Deck the Halls with...

...recycled CDs, magazines, and fake snow! I changed out the fall decor at the library for winter -- upcycled style. I purchased silver Christmas bulbs, silver icicles, and a bag of fake snow from a local thrift store and coated the bulbs and some scratched CDs with spray adhesive, then rolled them in fake snow (shredded wax paper or plastic grocery bags - I can't tell which). These were hung (along with the icicles) from the ceiling with filament. I also folded some magazines into "trees", spray painted them silver, added a little fake snow and glitter with spray adhesive and voila!

Christmas Countdown update

The Christmas countdown is going well - we're halfway done and Mateo still enjoys it. Sometimes we do "big" activities and sometimes we do "small" activities, and sometimes Mateo likes the "small" activities as much or more than the "big" activities. For example, he took a pass on going to see Santa when he was in town. He said he just wanted Santa to pick something out for him. It was a surprise to us, but we respected his decision. Of course, a few days later we ran into Santa out of uniform in the grocery store and he told Mateo that he was on the nice list (even though he doesn't always listen). It was a much more magical experience than going to see him along with everyone else. Other things on the countdown have included a special day with Gabby and Papa, a playdate with Jadin, baking muffins, decorating the tree and a Christmas campout.

The Great Tree Search

We cheated a little bit this year and bought a pre-cut tree. But we did buy it from a local tree farm and enjoyed their cocoa, cookies and ENORMOUS model train set.

Printing Press at MCBA!

We've taken a lot of classes at the Center for Book Arts, but the one Mateo most talks about is the one where he used the printing press. And why wouldn't he be excited about that? After all, it's a BIG, HEAVY piece of equipment that takes your WHOLE BODY to use! Today I surprised him with a trip to the cities after school to take a pressure printing class using the printing press. Let me tell you, he did a great job waiting his turn and printed as many sheets as Miss Ellen and time allowed.

Christmas Countdown

I saw this idea on another blog, but it was MUCH fancier. I tailored it to work with our supplies, available time, and attention spans so we could celebrate the excitement of the season every day from 12/1 through 12/25. Mateo counted out the envelopes and printed them with a dot marker and I added the numbers after they had dried. Then we counted them again and hung them along the railing. Every morning Mateo checks the envelope of the day to see what special activity is in store! We kicked it off on 12/1 with Story Hour at the SCF library followed by a trip to the store to buy something for the Giving Tree at Mateo's school.

Family Spanish Night

Mateo's school hosted a Family Spanish Night this evening. While I was teaching Huichol yarn painting, Kevin and Mateo were checking out the rest of the event: crafts, activities, dancing, stories, music, snacks. Mateo's classmate Mariah stuck pretty close to him, ending with a hug when it was time to leave. :-) Mateo's highlight was the snack - churros and hot chocolate - but he also took the time to make a maraca and a vest. It was only an hour long, but with a missed nap this afternoon he was a tired boy by the time we got home.

Snowdude

The first snowman of the season, which Mateo refers to as Snowmimi and Kev calls Snowdude. I was doing yoga when I looked up and noticed them out the window - what a heartwarming sight - I could hardly wait to go out and join them!

Preschool Level Swimming Graduation!

In his last preschool level swim class this morning, Mateo put his whole head under the water at least 2 times. "My ears got wet," stated the swimmer. Next stop: Level 1 Lessons!

It's Heeeere...

view from our front door, 7am

They Ain't Heavy

Dad was together with his five siblings for the first time in a long time, and for a happy occasion - an early Meyer Thanksgiving celebration. At least I think that's what it was. Maybe it was just a gathering. Anyway, posing here on the balcony of Grandma Jean's apartment complex, 8th floor.

Happy Howlin' Halloween

Here's what happens when Halloween lands on a Sunday: Mateo has a pumpkin party at school on Friday, then does in-town trick-or-treating with Jadin right after school; Mateo goes to an awesome Halloween bash hosted by the PTA at school on Saturday with his new friend Brent - games, treats, haunted house, crafts, prizes, the works; by Sunday (today) he is trick-or-treating only at 3 select houses and without his costume. Maybe a little too much too soon, but all good nonetheless.

Happy Birthday Gabby Jan!

73 seems to agree with you, Jan - check out your aura!

This Party's on Fire!

Ocean is Mateo's friend and he just turned 4. His party started at a Mexican restaurant, and then migrated to a fire station where the boys toured the building, rode in a fire truck and sprayed the hose. Mateo came home with a plastic fire hat (and other goodies) - paired with the garden hose it made for some great imaginative play this afternoon. Happy birthday, Ocean!

No School - Conservatory, Too!

"She's naked." Giggle, giggle. Jadin was quick to notice the statue in the sunken garden was unclothed. The boys were mesmerized by the fish and enjoyed "exploring the jungle" of the conservatory.

No School - Trip to Zoo!

With school out for teacher's convention, I took the boys to the zoo to break up the day. Although disappointed there were no crocodiles, they had a great time. Highlights were the huge, huge, huge snake in the water (anaconda), the giraffes, and the big cats. Mateo and Jadin climbed any and all statues that did not have a "do not climb" sign and explored the children's gallery.

Meet the Twins

Mateo's classmate, Jadin, is spending some afternoons with us during the school year. During lunch on his first day here they declared themselves "brothers" (because they're both boys), and shortly thereafter, "twins". How cool is it that they are more aware of their similarities than their differences? They spent part of this afternoon raking leaves, chopping up a fallen tree, and exploring the woods.

Bernie's Bog

Warner Nature Center really outdid themselves at the Fall Color Blast. Aside from pontooning, there was a bug tent, live raptors, bandana stamping, apple crisp ala mode and apple cider - not to mention hiking trails on which to expend the energy apple crisp and ice cream create. We chose to hike around and across Bernie's Bog. Truly a perfect fall day.

The Water Strider

Mateo and I got to ride on the Water Strider today at Warner Nature Center's Fall Color Blast! It's the world's 1st solar power pontoon boat, built in 1999. While we were waiting, Mateo dipped a net into the lake to see what sorts of critters he could find. Lots of snails and very small mussels - some other kids found dragonfly larvae, a water scorpion and a tadpole. After our pontoon ride, we lucked out and hitched a ride back to the nature center on a golf cart :-)

Fall at the Falls

Mateo at Cascade Falls

"Can we go down to the falls?"







Every time we pass the stairway to Cascade Falls Mateo asks this question. More often than not we are pressed for time or the weather is not great or I'm just too tired to even think of climbing back UP all of those stairs. Yesterday, however, I could think of no excuse. So we headed down several flights and had an amazing time.

Castle Danger Retreat

I had the very good fortune to spend a couple of days at Grand Superior Lodge earlier this week. The weather was gorgeous which allowed for a beautiful bike ride to Twin Points beach, hiking at Gooseberry Falls and general lounging by the ginormous Lake Superior. AND the colors between Duluth and Hinckley were incredible.

The Great Grandma Tour

Mateo's visits to Nana Vi and Great Grandma Jean kept us on the road much of the day. As you can see he was wiped out by the end, but he would wake up every once in awhile on the way home, stick the kazoo in his mouth and hum a few notes before nodding off again. Heehee. We also paid a quick visit to his Uncle Corey and cousins Reggie and Justice - thanks for seeing us on short notice!

Look Out Below!

Looks scary, but it's actually a piece of sculpture at Franconia.

Wheels & Wings Air Show

Kev took Mateo to the air show that was newly added to Wheels & Wings this year. Lunch was chips, jets were loud and planes were awesome. Great stunt-flying, loads of fun.