November 2005
We had parent/teacher conferences the first week of this month. Both kids are doing well in school. Garnet's class is preparing for the statewide exam and his teacher says he's right on track. We asked the kids what they thought their teachers would say about them. Garnet replied that he didn't know and Joanna said "she'll say I'm the best student in the class and I'm the smartest". Well her teacher didn't use those exact words, but they were close.

Kim has taken the kids to see a few performances this month. Garnet and Joanna got to see Seussical the Musical. While Anya was treated to Dora the Explorer Live! The kids really love going to the theater. All the lights, music and props make everything look so magical.

This year we are spending Thanksgiving at the Larson's. We'll be traveling to the lake with the kids and the dog. During the weekend, Jasha will be heading off on another business trip. This time to Puerto Rico. Kim again is jealous as he is spending time in the warm sun, while she's stuck back home in the cold rain. 

October 2005
It's hard to believe the first month of school has already gone. Both Garnet and Joanna really love it. Joanna says Kindergarten is too easy and we should have put her in there last year. Garnet is really enjoying his class this year and has made a few friends. Anya loves her dance classes and gymnastics. She calls them her school and looks forward to them each week.

Joanna has started Girl Scouts. She's a Daisy this year. They do minimal activities and don't participate in the cookie sale (we'll hit you up next year though, don't worry!).  So far there are 10 girls in her troop and 4 of them are in her class. She's really excited about it. They have their investiture ceremony this month where they'll become official Daisy's and get a smock and a pin. 

Garnet has decided that he wants to join the drama club at school. We think he'll really enjoy that. He loves watching TV and movies, so he might as well learn about what goes into them. He'll start in November and then they'll start practicing for the May performances in January. We'll keep you posted and let you know how that is progressing.

Kim and her friend hosted a booth at their first craft show this year. They were selling homemade gifts at the Senior Center. They were both pretty nervous about going and put a lot of time and effort into their displays. Everything they did must have paid off because they were a success and are eager to do more in the future.

The kids are excited about Halloween and can't wait to wear their costumes. Anya would wear hers everyday if Kim would let her. We've got lots of parties and trick-or-treating events for them to attend, so they'll get lots of opportunities to wear them. They also got to try their artistic hand at decorating pumpkins this year. There's one for everyone - a scary one, a mildly scary and a really pretty one with eyelashes and everything.

September 2005
Garnet and Joanna have started school. Garnet is in the third grade now and Joanna has entered into all day Kindergarten. They are both excited to go back/start the year. Joanna really likes the idea that she can hang out with her big brother on the bus and at the playground in the morning. Garnet equally thinks he's hot stuff since he get's to show Joanna the "ropes".

Anya is really disappointed that she doesn't get to go with them. Kim keeps telling her that it'll be fun to stay at home and play without the interruptions from her older brother and sister. So far Anya doesn't seem to be buying into that idea. We've decided to sign her up for dance classes and gymnastics to help ease the pain.

We also signed all the kids up for the Symphony performance series for kids. Kim and Anya will attend during the week, while Jasha will take Garnet and Joanna on the weekends. We thought it would be good to expose the kids to some different kinds of music and allow them to see different instruments being played. Anya got to go to her first performance this month and loved it. She really enjoys music and was excited to see young people playing at the Symphony.

Jasha started his business trip travels again. He flew off to Portugal the first week of this month. During his trip we didn't hear much from him as the time difference was too much of a challenge. He had a fabulous time though, traveling through castles and restaurants. He brought back some wonderful photos and gifts for us all.