Friday, December 31, 2021

Christmas


We had a ton of fun for Christmas!  It was a much needed break - almost two weeks :) We started with the traditional salt ornaments.  I think your feet is starting to get real big... we might have to migrate to thumbprints next year.  This year you picked out the big tree and Bradley picked out the little tree.  You happened to pick out the biggest tree in the lot.  Baba had to cut a foot off the top and bottom.  Then, it was so heavy, it fell down one day!  There was one foot that was damaged but we repaired it.  

Meibo came to visit us and it was a coooold week.  We went to the MN Zoo where we drove through Nature Illuminated.  It was great fun!  The week was filled with play dates, video games and lounging around - PERFECT


Squid Games


What a wonderful way to wrap up the year.  Santa bought you and your brother a ton of toys and we all had a great time.  Love you Beni!!!

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Halloween

Halloween, another first at the new house.  It was a chilly day but you guys were bundled up.  The trick or treating was pretty good but who am I kidding... no one was talking about more candy after Disney!


Appa Baba 


Ben's


Yes, we do full size bars


Halloween parade 

With Cooper


Buds since Kinder


I am so happy Excelsior did the halloween parade this year!  But I'm a little sad b/c it's your last year Beni Berger.  You are in 5th grade and I really can't believe it.  I still remember when you first marched in the parade as a kinder and I thought those 5th graders look soooo big.  Well, that's you now.

I love you so much Beni!! 

MEA break - California

MEA break, always a tradition for us to take vacation!  This year, MEA had a few extra days and we took full advantage.  First, we went to Disneyland for a few days, then we went to Legoland and met up with the Ware's. 

But before all this fun, Baba and I had conferences with your teachers. Li laoshi had lots of compliments for you - you are always picking up chairs, water bottles, you're a really good kid.  The work examples in your packet has been good.  He's not worried about your academics:  for Chinese, you are reading at 44 words per minute which is close to winter target.  You have good language sense and word choices.  Li laoshi sees you trying hard and will ask him for more words.  He notices that you like to take your time, maybe too much time and can pick up the pace a little.  But you are great and always follow the group plan.  your writing is good quality and you are a good group helper.  You have a great attitude and engage in a quiet way.  Overall, an excellent conference Ben!  This is exactly how we see you as well.  In addition, you are patient and play nicely with your brother at home.

Now, onto vacation!! We arrived at the Disneyland hotel on Friday, late afternoon.  You and your brother played in the pool and we lounged around in anticipation for Saturday... Disney the Baba way.  On Saturday, we walked about 18k steps and went on a ton of rides: Indiana Jones, Haunted House, Pirates of the Caribbean, Millennium Smugglers run, Mad Hatter, Matterhorn Bobsled, Ride of the Resistance, Carousel, Small World, Toy Story Blaster, and Star Tours.   Talk about a long day.

On Sunday, we moved over to California Park and also packed the day with rides - Radiator Rider (twice), Guardians of the Galaxy, Web Slinger, Incredible Coaster, Toy Story, Mater's Barnyard, Luigi's, Rise of the Resistance, and then the monorail back to the hotel.  After a much needed rest, we went back for the Halloween Party, the trick o treating was abundant... probably 15 pounds of candy!  We also took advantage of the evening and went on Guardians as well as Radiator Racers again.  

By Monday, we were showing our exhaustion but this is Baba Disney.  We got up early and headed over to Disneyland park - rode the Astro Blasters twice, Space Mountain, Star Tours, Dumbo, Mad Hatter, Mr Toads, Matterhorn Bobsled, Smugglers Run and then took a break back at the hotel.  In the evening, we went back via the monorail and went on Rise as well as the Jungle Cruise. Much slower day but still lots of walking.  The funny part is that we ended up eating Panda Express almost every night.  

Tuesday was our drive day down to Lego.  Of course, we had to make a pitstop at DinTaiFung :)  Wednesday and Thursday was spent at Legoland with the Wares - rides and plenty of pool and lounge time.  We had a ton of fun and the weather was awesome.  


DinTaiFung

small world

Toad got his own seat 

Always fun with the Wares 

2nd year with the Wares






the submarine


Are we getting too old for this?





Yessss 


Batu



B Boys fav




Love the Boo Bash



so cute



Halloween special scenes


not sure what this is?


Baba style - we are first in line, this is the crowd after us


Ready to party



With mama :)



Really cool place 



workshop




Bradley loves the carousel







long lines



lines for days



Saanvi's workshop


Saanvi charges Tiffany prices




CHURRO






Ready


A lot of ice cream!


Academy 2 - not many wins this year