Week in Review

We got together with our Mom2Mom friends Saturday night, and it was a lovely evening of eating and chatting.

Cora had her football game in the morning, but it wasn't enough football action for her. She and one of the boys had a good time with the ol' pigskin.

 We met up with Grandpa at Costco on Sunday, and Violet was super helpful.

 On Monday, these two took the big step of riding off into the big wide world on their own.

OK, they were just going to school, and there's a crossing guard, and I followed soon after on foot with Violet. But it was a big step - er, pedal - into independence for Cora, and something she's been craving for months.

 On Wednesday, we drove to school, with a quick run to Chick Fil A first for another one of their free breakfast promotions.

We got to school early enough for Cora and Chris to throw the football around at the park. It's Chris who sparked Cora's interest in football, when we went to watch him play two years ago.

 On Thursday, while Violet played soccer, our tree hugger did some climbing before heading off to play with Cooper and Wylie.

 On Friday, Chris and Big Violet came home with us for lunch and some pool fun. It was warm enough for water play - maybe the last time of the year? Who knows in SClarita...

Violet's mom picked up both big girls for playtime at their house. Cora had a great time, and was buzzing when I picked her up. It was so great to see her excited about playing with her friend.

We then went from Violet's house to Cooper's, and took him with us to the school movie night.

Our friend Liz organized it, and Captain Underpants was the feature film. Violet loves these books, and both girls wanted to see the movie when it came out this year. It was a great school event, and free!

Dodger Delirium!

My Wednesday night verged on the surreal. We came home from appointments, and I was preparing to make dinner and go to Pioneer Club.

Then I checked Facebook, and a school mama friend was offering two free tickets to the evening's Dodger game. I checked with Stace, and he was fine with me taking off for the evening.

The tickets were free because they were a gift to my pal Wendy's friend, and that lady couldn't use them. The ticket package even included preferred parking! And look where we were sitting - these were expensive seats.

I could have pinched myself all evening long - the Dodgers were winning big again, and finished the game 10-0, with a couple of home runs. Lots to cheer for.

It's fun seeing the Boys in Blue with fellow fan friends, to see their traditions. For Wendy, it's "helmet nachos," sold at special stands in souvenir Dodger helmets.

Violet and Cora were sad to see me leave at dinner time, but Cora very sweetly surprised me with a snack pack of M&Ms, peanuts, and a box of Cracker Jack. She wrote "Mom" on the ziplock bag. Thanks, Cora!

The highlight of the evening came in the 9th inning. With the Dodgers up by 10 runs, I remarked that we wouldn't get to see Dodger closer extraordinaire Kenley Jansen pitching. Closers come in at the end of a game when it's close, to maintain a slim lead.

But no sooner were the words out of my mouth, we heard his walkup music, Tupac's "California Love," blaring, and watched those bullpen doors open. We all cheered like crazy as Jansen loped toward the mound.








And then, a couple of batters in, a foul ball came off the bat of a San Diego Padre headed right for us. It bounced a few aisles in front of us, bounced again, and landed on my aisle a few feet to my left.

I quickly reached over and placed my hand on the ball, a precious souvenir from a season that has seen the Dodgers win a L.A.-record 104 games.

It was astounding to raise the ball to the cheers of scores of fans all around me, all looking and smiling and clapping.

I love how Wendy played with this photo - so cool.

It was an amazing night, and it all made the out-way-past-bedtime worth it.

The girls were just as excited the next morning when I told them the story and showed them my special souvenir. Violet even made sure we brought the ball to show our back-gate mama friends. 

Week in Review

Cora was invited to her friend Chris's birthday dinner, so Stace and I let Violet choose where we had dinner Saturday. She picked MOD Pizza; her choice was pineapple and bacon pizza, and Stace convinced her to add ham, too.

We were all invited back to Liz and Max's house for cake, so we enjoyed the evening with drinks and chit chat while the kids had a Nerf war in the cul-de-sac.

On Sunday, Violet went with Grandma and Grandpa to the water park for Grandpa's annual union picnic. Cora stayed back with me and Stace; she still isn't a fan of long car rides. 

Instead, we went to Placerita Nature Center, where SClarita historian and writer John Boston gave a talk on interesting tidbits from the valley's past. We all enjoyed it; I knew John back when he had a regular column in the Signal, and I freelanced for that paper.

We then took a little walk through the canyon.

Violet started using a new backpack, a really good one that might take her through to junior high. Yes, it's nearly as big as she is. But I still see her looking so much older in this photo! It must be the hair, with her longer locks and her bangs.

A month ago, when we were getting Cora's hair cut for back-to-school, Violet declined a trim.
"I'm growing my hair out so people at school don't recognize me," she informed us. When we asked why, she explained, "Everybody knows me and likes me and goes to talk to me!"

OK, then! Another Violetism, from this week... She overheard Stace and me talking about a family member with car troubles, and she said, "That's why I don't want a car when I'm older. I want a horse."
Stace replied: "What, you're going back in time?"
"No," she said, "I'm going to live in England!"

She then said she wants to live on a farm in England, where her horse would be reasonable transportation.



