September 2014 - A quick pictorial tour

September was a great whirl of activity.  We began with a trip to Santa Cruz to celebrate Deborah and Eric's birthdays with the family.  We also went and saw Karen in Monterey and spent the evening with her.  Then Anna's birthday (you can see the prior post) then some final trips to the Hollywood Bowl.  We promised ourselves after a long and busy summer that we would stay home for awhile and try and catch up.  We succeeded for a few weekends.  We spent some time at the LA county fair and Oma came to visit us.

We also began our semester at our homeschool co-op.  It has been wonderful.  My favorite part was Dan's reaction when we asked him about joining it.  Vinny was so excited, he said "Dad, there is a Pokemon class."  Dan replied, "That is not a class, that is like saying Lego is a  class."  We all got a good laugh at that, as one of Vinny's other five classes is a LEGO class.  He also is taking a class on the science of bubbles, brain games, and chess club.  Gianni is studying animals (via stuffed animals), sculpting, LEGOs and a writing class. The boys have converted me to a Pokemon supporter, I am surprised at the amount of math and strategy that is required to play.  We have also all learned to play chess which we are enjoying.  Vinny is loving teaching us.   We are really enjoying making new friends and learning as well.  I enjoy the fact that I get to spend the day with Frankie and Anna.  While the boys are learning in their classes, I get to spend the day with the younger two playing and doing crafts.  It has been really good for all of us.

John Williams (composer of Star Wars) concert at the Hollywood Bowl, our favorite concert of the year.  Note all the lightsabers...

Anna and her Dalmatian Bunny

Gianni, Owen and Anna with Baby Chicks

Uncle Dan and Jamison, Mike and Brittney's new baby

Give Dan a Sleeping Baby and he'll fall right asleep, always has

Jamison Michael Buffo

Eric Making Dinner

Eric made a his own birthday dinner, it was beautiful

We had a birthday party at the farm for Deborah and Eric.  The Allens and Becks (Deborah's family) came to celebrate too.  It was great fun to play with all the cousins, especially on the giant rope swing over the redwoods.  It was great fun. 

The Boys, Giovanni, Vincent, Frankie and Theo

Gianni and School, it wasn't particularly his favorite subject

Frankie and Anna working during school

Vinny and Science Experiment 

Anna playing with a lizard she caught

Popcorn Experiment from Farmer Boy, all about displacement and absorption

 Last Hollywood Bowl Concert of the year, Holst's Planets Suite with footage from the Hubble Telescope of the planets.  It was amazing.  Vinny was especially excited as he wants to be an astronomer/zoologist when he grows up. 

Preschool Co-Op playing Parachute Games

Anna's Preschool Activities at Home, making playdough

Frankie caught his first lizard at co-op

Gianni and Anna play at co-op

LA County Fair 

We were able to hop into the LA County fair for a few hours this year.  It is a funny fair, but the kids love it.  They have a great field trip program. The kids love the petting area.  We spend a lot of time there. 

Oma came to visit us.  Vinny taught her a little Pokemon.  We went swimming and enjoyed our day.  Dan and Oma went skeet shooting and then that night Anna, Oma and I went to the Hollywood Bowl Sing a Long Sound of Music.  It was campy and wonderful.  It was fun.  Anna loved the movie and spent the next week singing Do, Re, Mi.  

 Vinny earned his Wolf Badge at Scouts.  We are so proud of him.

More Co-Op Fun, Anna and the Swings and Gianni and his Animal Class 

There were so many photos of this one, I had to make a collage.  I am so glad I could capture this everyday thing.  Each night when Dan gets home Anna rushes to him and tells him all about his day.  Oh my stars, she is so cute and animated.   I love all the things that she tells him, way more than she says to me.  I stand close by to help translate.  I love all her little faces and I love how much she is a Daddy's girl. 

That was our September in a nutshell (plus a birthday).  For us, this was a quiet month, that is a scary thought.