Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! It all went by so fast.. I’ve been so busy partying with friends. I’m such a socialite!, always busy entertaining at our house or going to birthday parties.

I dressed up twice for Halloween! In the daytime, I was a giraffe and Mommy took me downtown Santa Cruz to trick-or-treat. It was an easy score because all the business people loaded goodies into my backpack. I bumped into Dashan and we got ice cream together.

In the evening I dressed up as a squirrel, with a giant tail that Judy made for Jesse when she was a little girl. No pictures, I’m afraid… it was too dark out : -(

I’ve been going to lots of birthday parties too. My favorite thing about Little Acorns Montessori is that I’ve made so many friends. I love making balloons and picking out presents to bring to their parties, especially because mommy usually buys me the same present! I’ve celebrated birthdays with Brady,  Bodhi, Owen, Benjamin, and Branson.

I learned the meaning of Thanksgiving at school when we made stone soup to show that we can create something special together when we share. Here’s my turkey picture with real feathers!

Jason and Eliza came over for a big, fancy dinner with sausage stuffing and turkey basted in Veuve Clicquot! We put the bird in the oven and then rode bikes to the beach.

After we ate Eliza’s delicious homemade pumpkin pie, we played with Jason’s remote-controlled helicopter. After I went to bed, they all partied in the backyard until 3am. The next day we all lounged around watching The Lego Movie (which I’ve since watched about 30 times!). EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!

We headed to Canada in November, so I got to spend time with grandma. It’s fun playing at our property in Maple Falls, running around the forest.

I love the jungle. The trees with giant leaves are so different from the wind-blown Junipers I’m used to down at the harbor.

Sometimes dadda takes me into San Francisco on the train, and then we walk all over the city and I feel like a big boy.

Eliza gave me fly fishing lessons at the casting ponds in the city! Uncle Terry would be so proud.

It was especially fun and festive in December. We saw the tree lit up in Union square, and the skating rink. And we hung out drinking at rooftop bars with Jason.

I loved the countdown to Christmas at Grandma’s and Maggie’s house. We went to MCC and bought dozens of cars. We visited Santa, and both sat on his lap. Grandma bought me a Hot Wheels ramp and shark slippers, and let me open a door on my advent calendar.

Cousin Cam is a Master Builder. In an hour, he made TWO Lego firetrucks and a house on fire. That would have taken momma or dadda at least a week. And they’d be whining the whole time. I love that Courtney and Cam come to visit me every time I’m at Grandma’s house.

And then it was off to Summerland! Driving through Mission, we counted 50 bald eagles in the trees along the river. It was magical!

We had an amazing time at Grandpa’s and Grandma’s house. Their garage has more tools than Home Depot! I helped shovel snow, and rode the tractor, and chased quails in the back yard.

I saw wild horses as we drove up Apex mountain, and I ate a giant icicle popsicle at the ski lodge.

As Christmas approached, the tree was surrounded by presents, and I was allowed to open one each day. Daddy spent countless hours drinking whiskey and building Lego spaceships and helicopters. But this dragon is my favorite because it has wings that fly, so I run around the house with it breathing fire all over everyone.

I got tons of presents, like a 4×4 that flips and a remote-controlled monster truck.

There was lots to do in Summerland. We went to the library, rented videos (FROZEN!), and Mommy and I took swimming lessons at the pool.

When we got home, I made friends with with a fish at the video store. And then momma and dadda bought me Fishy Fish!

Speaking of fish, Uncle Terry surprised us with a quick visit. We went out for dinner, slept overnight on the boat, and then took him to the airport. We sure adore each other. Even though our visits are rare, they’re special! We’re a love fest when we’re together!

Then it was back to the usual routine of biking to school, rain or shine.

And the routine of Friday and Saturday jogs with mommy along East Cliff, either to Pleasure Point or to Capitola Wharf.

We stop to watch the surfers and the dogs playing in the water, and I eat an ice cream sandwich.

On Sundays, we bring Prosecco and picnic foods to the beach, and I build forts under the logs or scale the rocks. At low tide, we hunt for hermit crabs. I bring my sand toys and use them to attract new friends.

At night, I’m so exhausted from chasing waves. I wind down by building train tracks that travel all over the house, under couches and around table legs.

My legs are sore from growing, so I need extra long soaks in the bathtub.

Here are some of the cute things I say:

• (When daddy asks, “Have I told you I love you today?”) “What’s not to love?”
• “Do you love me more when I’m good?”
• “I’m so itchy! These critters are bitchy, junky bugs!”
• (Like a true American) “Yah, sure!”

Mommy laughs at the words I can’t pronounce:

• (While pooing) “This takes too much emergy!”
• (While bathing) “Time to clean all my aminals!”