Fourth of July California Trip

Another benefit of not working this past summer was that I could take the girls to California for ten days instead of our usual four-nights-and-rush-back-to-work. Jake stayed for the first few days, including Fourth of July, then he flew home and we stayed. We made girl memories!

cousins at Ojai's Fourth of July Parade

swimming with friends

THIS DUDE!

waiting for fireworks in the back of Uncle Lance's truck

took them to the exact spot Jake and I said our vows 13yrs ago

Santa Barbara Courthouse

this is such a Kelly & Natalie picture, ha!

lunch at Natural Café, used to be a favourite when we lived there

skating rink

Grandma's slug-bug

crayon artwork with Grandma Carmen

Swim Lessons

Yes, I post about these every summer but this was a big one - Bryony's first year without a parent. And my first time being able to do lessons in the mornings instead of after a long work day :)

this face she does, I can't get over it

day one and DEFINITELY nervous

once the teacher held her hand she was OK

treated them to ice-cream afterwards most days

or sushi if we were all starving

Abigail off the high dive

Bryony off the low - they had to drop her in because she wouldn't jump

DONE! And Bryony is a competent swimmer now :)

My First Summer Home With my Children

got to go to a school field day for the first time; there's my girl in front

celebrating the birth of the Royal Princess Charlotte

reading in bed every night

splash pad fun

we had Liam come over twice a week for some play fun

did a *little* schoolwork/learning

splash pad again



library class - my other girl right in the front



Shirin's high school graduation (their babysitter they love)

bowling alley

took Bryony to various library classes while Abigail finished the school year

and we went to a weekly movie where I brought my own popcorn, one day they'll HATE that, ha

Bashes & Bonks

One grazed her face running, the other looks like clever make up but bonked her head on a restaurant table!

               

 

Museum of Modern Art (SMoCA)

The kind of museum where you enjoy the art but the staff have a close eye on your kids making sure they don't touch and break some rare piece. Oh, and the coolest event room ever! Now I need a reason for a party ...