Christmas

Merry Christmas Bradley!!  We had a great break, almost two weeks :) :) It was filled with a ton of fun.  We start off each year with making salt ornaments.  This year, there was a lot of salt and flour used for your growing big feet!  We had a ton of fun and then painted the feet with Meibo.  

Since it was really cold, we went to the MN Zoo where we drove through Nature Illuminated.  Actually, you drove through quite a bit of it!! :) 

Funny Brad-isms:  12/11 "are you wearing boob armor mama?"

Holding Baba's head for balance

Hanging out

In addition to time with family, you also had a couple of play dates with Oscar.  The both of you had a ton of fun.  You guys are the best of friends, playing, wearing the same sneakers and camo winter face masks.  

Lots of Monkey Bars

Pikachu!

Squid Games 

Look at that cute face 

I love you so much Bradley Berger!  Your kindess and joy is felt by everyone.  

Halloween

Halloween parade is back!

All the GUTS 

A little help from mama

The Ware's joined us

I got my COVID vaccine

A slice bigger than your head 

 

October Conferences

This year, we moved you to English as we noticed you had a hard time with your letters and reading.  Instead of staying in Chinese, it was best to remove one language to help you focus better with less homework.  Also, as you move to English, your teachers and the school can help with extra reading resources.  After a rocky COVID learning year, we were on the wait list for six months to assess your learning.  

The assessment came back and you have ADHD, dyslexia and dysgraphia.  Similar to Ben's peanut allergy, these are very common and there are plenty of resources to help you succeed.  People with these disabilities learn to thrive, just look at your baba!!  As a result, we will be working with your school on additional resources.  Tutoring with Mrs Danielson and reading with Mrs Fisher has been great.

During conferences, Mrs Fisher shared that you are at the 2nd percentile for reading.  For second graders, you should be around 50 words a minute and you're currently at 4 words a minute.  You are really good at sounding things out.  You're positive but sometimes have a hard time managing big feelings. You are a very smart boy but don't believe it... yet (we are going to work on this).  Because of the learning challenge, you are quick to give up but also quick to recover.  Focus and distractions have been a challenge.  Ms Gabriel was keen to emphasize that you are the kindest kid she's had and that is much more important than a lot of these things.

We started you on medication around the second week of December.  We'll be able to see how you are responding and find the right dosage.  Since conferences in October, both Ms Gabriel and Mrs Fisher has seen remarkable improvements.  

Bradley, you are a positive, smart and kind person.  It is our goal to help you with reading and learning so you start believing that too! I love you so much Bra doh lee!!

MEA - California

MEA break, always a tradition for us to take vacation!  This year, MEA had a few extra days and we took full advantage.  First, we went to Disneyland for a few days, then we went to Legoland and met up with the Ware's. 

We arrived at the Disneyland hotel on Friday, late afternoon.  You and your brother played in the pool and we lounged around in anticipation for Saturday... Disney the Baba way.  On Saturday, we walked about 18k steps and went on a ton of rides: Indiana Jones, Haunted House, Pirates of the Caribbean, Millennium Smugglers run, Mad Hatter, Matterhorn Bobsled, Ride of the Resistance, Carousel, Small World, Toy Story Blaster, and Star Tours.   Talk about a long day. 

On Sunday, we moved over to California Park and also packed the day with rides - Radiator Rider (twice), Guardians of the Galaxy, Web Slinger, Incredible Coaster, Toy Story, Mater's Barnyard, Luigi's, Rise of the Resistance, and then the monorail back to the hotel.  After a much needed rest, we went back for the Halloween Party, the trick o treating was abundant... probably 15 pounds of candy!  We also took advantage of the evening and went on Guardians as well as Radiator Racers again.  You were pretty funny and made a comment - I have 7 year old legs, I can't walk like you!!

By Monday, we were showing our exhaustion but this is Baba Disney.  We got up early and headed over to Disneyland park - rode the Astro Blasters twice, Space Mountain, Star Tours, Dumbo, Mad Hatter, Mr Toads, Matterhorn Bobsled, Smugglers Run and then took a break back at the hotel.  In the evening, we went back via the monorail and went on Rise as well as the Jungle Cruise. Much slower day but still lots of walking.  The funny part is that we ended up eating Panda Express almost every night.  

Tuesday was our drive day down to Lego.  Of course, we had to make a pitstop at DinTaiFung :)  Wednesday and Thursday was spent at Legoland with the Wares - rides and plenty of pool and lounge time.  We had a ton of fun and the weather was awesome.  

You are really, really good at carnival games. You won Luigi and helped your brother with Toad.

Need some superpowers 

Still loving the face paintings

You submitted your lego into the contest. 
I love how brave you are Bradley - you are
always willing to try new things and take risks.

on the shelf!

Your submission

Waiting patiently

Another year with the Wares

big pumpkin

:)

Take a pic but I don't want to be in it

I won Luigi!!

Pool time

Ben, Ben and Brad

You are next to Baba 

"I ate 10!"

Along with a pork chop

a 18k step day

Halloween

All the oreo twix please 

ha

Not scared!

First in line

staying safe 

Saanvi's workshop

Still like the carousel

Gift shop

Long lines

a big light saber 

CHURRO fight

Halloween style

always funny

you made a sizable dent

Your new luggage

Oscar's birthday party was at the MoA this year. You and Oscar had a blast.  You guys were together the whole time and rode the Spongebob roller coaster about 8 times.  

I love you so much Bradley.  You are kind, smart and energetic and I love you just the way you are!