We heart sand (and water)

Who doesn't love the beach?  We don't know. We do know that we go there as often as possible during the summer months, and we stay there as long as we possibly can.  It never gets old. 


Ahhhhhhh




Early June, before school let out, so Mills and Soccer Head here had the place to themselves




Kicking the ball around




Go, Eli, go!




Then there's this little sand monster



A little later in the summer, Liz's niece and nephew came to town. 

We took them to Natural Bridges Beach.



Apparently there used to be two bridges (thus the plural name), but I've only ever seen this one




Let the burying begin!




The kids thought this was about the coolest thing ever: the girl with no body




Sandy sass




Garbage Bags R Us



If we don't have time to get to the beach, we always have the sprinkler.

Labor Day was hot, so after some fun hiking & picnicking with Noam and Margaret,

the kiddos wanted to cool off in the backyard.

 

Sprinkler sidelines




You lookin' at me?




Oh, Lizzy, you always get the cute shots of me




Baby, you can drive my car

Dancey Dance

Having a daughter has surprised me.  People tried to warn me about the emotion and drama and social savvy that go along with having a girl, but I didn't listen.  Like all naive parents, I expected my daughter to be different.  I thought I could handle anything a girl would throw my way, because after all I'd survived a couple of crazy, high-energy boys.  How bad could it be? 

Um, yeah.  One order of humble pie (favorite entree of parenthood apparently).  Millie has shocked us with the amount of fiesty one little body/spirit can contain and frequently wield at us.  Some of her independence and defiance comes from being three, common characteristics for that age group, some of it comes from having to hold her own against two harrassing, older brothers; but some of it comes from her unique personality, the same one she entered this life with, the same one she'll always have.  

I mention Millie's stubborn, sassy, strong-willed toughness to emphasize the contrast and true appreciation I feel for moments when I see something other.  The moments when she shows me that, despite knowing how to throw a solid left hook, she's still a girl.  She shows me this when she puts her stuffed animals down for a nap.  She shows me when she wants to help do the dishes.  She shows me when she changes her outfits five times a day, or plays with my jewelry and make-up for the umpteenth time.  And as of this summer and fall, she shows me in her dance class.

Ballet

Tap

Can you tell she's found her calling in life?  My goodness, does she love it.  I definitely don't mind watching her, either.  It's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen.  So two cheers for dancey dance!!

All ye that labor

 . . . take a break and do something fun the first weekend in September.  Isn't that how the scripture goes?  Maybe it should be when you're feeling a bit bogged down by the first few weeks of back-to-school schedules and demands. 

To be perfectly honest, I hadn't even thought about Labor Day weekend, what with all the drop-offs and pick-ups and meetings and homework.  Stephen, however, had thought about it.  In fact, my homebody hubby surprised me by planning a daytrip.  On his own.  Way in advance.  Without any coaxing or hinting or guilt-tripping.  He picked the town, he picked the activity; he even picked the eats.  Wahoo!

We woke up Saturday morning, grabbed Liz, hopped in the van, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, drove through gorgeous Marin County, and ended up in a little town I've always wanted to visit. 

Santa Rosa

Charles Schulz Museum





Then we headed here for lunch

(recently opened in Santa Rosa)



for the yummiest pastrami sandwich I've ever eaten

#99 Charles Schulz

in case you want to try it yourself.