Memorial Weekend

We had a fun Memorial Weekend. We had friends over and played in the pool (but were having too much fun to take any pictures). The next morning Mom and I met my friend Phoebe and her family at the beach.

We did some goofing and digging...

And Mom even helped. 

Then we went to the Reptile Zoo. There's always something cool and new to see there. This time it was this python unhinging its jaw for a solid minute. 

And we always have to say hello to our favorite gecko, Charlie. 

We've been buddies since I was two!

Tommy made friends with this ball python, but they said they didn't have a name for it. I suggested "Rosette", because its markings look like the rosette spots on a cheetah. The lady thought that was a great name, and it stuck. Add "Snake Namer" to my list of accomplishments. 

Did I mention we also played "Rock Band" on the Wii every day too?  It's our new obsession. Dad is thrilled (not). 

California Science Center

Since my last soccer game was cancelled, we took a trip to the California Science Center in LA.

I was so excited to see the space shuttle Endeavor. It's HUGE, and it's been into space 25 times. 

As you can see, Tommy wasn't quite as excited about it as the rest of us were. 

But he faked it pretty good for a few minutes. 

We got to hear a lot about how it was built, how much each little heat shield tile on the underside cost ($200,000!), and about the animals that went on space missions with the astronauts. 

I posed under the engines...

And that's the tail way up above Mom and me. 

This is one of the 2 fuel tanks attached to the shuttle. Amazing!

Boeing Rocket Launch 2017

We took our annual trip to the Boeing bottle rocket launch.

Our rocket didn't get a whole lot of hang time...

But we think we got some good ideas for success next year.

And Tommy got to make lots of zooming noises during the construction process. 

That night we went out for a fun dinner.

Sure beats astronaut ice cream!

Chicken Fight!

We had fun playing in the pool with our neighbors Luke and Noah.

I'm pretty sure they got the worse end of this chicken fight deal!

Just when it looked like Tommy was going to win...

Victory!

Tommy Face T Shirt

Tommy's school project was to make a paper doll of yourself in your future career. Tommy first said he wanted to be a "cat trainer", but Mom said no and told him to aim a little higher, so then he said architect. They decided to print a picture of his face to put on the doll, but had trouble sizing it at first, so Mom taped this extra one to his shirt. He liked it so much that he wore it for the rest of the day. 

Piano Recital Spring 2017

I had my piano recital yesterday. It was fun! I memorized my whole piece, "The Bare Necessities", and even though I told Mom 2 minutes before I was set to perform that I forgot the whole thing, I got through it no problem!

Nana came to watch my recital along with Mom, Dad, and Tommy.

Mom was a little late recording my song, but she really liked my bow and smile at the end that she caught, so if you want to watch most of it again, here you go!

Wizard of Oz

Last weekend we went to see my friend Sam as Toto in the Wizard of Oz. She did great!

Autographed Copy

Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, the author of one of my favorite books, The Book Scavenger, came and talked to our school!  She told us a little about how she writes a book, and we got to ask her questions and got autographed copies of her newest book. It was so exciting, especially since I want to be an author (and a paleontologist and astronaut) when I grow up. I can't wait to read it!

Tommy agrees that there's nothing like curling up with a good book. 

April Artwork

Katherine's April Artwork

Find Your Way

Yummy

Seahorse and Babies

Tommy's April Artwork

Mr. Seahorse

Super Weird Lighthouse

The Best Cake Ever

May the Fourth Be With You!

Farm Field Trip

Tommy's first ride on a school bus and first ever field trip! He had fun sitting by his friend Nigel...

 And this crazy lady who decided to chaperone.

 Farmer Don told the class all about all the different animals, crops, and farm equipment at Centennial Farm.

 Farmer Don showed them where they milked the cows, and asked, "If one cow can produce 10 gallons of milk a day, and I have 20 cows, how much milk can I get each day?" Tommy raised his hand and said, "200!". Mom said his teacher looked pretty impressed. 

 The goats liked the kids...

And the kids liked the oxen.

The class planted some radish seeds.

And saw lots of babies!  A baby cow...

 Piglets...

 Lambs...

And a bucket full of baby chicks...

 That they got to hold!

 But Mom said he couldn't bring it home. Bummer.