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
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
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.
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!
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.
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..
party favors on the table
Lisa's party's always have a theme - this one is superheroes
and sugar.....
As at the 4th of July party, the taco man is here with his delicious
grill and cart of goodness
Superman guarding the gates
Giant inflatable bats are the best!
Party goers listen to a friend sing to Vic and serenade the crowd
with Green Day's Time of Your Life
Lisa's son is famous at these gatherings for his dancing - MJ's "Billy Jean"
is one of his classics - tonight we are treated to the MJ mask (but not the single glove)
when he dances to the tune
Vic, wearing her superhero cape, then joins her brother for their
classic dance duet done to Beyonce's "Single Ladies"
Truly, truly awesome.
A week or so before school starts we celebrate our last beach day of the summer
with friends in Laguna. Our ward's youth actually have a bonfire scheduled at
a nearby beach this evening, so we bring a bunch of kids down early to play in the
waves, then head down and join everyone else, including our husbands, at the bonfire.
The waves were perfect and the boys had a great time boogie boarding while the
girls swam and played in the sand with the younger kids. The weather is absolutely
beautiful and my friend and I relaxed in our chairs and enjoyed our time in the sun.
meeting up with the youth and young adult leaders as the sun starts to set
One of the youth gets stung by a bee - he has a bee allergy and no epi pen so we flag
down the Lifeguard to take his vitals and check him out. He's okay.
once the bonfire is roaring the sticks and marshmallows come out
Henry and his s'more caught in the flash
playing a beach blanket teamwork game
Farewell Endless Summer!!!
