Making Costumes

Each Halloween, since Paulo was born, I’ve experimented with making the kids costumes. I find I look forward to it every year. I enjoy the challenge of making the costume look as much like the character as possible while spending as little money as I can. Paulo’s first year: Mr. Peanut; second year: Lightning McQueen; third year: Walle and Andre’s first year: the cockroach from Walle; This year, Paulo was Astroboy, and Andre was Kermit the Frog. Here are some photos of the final touches.

Here’s a funny note: Andre was overjoyed when I helped him into his costume for the first time. He loved how soft the fleece was and was rolling around in it, smiling. Eee!

Astroboy Movie

About a year ago, Paulo began reading Tezuka’s original Astroboy comic books. Our librarians like when Paulo comes to visit because they know he’ll be checking out a new comic novel, and they, like his parents, have noticed that Paulo looks just like Astro. So when we heard that a new Astroboy movie was coming out, we were so excited. Paulo waited several months for the movie to come out, and finally, the day arrived. We bought tickets to the very first showing, and Paulo marched through the theater doors in his very own red Astroboy boots. When it was all over, he was speechless. Hunter and I kept asking him excitedly what he thought, and Paulo hardly said a word—he was so busy thinking about it. It was so cute. I love taking my boys to things like this—things I know they’ll love. “Crowds will cheer you, you’re a hero, as you go, go, go, Astroboy!”

L.A. Zoo

My friend, Lexi, and her son, Calvin, invited us to go with her to the L.A. Zoo. She had extra passes. I’m noticing that Andre LOVES animals. He gets very excited when we read books about animals and make animal sounds, and he especially likes dogs. He’s not afraid of them at all. When he hears them bark, he just barks right back. When he hears birds chirping in the trees, he chirps back. He, like Paulo, is very in tune with the sounds around him. So, naturally, he loved the zoo. His favorite part was the petting zoo where he was able to be walking freely (well, he doesn’t walk yet, but I was holding him) among the goats and sheep, and was able to pet them. Paulo, on the other hand, waited outside the gate because he was afraid. Paulo’s favorite part he said was the cave that had stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave. Very cool.

Mickey Mouse at Travel Town

I got a phone call from my friend, Karla, whose husband works for Disney’s PR department. Mickey mouse was coming to Travel Town, and we were invited. It was difficult for me to video tape the kids and be watching them at the same time, but there’s a YouTube video that you can watch. See if you can spot us. (you’ll have to be fast to see us).
http://www.youtube.com/disneyliving#p/a/u/0/4BHEPdE3XlU

See how excited the boys are to ride the train. So sweet.

Paulo’s Artwork

Here are some photos of Paulo with his artwork. He art directed this “numbers” project. He’s been really into numbers lately. He told Hunter what numbers to choose, how big, what shapes to put in the background etc. Paulo dictated every decision and Hunter executed it, printed it at his school and mounted it to foam core. Now I finally have some artwork for the wall in my dining area. Way to go, Paulo!