Fall 2011

Second grade, September

September 6th was my first day of second grade. It didn't feel like a school day; the sun was out, it still felt like summer, and I wore shorts [right] (khaki ones, because our school clothes have to be navy, white, khaki or forest green).

When I got to school, I found that I will have 11 other classmates for the year. Out of the twelve, five are girls. My name was already on my desk, and I emptied my purple backpack and distributed my school supplies into my desk and around the room.

Ms. Seydel, my teacher, is not much taller than us second-graders, but she is really nice. I think I'm going to like her class.

Our first day was short. Afterward, Mommy went to work and Papa took me to McDonald's for lunch. There I saw Kyli, who's in my class. That was a good sign. I think it's going to be a good year!

Sally Ann Thunder, October

In October, after we'd spent a couple weeks reading and studying "tall tales" in class, we gave presentations. We had to choose one of the characters we had read about; I chose Sally Anne Thunder Anne Whirlwind Crockett because she's a girl.

I read that when Sally Ann was born, she could talk. She said, "Hello! I'm Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind! And I am amazing!" She was tougher than a grumpy she-bear and faster than a wildcat with his tail on fire and sweeter than honey, so that even hornets would let her use their nest for a Sunday-Go-to-Meeting hat. She was married to Davey Crockett.

For my presentation, Mommy helped me put together a costume [left]. We borrowed my friend Max's suede vest, I wore Cameron's coonskin cap, and I brought several of my stuffed animals with me, including snakes, a porcupine, and a posssum.

Some of the parents came to hear us, including Mommy and Papa. After I read my presentation off my notecards, they clapped for me!

Apple Farm, October

On Sunday, October 16th, we drove 1 1/2 hours north to the Skagit Valley, where we used our GPS to find the Jones Creek Farm in Sedro Woolley. The farm has rows and rows of apple orchards and was hosting a weekend fall festival. We went walking in the orchards to pick apples; not too many were left on the trees, but we were allowed to taste any we found. Most were heirloom varieties, kinds we'd never heard of. We filled our bag with a light green apple called Northern Spy that Mommy liked.

We also picked out two nice round pumpkins for carving later in the month. Then we snacked on hotdogs, caramel apples [right], hot caramel corn, and cider while a country duo sang and fiddled.

Maybe what I liked best were the farm's wildlife. Several friendly dogs had run of the grounds, and there were also lots of chicken to watch, including one that was laying eggs in a tin bucket. I also carried two wooly bear caterpillars the entire time I walked through the apple orchard. I loved those little guys; Mommy finally had to persuade me to put them back in the grass.

Pumpkins, October

In the early evening on the 27th, my school hosted a pumpkin carving party at the Bothell Senior Center. They served pizza and kettle corn, and lots of my friends were there—even my teacher! We brought one of the pumpkins we'd bought at the apple farm. I sat at a table and designed my pumpkin's face. Then, using the box of tools Mommy brought, I carved my own pumpkin, too [left]! I was very proud of that.

A few days later, Mommy and I carved our other apple farm pumpkin. She drew the face on that one, but I gave her feedback. I'm getting pretty good at this!

Halloween, October

I love Halloween!

On Monday, the 31st, everyone wore their costumes to school. Even the teachers were all dressed as pirates. I wore the flamenco dress we bought in Spain [right]. After lunch we had a school-wide parade from classroom to classroom, with different games and prizes in each room. Then we returned to our own class, where we made a Halloween photo frame and decorated huge cookies with a gazillion sprinkles. Then we ate the treats that the parents brought. Mom brought grapes, which was good because it was the only healthy food!

That night, Mommy made a special Halloween dinner. She made hotdog mummies, carrot fingers with almond sliver nails, and apple mouths with almond sliver teeth. Spooky!

Then I put on a leotard under my dress to be warmer and went trick-or-treating. It was cold out but not raining. I was so excited that I didn't even feel cold—maybe because I kept running and never stopped moving, or talking, the whole time. After I finished with our neighborhood, Mommy drove me to the Richards' house to show them my costume. I went to five houses in their neighborhood, but by then it was close to 8:00 and I started to feel cold. So we returned home.

When I got home, I ate just a couple pieces of candy. I was tired. But I love Halloween!

Mischief and Mayhem, November

For about eight weeks I took a drama class at Studio East called Mischief and Mayhem. My classmates and I chose the story Anansi the Spider to perform. The script was 12 pages long, and I learned all my lines.

On the last day of class, we performed our play for our parents on the Studio East stage—the same one where I'd watched big musicals like Annie and Oliver! I was supposed to be a giraffe, but I preferred to be a river serpent [left]. (The costume elastic hurt me under my chin, so I wore it under my nose.) I remembered not only my own lines, but helped some kids with theirs, too.

After we took our bow, parents came forward to give us hugs and take photos. I felt like a real actress!

Thanksgiving, November

We had a really nice Thanksgiving this year. We went to Mommy's step-sister's house, and because of that, she didn't have to make the whole meal. So we had time to relax all together, because Cameron was home from school, too.

I helped Mommy make pumpkin bread the night before, and it turned out really well. Thanksgiving morning we slept in and then had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Later, after Mommy and Cameron made our special family cranberry salad, we listened to some Christmas music and played games together: Quirkle and Bananagrams.

Then we got dressed and took pictures. I think that look on my face [right] is in anticipation of lots of food!

Our dinner did not disappoint. I had turkey with gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, green salad, fresh vegetables with dip, and two pieces of my pumpkin bread. I didn't like the pumpkin pie as much as I thought I would, but that's okay. I was filled up with all the other food, anyway.

[ Home ] [ Our Travels ] [ Family Features ]