Butterfly parade

We welcomed the monarchs to Pacific Grove again with a parade. Audrey, as a middle schooler, doesn't march, but since she's a cheerleader, she actually does! Fun that she's still in it. She looked great with her squad. Declan was an artist (second grade) and Ian was a gold miner (fourth grade). We had A LOT of fun at the bazaar afterward, which is like a carnival. The kids played for hours, wining lots of tootsie rolls and plastic toys and enjoying bouncy castles and friends. 

September

Audrey performed at the fair with her cheer squad. Her dad got to watch and then they had some fair fun! 

This girl hauls so much to school: cheer shoes, PE clothes, trumpet, extra music binder, plus all the normal stuff. She doesn't love days that she has to wear her cheer uniform to school, but she looks super cute! 

Ian and Declan got their orange belts at karate--woohoo! Audrey is taking a break from karate to do cheer.

Declan is also doing soccer this fall. He loves it!

Audrey and Claire went to a PG youth center dance for middle schoolers. They thought it was loud. But they had a fun night together. 

That same weekend I took the girls to the opening of a bookstore in Carmel. Food, crafts, storytime, free Lula's, books to buy--what more could we ladies ask for?

I read the kids The House with a Clock in its Walls and then took them to the movie. We sure love Jack Black. It was a fun memory!

Just like when Ian was a second grader in the SOS, Declan gets to bring the class otters home occasionally.

Sunday morning shenanigans--it's a hot tub!

Another day's shenanigans--look what we made with soap and water, Mom!

Mr. B performing with Del Monte Brass.

Mr. B got to go to his cousin's wedding in WA and see his adorable little nephews, Thomas and Walter.

Mr. B got his purple belt--first karate belt test! So proud of him for trying new things.

The instructor, Mr. Durney, is an amazing person. We are glad to be part of the American Karate family.

August

In August, we went back to school, enjoyed a Del Monte Brass dinner (Mr. B's band), Declan started soccer (pics coming in September--this one is Ian at the park nearby practice), went swimming and then for ice cream, had a visit from my parents and cousin Lizzy, went to National Night Out and got a visit from Declan's classroom otters. 

July fun

The kids had a fabulous time at surf camp, Audrey went to WAVE while the boys did another week of Whispering Pines, the Croxalls came to visit, and Audrey went to her first overnight camp: cheer camp! We had a lot of fun days--play dates, outings, adventures.

June fun

First month of summer break and the kids are having a blast! They started out with a camping trip with their dad (while I rested my foot), then a week of summer camp (Whispering Pines for the boys and art camp for Audrey). Then they had swim lessons, library trips and fun Monterey outings with me, lots of swimming at pools, and a fun visit with Grammy and Grandpa, including a fabulously warm beach day at Lover's Point, a visit to Legoland, hotel pool swimming and lots of beach walks. Such a fun and busy month! There was also a lot of sibling fighting and mom exhaustion, of course.

camping with Dad

So much reading, yay!

Lover's Point

Legoland

beach in Carlsbad, CA--hoping to see the sunset but the clouds prevented us

boardwalk near Asilomar--loved our Grammy and Grandpa time!

Audrey's promotion

Audrey was promoted to middle school!! She was tearful on her last day of school, realizing that she was done with Forest Grove and that she wouldn't see favorite teachers as much. But on promotion day she was excited for the celebration, and her class performed an amazing patriotic concert. Their music teacher is incredible. I love this school!

May: surgery and recovery

After celebrating the amazing Mr. B on his birthday, I woke up the next morning and headed to the surgery center to have surgery on my right foot big toe joint. It went well, and I spent the next two weeks recovering and being taken care of by several friends, Mr. B, Amber and my mom--they worked hard for us! Mid-May Audrey had her first band concert, playing the trumpet.

The kids finished up the school year and are looking forward to a summer break filled with camps and fun adventures. I'm still recovering and taking life slow, but in good spirits.