Gingerbread Houses

As a last hurrah before winter break, Max's class made gingerbread houses today. It was a messy activity, but lots of fun, and even Henry was allowed to join in!

Max and Molly

Cleaning up some evidence

Bella and Mick

Proud Henry

The finished masterpiece

Native American Celebration

Today was yet another "party day" in Max's kindergarten class. They performed a number of adorable songs as the culmination of their social studies unit on Native-American people. Max was very proud of the headdress and "tunic" he created. He wasn't the biggest showman in the group, but he's certainly come a long way from the preschooler who refused to sing at all during class performances!

Enjoying pizza after the performance

Max with his buddies Mick and Jacob

The whole class

Max doing sign language

Thanksgiving 2011

50th Day of School

In honor of the 50th day of school, Ms. Corpuz's kindergarten class had a 1950s party. The kids looked adorable in their poodle skirts and rolled up jeans and muscle shirts. They danced the twist and the bunny hop and enjoyed hot dogs and milkshakes. Max is loving kindergarten this year. Is it any wonder?

Halloween 2011

Halloween is a HUGE deal in Alameda, and once again, we pulled out all the stops! Scott and I attended an Edison PTA fundraiser party and had a great time getting dressed up for the occasion. I was able to wear my mom's dress from the late 60s and she was on hand to "rat" my hair and give me makeup advice (liquid eyeliner is b*&%tch). The boys attended one celebration after another -- school carnival, preschool parade, party at the Goddard's house and trick-or-treating with the neighbors and grandparents. Whew! We had a lot of fun, but I'm kind of glad it is over. This tired mama needs a break...

"Giddy-up and Go-Go"

The Dynamic Duo!

Max's Class

Max and Mick

Henry launching the water balloon canon

Preparing the pumpkins

Vampire Skeletons

Preschool Parade

Trick-or-treating with the Neighbors

The boys and their grandparents

Soccer Team 2011

Go Netherlands!

A Visit From the Evans Family

Last week we had a wonderful visit with our good buddies from Virginia. Bridget, Johnny, JJ, Keegan and Annabel were out in the Bay Area for a wedding, and they were able to spend a couple days at our house. In addition, Henry and I tagged along for a day on their trip to Wine Country. I can't believe that I've never been to the Napa area before! We had a blast touring a couple different wineries. I sampled some wine and Henry sampled some grape juice, and we both enjoyed the beautiful scenery and spending time with friends. Let's hope it won't be another three years before we see the Evans family again.

Henry and Keegan

Henry and JJ riding the gondola at Sterling Vineyards

Workers dumping freshly harvested grapes into "Crush Zone One"

Our crew of crazy boys

JJ and Annabel

Bridget enjoying a tasting

On the tour

What a backdrop!

The Evans Family

Good buddies having fun

A little local tourism -- checking out the Golden Gate Bridge

Kindergarten Apple Party

Ms. Corpuz loves to party and she has the patience of a saint! First up this year was a party in honor of apples. The kids sang some songs, read some poems, and ate a lot of apple-themed treats. Yum!

Rosh Hashanah 2011

Apples, honey, snazzy outfits, and friends for dinner.

Another lovely holiday!

Another Milestone

Max had his first afternoon of Hebrew school yesterday. I was worried how it would go because (1) 4-6pm is a long time after a full day of school and (2) he doesn't know anyone in his class since we just recently joined the synagogue. I needn't have worried. Max is so "chill" about things like this. He went right into his class and had a great time. He came out two hours later knowing all about his Hebrew name, and the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah (including a few cute songs!). I am very pleased with the program at Temple Beth Abraham and I think it's going to be a great experience for Max. What a year he's having!

Sorry for the blurry camera-phone image. Max is at the front left wearing a yellow shirt. Rabbi Bloom is leading the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders in some Rosh Hashanah "hits"!

Henry's First Day of Preschool

Well, it's done. My last baby is off at school. (Insert hysterical sobbing here)

Yesiree...it's been an emotional morning in the Gerber residence -- for mom but not for boys.

Young Henry set off on the first stage of his academic journey and started at preschool. He has been eagerly awaiting this day for weeks (years?). All weekend long he kept reminding me, "Mom! I start preschool on Monday!" Yeah kid, I know. Thanks for reminding me.

This morning he was up early and was dressed and wearing his shark backpack a full 1/2 hour before we had to leave for MAX'S dropoff! We took Max to kindergarten, scooted home and got in the car to drive to preschool. "Mom! This is the way to Max's old school!" Henry exclaimed.

"No, Henry," I responded, "This is the way to YOUR school."

"That's right!" he said, "I'm in preschool now!"

Needless to say, the dropoff went smoothly. There were a few hysterical three-year-olds around, but Henry walked right into his class and wouldn't even let me help him hang up his backpack. "I can do it myself!" he said. He then proceeded over to the rug and sat right down in that "criss-cross-applesauce" position that he's been practicing all summer. He looked like a pro. I snapped one quick shot from the door (see below) and then I walked away. And teared up. And got in my car. And teared up a little more.

It's been one hit after another this year -- first kindergarten for Max and now preschool for Henry. That's how parenting goes. It's our job to let them go, but sometimes it hurts like a "MOTHER".

Lucky for me, I didn't have to suffer alone. My friend Emily was also dropping off her baby at school this morning. We went to breakfast together and commiserated. That's right -- a breakfast WITHOUT any little people! Emily still grabbed a stack of napkins large enough to swab off an army of sticky, snotty, spilling toddlers, but we figure that rehabilitation is going to take some time. With luck, we can someday feel like women again and not just moms. But then again, I have a feeling that the "mom" part never really leaves you even when the kids do...

Proud Henry ready for school

Check out the cool shark backpack! (thanks, Dodie)

So excited!

Checking out the equipment before class

Criss-Cross-Applesauce

Cheering the Cardinal to Victory

We took the boys down to Stanford yesterday for their first football game. We had a great time even though the stadium was pretty hot. The boys hung in there for three quarters (a constant supply of snacks helped). Stanford crushed San Jose state and we enjoyed being part of the excitement as Stanford launched what we hope will be their best season ever!

On a separate note, it's always a kick to return to "The Farm", but I felt a little old this time. All of the current students wandering around looked SO YOUNG! I feel as though I just graduated a couple years ago (and running into a guy from my freshman dorm reinforced that feeling), but then I looked around at all the kids masquerading as college students and I realized that it has actually been 14 years since I left. Jeez! Where does the time go?!

Existential crisis aside, however, it was a really fun day and now that the boys are old enough to stick it out, we hope to attend many more games.