vacation reminiscing

Time is flying by and I can say we have had many productive days. Which is good of course, as there are SO many parts to creating a school, even if it is just in your living room! ;) However, at the end of a "productive" day I enjoy reminiscing about the summer and our little vacations we had throughout.

Again, while my parents were still here (it seems like a very long time that we last saw them) ;( We spend a day in Santa Cruz.

You know where the happy people are, on the beach with their surf boards. It was a beautiful day, of slowly wadding along the shore, watching the sea lions, going on carousal rides and of course turning into a cafe for that delicious caffeinated drink.

A funny story about the carousels is that, as you know, Mateo loves everything and anything with wheels. Something has wheels it draws his attention and fascination. When he saw the plane carousal he wanted to go on it. What we didn't understand though was that he only wanted to SIT on it and not RIDE it. So when it started he was miserable.

He didn't cry, because this little guy will pull himself together as much as he can before he cries in front of strangers. He did make that little pouting face that I know so well and just knew he was not enjoying this AT ALL!!! He kept just shaking his head when he came off, saying "I don't like it." So, despite all the fascination we are going watch all those objects with wheels for a while. Which is OK with me! ;)

Oma and Opa we think of you often!

sailing in seattle

We are on a little vacation. Traveling around to visit with friends in different cities. We will squeeze some camping time in as well, to emerge ourselves into nature before returning to the busy city life. Right now we are staying with friends in a great big house, right by the ocean. Beautiful!!!!

Before we came here we spend a couple days in Seattle with Theodore's sister. We had so much fun exploring the city and hanging out. We mainly visited coffee shops (of course) and went to parks with water fountains (great opportunity for the children to get wet). The hit however was going on a free boat ride on union lake. They have old wooden sailing boats that they invite you to come on. Our boat had to be rowed out of the harbor onto the lake. We felt like we were in a Horatio Hornblower movie. We had great fun pretending we were sailors and rowed with everything we had. Mateo got a little restless on the small vessle and threw something over board. Just a piece of rope, but important enough for us to turn around and fish it back out of the water. It all just added to the excitement! ;)

When I was younger my family did a lot of sailing over the summers. We had a small sail boat my dad took out on lakes in Italy. There is something very calming and soothing about sailing. On a typical day with a good wind blowing and calm sea, the atmosphere is peaceful. The sound of the wind and the splashing water soothes everything. I loved watching the sun shining through the water. To me nature creates the most amazing pictures. I treasured the feeling of relaxation on the boat. After this very busy school year I invite the feeling of peace and calmness more than I needed too in a long time. I am glad both those feelings are coming over me.

an american experience

Today we did something we have never done before. We went to Krispy Kreme! I recently saw a donut on one of the blogs I like to read and I couldn't get that donut out of my mind.

On our way to the library I just randomly asked Theodore (as if I didn't mean anything by my question) if he liked donuts? He said yes. I continued the little conversation asking him if he knew a place that had good donuts around here? Now he began to look at me with that look that he now knew what I was getting too.

Whenever I visit a place like Krispy Kreme or McDonalds (I know they exist all over the world) I consider that another American experience. The way it is so unhealthy, so cheap, so fast, so friendly, so plain.... I like that sometimes. All of the above. It is relaxing, feels like a treat, a place to just enjoy for a moment and feel good.

Of course as soon as we got home, a little later we made lots of veggies for dinner to counter balance all that sugar! ;) But it was oh so worth it.

sweet night!

santa cruz

We took a quick escape from the business of life and visited our friends in Santa Cruz. Even though it was really windy and sand was gushed against our skin we took a little trip to the beach.

So beautiful and to think we actually life so close to such a magnificent place. When my parents come in the summer we have to go there again. (Right, Hollu and Mama?!)

vacation day 5 & 6 (our last two days)

As you know Mateo loves to ride the train and so we wanted to include a train ride in our vacation. Sophia had some requests too, she wanted to go to the library, a playground, and the apple store (or was that more Papa's request?!) Theodore and I both wanted to go out for brunch and a cafe later in the day. So, in order to fulfill all wishes and a nap time for the boy, we rode the train back and fort and made different stops in between. It felt a little silly, but made it all the more fun and felt like a vacation adventure.

On our last day we fulfilled one more of Sophia's request to go bowling. We have a bowling place right around the corner. She and Theodore had a great time playing, Mateo and I were the crowd cheering them on. Mateo's other job? Looking for and announcing then the balls came back.

We spend the afternoon at a beautiful park. Taking in the fresh air, fine colors and simple quiet and stillness, knowing that the business of life was soon to come back.

vacation day 1

We went to Santa Cruz today. To the beach we went, visited the sea lions and enjoyed a charming cafe down town. It was a refreshing and a simply beautiful day.

A warm soup was welcomed as we returned home. Together we sang to end our day. Singing together has become a favorite little ritual. Each of us suggests and shares a song for us to sing. No matter your age, everyone can participate and benefit from the joyous atmosphere singing can create.

Now the children are asleep and the house has turned quiet again. Good night, happy day!

can you see the rainbow?!

sophia wrote all our names in the sand and then theodore added the heart in between ;)

watching those sea lions closely!