Snow Days for Aria and Sparkle

We got about 4" of snow on the morning of December 9 so Aria and Sparkle decided to head outside for some fun. Dad was a convenient snow target. I don't know who had more fun - Aria or Sparkle, the snow bullet dog. The next day we had some more fun before the warm rains came back and washed it all away. Video and photos taken Dec. 9 and 10, 2016.

Neighbor's lights in the snow

Bonus Photo! We got more snow on December 12 and our neighbor took this photo of us

Aria's Class Prepares Thanksgiving Foods for the Homeless

Aria's 6 to 9 class (grades 1-3) at Montessori at Samish Woods spent the last three days preparing food to bring to the Lighthouse Mission to share with the Homeless in our community.

They did quite a bit of baking this week. In the end, they baked:

3 carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting

5 pumpkin pies

4 apple pies

4 loaves of amadama bread

6 loaves of chocolate chip zucchini bread

20 loaves of challah bread

Here is a photo of her class with the goodies just before they took it to the Lighthouse Mission.

Aria, Karen, and Ted visit Oma in Arizona in February 2016

This may be old news now as it is about a visit in February but I just got around to making the video and photo album ...

Karen, Aria, and Ted spent nearly a week with Mim - Oma in Fubraury 2016.
Here is a link to a photo album from the visit
https://goo.gl/photos/3HLcYcH3V263xyM86

And here is a video of different parts of the visit from Oma giving Aria a sewing lesson and sharing some wonderful sewing supplies to swimming with Mike.

Aria Performs as Viviana Guzman at Historical Halloween - Oct. 28, 2016

Aria chose to give her Historical Halloween speech as flutist Viviana Guzman. Aria began learning flute a little over month ago. Aria chose to make her speech about Viviana because she is a successful flutist who overcame many difficulties in her life.

Here is Aria's speech:
My name is Viviana Guzmán.  I was born in Chile in 1984.  I was born with dislocated hips, and was told I would never be able to walk.  I spent most of my childhood in body casts and wheelchairs.  My family moved to the U.S. to get me the best medical treatment they could.
I started accordion at age 5, and when they flipped me over on the hospital gurney, I could play piano.  For a few years I had physical therapy, but decided it was too boring, so I began ballet at age 7.  I got my first flute at age 9.  I chose it because it was easy to carry around.  When I was an adult I went to Juilliard music school, and studied with famous flutists.
Now I am 32 and I can walk and dance without pain.  I play my flute all over the world.  Through the years it was music that healed me.  I learned that what is most important for a successful life is self-discipline and keeping my thoughts positive.

Here is a video of Aria's speech

Here are some phtos from the event.

Chef Aria Makes Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you thought you already knew how to make chocolate chip cookies you need to watch this video. Chef Aria shows us her own unique way to create the ultimate chocolate chip cookie - what we decided to call chocolate chip cashew pancake cookies. Enjoy.

Aria Shows us How to Make Deviled Eggs

Aria decided that she wanted to post a cooking video on youtube to show the world how she makes deviled eggs. I must say that the result was scrumptious. Video taken May 15, 2016.

Aria performs in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Aria performed in another play at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) on April 22 and 24, 2016. She had two roles - Chocolate Fairy #1 and the Evil Fan.

Here is a video of the second performance on Sunday, April 24, 2016.

Here are some photos of Aria in the performance