Last Full Week of Summer

With just one full week of summer vacation left, we are planning on making the most of it. In fact, my cherubs are still asleep as I post this (it is 9:49 a.m.). I've been sleeping in myself and not feeling too guilty about it. I don't get as much done, but hey, pretty soon I'll be up with the chickens (in other parts of the county since we don't have any ourselves), and back in the non-vacation time zone.

Is anyone wondering how we are doing on our Summer Bucket List? If not, you can stop reading (hee-hee). If you are interested, well, we are doing pretty well. Although it normally pains me to begin a list and not check everything off, two items had to be deferred. We missed pumpkin planting. I kept thinking we had time, but before we knew it, we'd passed the window. It is on the list for next June. We also had to defer our trip to Grandpa's house when Aunt Michelle and Gavin had to postpone their visit. The girls wanted to go there all together. We most likely won't wait until next summer to visit Grandpa's place, but we're hoping we can still make the trip with Aunt Michelle.

As for the rest of the list, we're doing pretty well. These are the things we'll be finishing up this week and probably into the first week of school or so mostly because we could all use a smoothie or a shake after a hot day in a stuffy, un-airconditioned classroom (thank you very much District Office for not installing air when you had the opportunity--oh, sorry, wrong post).

Disneyland (must come up with money for a pass)

Kite flying (need wind)

Bake (need temperature to drop outside)

Homemade shakes

Smoothies

Color Me Mine gift cards

Sleep in backyard (need motivation to set up tent... and sleep with insects)

Jump rope (double dutch style; still need to get the long ropes)

We've added one for the week as well...the new 12-year-old needs pierced ears before next week. I'm off to find a good place to get that done. Any suggestions?

River Weekend

This is where we spent our weekend...

No joke. The Neuberts graciously invited the Holbrook and Peterson families to join them at their river house for the weekend. The views of the house and from the house (view from family room window below) were stunning. Debbie shared that the plans for the house were titled "The Lake House", and it certainly looks like something out of a catalogue of East Coast homes. It was the prettiest one we saw on the river.

The girls and I carpooled with the Neuberts on Thursday evening with the Holbrooks following. Kelly joined us on Friday after work. We spent every single minute on the river, watching movies in the theater (pics of the theater are from 2008 during our last visit), playing games and visiting. It was SO much fun. What a special treat. We cannot thank the Neuberts enough for this fabulous weekend!

Torrey Pines State Reserve

We spent one of our vacation afternoons hiking in the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Since it was our first time, we stopped at the Visitor's Center to ask the guide for advice on the best trails to take. We were able to hike two trails in the time we had, and what a fantastic adventure. Everywhere we hiked had views of the oceans or pine trees or both. This land was purchased originally by the Scripp family and later sold to the city of San Diego with the intent that the pines would be preserved in their original beauty. If you are ever visiting the area, this is a phenomenal place to explore.

San Elijo Beach Week

We spent our annual family vacation week at San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff-By-The-Sea. As always, we had a blast. There were long days on the sand, lots of water time, yummy doughnuts from VG's Bakery, two days with the Holbrooks camping near by, and spooky stories by the campfire. These are some of my favorite pictures from the trip...

This is the statue that sits on PCH in front of the campground. It is tradition for individuals or groups to decorate the statue which usually means dressing it in clothes or wigs. The last morning at the camp we found this elaborate display which had been erected overnight. The surfer statue is being carried off by the Pterodactyl.

Earning Money

Jenna decided that she needs to earn some money. Last night she announced that she will be willing to do what I suggest for jobs. Today she decided that washing the cars was worth the $5 per vehicle (I gave her $6 per vehicle for her great effort and initiative). She was a trooper. She collected her money, paid her $4.63 debt to me, set aside her tithing, and happily stored the rest in her wallet. She's already asking what she can do tomorrow.

I'd love any ideas for what you've had your kids do for extra jobs and what you've paid them.

Cousin Time in AZ

We spent the weekend with Jo and Mike at their new home in Arizona. From the minute we arrived on Friday until the night before we left, it was all about the pool. The kids had so much fun. I even got in for awhile to escape the heat. We had a great weekend visiting with cousins, playing, meeting Jeff and Susan's new baby girl and just hanging out.

SYTYCD Love and Miscellaneous

Pic by Adam Rose/FOX

Lots of miscellaneous going on. But first, I have to say how much I love So You Think You Can Dance! I watch this darned show every week, every summer it's on. We're on Season 8, and I began with Season 2 (thank you to all my relatives who let me watch it while I was vacationing at their homes every summer). Melanie and Marko are my favorites this season. We'll see how far they go.

In other news, we've done a lot of purchasing this week. The bad news is that money is flying out the front door. The good news is that I got my rear in gear and got my office sorted out so that I could get a grip on bills and finish putting our new budget together. We've replaced our master bedroom mattress with a new memory foam mattress (jury is out on that as bed has to "re-shape" until we can sleep on it tomorrow), put gel foam on top of both girls beds to give their mattresses some extended life, purchased a rug for our office, put a new water filter pitcher in the fridge (hoping to not buy as many water jugs and use tap instead), purchased a new office chair (love!), and have many more things on the list to get. We're going to have to pace ourselves.

One nice thing that just joined our home today was a new X-Box Kinect. Heather decided that she really, really wanted one, so she pitched in nearly all of her birthday money toward it. I was surprised that she wanted to do that, but she was serious. Kelly still had a gift card from Christmas, so he put the rest of that in as well. Heather is so excited about this new system. We packed our PlayStation 2 in a box and made room for the X-Box.

The girls and I are off to Arizona for a quick trip this weekend to visit cousins, swim and meet a new baby girl in the family. We'll be back in time to celebrate a wedding anniversary (mine) and pack up for our beach camping adventure. During the space in between, we are enjoying our summer time to the fullest (read: sleeping in and being lazy).

This post is probably not at the top of the "Things to Blog About" list, but sometimes day-to-day life is blog worthy, even if for nothing else than to let our grandkids know what we were up to all those years ago...

Theater Camp Performance

After two weeks of theater camp, the cast performed Alice in Space. Every child had two or three parts, and the story was delightful. Jenna and Heather each got to play Alice, Heather was a narrator and an alien, and Jenna played two major Alice roles and one minor flower role. This camp was so much fun! The girls can't wait for next summer's camp.

Summer Time

"Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?"

Words and Music by Dorothy S. Andersen

Photography by Melissa

Oh, what do you do in the summer-time, when all the world is green?

Do you fish in a stream, or lazily dream

on the banks as the clouds go by?

Oh, what do you do in the summer-time, when all the world is green?

Do you swim in a pool, to keep yourself cool,

or swing in a tree up high?

Oh, what do you do in the summer-time, when all the world is green?

Do you march in parades, or drink lemonades,

or count all the stars in the sky?

Is that what you do?

So do I!

What are your summer plans this week?

Theater Camp

My sister and nephew were supposed to be visiting this weekend and next week, but they were unable to come. Since they weren't coming, my girls decided to enroll in the Theater Camp offered by my good friends, Kathy Busby and Diane Christensen. The camp is a two-week adventure exploring all things theater and will end with a performance. They are having a great time with all of the activities. Yesterday, the kids painted shirts. Sarah and Jenna showed up in matching outfits they had planned the night before, and then they helped each other paint matching shirts that they had designed when they were planning their wardrobe.

Heather is having fun with her imagination, and we can't wait to see them perform. Kathy and Diane are outstanding directors who have a great way with the kids. We're so lucky to have this fun opportunity!