D-day and celebrated the last few weeks of lazy mornings and warm summer pool days to the very best of our abilities.
Highlights from the month included two wonderful vacations! One that didn't seem so wonderful and maybe didn't even seem so much like a vacation at all to be honest! But ended up being a tremendously fun few days. I'm speaking of our beach camping treat to Carlsbad St. Beach the first week of August. The kids and I enjoyed spending the days going back and forth from the beach to the campground, playing cards late into the evening, eating spaghetti and tacos and s'mores and red vines, scootering along the sidewalk, boogie boarding, rafting in the ocean waves . Blake had ordered an RV for us so that it actually would seem like more of a vacation then a sleepless, and harried few days of hard work and rough circumstances. But the RV was not able to come inside the campground because the company was not an approved vendor. Ack! It seemed all might be lost as I had not prepared for the actual camping experience- I had no tent or air mattresses- only sleeping bags! Thankfully, friends pulled together and Blake as well-- within no time, we had all the necessary ingredients for an amazing few days of camping with friends. By the end, though a lot of work, it was a wonderful experience and full of fun memories. We would definitely go back again-- without a doubt. So grateful to friends who invited and maybe even badgered and harassed us into going! Without them, we would have passed up that opportunity and it was memorable to say the least!
Our second August vacation was our long standing and very eagerly awaited trip to Pismo Beach with the Paces. A vacation that simply never disappoints as the kids and I adore seeing Aunt J and cousins, sleeping in way too late, long beach days, farmer's markets, and late night movies. FUN times for sure! I treasure that time that I get to spend talking with Jamie. I treasure how time moves a little more slowly because we have no schedule and no routine, no expectations aside from movies, card games and beach days. We don't cook, clean, or do much of anything! The kids enjoy frequenting Cool Cat Cafe, The Great American Melodrama, the glass figurine store, Avila Farmer's Market for sweet peaches and pumpkin bread, the surf shops and cinnamon rolls store and San Luis Obispo! It's so much fun and we were so grateful we could go for our 5th time! Hope this tradition never dies.
In other August news: we invited many many friends over for swim playdates. We attended many many soccer tournaments for the boys. We revamped and de-junked the boys' bedroom, getting rid of the bunkbeds to replace with normal beds and new comforters. We helped friends move into their new home and enjoyed visiting said home with 7 acres of land and an avocado orchard (Poulsons). We wished Noah well as he headed off on his mission to West Virginia and have eagerly awaited each and every email! We enjoyed receiving pics of Mike and Jess using their new hiking backpack-- we bought them this as a thank you gift for all of Mike's dental work on the kids. Obviously not even remotely fair trade, but it was a small gesture of our appreciation!
And then of course, school started. Both Anna and Grant were thrilled by receiving the teachers they had hoped for! Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Rameriz! SO lucky! First day of school- first week of school was a tremendous success. Dane was pleased with his schedules and teachers, however, was disappointed not to have many friends in his classes. Ah! An opportunity to make new friends! Evelyn of course started seminary and couldn't be bothered to take a picture with the kids on the first day of school. She was cranky the first week of school, but at a new school, with no friends and waking at the crack of dawn, I didn't expect any less! Proud of all the kids for attitudes and hardwork. Our family theme for the year is: To have a friend, BE a friend!
We had such an awesome back to school party with Grandma a few days before school started! Complete with donut props and the most delicious donuts in San Diego- Petersons! We discussed our personal goals for the year and played a back to school themed round of "Things--" a new favorite from our Hawaii trip!~ IT was a special day and we were so grateful for all of Grandma's thoughtfulness and hard work preparing it all.
So a busy full month! And now that the kids are back in school, I'm busy avoiding the PTA, trying to decide how many music classes I can take on at the elementary school, applying for my substitute teaching license and all sorts of other adventures! It's going to be a good year!
