Father’s Day
Friday, July 13th, 2007
This is Father’s Day
and this is how Mike likes to celebrate.
This is Father’s Day
and this is how Mike likes to celebrate.
Archive for the 'Gormish News' Category
Father’s Day
Friday, July 13th, 2007
A Happy Birthday
Thursday, July 12th, 2007
June 16. Our summer family vacation began on my birthday. So, we spent most of the day in airports and on the airplane. Fortunately for me (and Jennifer) and the follies of trying to use frequent flier miles, Jennifer and I ended up sittin in business class. I suppose that makes up for a lot of the travel on my birthday! We enjoyed the cozy seats, the fine meal served with real utensils and plates and the special touches of business class.
When we arrived in Chicago, Mike’s mom had made me a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Yum….
Photo by Kathy Gormish
June 16. Our summer family vacation began on my birthday. So, we spent most of the day in airports and on the airplane. Fortunately for me (and Jennifer) and the follies of trying to use frequent flier miles, Jennifer and I ended up sittin in business class. I suppose that makes up for a lot of the travel on my birthday! We enjoyed the cozy seats, the fine meal served with real utensils and plates and the special touches of business class.
When we arrived in Chicago, Mike’s mom had made me a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Yum….
Photo by Kathy Gormish
Welcome to Ethiopia
Thursday, July 12th, 2007
Jennifer’s 2nd grade class studied Ethiopia, Africa for multicultural studies at Orion.
During their multicultural presentation on May 31 they wore sarongs, performed a song with drum accompionment, shared Ethiopian spices and showed several projects that they had made including paper huts, drums and a galimoto, a wire structure. In the classroom they had eaten a traditional Ethiopian stew but they had cut up mangos to taste for the presentation. The room was also decorated with an African mural, Ethiopian clothing, African art, flags, and a topigraphical map. They had also written a report on an animal in Africa. Jennifer chose the baboon.
As a special trip, Jennifer and I joined her teacher and her friend, Sofia, and Sofia’s family for dinner at Zeni, an Ethiopian restaurant in San Jose. We sat on stools around a table with a basket on top. The food was community style with two large plates of various foods including various Wots.
Jennifer’s 2nd grade class studied Ethiopia, Africa for multicultural studies at Orion.
During their multicultural presentation on May 31 they wore sarongs, performed a song with drum accompionment, shared Ethiopian spices and showed several projects that they had made including paper huts, drums and a galimoto, a wire structure. In the classroom they had eaten a traditional Ethiopian stew but they had cut up mangos to taste for the presentation. The room was also decorated with an African mural, Ethiopian clothing, African art, flags, and a topigraphical map. They had also written a report on an animal in Africa. Jennifer chose the baboon.
As a special trip, Jennifer and I joined her teacher and her friend, Sofia, and Sofia’s family for dinner at Zeni, an Ethiopian restaurant in San Jose. We sat on stools around a table with a basket on top. The food was community style with two large plates of various foods including various Wots.
Hybrid
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
I had become a debte: When do we get a new car? Our two current cars were running fine but were about the same age. We didn’t want to have to replace two cars at the same time.
The debate came to a halt when some friends needed a new car – we offered our Toyota, which they liked and agreed to buy. Now, we were in need of a new car.
We wanted a more environmentally friendly car so we decided to get a hybrid. Jackie, who normally hates when we get something new, was thrilled. She wanted use to have a hybrid. Jennifer was a little tougher to convince…until she saw the blue car. The color changed her attitude.
In less than a week, we chose and purchased a Honda Civic Hybrid in Magnetic Pearl…a dark blue. We love our little car!
I had become a debte: When do we get a new car? Our two current cars were running fine but were about the same age. We didn’t want to have to replace two cars at the same time.
The debate came to a halt when some friends needed a new car – we offered our Toyota, which they liked and agreed to buy. Now, we were in need of a new car.
We wanted a more environmentally friendly car so we decided to get a hybrid. Jackie, who normally hates when we get something new, was thrilled. She wanted use to have a hybrid. Jennifer was a little tougher to convince…until she saw the blue car. The color changed her attitude.
In less than a week, we chose and purchased a Honda Civic Hybrid in Magnetic Pearl…a dark blue. We love our little car!
Portrait
Thursday, May 24th, 2007
I’m a bit behind on the blog but I’m taking a moment here to post two photographs Jennifer took of me today. Pretty good for a 8-year-old holding an SLR.
I’m a bit behind on the blog but I’m taking a moment here to post two photographs Jennifer took of me today. Pretty good for a 8-year-old holding an SLR.
Again
Monday, April 16th, 2007
“This is so cool!†Jackie exclaimed. “We get to ride more than once!â€
With the three-day park hopper pass we were able to visit Disneyland, California Adventure and still be able to repeat our favorite rides. On previous visits, we experienced less time at the parks so we had to cram it all into a day or two. This time, we had the luxury of a third day. With our third day we were able to see more shows, duplicate rides and relax a bit more on the third day.
Case in point: We rode the Jungle Cruise 4 times…over and over again.
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“This is so cool!†Jackie exclaimed. “We get to ride more than once!â€
With the three-day park hopper pass we were able to visit Disneyland, California Adventure and still be able to repeat our favorite rides. On previous visits, we experienced less time at the parks so we had to cram it all into a day or two. This time, we had the luxury of a third day. With our third day we were able to see more shows, duplicate rides and relax a bit more on the third day.
