Blue Ribbon Day

We all know that Peter got off to a........rocky start with swimming, but since then, he's been taking the pool by storm. Last week, he did such a great job listening to his teacher, and doing no crying at all, that he got a "happy day" ribbon at the end of class. Yay, Peter! Peter is getting much more comfortable in the water. I think our trips to free swim have helped a lot too. Peter loves to lay back in his inner tube and relax and enjoy the water. I'm so proud of Peter for doing something that was scary for him and learning that when he gives it a try, he can do anything.

Front Yard Sprinkles

Perhaps there's no better way to beat the heat then the good ol' slip 'n slide. On some hot afternoons, we've been enjoying some serious sliding. Then, the best part, relaxing on the driveway and letting the sun warm you up. It's the best!

Birthday Bash

Happy Birthday, Lightning McQueen! In honor of your big day, Lizzy and Peter decided to throw you a party. They decorated the car garage with homemade birthday signs, and even set aside a special spot for your presents. Hope you had a great day!

Summer Mud

There is something just so alluring about mud. Maybe it's the gooeyness, or the dirtiness, or the squishy way it rolls through your fingers. I'm not quite sure, but I do know that Lizzy and Peter love it, and I've grown fond of it too (outside). It's perfect for cakes or creating other tasty treats and always comes with lots of smiles and giggles. I'm just not sure why it always seems to mysteriously appear after I've just cleaned the floor. Maybe that's the true great thing about mud: it's tinge of naughtiness. You know you shouldn't get so dirty, but it just feels so darn good to through cleanliness to the wind and dive on in.

Golf Buddies

And so it's begun......daddy's attempt to pass his love affair with golf onto his family. Pat had some built-up points from airline miles, and decided to spend them on an adorable golf set for Lizzy. You know Pat must really love golf, because he was so excited to buy these clubs, and he's not a spontaneous buyer. Her bag is darling, and perfect for a little girl. It's pink with white flowers, and comes with a small set of clubs. Lizzy seems to really like it, and they've already spent some time "doing hits" in the backyard. Lizzy is eager and excited, and very open to giving it a try. I so hope she sticks with it. Maybe she'll inspire me to pick up a club and give it a swing!

Disneyland!

Oh, what a trip! Simply put, we had a fabulous time! I could say it was because of the cool rides. They were pretty awesome, and it was exciting to see Lizzy and Peter having such fun, being daring, trying something new. Or our awesome hotel- feeling luxurious, and spoiled, and fancy, that's pretty great too. Or pool time- we loved our afternoons splashing with our cousins, going down the big water-slide, watching the kids learning to swim. But honestly, I think it was just being together that I loved so much. I loved watching our kids have such fun with their cousins. Literally lighting up when they saw them, walking hand-in-hand, laughing together and having the best time. I loved the easy way we all went in-and-out with one another, taking time with our own little families and then seamlessly joining together. I loved having this shared experience of something wonderful- the lights, the shows, the wonder, the countless big-kid and I-can-do-it-myself moments. I loved being spoiled not by stuff, but by time together- truly the most decadent of treasures.

Memory Lane

On our way down to Disneyland, we stopped at UCLA. Of course, this place is extra special for Pat and I because we spent so many happy, wonderful years here. It's always amazing when you visit somewhere that holds a special place in your hear, how much it is the same, even though you may be entirely different. We loved getting to walk around campus, visit some of our favorite spots, notice how things have changed, and mostly reminisce about all the fun we had, where we studied, what our lives were like. It was pretty surreal to walk down Bruin Walk with Lizzy and Peter chasing around us, and thinking that it wasn't that long ago when we were young, no kids at all, just each other and our friends in this fabulous place. Even now, all these years later, we still feel so thankful we got to study at such a wonderful school, walk through these amazing buildings, and feel a part of such a magical place.