Happy Birthday, Tom!

Tom wanted to have a low-key birthday, and that is absolutely perfect.  In fact, it was so low-key, I didn't have sprinkles for his cake.  An M&M heart would have to do.  This is the chocolate cake I've made many times before.  It's extremely reliable and very delicious.  

He decided he wanted Indian food for dinner.  In a restaurant!  Wow.  I had a moment of hesitation, but realized we are all vaccinated and we would be okay.  Neither kid was all that excited about Indian food, but after some grumbling, they did great.  Both of them tried everything brought to the table and found things they liked.  Serafina isn't a fan of spicy food and sucked down five glasses of water to get herself though the meal.  She is always a good sport, and I appreciate that about her. 

The restaurant was pretty empty when we got there (it was only six o'clock), but it was pretty full when we left.  It made me a little nervous, but we headed outside where there were lots of decorations and fresh air.  It was hard not to enjoy that. 

Of course we had to take some pictures by the big tree. 

Serafina selfie. 

At home it was time to enjoy cake.  But first, Tom did not enjoy the birthday headband. 

The kids sang to him while on the phone with friends at the same time.  Leo was on a group call and I don't know how many kids were joining in.  Serafina was on the phone with Sunny, of course. 

Happy birthday! 

 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Ooooh I love Halloween, and this one felt almost normal.  Leo and I carved pumpkins; Serafina painted hers. 

Leo's is the one with severe eyebrows.  Mine has triangle eyes, which were a fix for a failed cookie cutter experiment. 

I made a double batch of Halloween M&M cookies.  

A platter full of cookies went with Serafina to her dance team party at the studio.  Here she is with her friend Linda.  They were getting ready for the dress up game. 

The game in progress.  They dressed up a member of the team in tin foil, toilet paper and random accessories they brought from home.  

They played several different games and ate lots of goodies.  She had an absolute blast.  

After that party, we all got ready to go to another party.  

Leo changed up his look for Halloween and went as "emo hipster guy".  

Tom returned to his epic Vinz Clortho costume from Ghostbusters. 

Headed to the party. It was held in the backyard of some new friends we've met through the kids' new school. 

Here's Leo with Maceo, who is also an 8th grader. 

And Serafina with Arya, both 6th graders. 

I borrowed Serafina's costume from two years ago.  She made sure to make it known that she wore it better.  

Family shot! 

We were told to make a funny face, and Tom and I made the same face.  Ha!

We didn't stay too long at the party.  Tom and I are pretty out of practice when it comes to socializing, so we both were ready to cut out and get the crew home.  That gave us time to get dinner in them before they headed out for trick-or-treating.  I took Leo to a school friend's house in a nice neighborhood in Los Altos,  Serafina and Sunny made their way through our neighborhood on their own, which they loved. 

Overall, it was a pretty great Halloween.  

 

Trunk or Treat

Today was costume dress up and Trunk or Treat at the kids' school.  Serafina wanted a onesie for Halloween this year.  I was a little disappointed that she didn't want to do something original and creative like in past years, but when it showed up it was so ridiculous and adorable, I was won over.  Here she is as the cutest elephant. 

Leo went as an 80s guy.  

 When we pulled up to school, there didn't seem to be too many kids in costume and I think a collective wave a silent panic flooded the car.  But then we saw a few more kids in costume, and my kids felt more comfortable so they headed into the building.  I stayed outside to help set up Trunk or Treat.  Over a dozen cars opened up their trunks, decorated, and passed out treats.  

Here's a handful of the trunks. 

Here are a few cute ones. 

This was the most mellow dog.  

After a lot of candy sorting and prep, all the kids came out to visit each trunk to play games and get treats.  This picture doesn't really capture the amount of chaos and energy in the parking lot.  It was clear these kids had missed out on a lot during the pandemic and needed big dose of fun and sugar. 

Here's Serafina and her friend Emma. 

Emma the dinosaur, Serafina the elephant and Mia an anime character. 

I spotted this trick or treater too. 

Twin Day

It's Spirit Week at the kids' school.  Yesterday was "Lazy Day" and kids were encouraged to wear pajamas or comfortable clothes.  Since they dress in sweatpants and hoodies all the time anyway, this wasn't a stretch and I didn't bother to take a picture.  

Today was "Twin Day" and they were supposed to coordinate with another student to dress alike.  I suggested they match each other and they thought that was a terrible idea.  Instead, Serafina was going to twin with her friend Emma in black leggings, Vans hoodie and Vans sneakers.  Leo's entire mentor class decided to match one another by wearing all black with colorful shoes.  His happen to be Vans.  So without trying, they ended up matching each other for Twin Day.  

Meanwhile, I found Mousse the perfect Halloween outfit, especially in light of last year. 

 

Reunited with the Priesoffs

I met my friend Cara in childbirth class when we were both pregnant with our first kids.  Leo was born less than a month before Addison, and Cara and I spent countless blurry-eyed hours of early motherhood together trying just to survive.  She is definitely one my nearest and dearest friends.  Several years ago they moved up the peninsula and our visits became infrequent, but we always tried to make time for each other.  In February 2019, we had a lunch date and she told me they had bought a house in Indiana, close to her in-laws.  I was so sad to have her move far away, but I was also happy for her to be moving into her dream home with family close by.  At the end of our lunch, we embraced and cried a little and promised to get the kids together before they moved in May.  Then the pandemic hit and we never got to say a proper goodbye.  We've done a good job of staying in touch, and I was excited when she said they were coming to town in mid-October. It worked out perfectly that my kids have early dismissal on Wednesday, and we were able to meet up for lunch and some park time. In fact, the park was just around the corner from the hospital where we first met while pregnant and touring the labor and delivery floor as part of our class. 

Here are all the kids (left to right): Serafina, Leo, Andrew, Paige, Addison and Riley. 

The kids that started it all.  

First walk together compared with today. 

 

Leo's 14th Birthday

I feel like every birthday post I'm marveling at how my kids are growing up so fast and I can't believe that they are already turning whatever inconceivable age they have hit. Leo turned 14 yesterday and it's truly mindboggling to me.  I asked him to pose in the morning before school and this is what he gave me. 

He tolerated going to school on his birthday well because he was excited to participate in a mock trial during English class.  He was the defense attorney for the case of Adnan Syed (made famous by the Serial podcast). The class listened to six episodes in the series and then built their case.  Leo made opening and closing statements, as well as questioned witnesses.  He took a tie with him to wear over his hoodie. The judge found Adnan not guilt and Leo was pretty happy with the results. 

We had burgers from one of his favorite places and then cake from Nothing Bundt Cake.  

He got to pick a decorative "cake sign" and this is what he picked. 

Nana was there to celebrate with us/ 

Birthday boy!

He wanted to light his own candles. 

The real excitement of the night didn't come until later.  Leo met up with three friends in the parking lot of the hotel next to Great America (our local amusement park).  We walked from there to the park entrance so they could attend the Halloween Haunt. Leo was so thrilled to be headed there with his new school friends. 

From left to right: Eric, William, Leo and Tyler. 

I sent them through the gates and headed home. They met up with another friend, Alberto, and had a great night, even though it was crowded.  I didn't pick them up until after 11pm.  They had a great time.

Left to right: Leo, Alberto, Eric and Tyler