Relax-ation

 

That’s what I call the past 10 days.  A relax-ation.   We left not knowing exactly when we’d return, and no real plans except for spending time with Grandma and Grandpa Ward, time in Lake Arrowhead, and a birthday dinner for Mark.    We woke up each day wondering what we would feel like doing that day.  Usually I’m not a big fan of vacations like these, but I embraced it and enjoyed it.  My sister Lisa and her family joined us for the first few days while we went to the beach and lake Arrowhead. 

Lisa and Ellie’s rockin’ sand castle, Mark still thinks it’s his.

I was amazed at Dane (7) and Beckam (3) for their bravery in the cold ocean water.  They didn’t hesitate trying to boogie board and were doing it before we got our stuff set down. 

This is one of my favorite pictures we took in CA.

This is what my kids did most of the time at the beach.  Look for seashells. They were a little boring.

We had some fun in the sand    

We saw dolphins!

 

Lisa and Ellie gettin’ crazy

Sunday we went to Santa Monica Pier to watch the crazy people.

Later on Sunday we headed up to the Lake. Lisa and Todd stayed until Tuesday morning.  Mark and I were left all alone with no one to crew for us.  I’m still crying a little for lack of wakeboarding.

I was able to talk Emma into trying knee boarding. She did great, but she did not like it at all.

Dane and Ellie

                

We were able to get in a great morning of wakeboarding before Todd and Lisa left.  It was glorious!

There’s no pictures of Mark or I wakeboarding because one of us was always driving the boat.  I drove the boat! I hated it. At one point there were two other boats with people in the water on either side of me and I didn’t know what to do so I just stopped.  Mark was wakeboarding and was really patient.  Anyone else would have been so irritated. 

 

  After Lisa and Todd left, we . . .

hung out on the boat . . .

played on the island . . .

        

Swam in the lake . . .

and went bridge jumping.  Amy’s family said they did it, and we thought if they can do it, then we certainly can :)

      I LOVE lake Arrowhead.  It is one of my favorite places in the world.  It’s beautiful, relaxing, and so fun.   I could stay forever if we have at least 3 adults.   (so we can wakeboard of course)  Mark and I considered asking a strange man who kept lurking around the dock to crew for us, but decided against it.   After two days of the lake with no wakeboarding, we headed back to Long Beach.

-We did lots of fun things in Long Beach with Grandma and Grandpa Ward, which we have no photos of.  Activities included going to the nature center where we took a walk through thick trees, with THOUSANDS of huge spider webs.  creepy and cool.   There were also turtles, and a variety of caged poisonous bugs.

-We went to the animal shelter, which we all loved.  Grandpa Ward had to drag us out of there. 

-We played lots of speed scrabble.

-I taught Emma how to play Settler’s of Catan.  and she won.

-We swam everyday in the pool.

-We took the kids on the city bus.  This is something they’ve wanted to to for so long. 

waiting for the bus

riding the city bus.  I’m not sure if it was all they expected, but seemed to enjoy it.

-One afternoon we ate at the Soup Plantation and saw “Despicable Me”

-Mark and I gave the kids $5 each to spend at the Orange County swap meet, and they LOVED that.  I picked up the swap meet essentials.  Fake Gucci purse, fake Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, and fake Dior watch.  check, check, and check.

-We got to hang out with some friends we’ve been missing.

We had so much fun having Grandma and Grandpa all to ourselves.  After 10 days the kids still didn’t want to leave. 

Thanks John and Sondra for a great time!

Randomness

The other night Gabriel told me he didn’t like to brush and floss his teeth.  I tried to explain how important it is and if we don’t brush our teeth, they will fall out.  He got really excited and said Oh Good!  If my teeth fall out I will get money!!!

oh dear

 

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One of my favorite things is when there is a fairly large mess somewhere in my house  and I get it all picked up, I dust everything, and I’m left with a slightly dirty looking room because there are bits of things in the floor.   You know, like little scraps of paper, bits of popcorn, a crayon tip, some aqua dots.   I can’t help but feel excited to vacuum the floor and transform the room into perfection.  

