let's... do nothing and just be lazy!
Guess he learns from us a little too well! Oops...
I asked him what else he wanted to do that day. This is how the conversation went:
Mommy: So, what do you want to do on Friday?
Todd: We'll, we're having lunch at GoToCafe
Mommy: Okay, what else?
Todd: Let's... do nothing and just be lazy!
Guess he learns from us a little too well! Oops...
Spelling Bee 2011
Time for the annual Christian school spelling bee, where all the non-denominational Christian schools in the Santa Barbara area compete. Todd won 2nd place this year, here he is with the 1st-place winner from another school:
Happy Halloween: Pirate Costume
We bought this costume on sale last year, and it fit perfectly this year! This is the costume Todd wore to our church's annual Harvest Party and on Halloween itself, where Daddy took him to the Calle Real shopping center after work to partake of local-shop-sponsored activities.
Cowboy Todd
We had a western-themed barbecue at church today, where the fun began with a chili cook-off, followed by a costume contest, baseball game, and line dancing. Here is Todd in his cowboy getup: checked shirt, bandana, sheriff's badge and straw hat (he actually has a REAL black felt cowboy hat we bought at the Lemon Festival last year, but he opted for the more comfortable straw one instead).
New School
This Fall, Todd began attending Santa Barbara Christian School. It is the most expensive out of all the private schools in SB, but he's got a really good teacher and some good classmates, so it's worth it.
We both like the fact that there are simply more kids to play with-- there are a total of 14 in his combined 3rd/4th grade class. Small enough for individualized attention, yet large enough for him to make a variety of friends. That way, if he befriends a kid that I feel is a bad influence and would prefer he didn't hang out with, he has other kids to play with instead. Unlike his old school, where it had dwindled down so much in size that the one "bad seed" was the only kid near his age! Todd enjoys it for the same reason-- more kids to have fun with! :-)
The kids are learning some good stuff this year. Aside from the usual language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music and library, the kids are also learning about real life. There is a class economy in place, whereby each kid holds a job that pays a weekly salary. Out of this salary, the kids must pay desk rent (unless they save up enough to "buy" their desks). Kids receive "tickets" for things like talking during class or not turning in homework. These tickets cost money, as well. On the flip side, kids can be rewarded for something especially well done, in the form of coupons that can later be redeemed for "cash". And at the end of the month, kids can redeem their cash for items in a store-- or save up for a really big item!
I think it's a really nifty way to teach kids about all sorts of things in real life: how to manage your money, how to save for a goal, feeling the effects of punishments, enjoying the effects of rewards and being responsible about doing their jobs and earning their "pay".
All in all, we're pleased with the school so far. Todd's learning some good things and making some good friends. Here's to a successful school year!
We both like the fact that there are simply more kids to play with-- there are a total of 14 in his combined 3rd/4th grade class. Small enough for individualized attention, yet large enough for him to make a variety of friends. That way, if he befriends a kid that I feel is a bad influence and would prefer he didn't hang out with, he has other kids to play with instead. Unlike his old school, where it had dwindled down so much in size that the one "bad seed" was the only kid near his age! Todd enjoys it for the same reason-- more kids to have fun with! :-)
The kids are learning some good stuff this year. Aside from the usual language arts, math, social studies, science, art, music and library, the kids are also learning about real life. There is a class economy in place, whereby each kid holds a job that pays a weekly salary. Out of this salary, the kids must pay desk rent (unless they save up enough to "buy" their desks). Kids receive "tickets" for things like talking during class or not turning in homework. These tickets cost money, as well. On the flip side, kids can be rewarded for something especially well done, in the form of coupons that can later be redeemed for "cash". And at the end of the month, kids can redeem their cash for items in a store-- or save up for a really big item!
I think it's a really nifty way to teach kids about all sorts of things in real life: how to manage your money, how to save for a goal, feeling the effects of punishments, enjoying the effects of rewards and being responsible about doing their jobs and earning their "pay".
All in all, we're pleased with the school so far. Todd's learning some good things and making some good friends. Here's to a successful school year!
Summer updates
Long overdue in posting again! As always, Todd spent the summer in LA with Oma and Opa just one week after we moved into our new house. So he didn't get to enjoy it for very long before he had to go.
He spent his summer taking karate and swimming lessons, as well as learning piano and French at home.
We enjoyed a side trip to San Diego in July, taking in both Sea World and Legoland. Little did we realize just how much fun Legoland actually was-- even better than Disneyland, in my opinion. There was an endless array of things to see and do, and is the perfect place for kids, both physical and at heart :-) Next time we go, we're going to allot 2 days for the trip: 1/2 day to visit the Legoland water park (which is pretty small), and 1.5 days to see the rest of the sights and activities of the main park.
At the end of August, Todd returned to SB to start school, and so begins our routine again...
He spent his summer taking karate and swimming lessons, as well as learning piano and French at home.
We enjoyed a side trip to San Diego in July, taking in both Sea World and Legoland. Little did we realize just how much fun Legoland actually was-- even better than Disneyland, in my opinion. There was an endless array of things to see and do, and is the perfect place for kids, both physical and at heart :-) Next time we go, we're going to allot 2 days for the trip: 1/2 day to visit the Legoland water park (which is pretty small), and 1.5 days to see the rest of the sights and activities of the main park.
At the end of August, Todd returned to SB to start school, and so begins our routine again...
