Chem labs today!

 

My undying gratitude goes to Minda, who has seen to it that my scientifically-challenged daughter gets at least a little exposure to science!

24 hours in Houston

Avery and I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Houston. Boston University held regional auditions for their summer workshop in Tanglewood at the University of Houston. Kathryn and Hank were nice enough to let us stay in their house, so we went up the day before the audition.

We barely put down our stuff, before Avery made a beeline for the grand piano in their living room.

Eventually, I pried her away and we walked over the the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, where we saw the Age of Impressionism exhibit, including paintings by Degas, Renoir, Monet, and Manet.

After some fun getting locked out of the house for a time, we made it back inside and practiced unlocking the door enough times that we felt brave enough to go out for dinner. Despite the fact that we are decidedly not Tolkien fans, somehow we ended up at the Hobbit Cafe for dinner.

After eating, we stopped at a record store so Avery could browse. Records are her newest infatuation, so passing by one on the way home from the restaurant felt like fate!

We managed to get back into the house easily (whew!), and we settled in for the Downton Abbey premiere. In the morning, we got up bright and early to head over to the University of Houston for the audition.

It's a very competitive workshop, and shockingly expensive too, so actually going this summer is a long shot. Still, it was well worth the experience of auditioning in a more pressured atmosphere. Avery handled it with grace, and even managed to have a little fun with it!

Merry Christmas!

Avery's 14th birthday

Avery's birthday was extra special because her BFF Maya came back from Indiana. The girls' birthdays are a day apart, and they've spent almost all their birthdays together, so they were thrilled to not miss this one. The girls got together with Aubry, got manicures, went to Chuy's, and had a sleepover.

Christmas card photo shoot

Backpacking at Inks Lake

Avery's first backpacking trip of the season was to Inks Lake in November.

The "A-Team" (Anja, April, Andi, Aubry, and Avery):

Halloween

Katniss, Voldemort, and a Minecraft Creeper

 

Fall Dance

Chanelle, Avery, and Aubry

Northside Enrichment

This fall, we joined the Northside Enrichment Co-op. We were looking to meet some new people, and it seems that we found just the place! Even with nearly 90 members, we only knew a few before we started. We've met lots of nice families, and we're really enjoying it! Besides the new friends, we really love that it's held at the YMCA, so in addition to our fun classes, we get to use the gym, playground, and pools. It's an awesome set up!

We just wrapped up our first five weeks of classes. I was teaching Critical Thinking in US History to a bright group of teens, and helping out with a Game Design class for kids of all ages. Avery was in my Critical Thinking class and also Book Club. Rhys has been taking Science and Film and Podcast Making, which he has really enjoyed. Griffin has been taking art and science. Next week, we start the second five weeks of the fall semester, which means all new classes!

Rhys in Film and Podcast Making.

Getting to know my Critical Thinking students.

Griffin making "elephant toothpaste" in science.

Griffin making a suspension bridge in science.

More science fun!

Back to "school"

As soon as we got back from our vacation, we got back to work. Avery's classes had actually already started, so she really had to hit the ground running. We've been busy ever since, with school work, co-ops, orchestra, and baseball all going strong.

Avery on the first day of fall classes.

Summer Road Trip '12 -- Part Five

The final leg of our trip was from Indiana back home, with a brief stop over in Memphis for the night. We didn't do much sightseeing on the way home, but we did manage to check out the Clinton Presidential Library. It was well worth the visit!

All in all, a pretty great trip.

Summer Road Trip '12 -- Part Four

After our quick jaunt to Ohio, we continued onto Indiana. We spent a few days in Bloomington, exploring a little, but mostly soaking up good times with friends.

We also celebrated Rhys's TENTH birthday while in Bloomington!  It was pretty special for him to spend his birthday with his best buddy.

The next day, we had to pack up and begin the trip home. After a photo shoot, some donuts, and some final farewells, we hit the road again.