 

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I got to have a little girl time with some friends last night, and oh how I love it.   I really need to try to be more social.   

 

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I am loving life.  My pace has really picked up since I started real estate.  I feel like I am going going going all the time, but I can’t complain because I have three amazingly amazing kids, and the greatest husband I could ever wish for.    Among a hundred other things.   I am very blessed.

Back to studies, back to books.

Because the kids have been so excited for school, they’ve made it a little easier on me to send them.  Otherwise, I may have been a little bit of a basket case.

It was hard to get a good picture of Abigail when she kept making this face

We got a couple though

Some of the kids on the circle getting ready to leave for school.  (This is only about half the kids on the circle) 

 

These are odd moments as a parent.  I want my kids to go to school and be happy, which they are, so why does it make me cry?  Why is it so hard to see them grow up and become independent if that’s what I want for them?  I really don’t want them to stay little forever.    I should be really happy – which I am.   Sort-of.   Except for the knot in my chest and the water in my eyes.  

I have a feeling I’m going to experience this emotional conflict  many more times as they get older. :)

I’m going to miss you bud

A penny saved

The ice cream truck frequently visits our street.  It’s magical song can be heard from far away.  It’s tempting treats have been hard on Emma this summer because she’s been saving for a camera.  At first she wanted a cell phone, but we talked her out of that one.  Finally, after months and months of saving, and days of searching the internet (hard to believe we got a Kodak 9.2 MP pink camera for $22 bucks)    her camera was here.  I’m very proud of her.  Not many 6 year olds would have the patience for it.  And  what a good example to Gabriel who also has been wanting a camera, but just can’t resist buying candy with his money.   She’s been snapping all sorts of pictures and I think she’ll be a great little photographer.

(These were all taken by Emma)

   

Emma’s Friends and Sisters: Mickelle and Allie

What’s going on?

I was prepared to post about school starting and such, and realized I didn’t take any pictures of Emma on the first day of school.   This says what the last week has been like.  I’ve been very forgetful and busy.    School started a week earlier this year, and I wasn’t ready for it.

Emma started 2nd Grade!!! For some reason this has

struck me as extremely old.  I say this all the time, but my kids are growing up so fast!!!  Emma’s teacher is two words, 

AWE. SOME. 

I asked the  incredible teacher she had last year for a recommendation- something I will continue to do each year.   Who better to recommend a new teacher than someone who knows your child and the other teachers so well.     Emma’s new teacher is Mrs. Heath.  I love her and not just because she has a candy bar name.   She is organized and sweet.  I’ve got a great feeling about her.

Gabriel will start kindergarten

on Wednesday.  Maybe I’ll take pictures that day.  His teacher is incredible too.  I feel so relived and happy knowing they are at school for hours in great hands.   Seriously SO HAPPY!

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Last week I picked a broker and have officially started Real Estate!   I joined a fantastic team that has more years of experience than I’ve been alive.   And I get to work with my Dad. 

Don’t I look like someone who will do a fantastic job selling your home or finding your perfect new home?  I will.  I promise.  So if you know of anyone looking to buy or sell, a referral is the best compliment I could receive.  ;)

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Our last few weeks of summer were mostly fun-filled days of swimming.   In St. George, you don’t have a lot of other options if you want to go outside.  One day, we had a primary activity and we got a mock rain shower from a fire truck.  It was a lot of fun.

 

Gabe’s favorite thing was driving the fire truck.  He had a happy little smile on his face that makes me laugh.

Abigail just wanted me to push her is the swing the whole time.  She didn’t even want to go see the truck. 

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One random picture.  Abigail insisted on brushing my teeth one night, and she loved it.  She brushed them so long I think I can skip my next cleaning appointment.