Mari worked with Lucia off and on all day today helping her to learn how to ride a bike. Susan and I were not so sure she was ready yet, but Mari and Lucia’s patience both paid off! There is still some work to do, but she is off to a good start.
Father/Daughter Dance
This evening Mari and I attended the Father/Daughter dance that is put on by the city of Des Moines. We went to Blaze Pizza before hand with Nate and Hope and then walked across the street to the Science Center. Last year was our first year and this year was even more fun. Lucia was sad because she could not go, but she will get to go next year.
Winter Drama Performances
This week the kids had their drama performances with their homeschool enrichment classes. They all love drama and enjoy being in the plays.
Moving up in the (music) world
This year Andrew and Mari both started playing new instruments – Tuba for Mari and Cello for Andrew. In recent weeks they have both progressed beyond the entry-level classes that they were in. Mari started playing with the full fifth grade orchestra a couple of weeks ago and yesterday in class she was particularly proud of being called out for her skills. She was asked to come to the front of the class to play a solo of Jingle Bells.
Andrew will join the full seventh grade orchestra at Indian Hills Junior High next week. His friend Will is already in this group and Andrew is excited for some more complex work.
Single Track
This afternoon Andrew, Mari, Elliot and I went for our first and last single track bikeride of the year. It was a beautiful afternoon and the kids did a great job carving up the trails. I imagine it has been a few years since we have been out there and it felt good.
Hair Dye
Mari has been wanting her hair dyed for a while now. Susan has been doing some research and today Elliot & Mari biked to Fareway to buy the supplies to dye their hair with kool-aid.
Mari’s Tuba
Fall Soccer Season
This week marks the beginning of the Fall soccer season. Elliot & Mari are playing U12 and Andrew is playing U14. We switched clubs this year, looking for a more consistent experience, better fields, and a soccer complex, so that our kids are not playing and practicing at 2 different locations.
So far, so good.
Mari’s 11th Birthday
This evening we had the Reagens and the Liesses over to celebrate Mari’s 11th birthday. We hit the pool in the afternoon and then had everyone over for Skyline, cake, and presents. The weather was great – the kids had a fun time playing in the yard and we all got to spend the evening on the deck.
Mari loves to read and spends a lot of time sitting in the living room chairs reading. It is the first thing she does when she wakes up in the morning and before bed. Speaking of which, Mari is up around 7:30 these days, even in the summer, and goes to bed at around 10. She sleeps in her own bed, with Lu in a separate bed in her room. She reads with a little light while Lu falls asleep a little earlier. Her favorite food is Skyline. Her favorite song is Lost Boy. Her favorite color is blue. For clothes she is mostly wearing sporty clothes these days.
End of the Soccer Season
Today we wrapped up the spring soccer season. Andrew & Mari finished last week and Elliot had his last game today – a make-up game. It was a fun year and we are already looking forward to the fall.
Mari’s Summer To-Do List
Father-Daughter Dance
This evening Mari and I went the a Father/Daughter dance put on by the city of Des Moines. We had dinner with some friends at Noah’s Ark (an Italian restaurant stuck in the 60’s) and then headed to the science center. We spent most of the evening dancing, hanging out with Nate & Hope, and eating chocolate covered fruit and cookies. We left Lucia at home this year, but I think she will come next year.