The last couple of weeks have been rather uneventful for the Bundschuh Family. We have had what seems to be an endless stream of birthday parties, but nothing too exciting. The kids are doing great in school. Last week Aidan was tested for the Gifted and Talented Program which was probably more exciting for his parents then Aidan. Lauren is still LOVING pre-school, and most mornings I have to call her back to give me a kiss good bye. It’s hard to believe this was the same child who just a year ago had to pulled from my leg kicking and screaming.
Count Down to Friday January 21, 2010
Aaron left on Sunday for London, so this makes 4 days alone with the children! I have officially hit survival mode. The only big problem is after about 3 days Aidan starts to get VERY sassy to me. I’m sure it’s a combination of missing dad and me getting on his nerves, but he is about to make “crazy come out of the bottle” with his attitude, and trust me no body likes “crazy.” Aaron returns Friday night, and he’s going to have traveled over 10 hours with jet lag, but if he thinks he is getting out of his bath night he’s the one who is crazy.
Calling all Mad Scientists. January 11, 2010
Saturday was Aidan’s Mad Scientist Birthday Party, and he was so excited. The festivities started at 2 when 12 Mad Scientists arrived. Aaron even dressed the part for the kids. We started off with Aaron doing a few experiments. He made snow, and semi-successfully completed the egg-in-a-bottle trick. The snow was a hit, and the egg trick worked but it took a little longer than the group liked. Next it was time for the kids to do some hands on experiments. We started off making Lava Lamps. The kids enjoyed watching the Alka Selter make the water and food coloring fizz. Next was the Volcanos and this was the highlight of the experiments. You add baking soda to water and vinegar and you get this fizzy volcano effect. We let the kids do it one at a time and every time the volcano fizzed the kids erupted into screams of joy, ALL 12 times. It was hilarious to watch. The last experiment was some thing called Oobleck. This experiment looked so harmless on paper – mix water, cornstarch and food coloring to make a goo product. It was a HUGE mess, and although the kids liked it I am still cleaning up my floors. The grand finale of the party experiments was the Mentos and Diet Coke trick. Click Here to watch the hilarious video. It was then inside for cake and ice cream. I was very proud of my cake this year, because I thought it looked just like an eyeball. The last 30 minutes the kids played outside and it got a little hairy. Aaron and I were counting the minutes until the parents came, but all-in-all I think it was a very successful party. The kids seemed to love it and Aidan was really happy, so that is all that matters in the end.
Ever since Aidan was about 5 years old he has been asking for a skateboard. At 5 when he asked me when he could get one I said “when you’re 8″ thinking he would forget about it. I should have known Aidan would not forget. In fact, when he was 6 he started asking us if would could discuss him having a board when he was 7. So last week I headed to Academy in search of a Tony Hawk skateboard. We decided on Saturday that we should wait to give him the board until after the party. We didn’t need a hurt or even broken kid on his birthday. Then the party was such a drainer for all of us we decided maybe Sunday morning would be best, because we knew the minute he opened that present he would want to go outside and try it out. So this morning we were all sitting around watching our favorite show, CBS Sunday Morning (yes, Aidan LOVES this show), and Aidan came over to sit on my lap. Without any prompting he said “Mom, can we discuss me getting my skateboard, because I’m 7.” With that Aaron went into the study and got Aidan’s last gift. He saw it and was REALLY excited. We all went outside to watch Aidan try it out, and he did surprisingly well. Aidan being Aidan already thinks he’s a super star and that he can do some tricks! You gotta love his enthusiasm. You can check out all the pictures and videos on flickr in Aidan Turns 7.
The Big Event January 7, 2010
I was updating the calendar this evening when Aidan walked up. He then asked me if he could write down his birthday, and as he was writing it down this is what he said:
“Mom, I’m going to put B-Day instead of birthday because I have to use all capitals, because it’s an EVENT. And you have to use all capitals for big events.”
I started wondering at what age do you stop getting excited about growing older, and stop thinking of your birthday as an “EVENT.” I’m guessing it’s around the time your joints snap, crackle and pop more than your cereal.
