Time Traveler

So I last wrote in 2018 and today is unimaginable.  I mean 2018 probably looked imaginable in 2016!



We have been in shelter in place for 5 weeks.  We have to wear masks, we do not hang out with other people and it is just the five of us- I work in the morning and Brian teaches the boys math and science and then after lunch I take over and teach them history and Pe while Brian works.

It has not taken long for the animals and nature to take over either.

Bears thrive at Yosemite National Park without pesky humans around

The park shows black bears and other wildlife enjoying the vacation spot without millions of tourists getting in the way.

Incredible video shows coyotes howling in SF's North Beach

Air pollution has decreased during COVID-19 pandemic

What the Boys Have Done in the time of covid (Miguel hates that phrase)

Miguel

Stop Motion Animation

Card Tricks

Burn Art

Arrow

Burn Art -The originator

Spin Art Science

Tonio

Kahoots

Reading

Oral History

A whole school year

It is three weeks into the summer and its my first time writing in a while.  The world is political and scary.  The boys continue to go on marches and meetings.  They still did baseball and karate, went to school, and now the two older ones are at Camp Mendocino. 

Christmas in LA

Annual NYE at Ocean Beach

Miguel finished his first year of middle school.  It was rough at first- hurt feelings, some scuffles, tears.  By March he got into a rhythm with Finley and a new friend Oliver.  They liked to get candy on Fridays, go play video games at the library and then hang out at Oliver's. 


Tonio ended a great academic year as Lisander in Mid Summer's Night Dream.  He did not always treat his female coaches well, which hurt me, but in general he had a great year.  His teachers, the Gomez's, loved him and brought out the actor, reader and writer in him.  He loved their classes and was truly excited about school.

Arrow had Mr. Arias- the greatest kinder teacher for Arrow.  Arias loved science and so does Arrow.  So Arrow saw a real heart and lung, grew food, sang songs, and grew as a person.  Best quote in a report card ever..."No stick is safe with Arrow around"  That boy does love his sticks.  He also goes by Jose Sauer. 

MLK Day with Bettye and Bernie

Womans March

Street Art to Help Tobar

Why??

Arrow loves this monkey suit.  He wears it everyday when he gets home.  #loungewear

Slug!

Bunny Farts in their east eggs.

Our trip to the border

Treats with Terry and Pop Pop

Stop the gun violence March

Pj Day and a monkey suit

Lisander!

Neighborhood Love!

A new school year begins

Arrow is in kindergarten!  He is in Mr. Arias class and so far so good- minus that stupid referral the second week of school.  I enjoy reading to him on Monday mornings  Actually I love those times.    Arrow has also started karate and baseball.  Now he is actually going to bed early- well earlier than 11!

Miguel loves middle school.  He has a great teachers, hangouts with his Marshall friends,  and made the baseball team.  He is taking the bus home alone now and going to corner stores.  He went last week with a friend to a cafe and then a corner store and he had so much fun doing that.

Tonio loves his teachers and baseball.  He is sad he did not make Jr. Coaching this year because he did it last year.  The big tears rolling down when he found out.  I actually felt the pain so acutely.

Trips!

We went to Montana and it was cold this year because we went earlier than normal.  This meant we did other things than swim all day.  We drove to Bozeman to see the Museum of the Rockies, we saw Wonder Woman, fished, went to the Reef, batting cages, tours and they did swim.  Another great year.

We drove my friend Paola up to her home in Sonoma to swim and eat.  Our car overheated in the heat and almost broke down which led us to getting the mini van.  Miguel loved Paola.  Following her around, helping her out (I had no idea he could help without eye rolls, whines and without being asked) and asking her to tell stories.  She made a beautiful spread too!

Then we drove the mini van to Ventura to see Ted and Thea and boys.  Miguel, Tonio and I - along with Thea and her two- swam out to these platforms way past the surf break.  Little did the boys know, but a couple of days before they shut down the beach due to 5 great whites. I swam so fast- I was almost sick.  I was completely terrified.  I told them the next day there were probably sharks.  Why?!?!?