About a month ago, we went to a family event in the ceramics studio at Krasl Art Center. I started the post back then, but got busy with subbing, Thanksgiving, and Evan's birthday. Still, I thought it was a post worth finishing.
Evan really wanted nothing to do with getting his hands messy. This is about all we could get him to do. We rolled out and flattened a piece of clay, and he used a tool to carve it. But even that only lasted a few minutes. Then he just watched Ryan and practiced patience.
It was such a treat to watch Burke help Ryan use the pottery wheel. For those who may not know, Burke has a background in ceramics. We have a few of his pieces around the house.
Once Ryan had a basic technic, Burke backed off and let him fly solo.
He looks like a natural.
Artist hands
Ryan will hopefully be taking a 4-week session on ceramics at Krasl after the holidays.
Once Ryan's bowl was complete, Burke took a quick turn.
Ryan's finished products after Krasl staffed fired the pieces in the kiln.
[pizza made at the clay table, and the bowl from the wheel]
Ryan was tickled to discover that the bowl is the perfect size to hold a nemne.
I am not sure how it is possible that he is already SIX!! I'm happy to say that although he is growing up fast, in a few ways, he's still my baby boy. In the days leading up to December 1, he worked hard to keep straight the various celebrations in his honor.
The first celebration, November 28, was known as "early birthday." We spent a couple nights in Chicago and celebrated with my family. While the rest of the crew was watching U of M lose, the four of us went shopping and out to lunch at Rainforest Cafe.
Evan was surprised when the waitstaff brought him a cupcake and sang to him.
After lunch, we met up with my family at LEGOLAND Discovery Center. We kept it a surprise for a while. But Ryan picked up on it when it was accidentally mentioned a couple times. Then we had to tell Evan about it as an incentive for him to improve his attitude and behavior. Not really the big reveal I envisioned, but it worked out okay.
There was a model of the city of Chicago that was impressive, along with other large Lego statues like this jester.
Evan and second cousin Joshua build with Legos.
The boys discuss Mona Lisa in art class. Her calm expression and stillness are used as behavioral goals during art lessons. So this Lego version of the Mona Lisa captured their attention.
Oh no!
Cute boys with a cute robot!
[Side note: Ryan recently said, "I'm interested in seeing the real Star Wars movies." This was a proud, exciting moment for Burke. I immediately began doing research on age-appropriateness.]
Grandpa and the boys follow the lead of this tired Lego man.
There was also a big climbing area, a spot to build cars and race them, a couple little rides, and more. I think the boys had a pretty good time. Evan received lots of Legos as gifts from my family, so his early birthday was very thematic.
We went back to Joey & Christine's for pizza and cake. Christine was nice enough make arrangements for this U of M cake, which was Evan's choice.
Singing Happy Birthday to Evan.
Ryan is using a "voice" to sing. I did not notice it at the time, but you can tell Evan did. When I watched the video later, I could not stop laughing at Ryan's monotone, slightly out of tune rendering. Oh, Ryan...
We had a second celebration on December 1, which was known as his "real birthday." Burke made his famous chocolate chip cookies for Evan's class treat (and got compliments from the school secretary). His birthday dinner request was pierogi bake. For dessert we had chocolate cream pie.
Then we opened presents from family members near and far. Nana & Lolo joined us for presents via FaceTime. Thank you all for your generosity. We could feel the love.
Ryan's present to Evan was big nemne!
Good night to Little E, who is officially SIX!!
The third celebration was on December 6. This was known as his "late birthday," and was a party with classmates. Sixteen of his friends joined him to bounce and jump at a local bounce house center.
Evan deals with the birthday attention by putting on a silly show.
Look at that face, while we are singing to him!?!
Evan wanted an ice cream cake, which was not a huge hit with the other kids. But Evan (and a couple others) sat there long after everyone else gave up on their piece of ice cream cake, and finished every bite.
Evan + a few friends
Happy birthday, Little E, my sweet-face bumble bee.
Dear Evan, It's a blast watching you grow and learn, and we are so proud of you. This was a big year for you - playing another soccer season, finishing preschool, taking a big road trip, starting kindergarten, losing teeth, learning to read, and much more. I wonder what exciting things are in store for you this year?! I am thankful for every minute I get to spend with you. Love, Mama & Dada
Ryan's second grade music program was performed on November 9 - It's a Jungle Out There! The story was that the lion, the king of the jungle, was not happy. He sent the zebras out to search the kingdom for the "key to happiness." They met the cheetahs who just partied all the time, which was not the key to happiness. Then they met the monkeys who played video games all the time, also not the key. Finally, they met the elephants who took time to smell the roses and enjoyed friendship, which was the key to happiness! The king took heart and all was well! Ryan played the roll of an adorable, wise elephant.
He had a singing part. I did not have a great vantage point for his solo. But this picture randomly popped up on the SJPS Facebook feed, and I happily saved it to my device.
Elephants sing about friendship.