Case in point: We rode the Jungle Cruise 4 times…over and over again.
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
“And now, we’re approaching beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after the famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls.”
Way Past Your Bedtime
Monday, April 16th, 2007
Our Disney plan consisted of getting up early for early park entry hours, leav ing the park for lunch, spending the rest of the afternoon at the hotel, then heading back in the late afternoon and staying as late as possible. Monday was the longest day, getting there at 8 a.m. and leaving at 11:45 p.m.
On Tuesday we were much more tired. We left the park after the 8:45 p.m. electric light parade. On Wednesday, we didn’t want to leave since it was our last night, but long lines scared us away at 10:15 p.m. The next morning, the girls didn’t get out of bed until after 8:00 a.m., much later than normal for them.
We never could have stayed up late if it weren’t for the afternoon returns to the hotel. Mike and I were able to nap a little but the girls did not. They read books or played. The girls and Mike also used the cold, cold pool.
Our Disney plan consisted of getting up early for early park entry hours, leav ing the park for lunch, spending the rest of the afternoon at the hotel, then heading back in the late afternoon and staying as late as possible. Monday was the longest day, getting there at 8 a.m. and leaving at 11:45 p.m.
On Tuesday we were much more tired. We left the park after the 8:45 p.m. electric light parade. On Wednesday, we didn’t want to leave since it was our last night, but long lines scared us away at 10:15 p.m. The next morning, the girls didn’t get out of bed until after 8:00 a.m., much later than normal for them.
We never could have stayed up late if it weren’t for the afternoon returns to the hotel. Mike and I were able to nap a little but the girls did not. They read books or played. The girls and Mike also used the cold, cold pool.
Disney Events
Monday, April 16th, 2007
We attended several special Disney events including two events new for the girls. It was the first time they had seen the Electric Light Parade. We camped out along the parade route an hour before the parade. The girls were dubious about the parade but really did enjoy it.
The other new event was the Aladdin play in California Adventure. Again, we waited another hour in line for the show. It was totally worth it, though. While seeing the stage sets were cool enough, the production was well done in many ways. The actor playing the genie did a great job with his jokes and manners.
We attended several special Disney events including two events new for the girls. It was the first time they had seen the Electric Light Parade. We camped out along the parade route an hour before the parade. The girls were dubious about the parade but really did enjoy it.
The other new event was the Aladdin play in California Adventure. Again, we waited another hour in line for the show. It was totally worth it, though. While seeing the stage sets were cool enough, the production was well done in many ways. The actor playing the genie did a great job with his jokes and manners.
Favorites circa 2007
Monday, April 16th, 2007
The girls developed definite ride preferences at Disneyland this year.
- Jungle Cruise. Throughout the 3 Disney days, the girls were reciting various lines from the Jungle Cruise. We rode the Jungle Cruise four times and got four different drivers. Everyone enjoyed different pieces of each drivers monologue so we kept repeating our favorites lines to each other.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The girls didn’t remember this one much so it had a definite “new†feel that created smiles on the faces of the girls. We rode this roller coaster three times.
- Soarin’ Over California. Another ride with the “wow†factor that made the girls smile. They had vague memories of this ride but were definitely impressed by it.
- Pirates of the Caribbean. It was obvious that this ride had been upgraded since our last Disneyland visit and they had done a great job with it.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds. We rode this twice, once during the day and once at night. If it weren’t for the excessively long lines, the girls would have ridden this one more.
Others on the top of the list included Indiana Jones, Peter Pan’s Flight, Star Tours, and Buzz Lightyear.
The girls developed definite ride preferences at Disneyland this year.
- Jungle Cruise. Throughout the 3 Disney days, the girls were reciting various lines from the Jungle Cruise. We rode the Jungle Cruise four times and got four different drivers. Everyone enjoyed different pieces of each drivers monologue so we kept repeating our favorites lines to each other.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The girls didn’t remember this one much so it had a definite “new†feel that created smiles on the faces of the girls. We rode this roller coaster three times.
- Soarin’ Over California. Another ride with the “wow†factor that made the girls smile. They had vague memories of this ride but were definitely impressed by it.
- Pirates of the Caribbean. It was obvious that this ride had been upgraded since our last Disneyland visit and they had done a great job with it.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds. We rode this twice, once during the day and once at night. If it weren’t for the excessively long lines, the girls would have ridden this one more.
Others on the top of the list included Indiana Jones, Peter Pan’s Flight, Star Tours, and Buzz Lightyear.
Draw
Monday, April 16th, 2007
When Mike and I go to an art museum, we look, admire and reflect. When Jackie and Jennifer go to an art museum, they draw. Well, at least that was the most interesting part of the Getty Villa to our two daughters!
While our daughters did enjoy walking around the villa, modeled after a first-century Roman country house, the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, they were not interested in the art of the Greeks, Romans and Etruscans. Instead they visited the Family Forum, where they used whiteboard markers to decorate a vase.
Instead of watching art, they created art.
When Mike and I go to an art museum, we look, admire and reflect. When Jackie and Jennifer go to an art museum, they draw. Well, at least that was the most interesting part of the Getty Villa to our two daughters!
While our daughters did enjoy walking around the villa, modeled after a first-century Roman country house, the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, they were not interested in the art of the Greeks, Romans and Etruscans. Instead they visited the Family Forum, where they used whiteboard markers to decorate a vase.
Instead of watching art, they created art.
