Tappa Tappa Tappa

A few weekends ago, Lucy was stuck at school with me while one of our choreographers held an audition for her Bollywood style piece.  Lucy decided to try out too

Then, one of my students came into class a couple of weeks ago and let me know that she was going to be teaching dance this fall.  She was very excited to  have her own class.  Upon further inquiry, I found out she was teaching a 3-4 year old Ballet & Tap class at the studio 2 blocks from our house.  

Will you take a 2 year 9 month old who is already potty trained, goes to preschool, and takes gymnastics without parent participation?  Fantastic.  Sign her up!

So Lucy got her first pair of TAP SHOES!

When she took ballet earlier this year, that was very cute and all.  But when my girl put on tap shoes I was seriously in heaven!  Like her mother and her grandmother before her she seems quite at home in a pair of taps. (it should also be noted that her father took tap in college...)

Her two teachers are both two of my dancers, they are twins actually... so I'm very comfortable and confident in their abilities.  I dropped her off and walked out the door....

... this little Stage Bro peeked through the window!

I got to go back in halfway through to change shoes.

The best part is the quick walk to and from the studio!

Recitals in December and June folks... mark your calendars :)

C-H-A-M-P

We are very proud of Tommy.  This week he was the First Grade Spelling Bee co-Champion!  He and a classmate got to represent the first grade in the all school spelling bee.

He made it to the fourth round.  After successfully spelling "away" "ball" and "quick" they flipped several pages to the harder words.  Now spelling 4th grade words, he received "undertow."  Since we don't go play at the beach too often (given the dangerous undertow!) Tommy had never seen or heard this word.  All things considered, he did very well spelling it "undertoe".  The two girls after him also misspelled it so he was not eliminated alone.

We were so proud of his accomplishment and he was too.  After getting to watch the entire bee, now he wants to be lower school champion next year.

Spelling champ? -yes!    Tie his own shoes? - not so much

I loved the dangling feet on the first graders

Spelling "quick"

 

The principal wanted a picture of the kids watching and she borrowed my camera.  This is not all the kids.  Anyone who showed up out of their full dress uniform was not allowed in the picture.  But this is almost the whole school, minus about 25 kids probably.

September Highlights

We started with Star Wars Day at the ballpark

Lucy & I did "Jog for Jill" for the third year in a row.  Lucy found this little sign and decided to carry it through the entire race.

Papa Tom got to celebrate Grandparents' Day with Tommy at his school.

In case one needs reminding...

Marco & Lucy had an outing with Grandma to the San Jose Discovery Museum

I am so glad Marco got to this museum since they have the giant pizza oven to play with.  It must have helped with any homesickness he's feeling!

During Clara's birthday BBQ, these three boys bonded over baseball, perched on the counter of the Cecchina

These two boys assembled a boat

This young lady went to a fancy tea party... but ended up wearing a different dress due to inclement (hot) weather in Moraga

Grandma and Lucy spent some more time at the Academy of Science

Checking up on the ostrich chicks

Learning about emergency preparedness

Tommy's school year is off to a great start.  While he did have a couple of days in the principal's office he's had more days "off the chart," meaning exceptionally good behavior.  He's having a great time!

Lucy also loves school.  She and the "other Lucy" have worked through their tension and now she has a great time.  She is coming home singing songs and spelling her name.

Schoolwork

"This is a seahorse!" - by Lucy G.




My weekend - by Tommy



"I had really fun this weekend. First I went to the giants game. Then, we drove back home. Last, I played with my toys. I had so much fun this weekend."

All about Me - Thomas Galvin






I am five years old
my favorite color is purple
my favorite animal is my fish George
my favorite food is quesadilla


The playground is my favorite place.
When I grow up I want to be a mailman.
My favorite thing to do is to play with my toys.
If I had one wish I would wish for one more fish.

Song of the Summer

"Hey I just met you,

and this is crazy,

but here's my number

so call me, maybe"

The Purple Escalator

In the last off season, the Giants renamed the Club level to the Virgin America Club Level and they upgraded the escalator at the entrance to resemble a plane. With the purple lighting and windows. It's way cool.

And the coolness was not lost on my nephew. My brother told me recently that Tommy wanted to ride the purple escalator. He didn't know I had a surprise for him. Two club passes.

We didn't tell him but yesterday in the 3rd inning, we convinced him to come for a walk with me. He was thrilled when we got to the escalator.

On the Escalator.

The Club Level has lots of cool stuff. 

Including Joe Cool. 

Tommy and Lucy!

Hunter Pence Bobblehead - but he's the wrong color.

Part one of the Perfect Cain display.

Part two.

And back to the game. 2nd Annual Star Wars Day.

Awesome!

Synchronized Sleeping