We got pedicures, after calling around to several places to find one that had air conditioning.
Wandered through an art museum. Ah, look how funny I am. Chrissy can't contain herself!
Ate lots of good food, although the struggle was real to find places that weren't vegan. We probably should have done some more restaurant research before the trip. Cinnaholic was a win, even vegan at the same time!
It just isn't Berkeley if you're not doing some thrift store shopping. We hit up Urban Ore, this massive place whose goal, apparently, was to try to sell everything you're ready to throw away, so it doesn't end up in a landfill. Lots of treasures, lots of junk.
We also made a stop at the Goodwill, hoping to find a gem. Suzanne was on the lookout for a good jumpsuit. We all tried this one on - so hilarious! - but, unfortunately, it didn't go home with anyone. Foot straps, sparkles, and 100% polyester. That bad boy was hot!
My top highlight of the trip happened in the car. Suzanne and I got wacky and couldn't seem to stop shout-and-cry-laughing about everything. We somehow ended up in this long, slow line of cars and all the other roads were blocked off, so we had to just ride it out. Lo and behold, we found some signs posting that there was a sobriety checkpoint up ahead. Suzanne and I were so hyper that Chrissy and Olivia were literally afraid we wouldn't pass the test, which only seemed to make us more slap-happy. When we saw the cops, we stared straight ahead, and I, for one, held my breath. Of course we made it through, c'mon! I almost wish we hadn't, though. What a cool story that would have been to have had to take a breathalizer test and walk on the line when we were only drunk on friendship, kidless freedom, and overpriced milkshakes. It felt so good to let loose like that. I need more of that in my life.
Todd took the kids to the beach while I was gone, and we all went again on Labor Day when I came back. It was the perfect place to be during a heat wave - it actually felt good to get in the water! We brought out the wetsuits and everyone did some boogie boarding. I haven't been out in years, and it felt absolutely liberating.
Gemma started pre-k at Cottage Preschool after Labor Day. Her teacher from last year, Ms. Diana, moved to Colorado this summer. We found this new place which is totally adorable; the only trouble is class is 10:45-1:30 instead of first thing in the morning, and the school is a 12 minute drive from the house. Gemma was happy there, but three weeks in, I felt so busy, even with G at school nine hours a week. We had her on a waiting list for the community preschool that meets on campus at the kids' elementary school. and when we got a call saying they had an opening, we took it. We've had a week at Croce now (a bit into October), and Gemma feels so cool, going to the same school as her big brother and sister. I drop all three kids off at the same time and don't have to spend part of my "me time" eating lunch and driving back and forth. It's going to be a better fit for our family.
First day of school giant cookie. I didn't take pictures of Hazel and Jack with theirs this year!
Todd decided we needed a projector so we could have outdoor movie nights. We are loving our backyard!
The kids are big into making secret hangout spots. We had dinner under this willow tree on the path behind our house one evening. Todd and the kids spent an hour or two hanging out there before dinner as well. They really want a clubhouse.
Gemma's latest obsession is the monkey bars. She has got blisters all over her hands. Every morning when we take the kids to school, she gets in line, waits while some first grader slowly crosses, both hands on the same bar, taking their time; when they're done, Gemma blazes across like some sort of primate. She's amazing.
We bought another cow. Thank goodness, because I don't like store-bought beef anymore.
We went to a cool festival nearby (in Dublin) called Splatter - it seemed to be totally art-based. They had tons of hands-on projects for the kids, from painting with kitchen utensils, to tying strings onto this massive conglomeration, to painting walls with spray bottles. It was awesome.
They had a sidewalk chalk art contest, and each of our kids entered. They got to fill an entire square each with their own creation, while Todd and I sat back and just watched them draw. I'm telling you, this was such a fun, laid-back Saturday. We are going to have to mark our calendars and go every year.
I had a really nice birthday. I woke up to the sound of Hazel taping crepe paper streamers to my doorframe, like I do for the kids on their birthdays. That sweet girl had totally pre-planned it, getting the supplies the night before and setting her alarm to wake her up early to surprise me. It totally made my day, her thoughtfulness.
I invited a handful of my closest friends to meet me at Panera for lunch. Now I'm really wishing we'd taken a picture of ourselves! It was so lovely - I'm going to do that every year. It just feels good to be surrounded by people I really like and who care about me. A grown-up birthday party!
My kids made me cards and limitless massage certificates, and Todd wrote me a lighthearted poem, a throwback to our dating days. I loved that. We had take-out lasagna and German chocolate cake with homemade coconut pecan frosting. That stuff is to die for!
That evening, after we put the kids to bed, Todd sat on the couch next to me and asked me what I wanted to do. Usually he's working on his computer or his phone in the evenings, and when he's not, we typically read, but what I really want to do, and he never has the energy for, is play games. Well, Todd played three rounds of Skip-Bo with me for my birthday. I felt so loved.
The next day, I cashed in on Todd's gift, and while Gemma was at school, I got a 90-minute hot-stone massage. Bliss!
Jack received the September Student of the Month award for respect. His teacher, Miss Wooten, wrote, "Jack ... is always listening attentively to both the teacher and his classmates during class. He is willing to work and play with anyone. He shows good manners by waiting his turn to do something." I'm proud of that good kid! He has always been really pleasant to be around, and I'm happy to see that working well for him at school.
We had a new fence installed, went to the ward campout (but didn't stay overnight), I've been writing the primary program in every spare second I have alone, Todd spoke in church and did a great job, I volunteer in the kids' classes at school, the kids are still loving gym class, and we started them up in soccer class as well. Todd's been getting in flight hours in the helicopter, Jack and Hazel are taking piano lessons, we've had friends over a few times, and I helped throw a baby shower for my friend Elaine. The kids went to the dentist, and Hazel and I had a date night for the women's session of conference, complete with pjs and candy and a laptop, all snuggled up in my bed. Gemma rode the bus for the first time with a group of her buddies, Todd and Jack went to the father/son campout (and did spend the night), and I've been doing a fairly good job of exercising every day and eating low-carb. Yeah, that's all the stuff that I didn't take pictures of. September was busy!
