Disneyland for Spring Break 2023

 

Some of us spent spring break in Disneyland. Because James was attending Middle College instead of regular high school, his spring break did not match up with his siblings, so he stayed home with Paul, who hates rides and crowds. 

For Disney rookies, the children were really good at it. Sadie was a champ at weaving us quickly through crowds, Miles walked miles without complaint, and Amos cheerfully chose to take the splashiest spot on Splash Mountain.

Spring Performances: Stake Play and Willy Wonka

Bankheads have spent a lot of time on stage. In March of 2022, James and Sadie both performed solos in a church production, and Amos played Charlie Bucket in the the elementary school's production of Willy Wonka. Parents contributed too: Paul helped with taking down the stage, and Amy bought a large pile of Costco pizzas for the cast.

Rose Bowl 2023

 

Miles and Amy joined Aunt Sica for a roadtrip to the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. We experienced a particular set of iconic cultural moments that were new and awe-inspiring for Miles, including staying in a Holiday Inn Express, eating at the Chilis in the parking lot of the hotel, watching motorcycle cops do tricks, and cheering on the Utes while listening to the middle-aged guy sitting behind us hit on a couple of college girls. A great way to start off a new year.

Snow in the Bay Area?

 Seeing snow on the ground is standard for February in lots of places, but in the 18 years the Bankheads have been here, this is the first time we've had this kind of weather. Ironically, most of the Bankheads were skiing in Utah when this happened, but Miles and Amy joined some friends on a hike to experience this unusual occurrence.

Present Opening Ceremony 2022

After mini Christmas and before we head to Utah for Christmas proper, we celebrate the ever-popular California Christmas, also known as the present opening ceremony. In order to avoid transporting gifts on our annual holiday trek to Utah, we open all our presents at home and leave them to be rediscovered when we return. 

Mini Christmas 2022

 Hosting Mini Christmas is one of the great joys of the entire holiday season. Every Bankhead in California (and even a few outside of CA) gathers at our house for food and presents and a whole weekend of relaxed festive fun, including a game invented by older cousins many years ago called Bankheadia. One great insight into the Bankheadia game came from Miles: "This year my Bankheadia goal is to not lose all my money at the casino." Less than an hour later he announced that he had indeed lost all his money at the casino.

Creche Exhibit 2022

Although the Bankheads have attended the annual Christmas Creche Exhibit for many years, this was the first year they had participated in the creation of the event. Amy agreed to design the room for children. Miles was happy about the cool wooden creche that kids were allowed to rearrange, and Sadie posed as Mary for local artists.

Thanksgiving 2022 (But you might think it's Halloween again)

We are lucky enough to have cousins live nearby, and every time we get together the costumes come out in full force. This holiday, the gaggle of cousins invented a game called "Backstab" which obviously requires disguises like a winged Spiderman wearing knightly chest armor. Nothing says thanksgiving like a happy round of Backstab. Plus the delicious homemade sourdough bread the cousins bring with them.