Richardson Family Raconteur: Summer 2011

School is back in session, fall is about to start, and the time has come for me to complete the assignment "What we did over our Summer Vacation". After our visit to Utah we settle in to the second half of summer, where the big trip has come and gone, and we are just looking for ways to entertain ourselves all day long, while trying to be somewhat scheduled and productive, and trying to get in the relaxation while can, before school and sports kick in high gear.

As mentioned in a previous post Pete didn't really get much of a summer vacation. He taught summer school for the summer program Think Together, and then his schedule started up immediately after that to begin preparing for his new position as Principal at his old school, Martin Elementary. There is a month's worth of work to do before the teachers and students return, and for a couple of days this summer Pete hires the twins to come and work at his school. One afternoon the younger boys and I join them to pitch in, or, as is more likely the case, to goof off.

For several hours we open boxes of books, organize the books into grade and classroom piles, load the books onto carts, and then transport them to their intended destination. A brand new two story building was recently built on the Martin campus, and luckily there is an elevator for us to use to move everything to the second level. The whole campus looks very nice with beautiful landscapes and bright colorful murals painted on the walls.

Mosiac tile mural of fruits and vegetables that the kids pass

on their way to the (outdoor) cafeteria.

the crew at work

everyone helps out...for a while anyway...

Martin has a nice big MPR with a beautiful big old stage, very rare in newer buildings.
You may remember this as being the place where Pete's
surprise birthday party was held two years ago when he

was leaving Martin as A.P., the food and table were set up below,

while the Mariachi band performed up on this stage.

Today it is Jed and Henry's turn.

(the motto of Martin Elementary is "Go Forth and Achieve" which you can see on the

purple banner to the right of the stage. It is accredited to Marilyn Powell Berns, former

teacher at Martin Elementary, sister to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and

longtime resident of our neighborhood in Lake Forest. She lived just around the

corner from us up until she passed away a few years ago. Her husband still lives there.)

Getting things ready for a great year!

You can read more about Pete's school here including his Principal's message

The Saturday after we return home from Utah the twins and I attend the Bar Mitzvah of one of Jack's classmates and friends. While we attended his sister's Bat Mitzvah after party a few years ago, this was the first temple synagogue Bar Mitzvah service we have had the opportunity to attend. It was very interesting and festive in its own way, and great cultural experience for the me and the kids. I didn't take any pictures at that service, although I would have liked to have gotten one of Jack in the yarmulke he wore during the service. It was a souvenir as well, maybe I'll have him put it on and recreate the look! The religious service was in the morning, in the evening we meet up again at a local hotel ballroom for the after party, emphasis on party!

A lot of swaying in group lines, ring-around-the-rosie type celebrations, and

Jacob lifted in his celebratory chair many times!

Harriet is happy to hang with her twin friends
who moved to San Clemente several years ago

Jack and Jacob are head of the kid's table - lots of party favors,
food, drinks, glow bands, etc. etc.

After a delicious salmon dinner the adults get a fancy tiramisu dessert, while they
fire up the chocolate fountain for the kids. I, like many other adults, take a trip
over to the fountain to fill up our plates. Here's Harriet dipping her Red Vine in!

There is a fun DJ who leads the kids in different games,
including cup relays, and this disappearing chair game.

Things start to get a little crazy...

Conga Line!

Glow Robot!

Limbo!

Everyone has a great evening and it's almost midnight by the time we get home.

Mazel Tov Jacob!

Earlier in the summer we attended an evening with Gold Medalist Peter Vidmar, current member of our Stake Presidency. He holds a fireside open to the public at our ward building.

He is interesting and personable and gives us a gymnastics demonstration as well

as many anecdotal stories and life lessons.

Afterwards the kids get to try out his own personal pommel horse,

check out some genuine gold and silver Olympic medals

and get a picture and autograph from Brother Vidmar.

After some back and forth waffling, and a poll on Facebook, Harriet decides it's time for a
hair cut! Not a trim, but a hair cut! She has worn her hair long for a long time now. It's now long enough to be donated to one of the Locks of Love type organizations, so she decides to cut off as
much as is needed for this.

her brothers wait very patiently...

we all LOVE the finished result!

After years of rumors, Wild Rivers in nearby Irvine declares that this is really the last

year that they will be open. They've lost their lease to the Irvine Company, and must

close. The nearby Great Park is supposedly planning to build a new water park, but

nothing there is moving very quickly, so we won't hold our breath. For now we take

the twins for a few more visits to have fun with their friends and make some memories!

last time walking through the entrance

they aren't the only ones getting in a last few runs on the Patriot!

Near the end of summer we attend a going away party for our friend and Pete's former superboss Lisa's

daughter Vic who is heading back east to attend one of the most prestigious boarding schools on full scholarship. We also came here for a wild and crazy 4th of July (not many firework regulations here in

Santa Ana!) but tonight's gathering is a bit more restrained and relaxed, at least until the sun goes down..