Free as Bird

So in order to fill the void between monthly blog posts, we have started a Twitter feed for Lily and Jack - it will be intermittently updated with funny things that happen and pictures and video.  The postings will be in the upper right corner of the blog or you can follow along directly on Twitter by following @bean_pickle.

Turkey Chase

The problem with doing the blog once a month is that it is hard to remember what happened during the past 30 or so days.  Let's see what we can recreate ...

On the sports side, Jack has been busy with flag football and swimming.  He took a brief hiatus from basketball clinic for November but he is getting back at it now.  Jack's eye hand coordination has been improving steadily and his catching is getting much better.  He had a great football season which culminated today when his team tied another team of kindergarteners in the Super Bowl.  Jack was named game MVP for his team after he rushed for two touchdowns and two extra points!  He had a really great time this season.  Swimming is coming along well as well and he is looking forward to the start of his basketball team in January.

Lily is still swimming twice weekly and has just finished up a session of tennis.  She is giving gymnastics a go right now and is having a good time learning how to do cartwheels and other tricks. Lily's fall Girls on the Run session finished up in mid November when she and Marcy and her friends from school ran a 5k.  The girls ran every Wednesday and Friday morning to build up to the 3 mile run and she was very proud of her accomplishment!

Every Wednesday are piano lessons and Jack and Lily have both learned holiday songs for Hanukkah and Christmas.

Earlier in the month Jack and I went to a Redskins' game against the Chargers and managed to see the home team win for one of the few times this season.  We had a great time even though it was a bit chilly!  The entire family also had a chance to go to Wizards' basketball game and saw the Wiz beat the Brooklyn Nets.

Around the sports and before Thanksgiving there were a lot of playdates and fun at school.  The kids had pajama day and breakfast for lunch.  In mid-November, Lily's regular teacher returned from maternity leave and normalcy returned to the classroom.

We had fun celebrating Thanksgiving with Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, Great Aunt Jenny, Great Uncle Carlton and Cousin Alex.  Cousins Emilie and Stephanie came down for the weekend from New York and we had a great time cooking for Turkey Day and celebrating Hanukkah.  All of us went to a Caps/Habs game so we had a family of divided rooting interests in the stands as our visitors were cheering on the visiting team.  A majority of us went home happy as the Caps won in a shootout.

We wrapped up a great Hanukkah with lots of presents from Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen and fun presents from Emilie and Stephanie and Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice.  Once the holiday finished up, we had a few days to gear up for Jack's birthday.  His party is not until next week but he got a bunch of fun presents from family this weekend- Skylanders and a Redskins Beanie Stuffed thing and Beyblades and a magic kit and games and Nerf guns.  Fortunately, he has a week to get used to all his new stuff before his friends fete him at his indoor soccer/moonbounce party!  For his birthday we went to a Japanese Steakhouse with Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom and Grandpa Maurice who came into town for the celebration.

That is about all of now ... pictures and lots of video below.  Belated birthday wishes to Aunt Donna who celebrated her day earlier in November!


Ready to run!


Running.


Lily made a Picasso for school.


Jack, ready for bed.


We breaded some challah at Hebrew school. We tried to cook it but it did not come out all that well.


Working on the wishbone.


Decorating the tree.


Adding an ornament.


Playing some Connect 4.


Dancing.


Working on making charms from the kit from Emilie and Stephanie for Hanukah.


The finished project!


Jack built a dinosaur with Stephanie's help.


On Jack's birthday we went to the local shopping center where Darrell Young of the Redskins was signing autographs.  Jack got to meet him and get a picture signed!


The family before the birthday dinner.


With Grandpa.


Getting ready for the show.


It was very snowy at the game.


A touchdown!


A long run.


Another run.


A second touchdown!


The team.  One team member did not want to be in the picture ... so that is his back.


Getting his trophy -with his MVP medal around his neck!


Lily getting ready to go sledding in the wintery mix.

Keep the Car Running

October is in the books - here are some of the highlights.

Visits
We had a great visit with Aunt Donna, Uncle Stephen and Bubbie midway through the month.  They came to visit on a Thursday night and spent all weekend with us.  Unfortunately, it rained all weekend so our visitors did not get to see any of the kids various activities.  That being said, we all had a great time visiting and enjoyed having everyone in town.

Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom continued their standard Tuesday visits and threw in a couple of other days here and there as needed.  It is always good to see them each week.

Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis finished up their northern summer and headed back to Florida for the winter.  Lily and Jack got to spend some quality time with them before they headed back south.

We also had a great visit from Aunt Tracy and cousin Casey.  They were in town for my birthday Marcy's first (and she says last) marathon two weekends ago.  Lily and Jack had a great time with Casey and are looking forward to her return visit with  Garret in December.

School
Third grade and kindergarten continue to go well.  Jack is learning a ton from Mrs. Lee and Lily is anxiously awaiting the return of her full time teacher from maternity leave.  Lily is doing really well in math and art and she has made some great new friends this year.  Jack is very busy in kindergarten and he seems to have figured out all of the important things - like the bus, how to buy lunch and how to check out books from the library.

Earlier in the month Jack was Star of the Week and it gave him a chance to tell all his classmates all about himself.

Sports
Jack finished up his fall baseball season and has started flag football and swimming.  He is doing very well in both and is really starting to get the hang of swimming.  Piano is going well and he enjoys the web games and other practice exercises.

Lily is continuing with swimming but has finished up lacrosse.  Her running program is winding down and her first stab at basketball is going to start soon.  She has also started tennis again and seems to be enjoying that as well.

Other Notes

Since our last post Lily has lost two teeth - both her silver ones.  She has gotten much better about having them pulled out by Marcy when they are hanging on.  Needless to say, the tooth fairy has been very generous with her.

Special birthday wishes to Aunt Donna whose big day is today!


At friend Brady's obstacle course birthday party.


Bobbing for apples.


At lacrosse.


With Henry the Hamster.


Getting a trim.


Star of the Week.


Up close.


A family game of Star Wars monopoly.


Some restaurant hang man with Uncle Stephen.


Playing piano.


Daisy hiding in Jack's bed.


Casey, Lily and Jack.


Early morning metro ride to the Marine Corp Marathon.


...


In front of his initials.


Ready to cheer on Marcy.


Lily, Jack, Casey and Gail.


With Aunt Kelly.


Giving out high fives.


Finishing with the Washington Monument in the background.'


Completing a marathon can be checked off the list.


Kindergarten halloween ... can you pick out Jack.


Another ninja.


Helping prepare friend Charlie's mummy costume.


The neighborhood gang ready to trick or treat.


With friends about to head out to get more candy.


...


Climbing rocks at Great Falls.


Checking out the scenery.


...


At the Redskins' game.