Fun finds according to Kindergarteners

The other day I brought in a deck of flash cards for my students. Now they're the new hit! These aren't 'Addition' or 'Subtraction' cards. I decided to spice things up between the phonics and math lessons, and grabbed my 'Explore Landmarks' set- I just snagged them from the Target Dollar Bin without much forethought... but my students ate them up!

These pictures and the information about the landmarks has added a spark of curiosity about the world that I love to see from these fresh minds. I adore how everything I offer them is so new and exciting because they're lil Kinders! This was a reminder of that. I wont be with this group in the new year, but it was fun teaching them while I did!

The Moai Monoliths off the coast of Chile were their faves.

.... Spence and I saw replicas of these at the Easter Island exhibit in another polynesian land last year- Hawaii!

Movember

Happy Movember, everyone! I love this pic from Spence' and my wedding day- just over a year ago now!! (and every day gets happier...)

My brother is stylin' the stash this month too to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer- the number one male cancer. His friend lost his Grandfather to prostate cancer and so they are working as a team to raise money, and my brother has received $300 in donations, almost his $500 goal.

Go to

http://ca.movember.com/mospace/2548960/

and click on 'donate to me' - the button under the current pic of him looking like Tom Selleck. ;) Every little bit helps!




Which one's my Mo Bro? Which one's Tom??

Soccer Related

So I am also a guest blogger on another site called RSL Soapbox. This is a Real Salt Lake themed blog. I've had 4 posts there so far, here's the links to them (oldest to newest):

How Should Real Salt Lake Approach the 1st Leg of the CONCACAF Quarterfinals?

A Good Surgery but Now What?

The Experience of an RSL Fan Exiled to Los Angeles

The Birth of Hellboy Wingert

Let me know what you think!

Migrating

I can hardly believe it, but I've lived in LA for 5 years! It has been a lovely place to be: great people, places, food, and . . .

you guessed it: w e a t h e r! I have to admit that nice as it is here, I have suffered from seasonal disorientation, itching to cosy into a sweater and sit by the fire with hot chocolate, at least for a day or two, but I love the beach and balm.

Ok, so yea, sometimes I still open a window in the morning expecting frosty air. But all I find is maybe some condensation on my windshield. This is because over and over, all I do is put on my sandals and pack a light sweater not because it will be super cold, but more often just in case I am in a building with over excited air conditioning.

I open my window sometimes and some un-kickable instinct in me still wonders, 'has the first winter snow finally come?' I think it took a couple years of living here to really believe that there is not much of a change in seasons here, but I still have a sense to check the weather a little before getting dressed or leaving for the day. I also get really excited when I see leaves that have changed color this time of year. Pretty much I am on weather alert so I don't get caught unprepared on a horrifically hot day, and I look outside or take a step outdoors to see, 'Oh, what a BEAUTIFUL day! (again!)' I have not ceased to be amazed with the weather down here.

So you will imagine my surprise when I looked up from my playground supervision duties the other day to see this:



???

Yes, apparently there are 'snow birds' even here in the lovely Los Angeles. Ok, so there were only like 4. Fewer than this pic, but still!?

And yes, they were headed south! But maybe it's just for their other nest in Tijuana?

Disneyland

One of the big perks about living in California is having relatively easy access to Disneyland! I have been a few times since moving out here, but starting this spring, I have been many times! My sister and her boys are set up with season passes and she asked if I could come along sometimes too if she got a pass for me! Season pass for Disneyland? In exchange for pushing a stroller while there? Yes ma'am! I'm in!

GOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

So one of my favorite memories is going to Seattle to watch Real Salt Lake win the 2009 MLS Cup. Lindsay and I decided to go to Seattle since she used to live there and wanted to show me around. For part of the trip, we did a tour of Qwest Field, which was the place this picture was taken:

For part of the tour, they let us onto the pitch (or field, depending on what sport you're participating in), which I loved.

So I got some pictures down on the field.

Taking a penalty kick...

...standing in the goal, staring down the opposition...

...and one with a great wife! Thanks babe!

Seattle Spectacular! The Japanese Gardens!

One thing I love about Seattle is how green it is, any time of year! Spence and I just had a great time taking a trip to visit my parents and also have a get away. We were excited to see them and escape from the heat and business of LA to the cool and lush greenery of Seattle. We kicked off the visit with a fun boat ride, then followed up with a walk through Lincoln Park and a visit to the Japanese Gardens the ensuing days. Both these parks were explored upon recommendation from my brother and we thoroughly enjoyed them! The Japanese gardens were exquisite!