Summer thus far

Do you want to build a sand castle? I've got plenty of sand in my car. I'm happy to provide sand for your castle making pleasure. Annoyance aside, I'm super stoked the kids love the beach so much. Tod's kids have been here and doing ANYTHING in a pack of 6 gets expensive. They spend hours at the beach every day. It's free, they're active and it's not too bad a day for me either...

For some reason there was a huge pit at our beach for a few days. It provided hours of entertainment for the littles. 

This girl never tires of the waves. I don't know where she gets the energy to let the ocean beat on her for so long. The smaller kids take numerous breaks - to rest and/or warm up. Not Ana. She's the aquatic energizer bunny.

I find a way to make myself useful while the kids splash. I got through loads of emails and some other work on my iPad/wireless keyboard dream combo.

We spent some time with our good friends Dave & Tiffany. They were staying at a resort near us that had an incredible pool.

 And then we went whale watching. We went in early July - the very beginning of blue whale season. Did you know blue whales are the biggest animal to live on the earth? EVER? Todd is fascinated by that, so even though it was risky that we wouldn't see anything, we had to try. Bummer we didn't see any whales. :(

But we did see thousands of dolphins.

Here's a mama & her baby

 

After the cruise we spotted some human hamster balls. This was genius. Here's how it works:

The kids enjoyed a day at the Science Center, the always entertaining and free establishment that we adore.

And a day at Disneyland. I never bring my camera to DL so settle for some iPhone pics. 

Trying to beat the famous Splash Mountain scream of Jeff's circa 1995

 

End of school year stuff

I've fallen a little behind on blogging. And everything else. Tod's kids were here for the past three weeks and life was nutty. Now they're gone. My kids are gone too. I'm enjoying some r&r and doing lots of catch up.

Lily is no longer in elementary school. It's over. No more field trips for mommy. No more concerts. I'm sad about it. I wish I could go back and savor each moment again. Now I guess I'll just look forward to having grand kids some day..

Here they are, first and last day of school. Wow, I didn't realize they were changing so much.

Here is Lily's elementary school graduation.

Her favorite teacher ever...Lindsay Sharp

Her good friend Clelia, aka Baby.

Paule & Francesca

Jared, Matthew, Rudy, Pauline & Baby

The fifth grade had a huge picnic to celebrate the end of elementary school and to get the kids acquainted with the other fifth graders in town. I was in charge of the human foosball game. There was a big field built to resemble a foosball table and the kids had to hold onto the pipes and move back and forth together. It was a riot.

Dance party

Lily's favorite friend, Paule. She's a cute freckle faced girl from Lithuania. We all love Paule.

Lily got a bloody nose playing ultimate frisbee.

Ana played at the 8th grade graduation ceremony. It was hot and torturous because she had to play AFTER school was out for the year. I thought that was cruel and unusual of the band teacher. 

Final note of the year. Or maybe her life. She says she's not playing again next year, much to her band teacher's disappointment. He adores her. 

Kendell

All the new kids last year got stuck in band (it was the only elective that wasn't full) and it was great because they banded together and became great friends.

Natalie, Ana, Emma, Isabelle, Kendell, Milla.

Shawn (in the red) is our next door neighbor. These girls love to torment him. He pretends to hate it, but I'm pretty sure he loves having so much attention from all these pretty girls.

When we got home this is what we found on our porch. I think their mama was pushing them off the roof. Avian infanticide!! (Why am I sharing these?!?!?!)

We had to tease the kids that we were having chicken nuggets for dinner.

Loving the freedom and spontaneity of summer! I am sure by August I'll long for routines and to have my kids gone for half the day ;), but for now my heart is full and we're having a blast!

Art Date

I had a Friday evening to myself last week. I really like having time on my own to wander and/or wonder. It's very good for my soul. I love doing things with my Tod and my littles, but when they're not available I'm very good at and very pleased to entertain myself.

So when Rachel finds herself alone in Los Angeles on a Friday night, where does she take herself? LACMA (LA County Museum of Art). And dig this - it's free for LA County Residents on Friday night. So dreamy! Here are some pics of what made my heart go all aflutta.

Love these bovine. Tod pointed out that I love texture. True dat.

Close up of above

Russian Lovers

Lovely Paul Klee. Great sun.

My old Picasso enthusiasm was excited that I revisited it.

Stellar Picasso sculpture

A whole lovely slew of Giacomettis

I love my legs in this.

All those wonderful Matisse busts in front of a Picasso blue period piece. Mmmm. 

There's a Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA now. I didn't see it, but enjoyed the huge balloon.

Love love love mosaics. This was lovely. I 'm keeping a stash of mosaic pics for as reference for the day I can install some in my home.

That's a thistle. How did they make a thistle so gorgeous?

Talking to Mother Mary during self-timer portrait in front of the famous lamp posts.

Then on Saturday I went to the Getty Villa with mi amiga, Felice. The Getty Villa is the smaller, more charming version of The Getty in Malibu.

Again...transfixed by the beauty of the mosaics

It was bloody sunny and I didn't bring my shades. Thank you for providing free umbrellas GV.

 Feeling happy and inspired. Stoked I live in a city that offers world class art. Woohoo!!