Summer recreation, trips, etc.

Dear Maya and Emi,

Yikes! It's been a month since mommy's last post. That makes total sense, though, because as much as people like to put the words 'summer' and 'vacation' together, we all know that it's a much busier season than the rest for a lot of reasons. But here's what your summer has looked like.

Emi--I'm glad that you had a good June and July because your August has been a bit dull. You've been home with mommy most of the time, playing inside more than outside because mommy has had so much work to do. You've been coloring, crafting, playing with ponies, magnets, and sushi toys a lot. When we do go outside it's all about bubbles, balls, and badminton. And when your sister is home there are sooooo many sibling struggles, but also some funny and sweet moments, too.

Maya--You had such a great time at your summer rec program!! You spent almost every day in the stream, digging clay, catching snails and crayfish, chasing butterflies, and playing with your friends. Although there were a few other kids in your grade, your favorite person to hang out with was a 12-year-old girl. You had field trips to a trampoline park, a mini golf place, a trampoline place, a baseball game, the library, and a waterfall. What a great experience it all was!

(these photos taken by camp counselors!)

Just after the rec program ended, Maya, you went to North Carolina to spend a week with Grandpa and Lori!! You adventured and explored, finding lots of shells and bits of nature. You ate lots of Asian food. You went to a Tony Bennett concert with Grandpa. And you tired them out, I'm sure!

(these photos courtesy of Grandpa and Lori)

Mommy drove down to Maryland to meet Grandpa and Lori when it was time for you to come home, Maya, but we spent a night with our friends Rebecca, Tony, and Nora. You and Nora are quite the pair, playing and squabbling like sisters even though you've only spent a small amount of time together before. It's pretty adorable, really. On Monday we went with them to a nature center and park to view the solar eclipse, then got some froyo before heading home.

(this photo by Rebecca)

And now we have a couple weeks 'til school starts, mommy has lots of work to do, and somehow I have to keep the two of you busy so you don't fight like cats and dogs. It's one of those 'one day at a time' kind of things, for sure!

Love you both!