June and July have flown by! I am used to thinking of these months as slow, as a time to catch up on the house, and use my extra hours to do as little as possible. Instead, this summer has so far been much of the same as usual. Matt and I are working, the girls are going to school, and our weekends are full of seeing friends.
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| BBQ with Friends (Julia and Abby) |
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| Ice cream with Julia (and a sleeping Baby Samantha) |
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| Walking and play with Wren |
In the middle of June, Madeline celebrated her graduation from Preschool! She has had such an amazing time at BPELC. I am so happy that Madi has been in a place that she has been able to feel loved, cared for, and we haven't had to worry a moment about how well she was taken care of while Matt and I worked. Unlike the other parents, Matt and I had no idea that the preschool graduation was such a big deal. We were not dressed up, we did not have flowers, and there was no party planned at the house. This makes sense since Madeline refused to even stand up from her spot when her name was called to get her "diploma." Ms. Jill read what each child planned to be when they grow up - Madi wants to be a teacher. After the graduation, the Howe family met the Johnson family for a beach bbq in Mission Bay. Super relaxing except that Madi was at the beginning of being sick. She spent the rest of the weekend on the couch and snuggling Mom (maybe that's why she didn't want to participate in her special afternoon).
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| Ella enjoyed the graduation |
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| Preschool graduate! |
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| Eleanor practicing for her graduation |
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| The girls passed time while Madi didn't feel good with their Princess rub and color toy |
Matt showed how capable he is of being a Dad while I spent a week working in Irvine. As I slogged my way through writing professional development for teachers, being fed three meals a day by a competent hotel staff, and taking morning runs before work (yep, it was so awful and hard to work away), Matt managed to get everyone to school, keep them busy, and even bathe the girls. I had hoped that Matt would fix the mess I made of the girls' sleeping habits while he was working out of town, but instead when I got back, they still thought that the only place they should be sleeping is in "Mommy's bed."
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| Look how well Dad got me ready! |
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| Food truck night had a pizza truck |
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| Sidewalk art at food truck night |
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| Dad wore Eleanor out |
Matt got full recovery from being left alone with the girls when I dropped them off at Grandma's while I went to Santa Barbara with Renee, Wendi, and Mom Kathy. I think he spent three days playing video games nonstop while the girls ran Grandma T ragged. They went in the pool, played with Bella, and got out every toy in the house. I think Grandma T took a full day nap after I picked the girls up. I had so much fun relaxing with my friends in Santa Barbara. After I knocked over an entire display of Tervis cups in Solvang, tasted some lovely wine off of State street and had many restful and yummy meals, I finally felt like an adult who did more than work and parent. I even got to sit by a pool with a book!! It is so nice to be able to travel with friends!
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| Bloody Mary time! |
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| Forced giant boat driving! |
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| The anchor to go with the boat! |
The girls and I celebrated July 4th with the annual Talmadge Parade and pool time in the front yard. I love how much fun they have together even though they wear me out every weekend!
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| Model poses |
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| Bike and wagon parade time |
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| Pool time |
After a couple more weeks of long working days (and some fun Friday evenings with friends at the zoo and dinner), Robyn came to visit. We took the girls to a sorority mini-reunion where they actually actually socially interacted with the other kiddos (shocking!!) and jumped on a trampoline until they passed out in the car. Robyn and I wandered down to La Jolla for a grown up dinner and window shopping. So much fun!
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| Sigma Kappa - One Heart One Way |
The girls have also started dance classes at a little studio in Bay Ho. Madeline is doing so well following the teacher, participating, and generally having fun. Eleanor is learning the steps while sitting in Dad's or Mom's lap on the side of the dance floor. I have no idea if she will actually start participating, but considering how much she learns (and then does at home) after just watching class, it would be awesome if she would get out on the floor.
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| Dancing Queens |
This week we also got hit with the fact that Madi did not get into the after school program at Franklin. We are now trying to figure out what to do once school starts. Maybe a Y program (if it opens up), maybe a nanny, maybe a rotation schedule. It is amazing how unhelpful the school system is for working parents - and seriously, I work for the school system. This is adding a bit to my fear of change and sending Madeline to Kindergarten, but I know when we get through it she will love going to real school. Madi evens looks more grown up after getting her hair cut into a little bob this week.
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| Too cute |
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| When Mom makes lemon popsicles |
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| Ella's tan line after one afternoon playing outside - oops |
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| Big girl pose! |
