Swimming

 We've been swimming a lot this summer.  Silas finished Level 4 lessons and is enrolled in Level 5.  Daphne is doing Level 2 this session, but she definitely could have been in Level 3.  They are both learning so fast, it inspired me to try to learn to swim also. 

Of course we've also done some more park days, we went back to Anderson Park in Redondo Beach which we haven't been to in probably a few years.  I have so many memories there of Silas as a toddler trying to navigate the little kids' playground, now he's one of the oldest kids there!  We also stopped by Baskin Robbins, the kids agreed ColdStone is "way better" :)  

Summer Days

I know the summer just started, but it feels like it's passing so quickly already.  I moved my Dad the first weekend, it was a very long drive but all things considered went OK.  Last weekend we went camping with the Cub Scouts at Malibu Creek State Park.  I didn't love that campsite but was still fun with the group.  Silas has been doing cooking camp and Daphne has been doing the Learning Journey at Center.  Both are enjoying their camps.  

The kids had a great last week of school.  Silas performed in the school talent show and Daphne also lost her first tooth!  

Changes

 I can't believe it's almost summer!  6 more days of school left.  I'm definitely looking forward to it. 

Lots of other changes, Silas completed his first year of cub scouts and got his Bear badge.  It was a really cute ceremony.  Daphne is finishing her first year as a Daisy, I think we'll try one more year with this troop and then see how things go.  We're also setting up separate bedrooms for the kids, Silas is moving upstairs and Daphne will have the downstairs room.  I think it will be really good for them to have their own space. 

The biggest change is probably for my Dad.  He's getting kicked out of Park Plaza, so we're moving him to Arizona.  It's been pretty stressful and there seems like so much to do, but long term I think it will be good for him.  He's going to be very close to Scott, so I think he'll do better with the frequent visits.  

Run for Education

 We all did the PTA Run for Education this morning.  It went really well!

 Daphne and I walked most all of it, and finished in 55 minutes.  Steve and Silas went ahead and did a jog / walk and finished in 42 minutes.  Fortunately, we were able to meet up with Alice and her mom so that Daphne had someone to walk with.  I'm not sure if she would have made it that far without a friend.  Both kids said they had fun, especially the free ice cream after, and would do it again next year. 

Camping

 We took Ruby camping with us to Leo Carillo over Spring Break.  There was a ton of traffic on the way there, but otherwise it was great.  Ruby actually did really well, much better than I expected.  We only stayed one night, but that ended up being fine.  We made a reservation for the summer to go again right before school starts.  There was a creek right behind our campsite that the kids, and Ruby, really enjoyed exploring.  

Spring Break - Irvine Park

 This week was Spring Break for the kids, so Steve and I took off work also.  It was great, and so nice to be off.  I'm sad that it's over.  Monday we went to Irvine Park, Tuesday I took the kids to Color Me Mine, Wednesday and Thursday we went camping and took Ruby, Saturday we went to see my Dad and took Ruby there also, and today we went to Universal Studios. 

I'll be adding more pictures, but here are the pictures from Irvine Park.  It was a lot of fun, we'll definitely go back.  We did the paddle boats, those were hard work!  The zoo, the train, brought a picnic lunch and also found a creek the kids had fun playing in.  Many of the hiking trails were closed due to mud / flooding from the creek but there was lots to do without the hike.  Maybe next time we'll try renting one of the 4 person bicycles.