On Friday, Finn entered a new world. No, not a Star Wars nerd convention (although he would if he could), but he "graduated" from preschool. Wow, what an task only few of us could imagine. He did receive a diploma for his weighty accomplishments... scribbling (OUTSIDE the lines of course, he's a Bretz/Barry for god sake), nose picking, and dropping spaghetti sauce (soup, meatloaf,...) on his shirt at lunch. He did not bring home any homework yet, but he did bring home enough playground sand in his hair to replenish any of the eroding beaches between here and Santa Cruz. All in all, I'd say he had a hell of a time in his preschool class over the past 2 years. So, what's next? A transitional program for the summer (still at Ft Ord near my office) and then kindergarten at the International School of Monterey, a much sought after Charter school with a long long long waiting list. The enrollment is by lottery only, and we just got lucky in January in the first drawing. The academic planets were aligned. Jim and I are VERY happy about Finn getting into the program. Between now and then, Finn has 2 more t-ball games (pictures to come if I ever investigate how to load them), a few family day trips with a local extended education school (an ostrich farm with babies and eggs, don't say anything Chuck, I mean it), and a butterfly vivarium in Carmel Valley. There is also a free movie showing on the beach in Carmel that we are going try (sounds interesting, bon fires and a movie). Finn is also taking a couple kids-only classes this summer: "ice cream parlor" (make your own), and a "wizards class" making potions and learning silly spells. After that we will make voodoo dolls of any family members that get out of line. Finn then has more swimming lessons in mid-summer and soccer starting in late summer. Whew! Me? I have no social life so I have nothing to say. Actually I went to see a very good friend (Jonna) in Santa Barbara this past weekend and had a blast, so I guess I'm good for the year. We drank enough wine to choke a monk. Oh yea, Dad, Colin is coming for a quick visit next week, Sun-Tues, as he passes through San Francisco to London on his way back from New Zealand (I think he is trying to sell his house in Christchurch so he can afford a down payment for something in Cambridgeshire). Anyway, I'll say hi for you. Jim has some research trips this summer- sea and land. June 13-17 he has a cruise outside of Monterey Bay, is home for 1 day, then leaves for Spain until the 26th (I tried hard to get invited, no such luck, oh well). In late July, we are meeting all Jim's siblings (he has 2 brothers and a sister) and his mom in Kings Canyon (CA) for a several day camping trip to celebrate his mom's 80th birthday. Should be a hoot- we're all really looking forward to it. Finn will get a chance to meet his other cousins, Kyle (14) and Scotty (12), son's of Jim's "baby" brother Bill. I'm sure he will have fun but likely not 1/10th the fun he has with his Bretz cousins who he adores and talks about all the time (by the way Chuck, Finn said you're an "apple chip". Take that.). I hope we can see the kids again soon, but I don't know if we will be able to make it in August for Sammy's grad party (fingers crossed). Speaking of....Sam you look beautiful in your pictures!! Tsk tsk for me not adding pictures (yet). Anyway, that's the update. Hope all are well. Kristin- thanks so much for the email on the new additions to the site, it does help to get a reminder to check out the latest and greatest. Love to each of you. Looking forward to the next gathering...the California door is always open.... xoxox Carrie |
Well finally summer is here! I want to go to Florida so bad this year. But then I want to go alot of places this year. Like NYC. But yes, I can't wait to graduate. Yesterday we were driving to a restuarant for dinner, and we saw this little kid. He must have been 3. He was about 3 feet tall, and he had a Darth Vader helmet on. It was bigger than him. And he had a green light sabre. He was standing on his drive way staring at all the cars. It must have been the funniest thing ever. And then, I went to the movies with my friends, and it was the day Star Wars came out, and I saw 3 people, One was dressed as Luke Skywalker, one, Princess Laya, and one, Darth Vader. Now why would people dress up to go see a movie. Must have been halloween for them. Crazy Star Wars fans!
Sam 
Hey everybody. It's Sam. Chicagos getting pretty warm. I've been traveling allot for softball, games 3 times a week with tournaments every weekend. I just had a tournament last weekend. It was very hot in kankakee. I got really bad sunburn. We had 5 games on Saturday starting at 8 am, so i was up at 6am, then Sunday we had 1 game, at 7 am, so i was up at 5 am. I'm so very sore. But I had my graduation dance and I made my conformation. Here are some pictures. click to enlarge.
Sam 