Category Archives: Culture/Education

Oscar’s Check-up at Dr. Ernster’s

22 Sep 2012

All is good – nothing to report. Oscar is 80th percentile in weight and 75th percentile in height. Perfect sight and hearing. Dr. Ernster loved all the good activities Oscar has going on (Piano, Italian, Soccer, etc.)
He especially was excited about the piano lessons. We talked about it for a while.
At the end, Dr. Ernster said there would be no need for any shots. Oscar audibly exhaled, and relaxed.
We laughed, apparently Oscar had been nervous about that the whole time.

Then Oscar got his flu snifter and we were on our way.

I had promised to take Oscar out for ice cream to celebrate finishing his first piano book.
We went to Toy Boat (Clement and 5th) while Lucy finished her day at Laurel Hill.
We talked about how different and nice it felt hanging out just the two of us.

After, we had some time so we wandered over to the Sloat nursery on 3rd.
That was really fun. We hung out for almost an hour, wandering among all the beautiful plants.
(Mark would NEVER go for that.)

Oscar picked out a succulent. He was so into it, how could I resist?

Oscar’s First Piano Song That We Recognise

13 Sep 2012

There are other pieces that he has been playing and practicing, but this one is kind of special because it’s famous!
I took this minutes after his lesson, when he had played it for the absolute first time.
So, this is actually his 3rd time playing it.

He was pretty excited, though he doesn’t show it in the video. Here is a self-portrait, posted a few minutes later on his Instagram:

Golden Gate Bridge Birthday

26 May 2012

Everyone is excited for our bridge’s 75th birthday tomorrow!
It doesn’t look like we are going to take O&L into the madness (They are making it too difficult. No cars are allowed! Picture tired kids and no way to get home.)
But we will see the fireworks, and who knows – maybe I’ll have a photo to post.

My mom, Vicki, was waaay cooler than I am, and motivated! She brought me and Madie onto the bridge for the 50th birthday — the day it flattened out from all the weight! I can only feel sorry for our dad, who was watching the tv that morning, knowing his girls were on it!

Check this out (click to see larger):

I could would never want this now – I’m too claustrophobic.

Oh yeah baby. I was in those ’80s.

Pretty cool, 25 years ago.

UPDATE

We didn’t go. We decided that the schlep was going to be too much. At the moment of the fireworks (which sounded like a War was raging outside) I had major pangs of guilt. Then when all was silent again, I felt fine. :)
Here is what we missed:

and here is what we could see from our lame, no-view house:

The Kapok Tree

23 May 2012

While I was gone on my Girls Weekend to Ashland, Mark and the kids were busy. Among the soccer games and meals and other stuff, there were some important things I was sorry to miss.

Mark took photos of the Art exhibit. I put them in with that post.

And, Oscar was pretty much the star of his class play, The Kapok Tree.
The class worked hard to learn their lines, and make their set & costumes.
This was Oscar’s first play!
Mark took two movies:

Part one – the introduction
(don’t worry – it’s not crooked)

Part two – the play. (Almost 15 minutes. Oscar comes on at about 1:15.)

Also, Allix and Stuart (a.k.a. Uncle Mac’n’Cheese) came to town (They live in the UK).
Kristi got to see them for about 30 minutes!

Community Arts and Science Day

22 May 2012

I really like this day at school – it’s executed extremely well, and everyone gets to enjoy a great day. Last year I volunteered to be a chaperone of a group, and was happy to do it again!

SFFD

Waffle making, and eating

Nasty: “Owl Pellets” really means rodent remains

Salsa Dancing with Barbara!

The parents get treated to the most delicious udon, made by parents on site.

Oscar did his first Egg Drop, with Brayden!

This is the entry, made 2 days earlier.

This is what’s inside

I didn’t hang around for the actual drop, but here is the text info between me and Brayden’s mom, Belinda ;)

Fort Funston Field Trip

19 Apr 2012

Oscar’s class went for an all-day field trip to Ft. Funston on Monday. Naturalists showed them all kinds of cool stuff. They pet a chinchilla, hiked all the way down to the beach, studied the native plants, and played games like “Bat and Moth”.
At 5pm, all the families joined the kids. We made dinner together, and sat around the campfire. After s’mores, the kids got a Night Hike, with flashlights and trivia games. Thanks Sue, and parents, for an amazing field trip!

Lucy on the scene