Week in Review

Violet sadly came home from camp with more than memories - she came home with the flu! She had a fever for three days, sore throat, horrid cough, and swollen lymph nodes. It was the last symptom that drove me to take her to the doctor, where she tested positive for good ol' Influenza A.

She spent a couple of days relaxing like Sebastian here. 

When she was feeling a little better, she got her money out to count it, which is when Seb promptly decided it would make a good nap spot.

On Tuesday afternoon, I joined like-minded friends at a candidate meet-and-greet for a man running for the statewide head of schools. Our local schools are pretty awesome, but statewide, our test scores are horrible and the leadership is completely dominated by the teachers union, rather than what students and families need. California schools stayed closed longer than most states, and had unnecessary requirements following the 2020 closures. I hope this guy - Lance Christensen - can win in November, as he had great ideas and professional education background. 

Now that we're home and settled, the girls are watching TV and playing video games, probably more than they should. But it was fun when they started shouting that they saw our friend Yass on one of the youtube ads! Yass got an amazing national contract to be the main commercial face of an auto parts store. We're so happy for him!

On Saturday evening, we went with Keith to a big car show at the mall, which raised funds for the high school district's foundation. The English blokes checked out one of the minis here.

On Sunday, Stace got a lot of little projects done, including installing this kitchen faucet, since our old one gave up the ghost. Hard to believe it's been 11 years since we finished the kitchen!
 

Hume Lake Christian Camp

After many months of anticipation, Violet went up to Hume Lake with Liana, Lucas, and students from a local church. 

Here, the group is being prayed over at the Sunday service, before they boarded the buses.

All ready to go!

I'm so proud of Violet - it's quite brave to go off for a week, sharing a cabin with a lot of girls you don't know! 

But, she did have Liana, her BFF. The two girls shared a bus seat and a set of bunk beds.

Cora wasn't interested in going to camp, but she did give Vi a farewell hug and a boop on the nose.
 

I found this pic on the Hume website photo gallery - out of hundreds of photos posted, it was fun to spot Violet. She later told us this was the swim test, to be able to take part in water activities.

Violet took this photo of her cabin building. She loves the big trees and scenery up here!

I love this one she took. On the Monday, Violet got to rent a Stand Up Paddleboard for an hour. Another day, she got to swim in the lake. She also got to do the ropes course one of the days. 

Another Hume staff photo - I paid for this one! Violet said the other girl is from a different cabin/different church. 

Hume is an amazing camp, with friendly staff and relevant Bible teaching. I'm so glad Violet got to go!

Back Home - Week In Review

We got home and took a couple of days to get settled in, and on Sunday, Stace and I went to visit Colleen and Rigo at their Ventura beachfront campsite. 

What a view!

This week, it was just Cora and me at home, while Stace worked, because Violet was at summer camp with Lucas and Liana. 

While we were in England, our HOA put in this gazebo at the pool area - we are impressed!

On Friday evening. I got a call from Stace asking me to pick him up at the Home Depot, where he'd pushed his MG after it had broken down. After 10 years, this was the first time he needed a tow! 

That morning, Stace had driven it to work for the monthly Woodward cars 'n coffee morning. 

Harry Potter Experience!

 Another goal as we planned out our long-awaited return to the UK was a family trip to Hogwarts! On our final full day in England, we spent a long afternoon at the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

The collection of actual sets, costumes and props was amazing, and a must-see for any true Potterhead. My girls, both Slytherins, here are in front of the Slytherin section in the Great Hall.

The treasure trove of Bellatrix Lestrange was very sparkly cool.

The teller at Gringott's Bank.

Diagon Alley!

The Weasley family's home

The special effects and props exhibit was very interesting.

We had a great experience here! 

We stayed overnight in the nearby village of King's Langley, a lovely spot we highly recommend. Our Premier Inn was well-priced, and the town felt upscale and safe. On Thursday morning, since our flight wasn't until 4:30 p.m., Stace and I walked down the main drag where he spotted this patriotic flower array.

The 13th Century church had an amazing bit of history - it had been the burial place for royalty, a 14th century Edmund de Langley, the first Duke of York!

When we'd finished our walk, we packed the car up and drove to Heathrow. 

All went smoothly with our flight home; I'm so very thankful for these last few weeks!

Willow and Wetlands

On Tuesday, our last full day in Somerset, we went with Sue and Gord to the Willow and Wetlands Museum, which has expanded since our last visit to include a number of shops and a walk with displays of wicker creations. 

I absolutely loved the bunting they had up! Stace is checking out the withies for sale - they're processed and ready to be made into whatever you want! The gift shop also sold craft kits where you can make your own wicker items.

We last came to the museum when Cora was one, and this time, we didn't actually pay to go to the museum itself. They added so many shops and displays outside that we didn't feel we needed to.

We then walked to the river, and along the way, you find lots of Alice in Wonderland characters, all made of wicker. They were impressive!

"We're all mad here!"

Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum on the left, and the Mad Hatter on the right.

 

We took a break to enjoy the sunshine by the river. Stace just had to lie in the grass, and Cora just had to throw grass on him. Apparently, Stace asked her to. 

It was a beautiful day and scene, and a lovely day out together. 

Later, we met up with Dean and Jenny at the swimming pool in Yeovil, before going out to a last meal together as a family. And we finally got the traditional cousins photo! Two 12-year-olds, a 15-year-old and a nearly 9-year-old. They still all enjoyed playing on the playground in the beer garden at the Hungry Horse.