July

We met friends at a playground that was very sketchy, so they left and we went to the art museum next door instead.

The kids did a decent job learning in each room and not being too wild.

My neck hurts just looking at her sleep like this.

"Oh no. I have no more undies."

Wendy sent Jane cookies and she looooved the unicorn ones.

We should really get her to fall asleep on her own in her bed, but snuggling is more fun.

Jonah and Perry set up a lemonade and cookie stand at the park. They made a killing from generous neighbors and Perry bought a lego set he wanted.

Jane started sinking down in the deep end of the pool, then swimming back up to the top and holding the wall. It freaks me out, but she loves it and it's really helping with her water skills.

A karate kid

Elsa is happy at the baseball playground with her icee. 

Morning park time before it gets too hot.

Reading and eating fruit, Jonah hasn't changed much since toddlerhood.

Sweetie girl in yellow.

Summer chilling at the pool. 

I went to a concert with a friend at a winery. It was small and relaxing music and a really lovely evening.

Helping me bake her cake and delicately licking her spatula.

Reading with Oma. As long as possible.

Shopping spree at Michael's. My mom was getting pictures framed and Jane was scouring the clearance for all things unicorn.

Crashed on the floor. Again. It's never not funny to me.

Trying my birks

While my mom was in town, John and I went to stay at our friend's beach house for the night.

We got artichoke hearts on the way down, of course. 

We enjoyed eating out and going to the beach at sunset. The next day we went for a little hike and hit the cheese shop before heading back home. It was a perfect refresher.

Ready for the pool.

We met friends at the beach one morning.

It was chilly, but that didn't stop Jonah from getting in the water.

They played kid games and warmed up in the sand.

Perry being Perry.

It's a lot of work to tote them there and back, but it's always worth it and makes me feel like a good mom and Californian taking advantage of the close, free, sandy beaches.

So studious

We went to the bookstore and someone had to use the bathroom, but it was out of order, so we went to 5 Guys across the street. Since it was for customers only, we got some fries and had a lil snack before going back. The kids ate their weight in peanuts, so it was a great deal.

I made madeleines for the first time with my new pan.

We took them to a bbq at our friend's house where the kids had a backyard picnic.

Their family is moving to Germany for a year, so it was a bittersweet party.

"I'm a ghost."

Lil pepperponi and eggies for breakfast

Now that she turned 3, Jane can join the dance class at the Y. It's only on Saturday mornings, which isn't always ideal, but she loved it and it's included in my membership.

Shoes on means ready to go

Jane discovered she loves rice pilaf and helped herself to more. "I want all of it. Oh no, it's too many."

Oh no this car is broken. I'll fix it.

Her "Manda" hair.

She used to call one braid Elsa hair, but upgraded.

Goodbye huggies for our friends. I helped them pack up and clean out their last week, so Jane spent lots of time at their house with me. She's still not totally sure about them, though.

Jane asked me to paint her nails and I said I couldn't right then. She went to John and said, "Daddy, you can paint my toes."

Not sure what he's dreaming about, but it looks fabulous.

Jane got her second covid shot just in time before our trip to Utah. It was a huge relief to have all of our family finally vaccinated.

We were missing Amanda's annual HP party for the funeral, but I made some pumpkin pasties for them before we left.

Summer sandlot has been so fun. It's more relaxed and has a real community vibe. The kids often want to stay and play around with John after.

Dancing our way to the park.

I trimmed off some dead hair for Jane. It's much healthier, tangles less, and is a little less green from chlorine. 

Doing some typing practice. 

 It's one area both older kids didn't do well in school. I don't see the need to push it, especially when they're not doing distance learning anymore, but I encouraged them to play the online typing game if they wanted to.