a thousand words

jinx

I think I jinxed my son.

A little over a week ago, while chatting with the checker in the grocery store, I proclaimed my children broken bone and stitch free.  Bad move!  In my 9+ years as a parent we've had cuts and bumps, but nothing serious.  Through all the scooter riding and sports games and trampoline bouncing we've been lucky to skirt danger.  Until last night.

Berk went to go get in bed and missed the pillow.  Instead, he hit his eye on the edge of his desk!  Ouch.  Once I got the bleeding to stop, I knew we were headed to the ER.  

6 stitches later Berk's as good as new & I've learned to keep my big mouth shut!

{Waiting, ever waiting, in the ER}

{Brave Berk with his new battle scars!} 

white to yellow

Berk is a student of Tae Kwon Do. There is a wonderful DoJang in the church across the street from Berk's school. His master is a 73 year old retiree that runs the program as a community service.

About 4 months ago, Berk started going to class twice a week. Tonight was Berk's first test-- the test to go from a white to a yellow belt.
He was a bit nervous.

But after a pep talk from Master Earl...

...Berk passed!

I only wish I could have seen berk's face as he faced the judges!

Berk has now informed me that he is learning THREE languages. English at home, Spanish at school and Korean at Tae Kwon Do.

Cheuk ka hamnida! Congratulations, son!

happy birthday, son

our boy turned six this.  six years ago my life changed for good.

5 was a good year for berkeley.  I am so proud of the boy he is becoming.  He is such a sweet big brother to his two sisters. An example.  A few months ago, Morgan and I were on a date night and the kids were home with a babysitter.  Stella was having a hard time getting to sleep, so berk climbed in bed with her and scratched her back until she settled down! The babysitter shared the moment with us, but I would have given anything to see it. Those are the moments as a mother when you think, "All this hard work DOES pay off sometimes!"

{photos taken in october.  julian, ca}

Berk's slowly learning his like and dislikes.  In an effort to give him a variety of experiences, I put him in a summer music theatre program.  He was one of two boys in a cast of many many girls.   He practiced his songs from Grease all summer long.  He knew every word to "We go together" (a tounge twister) and knew all the dance moves.  When it came time to perform, Berk pretty much just stood there on stage mouthing the words.  No dancing, just standing.  I guess the theatre is not his thing?!?

This fall Berk got his first AYSO uniform.  Berk tolerated practice, and LOVED going to games.  He was all about the uniform and the snack.  It was fun to see him improve each week. 

With soccer behind us, Berk announced to me the other day that basketball was his favorite sport.  This, of course, put a big smile on my face (b-ball was my life in high school)!

Happy Birthday, Bezerkeley!

first day of school! first day of school!

Yesterday was Berk's first day of kindergarten.  {sniff sniff}

How has this happened?  How has my little boy grown up so quickly?

I was a nervous wreck, but Berkeley seemed to take it all in stride. 

He, of course, chose the backpack.  I was happy he discovered a superman backpack that wasn't plastic. 

The good news:

-Berk is going to an (in district) two-way immersion program. 80% of his day will be taught in Spanish!!  The aim is for the kids to be bilingual/biliterate by 3rd grade.  It's really a remarkable program, I just hope it's the right fit for Berk.

-His kinder program is full day!

-He gets to wear a uniform.  Basically blue bottoms and red, white or blue top.  This makes life so much easier, Berk can pick out his clothing, and will never clash! ;)

Berk with his new teacher...

...and in the classroom.

The great news:

-Berk was excited to go back for his second day!!! 

-Stella starts preschool today. 

What am I going to do with all my free time?!? ;)

a P-school grad

after three full years of preschool, berkeley is moving up in the world! 

kindergarten begins in less than three months.  I am not sure what I'll do with myself.  that first day of school is going to be bittersweet!

berk has grown and changed so much in the last few years.

here he is on his first day of preschool, not even three years old.   september '04

look at him now!

a few shots from the graduation morning held at the beach.

berk with his teacher, Miss Dianne.  He received the "rad reader" award. 

their performance.  the dancing and singing this year has been some of berk's best yet.

stella enjoyed herself on the nearby swings...  (warning... blinding color here!  I was pushing the color, once again.  I only wish our water looked that blue! ;)

My little guy, my berkeley-boo, is growing up!

loved to life

berkeley goes to a fabulous preschool.  his teacher is creative and loves her students.  I am so glad berk has the chance to learn at her feet.  Often times, berk will come home raving about something they did or read or explored. With a recent focus on easter and spring, his class has been reading The Velveteen Rabbit. 

I had completely forgotten about this sweet story!  We don't own a copy (amazon, here I come!), but I found it and read it online in a digital library.  Isn't the internet so useful?  You can read it too!

The day after berk's class read this story at school I found he and stella playing in my bed.  Berk was snuggled up with this beloved blankie (made as a baby gift by maryclaire) and his "beary bear".  His version of the velveteen rabbit.

trying to rub bear's nose off... do you think he'll come to life?

berkeley certainly thinks so! 

I love the mind of a five year old.

like father like son

morgan has inherited a few of his father's finer qualities.  one of these is a love for apple pie.  grandad harris has been found in kitchens from las vegas to kenya making delicious apple pie.  morgan has learned to make apple pie (thanks darren!) and is now teaching berkeley to chop, roll, mix and bake too! nothing is better than seeing the bond of father and son.

last sunday night they could be found like this...

the details