Memorial Day BBQ and mini guitar recital

With our usual gang, we held a Memorial Day Barbecue...plus a little bday celebration....It was fun.  The most exciting part was playing guitar with Uncle Ken.  Do you remember we went camping last year and Uncle Ken brought his guitar?  Well, after that trip, I started taking guitar lessons.  So when Uncle K came with his guitar, I was ready to play with him!  We held 2 practice sessions in the privacy of my room before we went out to have a mini recital.  We put on a good show, even though there were a couple distractions. We also played a lot of football out front.  My brother and I love throwing the football, but we usually end up fighting over who gets the ball....

I had an angry birds cake.  Pretty cool.

Our family picture....

Cameron and Uncle Ken Perform

Uncle Ken came over for our Memorial Day/my birthday BBQ.  He brought his guitar and we did a little performance for everyone.  We had 2 practice sessions in my room (I had to "teach" him the song) before the show.  I asked him what book he was on....but can you believe he's not using one?  Wow.  What do you think, do we make a good duo?

Big Basin Hike Birthday Party!

Whoever thought of such a thing?  Well, I did.  I suggested to Mom and Dad that I wanted a hiking party with my friends.  And so, they made it happen.  I invited Tulia, Emily and Isabel from my dance team.  And Dmitri and Nathan from my class.  Nathan and his Mom joined us at Big Basin.  Usually, my birthday weekend is super warm....but it was pretty cold today.  On the drive into the woods, it was actually super foggy and kinda rainy.  Mom was nervous that we were going to be freezing, but once we got moving, it was all good.  The kids ran most of the so-called hike...so we did it pretty darn fast.  I don't know why everyone was running, but we had fun doing it!

First, they made walking sticks for each guest.

Walking with our sticks to the trailhead.

Another Mom joined in on the fun.

Bridge crossing

 

Where'd everyone go?  Oh yeah.  They're running!

One of few rest stops

The girls, checking out this giant chimney tree.

tunnel

Isabel, Emily, Tulia, Nathan, Dmitri, B and Me! We made it to

Sempervirens Falls in record time!

Now it's time for lunch

And cake.  Notice how the girls are warming their hands!

Yes, it's Memorial Weekend and it's freezing in the forest.

Yes, we had cake on the hike. 

Boys being boys.

All done.

Ugh. Sick.

So I've been sick.  With fever.  And sore throat.  But it's not strep.  We confirmed that.  Mom is nervous because I have my party coming up on Saturday....and there's a whole weekend of fun planned.  But, looks like I'm on the mend.  Monday was not so good, but today I'm much better.  Hope I can go to school tomorrow.  This week is a short week, I have Friday off too (in addition to Monday, Memorial Day).  So it's a long long weekend.  

I've been doing great at my guitar.  I'm much more motivated to practice.  Mom says Yay!

The latest book I'm reading is Guardians of Ga'Hoole.  It's really interesting and right at my level.  I'm enjoying it very much and have the next two books in the series already.

Mom got me a summer workbook...and I love it.  My brother and I are going to race to see who finishes their book first.  

My dance audition results are back.  I'm still in Jazz 1, but I made it to Tap 2.  And I also made the hip hop team.  And we have to take 2 hours of ballet next season.  So in total, that will be 6.5  hours of dance per week.  I am so ready and excited for it.  It's awesome.

Day in SF

It was a great day in San Francisco.  Yesterday, we went swimming, so today, we biked!  It's cross-training...for our upcoming triathlon.  A handful more weekends then we will be racing!

Riding by a chinese school at the local high school.  I'm just checking it out.

Riding down.

Doing some balancing

More balancing, with B and Mom behind.

Isn't it a nice day?  Clear skies all around!

Racing with Dad

The Kam kids were in a dance recital, so we went to see.

This is Addison.

And Tristan (he was in six dances)

Baby Larkin...she's so cute.

Look, I made her smile!

Another one of Tristan

After the show, with the performers and the guests!

Chinese School Shopping Day

All year long, during Chinese school, we collect stamps for our good work.  And now, we got to spend  our stamps on special treats.  Here are some shots of me at Chinese School on shopping day.

I bought this car (it's upside down) and some other treats...

With my class and teacher and teacher's assistants.

My Mom is pretty cool...

She took us to Great America....on Mother's Day!  Isn't that cool?  We didn't stay very long, but we had fun and I was so excited to find lots of prize Pokemon there....I cannot wait to go back

Brendan and I are checking everything out....there's so much to see.

Well, lookie here! PIKACHU!!!!

I got to drive all by myself.  I'm tall enough for

a lot of rides here, even the scary coasters!

I'm ready for some crazy spinning

...on a ride called....centrifuge?!?!

Determination....

Success! (I won the mini one)