Summer's Here

The end of the school year always made me so sad as a kid.

While all my friends were so excited that it was the end of the year and

we wouldn't have to go to school anymore, I was so sad I wouldn't get to

see them everyday anymore. That we would all be in different classes the next year.

It depressed me...

I sort of feel the same way this time around with my kids.
I hate the thought that they will have new teachers next year and
that they are now entering new phases of their lives.

Charlie feels what I feel. He is so sad that he won't have the same
teachers in the 2nd grade. It's especially tough on him because he has
had the same 2 teachers in Kinder and in the 1st grade.

At the promotion ceremonies today and yesterday, we felt nothing but joy.
Well, nothing except pure gratitude.
I hugged each of Charlie's teachers and cried tears of triumph and gratitude
for the role they played in helping me to help Charlie on his way to better
habits and behaviors. I thanked them for their patience and the love they showed my boy.

 

 

Kate's friends: Sophia and Jordyn

Nikki & Kate

My shy guy about to get his promotion certificates...

Charlie and his 3 teachers

... and that's it. Charlie has conquered the 1st grade. Kate is ready for Kindergarten.

We are so proud of our kids. They are amazing little people and
I couldn't have asked for better people to raise.

Now?
Now it's time to play!

Limbo!

Best buddies

We intend to drink every last drop of joy from this summer...

Today I'm Dreaming of....

...being in Savannah, GA.
...owning a photography studio.

...planting a flower garden.

...organizing my office space.

...driving to Santa Barbara.

...adding more windows to my home, letting in that magic light.


_______________________________________________________


The girls had their first dentist appointment ever.
It was.... interesting. Ella was everywhere and in everything.
Kate was apprehensive and with good reason. 3 Cavities for her to have filled.
What an ordeal that was!!

We're good in that department for another 6 months, thank goodness.

It's been one of those days... I want to be anywhere but here.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be better...

Sweet Lavender

This morning I got a wake-up call at 9am, telling me to get up and get dressed.

I love those days. J usually has Mondays off. I never know where we will end up. 

I've grown quite fond of our little Adventure Mondays and  feel their absence for the 

rest of the week when Jaclyne has to work for some reason... 

On this particular Monday, our car headed down south to San Diego County,

where we found a little lavender farm to bring the girls to. Kate is certain that

she can't sleep unless we rub lavender oil on her temples and she has fresh

lavender in a vase at her bedside. It cracks me up when she gets these ideas in her head...

Keys Creek Lavender Farm

Bees EVERYWHERE! I have a small fear of bees so this was a tough one.

When I saw Kate shared that fear with me, I somehow got up the nerve to swallow

 my fear and walked right through them. I guess what I told the girls is true --

 If you don't bother them, then they won't bother you...

The lavender smelled so calming on this extremely hot and dry day. 

Lavender cookies. Ella loved them... Kate, not so much.

I love this one...

We now have fresh lavender at their bedside and a handful of great 

memories in their repertoire... I couldn't ask for anything more. 

I am really looking forward to many more Adventure Mondays this summer... (ahem, Jaclyne!)