Back in England At Last!

We woke up in England on Stace's birthday! An early morning celebratory breakfast in the hotel restaurant - full English, of course!

I didn't get any pics from the airport or plane, but we had a fine flight, albeit a very late departure, around 1 a.m.! But, since Heathrow has been having tons of trouble with luggage, we were just happy to get our luggage easily and get to the hotel.

Getting our rental car was interesting - suffice it to say, we'll be sure to inform our American bank that we'll be in the UK, next time we travel here!

On our drive to Somerset, we took a different way, and stopped in Avebury, another ancient henge. It happened to be the summer solstice, so it was pretty darn busy for a June Tuesday afternoon.

 The mid-16th century dovecote here behind the girls was cool.

We took some lovely walks with family our first couple of days. Above, with Auntie Doreen and Chloe, in Drayton, and below, with Livi in Barwick. 

Cora really wanted to climb up the folly here, but a bee hive was in the way.

Spending time with family again in person after three years - definitely priceless!

Summer Week

This week was our one week at home fully on summer vacation, before we all take off for the UK. While Stace obviously worked, the girls spent time relaxing and also doing a few chores, like going through their clothes.

On Saturday afternoon, Stace and I went to a gathering at a local brewery organized by high school classmates. It's been 25 years since we graduated from Saugus High! It was a pleasant few hours.

On Friday evening, Stace played soccer, and after watching the tailend of his game, we went to a different brewery for drinks and dinner. This brewery, called Telco, doesn't serve food, but has food trucks come out, so Stace and I enjoyed sharing these "Mexican egg rolls."

We're happy that for the first time since our neighborhood was built in 1978, our streets are being repaved. It was pretty interesting to watch the giant equipment do their thing.

Before: so awful! 

Last week, I went into the school office with a card and these flowers to express appreciation after our 10 years there. Melanie put these together for me, and the office ladies I love were 

Horse Archery Competition

After finishing her final day of elementary school, Violet took part in her first official Horse Archery competition. We drove up Friday evening to the 60-acre ranch between Frazier Park and Ojai, kind of in the middle of nowhere.

On Friday, she got to run through the courses, and we camped for the night on the property. On Saturday morning, Violet got to compete for the first time. Natalie, her instructor, also competed, and brought up Dixie, who Violet always rides.

Violet got a bullseye here! She did so well!

This was a second course, set up like a figure 8, and the competitors had two minutes to go around and choose which targets to go for. Handling the horse was a big part of success here, since it wasn't a simple walk or trot in a straight line.

Violet did so well! She ended up winning the junior division, as she was the only competitor. More impressively, she came in second among three other novice competitors, all adults!
 

The ranch had several big dogs, like most farms, to sound the alarm if any predators came close at night. We camped onsite overnight, and were awakened a couple of times by the dogs barking. 

In the morning, this little guy, who seemed like he didn't belong due to his size, came up to say "hello" and invited himself into our tent! 

Violet had fun, and hopefully we can come up for another competition some time.

Last Hurrahs

Violet and her friends had fun on the go-karts at the sixth grade promotion celebration Thursday afternoon at MB2 Valencia, the former Mountasia. (Vi is in the middle of the frame, giving me a thumbs up.)

And here, the kart closest to the photographer...

It was a very hot day, so the kids did the go-karts, but then enjoyed the inside amenities like the arcade and laser tag.

Violet and the group she hangs out with at school... 

 I spearheaded the party effort, and thankfully everything went smoothly. I had help, of course, especially from one mom who handled the payments and check-in procedure. And, from Stacey, who created the flyers we sent to the parents. We had 60 of our 100ish students attend, so I was very happy with the turnout. 

And on Friday, after a quick half-hour "check-in" school day, for signing yearbooks and collecting final things, that was that! I made Violet take the closing photo in front of the sign. 

After relaxing at home a few hours, we returned to the park for the yearend PTSA picnic, which hadn't happened for the last two years. It was super hot and Violet didn't see any of her friends, so we didn't stay long - just long enough for me to say hi to a few of MY friends, and take a pic in front of the photo backdrop. 

It's hard to believe our 10 years are truly over now! How blessed we were to be at Meadows, where we were part of the family.

Our last school event here! I know it's hard to tell, but there were SO many people at the park. The heat pushed everyone under the trees that lined both edges, and the four food trucks all had lines (especially the Kona Ice truck!). And the DJ here was adding to the festive atmosphere. 

Seeing everyone together, enjoying themselves as we started our summer, brought me so much joy!
 

Violet's Promotion

Violet and her sixth grade classmates promoted Thursday morning, in a lovely ceremony that featured songs, speeches and each child saying a few words before getting their certificate.

"When I grow up, I want to go to art college and study to be an animator," Violet said.
 

Here's Violet with her principal Mrs. VanGelderen.

Friends since they were 3! Now going on to Placerita together...

Last Week of Elementary!

 Violet's last week of elementary school was full of fun activities. First up was the parents vs. students kickball game on Monday, including certain big siblings.

Here's Violet gunning it for first base!

Cora helped out on the parent side, and we won.

On Tuesday, the kids had a picnic lunch of pizza and watermelon at a park across from the bowling alley. 

Then, we walked across the street for neon bowling! Here, they're getting their glow sticks ready. The painted their t-shirts with glow paint last week.

Violet had fun! 

Violet and her buddy Zane... It was a loud crowd, especially when the kids knew the songs that came on! So much fun!

And on Wednesday, the kids wore their jammies (except for a few, like Violet) and watched a movie, and later had an ice cream sundae party.

I didn't get a photo of Violet's loaded sundae, because I was helping serve the ice cream. I also helped with everything, all week, including coordinating the parent volunteers and the money to pay for various parts of the week. It was busy but worth it!

Week in Review

The school was able to hold its Volunteer Tea, after a two-year Covid hiatus. Here I am with my friend Rose, who has a freshman son who is friends with Cora. 

The tea is a lovely thank you to the parents who help out, and featured yummy food! It was strange to think that the last time I attended would have been Cora's sixth grade year, when so many of my friends were "graduating" as well - like Sue, Jen, Dinorah... And now it's my turn!

The children decorate these for their parents any way they choose. Violet went with a nature/mountain theme, naturally!

Stace celebrated the Queen's Jubilee with flags and watching the festivities from here.
 

Cora closed out her freshman year on Thursday! Bring on Summer! We celebrated with some new earrings - and a new hole to put them in! This is her second hole.

She didn't even flinch!

Violet's Musical

Another huge part of Meadows returned this year, much to our joy and gratitude. The Musical run by Mrs. Shafarman was Cora's favorite part of elementary school, and Violet was set to take part when the world shut down in 2020.

This year, we were able to pull it together again, even though Mrs. Shafarman has retired. She returned for weekly rehearsals, and on Wednesday, about 50 kids put on "The Greatest Americans of the Twentieth Century."

The play is basically an awards show, for the 20th Century great Americans, and Violet had a lead role as one of the show hosts.

In this scene, the girl playing Ernest Hemingway VERY much wants to come up to get his award.

It's a cute show, and a few years ago Cora and her friend Violet played the Wright brothers.

This year, Cora helped out when she could, with working with the kids on their choreographed dances.
 

It was so wonderful to see Mrs. Shafarman again, and have Violet get to work with her!

Ms. Sheen always assists Mrs. Shafarman.

Here is Violet with a couple of her costars. No, they weren't told they had to wear black, but they apparently all got the memo!

Cora and Mrs. Shafarman enjoyed seeing each other again, too.