Happy feet

This week was the 4th/5th grade music concert at the girls' school. It's pretty amazing what their musical director, Mr. Golden, does, with just one day a week with the kids.

Last year, Lily was on the recorder; this year, promoted to mallets (2 in one hand, 1 in the other). She was very excited. Note that's our neighbor and Lily's new best friend, Jenna, sitting in front of her.

Before the music, though, was a gumboot routine (I'm assuming it's some relationship to stepping). Lily (in a blue dress) is behind Ali (blue and white shirt). You can occasionally catch glimpses of her. 

The Bagby version of Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" (which explains why Lily all of a sudden could play it on the piano). Unfortunately Lily is right behind Jenna, but you can see her every now and then when she leans to the side. 

Spontaneous zoo playdate

While Andy and Lily were shooting at stuff in Santa Cruz, Amalia and I headed up to the San Francisco Zoo.

 And what a surprise to run into old friends!

 Animals? At the zoo? Nonsense! 

 Let's just hang out at the playground all day. 

 The monkey exhibit. 

 Finally! Looking at some actual animals (sea lions). 

 Ooh, flowers!

Dane, Piper and Amalia--not much animal viewing, but we had a great time. 

These last two pictures are of a couple of goats that Lily used to visit almost every weekend back when we lived in San Francisco 7 years ago. I asked, and was so happy to hear that Poppy (above) and Lily (below) are still alive.

Though goat Lily, at 11 years old (2 years older than girl Lily) is now very arthritic. Today she was just lying down, licking her salt lick. 

Outstanding in her field

Today Lily competed in the MTBA Regional Field Tournament in Santa Cruz. Isn't this picture amazing?

 She continues to improve her skills and impress the adults shooting alongside her. 

The only girl her age, she again won her category. But more importantly, she's still having a lot of fun.

Walk like an Egyptian

 Yesterday the girls explored the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose. According to the website, it "was architecturally inspired by the Temple of Amon at Karnak and houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America."

 The girls were more inspired by the statues and gardens outside. 

 That's a mummified cat (yellow) and cat coffin (white)--no cat inside. 

 The girls playing a game of senet, a board game from ancient Egypt. 

 There was a lot more stuff inside, but flash wasn't permitted so we'll stick with outside shots.

 Back in the tree. 

Spring break writing

On this last day of spring break, the girls each spent some time coming up with new writings.

First, a poem by Amalia:

Seeds
I see you are
a seed. Tell me
What do you need.
I need some water to grow
and some sun
to glow and some
air for my
leaves to get and
some dirt for my
roots to spread.
Now I am a plant!

Next, a micro-story by Lily:

California's Water Town
Once, there was a rather large town in California. But it was not just any town, it was a water town. A water town is a town that, instead of streets, has rivers and lakes and streams and all different kinds of bodies of water. It was a very happy little town. Until one year, it was said that there was a drought. The worst drought in 100 years, in fact! So one by one, very slowly, all of the different kinds of bodies of water disappeared, and the people of the town were devastated. From that year on, that town had normal streets like everyone else. And the drought just kept on getting worse and worse, year after year. And that's where we are today.

Strings and things

Lily had a violin recital a couple of weeks ago. While Andy tries to figure out how he can get the video of Lily's performance off of his work phone, here are a few pictures taken by the event photographers.

 She played "The Gypsy Dance"

 In a duet with her instructor, Sally Dalke, who plays in several area orchestras. 

 Rocking leopard print and Chucks.

She did a fantastic job--nerves of steel. 

SOM

 Amalia was one of the "Students of the Month" for March. 

 She was recognized for her "creativity, positive attitude and motivation to always do her best." 

All of the March SOMs.

 The Bagby Barracuda school song--to the tune of Yankee Doodle. 

 After-ceremony pics.

The door of her classroom decorated with pictures for her teacher (they're celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week early since Mrs. Bacon will soon be going out on maternity leave). Amalia's drawing is the one on the lower left (of the door)--the one with the swaddled baby.