Summer

I'm keeping with my seasonal posts...We are in the first week at school after a terrific summer. It's tough to give up on summer - just like I hate giving up on beautiful summer nights - but I'm hoping it will be good to get back into a routine. We spent time in Santa Barbara and the kids loved visiting their favorite spots from last year and discovering new treasures, like the Moxi science museum and participating in the children's fiesta parade. They loved going to their favorite camp (Arts at Laguna) and trying new camps like sailing. And they especially loved seeing some favorite people - namely Eloise and Olivia. Eloise is 3 and couldn't be more adorable. Olivia is a Laguna camp CIT and I think it's safe to say that Charlie has a major crush on her.  We were so happy to see she was back as a CIT this summer. We got her to show up for his birthday picnic at the Mission and Charlie was over the moon. He usually complains about his birthday, but declared it was a highlight of the whole summer.
Sofia survived zoo camp with some tears, but way less drama than last year. She tested a new camp at Laguna (which she called Granola camp because 'Laguna' couldn't stick in her memory) which she liked as well. After camp we would often head to the beach. We also got a tour of the zoo from Sofia, hiked around the botanic gardens, picniced at Alice Keck Park park, skateboarded, spent hours at the farmers' markets, ate our way through the town and enjoyed the fiesta festivities. Upon Charlie's request we had our first and last day breakfast at Sambos. I always loved fiesta but even more now with kids. The dancing, the dresses and the EGGS! The parade was super fun for kids to do though we were probably the least exciting entry....ahead of us and behind us were huge floats with cute kids doing choreographed routines. I had stocked up with a few supplies at the dollar store and the kids loved handing out treats (rings and bouncy balls) and shooting off confetti guns.

In Pine Orchard the kids spent hours in the water our front using the paddle boards to chase eachother. Because they were wearing life jackets they had more freedom to paddle down the shore or out deeper. It seems like it must have been so liberating to them - or maybe it was just liberating to me. We held a party in Franny's honor and the kids made a new friend a few houses down. It is tough to beat enjoying a sunset on the porch.

And here we are back to start school. 4th grade, 2nd grade and Pre-K 4. We love Brent Elementary and sad to think this may be our last year with all 3 kids at our neighborhood school. 

In honor of Franny, we put together a mini back-to-school olympics with ribbons and all. super fun.