California - Rock City and Diablo State Park

 

We planned to visit Brian's brothers family in California last summer, but Covid.  So we headed west in early July.

The weather was beautiful and our hosts had lots of super fun plans for our week.  Rock City was so much fun!  The kids had a blast climbing crazy high rocks with their cousins.  It was probably a good thing that I had to stay near the parking lot due to my sprained ankle - I would have been a nervous wreck!

Driving to the top of Mount Diablo was a long and curvy ride.  The views were incredible!   We were able to see the entire bay area from the top and it was breathtaking.

Pool Time!

One of my very favorite things about summer is the pool.  It's like a little mini vacation on a weekday afternoon.  Unfortunately momma is laid up with a badly sprained ankle - aside from the discomfort the worst part is that I can't drive.  Luckily Nonna retired just in time to play chauffeur.  The past two days she has come by to pick Jack up from summer school.  We packed up and headed to the pool - Max even joined us!

The water was chilly - which felt great on my ankle.  Jack is a little fish and he cannot get enough of the water.  He would swim all day every day if he could!

Our Little Gator

 William had his last baseball game Saturday.  It was a hot one!  It has been so much fun watching him grow as a player. 

Nonno came and watched the game.  At one point he complimented the left fielder covered the third baseman - it was William!  He understands the game and has improved so much on his throwing, catching, and stealing.  We are so grateful for his amazing team and coaches.  Its nice to know that you can trust them 100% to help your child grow in a positive way.

He is my very favorite ballplayer :)

The Great Nonna Retires

After 41 years serving as a receptionist for the NICU, the great Nonna has retired.  I was so grateful that I was able to be there to celebrate this huge milestone with her.  Can't wait for even more Nonna time in the days, months, and years to come. 

School's Out!

 

What a year it has been . . . virtual, distance, blended, hybrid, synchronous, asynchronous, quarantines, oh my!  It has been insane, but these two handled it about as well as I could have asked.  There were moments of frustration and tears, but there were also lots of moments of celebrating success.  So long 2nd Grade!

Adious 7th Grade!  Max really, really didn't want me to take his picture, but I just had to.  Some day he will smile again for the camera, right?  I sure feel like I'm saying that a lot lately . . . 

A Good Turn

 

One thing I really love about scouts is the focus on serving others.  This Memorial Day Max and William had the opportunity to honor those that gave their all for our country by placing american flags on graves at a local cemetery.  

So Long 4th Grade

William's last day of school was May 21st.  They decided to have a last day parade like last year and it was incredible!  We decorated the van more this time, so we felt a bit more prepared.  

William felt like a complete rockstar as he hung out the sunroof and all of the teachers cheered.  I will forever be grateful that we found a school that teaches the way he learns.  I wish I had know what I know now back when I was in the classroom. 

I couldn't have said it better myself - it really has been bananas!

After the parade several of the kids met up at a nearby  park. They had so much fun running around, hiding in the woods, and spraying each other with a random hose that they found.