Griffith Park

I had to bribe them with churros for this picture:
We've had some lovely weather in the mornings lately! Last Thursday, I took the girls to Griffith Park for pony and carousel rides, but they ending up loving the pony rides so much that they rode twice and skipped the carousel altogether.

They wanted to sit together on the train, and I had to sit all by myself. It was a bit lonely sitting behind them, but it was quite nice not having to hear them bicker about who would get to sit next to me.

Sophie Spins a Yarn

Leah in Big Bear Lake

Big Bear

My summer is one month over, and Kent and I wanted to get away and go somewhere. After looking over our summer "what-we-want-to-do-list" we decided on a camping trip. We looked around on-line and settled on Big Bear since neither of us had been there before, and it was just a two hour drive away. Well, one of those hours is spent driving straight up the side of a mountain to around 8000 feet, twisting and turning, and me white-knuckling the door handle while praying silently and breathing deeply. This was our first stop. We pulled over so Madeline could puke which brought back so many of my own childhood road trip memories.

After we arrived at the campground and unpacked, Kent taught Madeline how to whittle so she could make her roasting-marshmallows-stick, and Sophie rolled around in the tent, hiding headfirst in her sleeping bag, and repeating "Try and find me! Try and find me!"

Just the two of us. We can make it if we try. Just the two us. You and I.

We walked around the campground and down to the lake the first evening . . .

Then we settled around the campfire to roast hot dogs and steam peppers and onions . . .

And Madeline chose to bring her books, making the teacher in me happy.

On day two, we did more walking. The girls were inseparable and insisted on holding hands wherever we went. I seriously can't believe how much they play together and enjoy each other's company.

We played at a little beach before heading back to LA. Leah met some new doggie friends and played a few games of fetch.
Nothing like a little getaway to help you relax and recharge.

Being in the great outdoors.

Spending time with my family.

Having nothing to do but relax and enjoy the company of those I love most.

I love camping,

and I love my summers.

Leah at the Beach

Here we have some pictures of Leah's first, and only, trip to the beach. It turns out that you can take your dog to any beach in Ventura County as long as it is on a leash. But, as it also turns out, keeping your dog on a leash at the beach is really no fun since it is impossible for it to really run around or play in the surf.

When we left the valley yesterday afternoon, we passed a sign that said it was 109 degrees. Horrendous, I know. When we go to the beach 40 minutes later, it was 69 degrees according to my car's gauge. Can you believe it was 40 whole degrees cooler by the coast? And since I am only truly happy with the weather when it is exactly 78 degrees, it was kind of a disappointment. Alas, for the second time this week, it was really too cold and too windy to enjoy the beach. But at least Madeline and the dog had some fun, and I can check "Take Leah to the beach" off my summer to-do list.

Beach Trip

Library Trips!

The girls and I have made several trips to the library this summer. We have checked out and read so many things! Madeline and I have finished 4 chapter books together already! On Tuesday we met some friends at the library for a cute puppet show, and we have marked our calendars for a few other library events in the weeks to come. Madeline also checked out some books on CD; Beverly Cleary ones in preparation for the Beezus and Ramona movie due out this month. I love watching her sit on the living room floor, headphones on and book in hand, very cute and very quiet.

A Visit with Friends

Theresa and Liam drove from Olympia to LA, and we were able to spend two days with them! Madeline was so excited to chase and play with Liam. We had a picnic lunch at the park one day and spent an afternoon at the beach on the other. The beach was cold and windy, too cold and windy to really enjoy it. Just look at what the lifeguards are wearing in the last picture.

Weeeee!

Slip and Slide!

Early in the summer, the girls and I purchased a slip and slide while on a shopping trip to Target. And, let me tell you, it was worth every penny. Madeline loves it, and it is a great way for her to use up some of her energy while supplying the rest of us with lots of laughs. Sophie doesn't care for it, but maybe she will in a couple of years.

Summer Days

I know it is summer because I get to hang out with my girls on a Tuesday morning, but I definitely can't tell it's summer by the weather. I think this morning's high was 65 which is something I should never complain about as I hate the heat of summer. But, when I left the house today, I made sure we had our sun hats and sunscreen, and I didn't think about sweaters or jackets because, well, it's July. Oops! We enjoyed our morning even with the goosebumps on our arms.

We went to the Leonis Adobe Museum where they cater to entertaining little ones on Tuesdays. The favorite activity, far and away, for both girls was feeding the animals, and they spent the most time doing just that. But they also enjoyed learning how to wash clothes, make tortillas, throw horseshoes, and to perform some Native American dances. Those are just the activities pictured here! They also saw a blacksmith demonstration, had crafts, and story time.

Just in case you noticed, Sophie seems to wear the same dress for almost every outing. She has a closet full of clothes, more than I know what to do with, but she insists on wearing her favorite dress anytime it is clean. So for now, I am just going to go with it. If it is clean, she can wear it. If it is dirty, she must pick a different dress. If all her dresses are dirty, we do not get to enjoy a very quiet morning.