Winter 17-18: home, games, books, and miscellania

Every now and again, probably worried by the occasional overheard conversations between Rado and me about what it might feel like to live elsewhere, one child or the other would declare loudly that we are never moving anywhere else. Truth be told, this house is a pretty cozy home. We have a sweeping view of the bay, access to a fantastic trail, lots of light in our living room, and plenty of space (but not too much) for everyone. It really feels like home. I wouldn't have minded growing up here as a kid. So here's what's been going on in (and outside) our house.
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Over the past year, a lot of board games have been played. Ticket to Ride:

this looks more violent than it actually is

 X-Wing:

 Stratego (plus Machi Koro and Exploding Kittens):

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Reading and writing of all shapes and sizes has taken place, some voluntary and some mandated:

when you are home sick, and all you want is for tata to read Anne of Green Gables to you

she's "doing math"

reading the Sunday New York Times! our favorite new Sunday morning pastime

memorizing words for her language arts class

100-day project

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Friends have visited.

when Uncle Bob visits

when Talia visits 

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Some cooking has been done.

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Some loving and silliness  have been engaged in.

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Dolls have been played with by all children.

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Outside of home, my heart skips a beat whenever they pull out books in public spaces or in the car:

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Lastly, some photos that won't fit anywhere else.
Two of my favorite creations from this season by Sava; a bookmark with New Year's resolutions ("I want to be a better brother") and a memo to us about why he should get an electric scooter:

Afternoon "tea" with a good friend:

Some images from dance:

Sporting a new practice dress:

Meeting a favorite author, Katherine Applegate:

These smiles--they hold the world: