Dog's favorite hike

 We headed out to the dog's favorite hike yesterday.  He gets to be off-leash almost the whole time, so he's a very happy guy.  

Serafina can't pass this tree without doing the splits. 

Leo got too hot on the hike and decided to show some skin. 

Ready to play. 

Resting in the shade. 

Mousse had the most fun. 

Happy Father's Day

Tom had a good Father's Day.  I made a coffee cake in the morning that turned out delicious.  Then in the afternoon, Tom got to pick the outing so we headed to the dog-friendly beach in South San Francisco.  We misjudged the weather a wee bit, but we survived.  We had fun seeing all the cute dogs and Mousse got to do so much playing. 

Dad and his kids - human and canine. 

They always have to climb up the sandy cliffside.  

The face of a happy, and very tired, dog. 

Last picture as we head to the car.  

We picked up pizza for dinner, which was a great way to end the day.  

 

Celebrating my 46th birthday

Yesterday was my birthday.  Birthdays are a little tough for me because I share a birthday with my dad and I miss him extra on this day.  Also, I don't love getting older.  But this time, I felt like I should probably celebrate.  Since the dance studio didn't hold a recital this year, I actually had the night free.  Next year, I'll be spending my birthday backstage and in the audience of the dance recital.  And since all my local close friends (and half of their kids) are vaccinated, I felt it might be safe to have everyone over.  It's been a long time since I've hosted anything and I was feeling a little nervous, but I decided to push past my hesitation and invite folks over for some drinks and dessert.  I definitely wasn't ready to host a meal. 

Tom picked up the most beautiful cake for me.  

Three families came over to celebrate with me.  After temperatures in the high 90s all day, it was absolutely perfect out in the evening.  People played darts and ping pong and all the other outdoor games we have in our new backyard.  Tom opened up our umbrella and showed off the lights.  

Everyone came inside to sing "happy birthday" to me. I was so overwhelmed and touched when I saw everyone gathered to show me love.  It's been a long time since I've had this many people around me that I care about. I took pictures of them and then they scolded me that I should be in the pictures since I was the birthday girl. 

So Tom took some pictures. 

And then they insisted I open my presents.  I think Kristi just wanted to see my reaction to this epic gift.  I will never admit to being a dance mom, even though my friends say I'm absolutely a dance mom.  Well, I guess I have to just accept it.  This shirt will help me embrace it. 

I think Leo's recital gave him new confidence, because he brought out his guitar and played for all the kids.  The adults were pretty impressed too. 

It was a wonderful night.  Everyone had a good time and it was so great to be together again after such a long time.  Mousse was mostly well behaved and got lots of attention and playtime.  Our new backyard proved to be a pretty great entertaining space, so hopefully we can host people again soon. 
 

Leo's (virtual) guitar recital

 Leo has been taking guitar lessons over Zoom for more than a year now.  He started out with group classes, but when he passed the two levels offered, he moved to individual lessons with his instructor.  He likes her a lot and she lets him pick songs that speak to him - mostly classic rock.  She held an end-of-the-year recital yesterday and invited Leo to participate.  He wasn't sure if he wanted to do it, but I wanted him to.  I'm proud of the progress he's made and I wanted him to have the chance to show that off.  I performed at several piano recitals in my childhood, so I know the last spot is reserved for the most advanced student.  I never performed last, but sometimes I would be second or third from last.  Leo was the last spot and I was thrilled for him. 

We tuned in to the recital from his room. There were several little kids, plucking out their songs with lots of concentration.  When Leo heard how these kids were true beginners, he began to feel more confident about his piece. 

Mousse found the music quite soothing. 

The recital moved along quickly because each performance was brief.  Then it was Leo's turn. 

He did a great job!

He didn't want me to record the recital but he performed his piece for me before it started. It's the solo from Stairway to Heaven. 

Great America Amusement Park

As the school year was wrapping up, Leo asked if we could get season passes to our local amusement park.  We have only been there once, many years ago with our friends.  I remember the trip vividly because I overestimated what rides I could handle and made myself severely motion sick trying to be the "cool mom" going on the big roller coasters.  I'm more aware of my limits now.  Anyway, I thought about this request and decided that it would actually be a pretty fun activity this summer that is also quite safe because it is entirely outdoors.  Another big draw is the freshly remodeled waterpark.  Since it's our first summer without the pool, it seemed like a good idea to have access to a water destination.   We would only have to visit the park three times this summer to make it worth the cost.  We've already been twice in less than a week.  Last Friday afternoon we went and took Tom along.  It was more crowded than we expected, so we didn't do too many attractions, but there wasn't a desperation or pressure to do everything all at once because we knew we would be coming back again and again.  Today we went back.  It also happens to be the worst day in the middle of a three-day heat wave.  We got there right when the park opened, and after just one regular ride, headed to the waterpark.  We found some lounge chairs in the shade and proceeded to have a really fun time going on water slides and hanging out in the wave pool.  We were hoping to float along their lazy river, but it's currently only open on weekends.  By 1:30 the crowds were arriving and the temps were rising, so we headed out.  It worked out really nicely and I'm looking forward to more water days this summer.  Every time we go, we get a little more savvy on how to handle the place too.  

I was too busy having fun in the water to take any pictures, but here's one of the kids and a creepy bear statue before we went into the water area. 

 

Leo's second covid shot and the end of Sierra School

Leo got his second covid shot yesterday.  

He wasn't too thrilled that I made him take this picture, but I told him this is a big deal. I'm very happy he is now protected from covid.  Now we just have to wait for September to get Serafina vaccinated. 

It was Leo's last day of school today.  They just played some games and chatted over Zoom.  He went a little late because I let him sleep in and he wasn't feeling too great after his shot.  He took some Tylenol with breakfast and that helped a lot.  The graduation was Monday via Zoom and I watched it with him. I cried (hard) through the whole thing.  I knew I was be equally upset if I was around for the final day today, so I ran an errand and went to the gym instead.  I'm just so sad that the school is closing.  It was a wonderful community with amazing teachers.  I feel very lucky that we found it and Leo got to spend three years there, but I'm heartbroken that it has ended. Leo is mainly feeling relief that the school year is over. It's been an extremely challenging year over Zoom.  
 

Last competition of the season

We were up early Saturday morning (5:45am) to drive to South San Francisco for the last dance competition of the season. Tom was a very good sport and came with us so he could see her dance in person. It was a block schedule again, so the whole morning was dedicated to Dance Academy dances. We watched pretty much all of them, and it felt very similar to a recital, which we didn't have this year or last year because of covid. 

Here she is waiting to go inside. 

In between her routines, I made her pose with a couple of friends. 

At the end of all the performances, they brought all the dancers on stage to present some awards. 

After this ceremony, the group went into a large dressing room so honor the seniors that are headed to college next year.  

The studio owner made all the dancers lollypops.  Serafina said it was delicious. 

 The studio is moving locations this summer, so there are no summer camps. She'll be back at it again in August with eight hours a week of classes. It's intense but she's very happy doing it, and fortunately, the new studio is a bit closer to our house so it will be easier to shuttle her back and forth.