Summer Fun

So, we're in a new world of summer life, with two girls who would be happy to be home all day, playing video games, or watching things. They're not anxious to see friends, and they resist leaving the house. It's weird because I value our time together and would like to DO more fun things while they're off school, but they don't have a lot of interest.

Anyway, on one late summer day, I "dragged" them to the ice rink, where we had a fun hour-plus, getting exercise and enjoying the cold air.

We then went to the mall, where I'd recently spotted a kiosk selling genuine Dole Whip frozen dessert. Since it's now been well over two years since I've had one at Disneyland, I was anxious to treat the girls to a big one for us to all share.

Over the weekend, we donated a lot of old quilts to a high school fundraiser, where they were getting paid by the pound of cloth. I finally decided to donate the adorable Classic Pooh Bear curtains a friend made us for baby Cora's bedroom. They'd been up high in the closet, forgotten, but obviously it's past time for them to move on. I got very sad though, looking at them for the last time. 

Melanie and Ellie came over and Ellie was very gentle with Barley! 

Stace took a day off during the girls' last week off school, when he woke up not feeling well. Later, we all went out to lunch, since I had a coupon for Buy One, Get One rice bowls.

Then, we all went to play in the pool, even Violet, who has decided she doesn't love playing in the pool. 

Look at these lovely synchronized swimmers!

...Oh. 

Violet had a horrible night of sleep shortly before school restarted, and said she was up basically all night. This was how I found her at 8:30 a.m.; she napped for about two hours.

Fun fact: these couches in the game room belonged to my grandparents, who had them custom made because of their height.

Beach Birthday Bash

On Sunday, we had our first family beach trip of the year, with a lot of friends as we celebrated Colleen's birthday.

Stace helped get the kids going on an epic sand castle.

Cora helped Lucas and another friend build a log structure.

We ate well, and the weather, scenery and company were fabulous. Here, the kids are inside the trailer playing a murder mystery game.

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!