Cora has football practice twice a week, and though we don't all need to be there, Stace and I have enjoyed making it a family event. Violet brings books - she's reading through the second Harry Potter book at the moment.

Also this week, Cora got her retainer for her teeth, to keep those newly straightened top teeth in line.

Cute, huh? She chose this watermelon design from a long list of possibilities. It also glows in the dark. She takes it out to eat; let's cross fingers she doesn't lose it anytime soon.

Go Chiefs!

So far, so good with Cora's football experience - her team won 30-15 on Saturday, so they seem to be a pretty good group of players.

This week, Cora faced off against the team of her buddy James. In the top photo, they're actually facing each other.

And here, James is going after Cora's quarterback, Deven; all three were in Mrs. Shafarmans' class last year.

Touchdown Chiefs! See Cora celebrating? I'll have to bring a better camera to a game for more detailed photos.

Here, James and Cora are high-fiving one another after the game.

And, a congratulatory high-five from Dad.

Go, Chiefs!

Nothing hits the spot after a great game like Gatorade and Doritos.

Cora is picking things up well. Stace and I are slowly getting the hang of it, with the other parents on the sidelines explaining the referee's calls we don't understand.

Fun with Friends

Violet is signed up for Kidz Love Soccer this fall, and she had her first class on Thursday afternoon. It was fun watching her play a sport again - it had been a while. Plus, it's always good to catch up with the guys who run Kidz Love Soccer.

Cora's friend Cooper came out to play, since he lives nearby, and he let Cora and Violet play on his electric scooter. Yes, I'm sure Cora wants one of these now! She had so much fun zooming around.

On Friday, the kids all went to Sophia's house for a big group playdate. We gave Trent a gift to help distract him from his arms - Cora made him a clay elephant, because elephants are his favorite.

We also gave him a trio of Calvin and Hobbes books, after Cora introduced him to our favorite boy-and-tiger over the summer. He was really pleased and appreciative.

The playdate featured a marshmallow-eating/marshmallow-face-stuffing contest.

It was quite amusing to watch.

The kids also played hide-and-seek, freeze tag and had a water balloon fight.

Violet was so happy to be invited! She even thanked Sophia a few days earlier after getting her invitation.

Accomplishments

Wednesday was a big day for Cora - she got her braces off!

Dr. Megan and Dr. Pete were so pleased that Cora wore her orthodontist shirt to the office, they made sure to take a photo with her.

Here, Dr. Pete shows Cora the tool he was using to clean the glue off her teeth, after the brackets were removed. She said having her braces off hurt a bit; of course it was worth it in the end.




















It was a nice touch that they gave Cora a candy bar and Cracker Jack, a caramel popcorn treat, as a congratulatory gift. The candy bar contained caramel - both treats were forbidden while she was wearing her braces.

Such a gorgeous smile, Cora! She is truly a beautiful young lady.

Violet also had a big week - she's been saving for months to buy this Lego Elves dragon and castle set, and it arrived in the mail this week. She was so excited for it to come!

After working on it for several days, Violet completed the 833-piece set Friday night. It's great watching her work, and then watching her play.

And also this week, Cora gave Mrs. Shafarman a copy of her book she wrote from her gold mining project. Mrs. Shafarman was thrilled!

I was so happy to see her teacher's words on Facebook a couple of days later: "This week I received one of the coolest, most special gifts ever! This marvelous young lady took the story she wrote for her Miner's Museum 4th grade project and, over the summer, turned it into a book. I'm so grateful for students like her. This is what makes it all worth it. Thank you, Miss Cora (and Lisa) for something I will cherish always! (Pam, check out the dedication)."

Field Trip

Cora and her fifth-grade classmates took a field trip Tuesday to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, a trip that some students call their favorite of elementary school.

We've been looking forward to it, and Jen and I were lucky enough to be chaperones. (This is one where very few parents are able to chaperone, due to Reagan Library rules.)
Here are Cora and Trent in front of Air Force One, the official plane that carried President Reagan.

The fifth-graders take part in a special learning experience centered around the U.S. invasion of the Caribbean island of Grenada in 1983, under Reagan.

They were divided into three groups - the media, the military and the Oval Office - and given personas to act out from that period.

Cora was given the identity of a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, in the media unit. The students got to act on a tip that the U.S. was in fact preparing to invade Grenada to rescue 600 medical students.

Here, Cora is amazed to see that when she is reporting "live" in front of a green screen, it looks on camera like she's standing in front of the White House.

Later, she manned the camera while Trent, acting as the Washington, D.C., media bureau chief, gave his report.

We then got a tour of Air Force One and the rest of the museum. Here, Cora is showing off her L.A. Times badge, with her notebook. Such a proper young reporter! I love that she took a notebook to take notes with; no other student thought to do so. She is such an eager learner.

This is inside Air Force One.

We also had a look at the piece of the Berlin Wall, with the docent providing a good overview of the wall's historical importance.

This was the first time I'd visited since Mrs. Reagan's passing. We spent a moment in front of their tomb.

It was a fabulous field trip, and I'm so pleased I was able to go.