Feb. 13: Birthday Party

A kid in Connor's class at school celebrated his 5th birthday yesterday, and these are some snapshots from the party. The theme was Bakugan. The kids you see here are in his class at school. They had a great time, and Connor crashed from exhaustion once we got home.

For more action photos of Connor this year, be sure to check his dad's Facebook albums.

Connor's Reads

This year in my new job as librarian/reading coordinator, I have been doing more research about reading. I found a book in my library by Jim Trelease, The Read-Aloud Handbook. In it he describes various reading success (some actually miracle) stories, and one notes a mom who was reading Charlotte's Web to her three-year old. "I bet Connor would like that," I thought, and found the three-book E. B. White set put up for him in the attic a couple of years ago. We started reading it before Christmas, but unfortunately forgot to bring it on our holiday vacation. No matter, we picked it back up in January. It took a while, but he really enjoyed it. His dad recommended the animated movie, which we found at our local library, and we watched that. It was really fun to see him so interested in a story that lasted for more than one sitting.

We continued with another book in the set, Stuart Little, which he really loved, and finished that last night. The movie is set to arrive tomorrow. Meanwhile we began Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle.

Charlotte's Web was one of the books my fourth-grade teacher read to us (she read to us for about a half-hour every day after lunch recess), but this was the first time for me to read Stuart Little. The Mouse and the Motorcycle seems new to me as well, though I'm sure I read other Beverly Cleary books- a couple of years ago I found and read her biography, A Girl from Yamhill- charming. I think I gave it to my mom to read.

Anyway, we are already half through TMATM and have requested the movie. I am wondering what would be good to read next? Any suggestions? We could read more Ralph stories.

Jan. 30 - Another Snow Day

Again staying warm inside, Connor got out his train set and designed a track. He built this completely by himself and was very proud of it.

Jan. 23- Playdate

Last Sat. evening, after a few days of being cooped up inside the house, Connor hosted our neighbors Riley and Isabella for a playdate. You can see Connor writing on the board "the way Miss Sara [his teacher] does." His class was learning the letter "p" last week. This is in his bedroom.

Jan. 10, 2010 - Snow Days

These were our first "snow days" in January. (We were off school Jan. 7th and 8th.) We stayed warm inside. Connor enjoyed playing with his train set. The set began as a gift from the Rose family for his 2nd birthday and was supplemented by a Christmas gift from Maria. Thanks! It has been a favorite.

Dec. 27: Connor vs. the Ice Cream Cone

planning his strategy of attack

flavor: strawberry

method: slow and deliberate

The winner? Connor dominated, with only a few bites left untaken.

Dec. 25: Christmas on the Beach

Joe and Connor built a sand castle with the nice beach toy set left by Santa. (at Bahia Balandra)

Can you see the finished product?

Santa spread

Santa apparently stopped by and left a few more goodies, as seen above. In the candy stocking interestingly are a number of chile-flavored candies - not the sort we are familiar with in the U.S. It's strange to get spicy when you're expecting sweet.

Baja: Dec. 24

Lunch @ BK: chicken fries!

a cool car parked along the malecon

Batman! This is one of Connor's Christmas gifts/souvenirs. These were being sold downtown near the craft center.

Baja: Dec. 23

enjoying a strawberry paleta (frozen fruit bar) outside La Fuente, a favorite stop along the malecon

Coke, the Real Thing (there were no other beverage choices for children at this taco stand)

No complaints here!

Oreo eyes! Can you tell that Connor is enjoying a lot of treats while on vacation?