Here's a class picture. They are all dressed in jungle attire. Ryan is left of center, next to the king.
Poor, Ryan. His show was on Monday, a day performance for the school and an evening performance for families. Well, Sunday night he woke up vomiting. Burke stayed home with him Monday morning (I was subbing), but he wanted to come to school in the afternoon to perform. He didn't have a fever and was no longer throwing up, so we let him go. He had very little energy, but he focused it all into making through the first performance. When we got home, he immediately fell asleep. I hated to wake him up for the evening performance. I sort of nudged him slightly awake, and told him he did not have to go, he could just keep sleeping. His teachers knew he was sick and they assured me they could cover his singing part. But no, he wanted to go. And he did wonderfully, even if he was an exhausted version of himself. So proud of his determination, perseverance. (And I didn't feel too badly about him possibly spreading germs.)
November 16 was the annual Thanksgiving Lunch at school, which is a very special annual event. The parents serve the kids family style - turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce, and ice cream. Yum! The classes sit mixed with their buddy class in the spirit of building community. The principal even has the kids take a moment of silence to close their eyes and think of something they are a really thankful for.
Ryan enjoying Thanksgiving - Brown School style.
Evan's first Thanksgiving lunch at Brown School! The last two years I've dropped him off to hang out with Burke for an hour while he was teaching at the middle school so I could go serve lunch at Brown. Now he gets to be a part of the fun. Although I had to sort of coerce him into not bringing a cold lunch. I'm not sure how much he actually ate. I do know he ate ice cream, bread, and tried cranberry sauce.
As if serving the kiddos their Thanksgiving lunch was not fun enough, an added bonus for me is that the Kindergarteners do a mini-performance before the lunch begins. A few kids speak some introduction lines before singing their songs. Evan got speaking part, and he nailed it!
"They were looking for freedom."
This is an excerpt from Super Turkey - about a turkey trying to escape his Thanksgiving fate.
Evan's left of center in stripes.
The kids eat in two shifts, but the Kinders perform at both lunches. In the first shift, the other K class had the speaking parts. The Super Turkey clip comes from that shift. Then in the second lunch shift, Evan's class had the speaking parts. That's why he's in the front for one video/picture, and not the other video. Also it explains why he's wearing his sweatshirt. He performed, ate in the first shift, then went out for recess, and came directly inside to perform for the second lunch.
Fall soccer ended almost a month ago, but the season is worth reflecting on.
Burke and I opted to not coach Evan's team this year. He had a different coach, who was very nice and complimented Evan and his focus, skill. However, he did not do much by way of technical coaching for skill development. Maybe I'm expecting too much, considering they are 5 year olds, but Evan is ready for that. Evan ran the field for the most part, and when occasionally came up against Evan-like players on opposing team, he would become VERY upset and discouraged by the competition. So we have some work to do on understanding sportsmanship and perseverance when faced with challenges on the field.
Ryan wanted to play soccer this fall, which sort of surprised me. Turns out, he was motivated to play by the medal they receive at the end of the season. He only wanted the medal! His coach was also very nice. He started off strong and I was really impressed with what he was doing with the team. But as the season progressed, it's like he reached his coaching limits. That being said, Ryan worked very hard, and his skills and soccer knowledge vastly improved over the course of the season. He thrived playing defense.
September 10
Evan at practice before the season officially began. He's in the middle.
September 12
First game of the season!
Coincidentally, they both got #4 jerseys.
September 19
The boys didn't always play at the same time, so they each had opportunities to be a spectator. The weather started getting chilly.
It is very hard to get action shots at a soccer game, but I love this sequence of Evan doing a throw-in (similar to that apple throwing sequence a couple posts ago).
September 26
While Burke was in Chicago having a guys getaway, I took the boys to a SJHS varsity soccer game. I thought it would be good for the boys to see soccer played at a higher level. Evan is just so invested as a spectator. When he watches any soccer game, he keeps his eye on the ball and his little legs are kicking and making subtle movements. He's mentally in the game and can't help but physically respond.
This is the first and only time we've been to a SJHS soccer game, and it happened to be Youth Night. The kids were invited onto the field at half time to play a little game. You can see Evan in his green jersey on the right hand side. Ryan played too. He's in front of the goal, closer to the left hand side of the picture, wearing an orange jersey.
October 17
Ryan's coach had him doing a lot of throw-ins too.
Coach had Ryan doing a lot of goal kicks too. It's hard to see him in these pictures (he's left center in the pictures, the one prepping to kick), but I think it still shows good action. Plus, check out that sky!
Ryan's team - Blue Jets
They hardly scored throughout the season, but they DID win their last game.
Evan's team - Green Gators
They got their medals, and the season is complete!
Smiling, proud athletes.
Silly brothers!
We will be taking a break from soccer. When we are ready to return, we might try a different league. This winter, Evan will play in a basketball club sponsored by the SJHS basketball players and coaches. In the spring, the boys are both planning to play baseball.
