Cookie Sales

When it's time to sell cookies for Brownies it's important to recruit your sister to help you.

Lots of Family Love

While these two do their share of fighting, it's best to take the photos of the love.

and sometimes it's nice to leave love notes for your mom in her car so her workday will start out happy.

or text a kiss to mom when she is away.

or give some hugs to dad.

or send a hug from Grandma's house.

or write a thank you note to your sister thanking her for reading to you and telling her she is special to you.

Yup, photo evidence of love is what I'm all about.

We love to read

People who know me are well aware that reading is a great joy for me.  I am so thrilled that both my girls share that joy.  They almost like reading as much as they like getting people to buy things for them.  Ths makes the school book fair a perfect storm where they ask for stuff and we find ourselves unable to say no.

luckily there is also the option of the library where there are cozy spots to read books that are available to check out and return.

Now if only we could work out how to quit paying late fees we would be on to something.  That said, is there anything better in this country than public libraries.  Really, I love them.

Halloween 2011

Halloween is my favorite holiday -- especially in Burlingame.  There is no better evidence of the wonderful neighborhood we live in than how cool it is for Halloween.  Our Greek goddess and our gothic vampire were very pleased with their costumes.

Even baby Eli got in the spirit.  We should have had him join the Lion Dance.

and the next morning we did a round of Tai Chi Sword with Grandpa Bob.  Even Julianne got in the act.  Yup, Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Well, right after Thanksgiving and my birthday of course ;-).

Lion Dance 2011

Lion dance is always a big deal with the girls.  This year they moved it up to the fall so it came a bit early for us.  Luckily, this wasn't our first year so we were prepared with hats and boots already.

Striking a pose is a critical thing to practice... of course, for these girls they practice this every day so they were pretty prepared.

Friends!

Action shots!

Jaq turns 6

Turning six is a big deal.  Well, let's be honest, all birthdays are a big deal in the Bear household.

There is cake.

A "fancy dinner at that place with the lights" (after several detectives on the case we determined it was Broadway Grill) where you get invited up on stage to sing with the artists.

Cousins who join you and maake you feel special.

and a rock star party at home just like you wanted.

with your own stage, blue hair and lots of friends to join you.

Happy Birthday Jacqueline.

First Day of School 2011

Today we begin the first "return" school start for both girls.  Jacqueline starts first grade and Ashton third.  In theory, we have no new teachers as Jacqueline got Ms. Chan (Ashton's K and 1st grade teacher) and Ashton got her second grade teacher promoted to third with her.

Unfortunately, Ms. Seki, Ashton's teacher is out for some time as her husband is ill.  This gives Ashton a new teacher who she is really excited to win over.


Our first day went off pretty smoothly with both girls very excited to get out the door.  They both decided they had to take another shower this morning which added a little complexity but since they were ready so quickly it all worked out.  We'll see how it goes for Bob tomorrow after the adrenaline wears off and we get back to the swing of a schedule that has everyone out of the house by 8:15am.

It's a short day (ends at noon) so we will be back for pick up in a few hours.

 Ashton was excited to have friends from last year in her class again.

 Jacqueline was enthusiastically all pink and ruffles and sparkles for her first day.  Ms. Chan gave everyone name tags which was a great idea!