Happy New Year January 2, 2010
SURPRISE I’M BACK!! The Bundschuh Family is no longer suspended in an LA summer. I hope everyone’s holiday season was a safe and happy one. The Bundschuh House was buzzing with excitement this year. I have decided my New Year resolution for 2010 will be to try and keep my blog updated for the 3 people who actually read it. This week the Bundschuh house is gearing up for Aidan’s Birthday. It’s hard to believe he is going to be 7. I have to get the Christmas decorations down before Saturday so wish me luck. 
First Week of Summer. June 30, 2009
Last week was the kids first week of summer vacation. Monday we spent the day in our PJ’s because we could. We played games, built Legos and lounged around all day. Tuesday morning the kids needed an activity so we loaded up the car and headed to the beach. We buried our feet in the sand, built sand turtles, and watched Aidan boogie board. Three hours later the whining began so we headed home.
Wednesday Lauren had a play date so Aidan and I went to lunch. I let Aidan pick the spot so we ended up at a pizza place called Shakey’s, if it’s not pancakes it’s pizza with this kid. Thursday we decided to go back to the LA Zoo. It’s amazing to go to a zoo when it’s not 110 degrees outside, because the animals are actually active, and not just lying there in the heat hoping for death. The tiger was roaring, the giraffes were eating, the gorillas were playing, the hippo was awake and swimming, the hyenas were running, you get the picture.
Saturday Aidan had his first of four pottery classes. For about six months now Aidan has told us he wants to be a sculpture. I found this shop in Venice that has classes on how to “throw pottery”. Since Aidan wasn’t old enough to be in a group class, I set him up for a private lesson. He was very excited, but I was very nervous. I was afraid it might be too hard for him, and he would get frustrated. I was totally amazed at what happened. He listened to all the instructions, and made two amazing pieces of pottery. The first piece was a small cup, and the second was what he likes to refer to as “an Ice Cream bowl.” I was expecting a totally misshapen, unrecognizable piece of pottery, and what I got was two totally usable pieces. We go back to glaze and fire the pieces later this month, but in the mean time he has two more classes to make more pottery.
Sunday Daddie and Aidan went to a movie, Night of the Musuem 2, while Lauren and I hung out at the house. The kids have been harassing me about going to the pool, but June Gloom is still here in southern california, and I HATE to get into a pool that is not warm, and when I say warm I mean bath water warm. Easing into a pool is not my idea of fun! You can check out all the pictures in Summer Fun_2009 iMac.
Graduation and the Beach June 20, 2009
On Thursday Aidan had his kindergarten graduation ceremony. It was really cute. They sang a couple of songs, and even did sign language to I Believe I Can Fly. Then they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. After the ceremony Aidan got to choose where the Bundschuh Family was going to eat for lunch. He chose his favorite restaurant, iHop. Later that day Lauren had her end of school party, and it was on the beach. We cooked hot dogs and smores over an open fire, and swam in the ocean. Check out all the pictures in iMac.
California Grey Whale June 14, 2009
Can you spot the whale?
A California Grey whale has decided to take a break from his long migration up the coast to Alaska, and stop in Marina Del Ray. He has been swimming around in the cove for about a week now. Marina Del Ray is right by our house so this morning we decided to head down and see him. He was just hanging out, not even swimming around. He did pop his head up a time or two, but since he gave no me no warning I had a tough time getting a good picture. Lauren and I are going back tomorrow, maybe I will have better luck then. I did get a good picture of a house on our way to the beach that had a pirate theme going on.
Pirate House
Rock the Mullet June 14, 2009
Lauren had her Summer Celebration party on Saturday, and since she is leaving California in August they included her in the preschool graduation ceremony as well. You can check out all the pictures in Graduation_2009 iMac.
Last Friday June 14, 2009
Last Friday was Aidan’s last performance of The Wiz, and to celebrate, we let him pick the restaurant for dinner. He chose Bubba Gump’s Shrimp, because he said “Afterwards we can ride the rides on the Santa Monica Pier!” Aidan surprised us all when he said he wanted to ride what could only be described as a “throw up machine.”
After a few turns around with Daddie he was content to ride the kiddie rides with Lauren, but Aaron and I were still impressed he got on and rode it. The Bundschuh Family ended the night by riding the ferris wheel once again, but this time there was a sunset. You can see all the pictures under The Wiz and The Pier in iMac.
