Caleb's social studies worksheet

This blows me away - he's learning about the branches of government in 2nd grade!

A foot of snow

It took 2 solid days, but we finally accumulated a foot of snow. It's darn cold too, so it's likely to hang around for awhile.

Caleb's math homework

I can't believe this is his level of math in 2nd grade!

Vacation winds down

I have to admit, the weather has been a big disappointment. It's been substantially cooler than I had expected - in the low 60s instead of the mid 70s, as an Internet check had promised last week (and is completely typical this time of year). But I'd rather be in 60 degrees with an occasional sprinkle than 20 degrees and a light sprinkle (of snow!) which is what Syracuse has been enjoying. In any case, it's nice to be away, all together. And we made the most of it, despite Caleb's frustration with being unable to go swimming.

Diner excitement

Nothing like winding down the vacation with a bang! We went to a famous local diner for breakfast (quite good) and who should come in with a huge entourage, scouting a location for a movie he has in production?



None other than Sam Raimi. I really wanted to take a photo but I chickened out. Larry, my hero, came to the rescue.

Last full day of vacation

It was raining this morning, but we decided not to be deterred from our plans. We went to the La Brea tar pits, which was great fun, and by the time we finished at the museum, the rain had stopped. We wandered around outside, looked at Pit 91 (where the real work is done) and admired some of the sculpture garden.

Then we had lunch at In n Out Burger - an LA institution. They sell exactly four things - hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and sodas. It was pretty good and not expensive. We went to the one right on Sunset Blvd - photo op (Caleb snapped this one)!

Then we stopped for ice cream at a shop in a little strip mall onthe way back to Alan's house, but it turned out to be really lovely gelato. The kids had chocolate oreo cookie and Larry and I shared caramel and wildberry. Delicious.

Then Larry took a nap and the kids and I went with Marta and the girls to an adorable park nearby (I left the camera at home, darn it). Alana and Caleb and I played Hide and Go Seek for quite awhile - there were all sorts of perfect hiding places.

Finally we had dinner at PF Chang's as Larry's special request (I don't quite get the appeal - it's just Chinese food that you can get anywhere; seems a waste to me, when we're utterly surrounded by terrific eateries).

So the vacation is winding down. It hasn't really been Fun in the Sun but we've made the most of what we've gotten. Good thing we brought light jackets, as my sister suggested!

Day three is a great success

I had hoped it would be warmer up in L.A., but it turns out the better weather was the first part of the week. The wind kept it cool on the ocean, but the sun was mostly shining. Today it's been overcast and sprinkling rain off and on.


Undaunted, we walked around Santa Monica, rode the Ferris Wheel, played a few carnival games with an adorable carny named Stewart, and bought a few minor souvenirs.

We had dinner at home, and after we got the kids to bed, Larry, Alan and I watched American Gangster (which came out on video today and Larry just had to buy it). None of us, even Larry, were all that enthralled. They missed an opportunity to make a really terrific movie - too disjointed and uninvolving, despite a really great cast.

Bath time

Cousins!

As soon as we arrived at Alan's house, the kids commenced to playing together.

Vacation in full swing

We had a nice breakfast at the hotel and then headed back to the beach (after a quick stop for some diapers and other essentials at CVS). The girls collected shells and then made a sand castle (I had neither my camera nor cell phone along to document this) and Caleb took a last dip in the ocean.

Then we stopped at a cute Mexican restaurant a block from the beach called Surf Taco. The food was surprisingly good - Caleb had steak tacos, Larry had fish tacos, and I had one with grilled shrimp and one with simmered pork.

Then we piled in the car and headed into L.A. to Alan's house. He was at work, but the kids played together. Marta, the nanny, made a nice dinner and then we got the kids to bed.

I went to bed with them, as I had been feeling poorly since the night before - I clearly got a dose of Caleb's cold, or some other bug. Larry and Alan stayed up and had a nice chat, catching up on life (it's been almost four years since we were last here!)

Caleb's science test

A challenging unit on matter - gas, solid, liquid, mixtures, and other concepts. He only missed ONE question, a rather trickily-worded one, on sorting shapes.

Starbucks faux pas

My husband took me to lunch today at a swanky downtown restaurant, Ambrosia, since he's working Thursday (Valentine's Day).

Starbucks is across the street, so we stopped there on our way back to the car (to get a mocha in lieu of dessert). When I placed the order, the barista said, "Let me see your badge." (my University Hospital ID card) and then she said that the drinks were on the house. I've NEVER gotten a free anything anywhere! I was so delighted. Then I made a complete mess of it . . .

While we waited for the drinks, a woman came up to stand next to us and I assumed that she was behind us in line. Then the barista started to put whipped cream on the drink in front of her. I said, "Is that mine? I don't want whip." (I do want it, but I was trying to be good!) The barista gave me the drink and insisted on making me another one without whipped cream. But when she handed me the second drink it became clear that this particular mocha (half caf, half decaf) belonged to the woman standing there next to us. Ugh! I was SO embarrassed. They added whipped cream to the second drink and gave it to its intended recipient. Meanwhile I got to keep the first wrong drink (which wasn't wrong at all!) as well as the drink I actually ordered. So I got three drinks (including Larry's) for free (and I work in the research office - I don't even care for patients). I felt so unworthy!

Caleb's announcement

At Caleb's school, Allen Road Elementary, each morning one child makes an announcement over the PA system. They get to write their own material and it has to include something about the "character" attribute of that week. Caleb wrote about "fairness." The note at the bottom is from the principal.

Snowy stream

It was FRIGID today, but Roxy and I still went to the park (I didn't want to drag the kids out in the cold, so we went alone). I snapped this photo of a brave little stream defying the temps to keep moving.

Another perfect spelling test!

We had to practice "department"!

Special Shabbat

Caleb's 2nd grade class was featured in our temple services tonight, and his music teacher (in the blue shirt) was there with his band playing very lively music - it was super fun! Caleb is in the white shirt (on the left in the left photo and on the right in the right photo).

Here's Alana, rocking out in the pews. =>

Walk in the woods

Roxy and I went to a different part of the park tonight.

I saw these footprints, which I'm pretty sure are from a racoon!

R.I.P Timmy Schulz

Very sad news today: the 8-year old son of Caleb's teacher, Sandy Schulz died at University Hospital. He's been ill since birth, but had taken a turn for the worse in the last few months. Very difficult for his family, though Caleb is handling it pretty well. Donations in his honor are being accepted by the Golisano Children's Hospital and by the Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Canastota. Here is the link to his obit:

http://obits.syracuse.com/Syracuse/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=102912053

Girl's Night Out

The synagogue Sisterhood sponsored a video night at the home of one of the members (Dawn, who's not in the photo because she's taking the picture). We had a small turnout (just 6 people), but we had a great time watching Crossing Delancey with Amy Irving and eating (too many!) yummy snacks. Pictured here, from left, are Amanda, Meredith, Danielle and Sara.

Sledding

The snow was wet and slushy, so we didn't last long, but we had fun while we were there (at Clay Park South). The bottom photos are Matt and Caleb and Phillip going over a bump that someone built in the snow.

Roxy came along (we had the hill to ourselves most of the time), but we had to put her in the car b/c she kept biting the sled. Caleb and Phillip ran over her once b/c she was so focused on grabbing the sled. Crazy dog.

All local schools cancelled

It doesn't look that bad, but this little snow is going to morph into sleet and freezing rain later.