cupcake club

Dance recital 2010

My expectations were high for yesterday's school dance recital (the first one to feature Kiko as well as Isabel), and I was not disappointed.

Izzy was the jack-in-the-box in a group of toys come to life.  Despite her big smile, I assume she's now as sick of the "Friends" theme as the rest of us.

Kiko and her friends were turtles.  Just before this clip starts she had a slight wardrobe malfunction -- excessive jumping led to pants creeping down her butt.  Her teacher stepped in, and the crowd loved it.  I really need to bring a tripod or something to these events -- I can't hold the camera still when I'm laughing so hard.

Nutcracker, sweet!

Last week was Isabel's 6th birthday, and my parents gave her a nutcracker and a ticket to San Francisco Ballet's "The Nutcracker."  I got to go too, and it was pretty-party-dress central for the all of the little girls in the audience.  Adorable!  Izzy wore hers with sneakers -- she takes after her auntie in the sensible shoes department.

On Sunday night Pam I went to Smuin Ballet's "Christmas Ballet," where the snow falls on the audience as well as on the stage.

 

Pippi x2

 

Izzy really wanted to be Pippi Longstocking for Halloween this year, and Kiko really wanted to be whatever Izzy was.  They are in candy heaven right now!  Naomi has some more pics here.

As for me, I rode in Halloween Critical Mass on Friday (black and orange wig), danced on Pier 7 at Deep's Halloween Flashdance on Saturday (red wig) and went to post-Halloween brunch at Jen's and made a cameo at the Brass Tax party on Sunday (lavender wig).  Am back to my regular hair now -- less itchy but also less fun.  Some photos here.

A new mini-me

Naomi sent this e-mail to our family today (she and the girls are visiting Naomi's mom in Phoenix):

Izzy is turning into a little E.T. (and Naomi) as she really picks up reading.  She found several great books from her cousin's bookshelf for the first-time read-by-yourself level.  These books tend to have leading girls who are spies or detectives, solving problems and bringing harmony to her friends and family.  Very cute stories. 

Izzy has been reading at dinner, at breakfast, before bed, by herself and is so absorbed that she doesn't hear the rest of the kids (or the grownups) making noise around her.  My mom had to call her name twice to talk to her during breakfast.  I love to see her so engrossed in reading; now I just need to teach her proper manners about books at the dining table.

I remember when my parents started cracking down about reading during meals.  Not very fondly, so I will feel Izzy's pain (even as I agree with Ted and Naomi that it is actually the right thing to do).

Checking in with the nieces

 

Isabel loves kindergarten, and just had her school photo taken.  Kiko wants to wear a "tanky-toppy" with every outfit, even her flannel pajamas.

- 4

 

Most of Isabel's friends haven't lost any teeth yet, but she lost 4 in 2 weeks!  So many so fast that she and Naomi had to send a strongly worded letter to the tooth fairy, who (perhaps understandably) couldn't quite keep up.

True blood

What kind of a person would give a bottle of red liquid soap called "Blood Bath" to small children?  An awesome person like Malcolm, of course.  He knows Izzy and Kiko love all things blood and vampires, and indulged their interest with this thoughtful present.  It was a big hit.

First day of kindergarten

Isabel has been looking forward to her first day of kindergarten for so long!  She practiced getting up early and putting her clothes on quickly all last week.  I was worried she'd be disappointed, but she loved her first day. 

We were all relieved when she was assigned homework, which she'd been talking about excitedly.  Kindergarten homework rules.

 

A reader in the family

 

The way that Izzy gobbles up books (currently, the "Ramona" series) reminds me of, well, me.  And just like I did, she joined a summer reading program for kids at the public library.  She got a book bag and some museum tickets for completing the required hours of reading.  When I was a kid, I got to go to a "Star Wars" themed party and made it into the newspaper.  A personal high point, for sure!

Kiko Day

Kiko's daycare is on vacation this week, so our family is taking turns watching her.  Yesterday was my Kiko Day.

When Kiko is getting her way, she is the best person in the world.  She is hilariously goofy and can spread joy to everyone she sees.  So, most of the day was great, except when she refused to take her nap.  Would not be dissuaded from her goal -- watching the Disney princess tea-time video for the 3rd time in 5 hours.  Result: tears, a little yelling. 

Towards the end of the day, after I tricked her into sleeping, I pulled her onto my lap to end the day on a happy note.  She proceeded to pee all over me, which is a very effective way to get the last word in an argument.  Don't mess with Kiko, people.  Or at least, do it from a distance.