Socks?!

My carefree, bee-steppin' hippie kids have been barefoot all summer.  I have to fight with them to put on shoes.


Imagine the scene, when we took them hiking this weekend and asked them to put on socks and sneakers. 

Holy cow, you would have thought I asked them to give away their toys.

"Why?  I don't want too!"  "I'll be fine!"  "I hate socks!"

Wow.  Such a passionate reaction to a piece of clothing.

But we made it.  We had a great hike.  It was sweltering under the sun, but the majority of the trail was under the cool forest canopy.

We made it to all three waterfalls.  We spent two nights tent camping under the stars. 

Each night by the fire, we had our own 'laser light show' with the glow sticks.  Dyleva assisted in the setting up/taking down process, the washing of dishes, and investigation of local fauna. 











Returning from the bathroom, we certainly startled a hungry mapache that had entered our site.  It freaked Eva out.  She was completely caught off guard.  Imagine if it had been a bear?

The third day, after a brief stop at the playground, we returned home. 

Socks and shoes off the minute the car went into drive.

Sunsets

The second week is always much different from the first!  The first week was calm and peaceful.  This week was a little stormy and choppy!

One thing that was consistent, however, was the sunsets.  Every night there was an incredibly beautiful sunset!

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

One evening, after a storm passed, Eva and I did yoga on top of a log that washed up on shore.

We did however, create other projects throughout the week.

Dylan and I created a Jenga bridge.

Uncle Tom, in the oruga

Patito needs a cerveza too...

The Kitty Show

So Eva calls everyone to the hallway.  "It's time for the Kitty show!"

She has been slightly obsessed with cats.

Dylan and I sit down.  In the hall.  There is a line of pillows. 

Eva grabs the microphone and welcomes us all for coming.  She is about to bring out the cats.  She wants us to vote on our favorite.

My hand raises in the air.

"Yes, Mommy?"

"Will the cats be doing tricks?"

"No," she replied.  She proceeded with her introduction.

My hand went up again.

Frustrated.  "Yes.  Mommy?" she asked.

"Well, what are we judging them on?  If they are not doing any tricks...."

"Just pick the one that looks the best!"

Meanwhile Dylan is silently taking it all in.  Praying for a tornado or other natural disaster so he can get away from the Kitty show.

There is a slight delay, backstage.  We wait it out, and eventually, the kitties emerge.  Their floral fragrance fills the air.  It becomes apparent to me, that she has sprayed them all a different lovely scent.  Cough, cough.

My hand shoots up.

"Huh!  Yes, Mommy?"

"I just want to clarify, that we are not judging them on how they smell....cause that one over there, whew!"

Dylan starts cracking up.  "No, Mommy, it's fine.  Okay, its time to vote."

Princess Snowy won by a landslide!
(Disclaimer: She does not perform tricks and smells like Yankee Candle.)

Chalkfest!

Dylan's monster with crazy hair.

Early on in the summer, I found an advertisement for Chalkfest.  I thought it sounded so interesting!  We decided to go and check it out!


As we arrived, we pulled up a patch of sidewalk, and began to draw.  The theme was 'monsters.' 

Next, we walked around to look at the beautiful chalk creations all over the pavement.

We closed with Lloyd's food truck and live line dancing for entertainment in the Street.  What a lovely event in our city! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wow Eva!  Spooky monsters!

 

Dylan's tornado monster