Merry Chrismas

Unfortunately the Grandparents were unable to make the trip over for Christmas due to the weather but the girls still managed to have fun.

Sledding

Took the girls sledding last night and Maya had a lot of fun.


Annah wasn't real excited about going down the hill so she enjoyed the sledding vicariously through Maya.

Enjoying the snow

Both girls are really enjoying the snow. We are planning on taking Annah sledding on the hill by the library though I'm a worried that may be a little to scary for her - she's not what you would call a thrill seeker.

George Carlin on Saving the Earth

Snow Angel

Little devil makes angel.

In the snow again

Even though she's ten she still wants to be pulled in the sled.

After the game lunch

After the game Maya was hungry so we all went out for lunch at Famous Dave's. Our waiter was happy that Maya's team won one of the games because he was a former Hillcrest basketball member himself.

Basketball

Maya had her first game this afternoon - actually first two games. The first game was against NW Cumo and Maya's team (Hillcrest) won handily. Game two however was a different story as they took on this team from North Saint Paul and got whooped. Maya surmised, based on the competition's rough and aggressive manner of play that they were from "the bad part of town." Maya did a really good job though, despite starting out a little nervous and tentative she settled down, scored six points total and did a really good job on defense.

Maya - Puller

After many years of being the passenger Maya has been promoted to sled puller - admittedly not nearly as enjoyable as being the pulled.

Cold....

We had out first cold day of the season this morning and are expecting some snow this afternoon. Maya was not real keen on waiting at the bus stop and wanted me to drive her to school. I told her she needs to toughen up, that it's going to get a lot colder than this before winter is done, so she rode the bus.

Hansel and Gretel

Maya's class was back at Orchestra Hall yesterday to see the Minneapolis Orchestra's performance of Hansel and Gretel. Maya described the concert and its performers as "kinda weird."

Grandmas and Grandchildren

Grandpa's Apple Peeler

Here Grandpa is using his apple peeler that he got for Christmas last year. Oh he really likes that apple peeler.

Field Trip

Maya has the day off from regular classes today to attend a concert at Orchestra Hall. Ahhh... love those field trips.

Getting Maya out of the house

Made Maya put down her Nintendo and go for a walk last night. We packed up the Pudy and went to Barnes and Noble and Half Price. The weather has been so nice we felt compelled to go out and enjoy it while it lasts.

Exhausted at the mall

Tonight I took the girls to the MOA to give Zaheeda a break. We managed to walk every level all the way around. By the end of the evening Maya was pooped.

Lookin' for a fight

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Between the trumpet, violin, giutars, babies screaming, etc. I bet we're really popular with the neighbors.

Maya & Bell

this afternoon in addition to Annah and I, Maya had Bell there to meet her when she got off the bus.

Out of the Stroller

We were at the Mall tonight and Annah got sick of riding in the stroller and decided she would much prefer to ride Maya instead. It's really hard for her to do any serious shopping when confined to that stroller - to really see the deals she needs to be elevated.

Home from school

Maya got off the bus this afternoon and it was so nice she had on a short-sleeve shirt.

New Violin

Maya got her new violin today and it sounds really nice and is much more comfortable for her to play. Those skinny arms keep getting longer longer all the time.

Focused Violinist

After teacher conferences we headed over to Saint Joe's music school for a little play-in. Here Maya is playing a piece of music while the other kids try and distract her.

Parent teacher conference

It's that time of year again and Maya has gotten another good report from her teacher. She does so well every year and we're very proud of her. Out of curiosity, I asked Maya if she thinks she does so well because of acquiring my genes, or if it has more to do with my superior parenting skills. She didn't answer.

Candy

Here Annah is moving in on Maya's Halloween candy.

Halloween 2009

Maya is the zombie and Annah the fairy. I took both the girls out for some trick-or-treating but Annah didn't like the dark and all the people running around in costumes so we took her home. By the end of the night Maya had brought in quite a hall. Next year Annah will be a little bigger and a more likely to take to the whole Halloween spirit.

Walking in the rain

Maya and her crazy braids walking into the house after school.

Maya & Claire

Claire is Maya's first friend from the neighborhood. Her entire childhood has been spent around adults because there simply have not been any kids around for her to play with - only old people. Now she has Claire, and she couldn't be happier.

Home from school

Getting off the bus and enjoying a nice Fall afternoon!

Hats

Pumpkin Carving

Maya carved pumkins last night and they turned out pretty good - so scary!!!!!!

Maya being funny

Leaves starting to change

Enjoying Fall

Went for a walk today because Annah has been getting a little shack wacky. We walked along the river road, Maya bounced her basketball and we enjoyed a nice cool sunny fall afternoon.

Basketball

We got Maya signed up for basketball yesterday and her season will start the first week of November. This is a new sport for her so we hope she does well and has fun. Already she has her own personal cheerleader so that should give her a leg up.

At the Library

Maya spending some time with Annah at the library.

Trumpet

Now that Maya is a big time 5th grader she gets to start playing an instrument in band. Her hope was to play bass clarinet, but some other kid got to play it instead of her, so she was relegated to trumpet. We think she'll make a fine trumpet player.

Maya's busy weekend

Maya was very busy this weekend with a blocked social calendar. Friday night she had her friend Claire over to play until about 9:30. Saturday she was up early to attend a birthday party for another friend named Claire. After the party it was off to Lake Elmo to spend the afternoon with her Grandparents who were there camping. Sunday morning she was up early helping her mom get food ready for an Eid Party. Then she had Friday night's Claire back over to the house to play again until 3PM. At 3:30PM she was off to Owen's birthday party only to return at 5:30Pm to clean up and get ready for school on Monday. Fortunately she has a good personal assistants (her parents) to manage all her affairs.

Lake Elmo - Playing on the Slides

The girls had a lot of fun playing on the slides at Lake Elmo this weekend, especially Annah. Maya put in a lot hours on these slides when she was younger and Annah seemed to pick up right where Maya left off.

Maya in the sand

Maya was doing some excavating at the playground and pretty soon Annah was right there lending a hand.

Hand

Here Maya is at McDonald's yesterday nursing her wounded paw.

Fell off her bike

Last night we went to the library and Maya fell off her bike, scraped up her hands and hurt her wrist. At first I thought it might all be an elaborate ruse to get out of practicing violin but I guess she really did injure herself. We think it's a sprain but will keep an eye on it just in case it's more serious.

Norm MacDonald's Bob Uecker Story

First Day of School

Maya made it through her first day and other than being a little tired, she's okay. Her teacher this year is Mrs. Meuwissen and I noticed in her bio that she has the kids read Where the Red Fern Grows. Who does she sound like?

Annual Chuck Taylor Shoes

Every year Maya gets a pair of Chuck Taylor shoes for school and every year it is a different color - everything from black, to green, to yellow polka dots. This year she is back to black.

First Day of Fifth Grade

Annah and I walked Maya to the bus stop this morning to give Maya a proper send off on her first day of fifth grade. Where does the time go? We even got violin lessons again this afternoon, so it looks like we're getting right back into the swing of things.

Annah is staring at Danielle's mom in this picture - for some reason Annah doesn't trust her.

Maya at Major's

Saturday afternoon we stopped at Major's in Apple Valley for dinner and this is a picture of Maya hard at work on solving all the kid's menu place-mat problems.

Out with The Pudy

Off again to the bank and the library.