Halloween 2014 - David as an Android

David is an Android

David decided he wanted to be an Android this year.  He collects them.  For those of you who do not know what an Android looks like, here is an example:

Summer and I (primarily Summer) spent until about 1:30 am finishing his costume.  We glued the letters on the outfit, sewed up the shoe covers, you name it.  But the final product looked like this:

See the similarities?

After making sure he got dressed in his costume, ate breakfast, (fed the dogs and took them out), cleaned up spilled OJ (David), made his lunch, grabbed his school stuff, and drove to school (yes I was tired already in case you hadn't guessed) - it was time for the school Halloween Parade!  Yeh?!

That's the little Android on stage.  (They paraded everyone through the auditorium because of the weather watch - rain which we need given the drought.)

I also caught him exiting the building after the parade. You can see he likes the paparazzi - gives me that little wave (notice me, but I am not going to completely acknowledge you - but "thanks Dad for being there Dad I was looking for you" look).

Finally, we make it back to his classroom for some additional photo opportunities. He was quite proud of his costume choice this year.

Time to turn the tides.  He figured it was time to photograph Dad now.  I was pleasantly surprised that he even thought about that option.  Cute kid - very considerate.

Then we did an autobiographical post-Halloween School Parade selfie.

I knelt down and he hopped on my knee for the photo.  It was kind of cool. Reminds you in spite of his violin and piano recitals and tremendous vocabulary - he is still a kid.

No worries friends and family - this is the last little photo of his 3rd grade classroom teacher and friends - a very updated Android version of the Norman Rockwell moment.

Happy Halloween 2014.

David's "All About Me" Speech in Class Oct 2014

"All About Me Speech":  A Slice of Life

David was asked to present an "All About Me" speech for his 3rd grade class the other day.  We were asked to rate the video along with him and return our critiques to his teacher.  Well, we have listened to this video over and over again - not just because we are proud parents (although we are), but because it tells us so much about this little man in only a few minutes.  We also appreciated his composure, eye contact, and content.

Little things he takes for granted, as well, were interesting to observe. They ranged from his long-hair that he is proud of - no concern about what others may think about his non-conformity - to his Stanford T-shirt.  He is proud of his connection to Stanford because he was born there and knows Mom and Dad went there. He also proud of his Dad's teaching over there.  However, he does not really appreciate the implications of our academic lineage on him as it were.  Of course, that's the way it should be - not about status, but a gentle and persistent influence that helps discipline the mind over a life-time.

He spoke about his chess trophy - that he slept with the first night he won it.  He also shared one of his favorite books about art and meaning.  He got some real laughs from his classmates.

He explained how you will not go far if you lie (based on a favorite Bernstein Bear book).

Finally, he shared a treat with the class - a beautiful violin piece.

The short video about his life at almost 8 years old is on YouTube.  Thanks for taking the moment to share this "slice of life" today.