Quiet little lake trip

We headed up to the lake house on Tuesday night.  The weather was chillier than usual for this time of year, but we still tried to make the best of it.  Tom and I took a nice walk on Wednesday to enjoy the summer solstice. 

In the afternoon it was nice enough to head down to the beach.  It was very empty during the week.  

On Friday, we got the kayaks in the water. 

Dance Recital 2023

Another recital in the books!  It was an exhausting, inspirational, fun time.  Each year, I get to know the kids and teachers more and more so the recital becomes more meaningful.  It's such a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the dance season, especially on a year when we aren't headed to the national competition just a few weeks later.  The recital was the actual finale to this dance season, complete with an emotional sendoff for this year's graduating seniors. 

Serafina performed all of her competition routines, with the ballroom routine performing in two shows. Because she was a teaching assistant this year for a pre-jazz class, she was also in the opening number.  Her large hip hop routine closed every show. It is one of the most high energy, fun routines and is delightful to watch. 

In addition to her competition routines, she performed with her four technique classes as well.  Here's a few shots from hip hop.  My phone acted up and I couldn't record it. 

Here's her technique class contemporary routine.  I took this video during dress rehearsal so there is a lot of talking in the background. 

Here's a video of the opening number featuring the teachers, TAs and seniors.  This is also from rehearsal so they are all in various costume pieces.  For the actual show, they looked more uniform with matching shirts and bottoms. 

I helped back stage for the two morning shows.  I got this cute picture in the wings before the girls went on for Show Jazz. 

Serafina's school friend Bella came to the first show.  It was really sweet of her to support Serafina. 

Tom, Leo and I got to watch the afternoon show on Saturday. 

Sunday morning I worked backstage again.  I got a few pictures of Serafina's ballet dance from the wings.  She wasn't that please with me about it. 

Her bestie Sunny, along with Sunny's aunt, and Serafina's former teacher Mrs. Ghelfi, came to watch with her daughter Sadie.  Sadie loved the recital and had lots of questions about it.  She had her mom sign her up for a class as soon as they got home.  

They hung out with us during the break between shows. We walked around to the front of the theater and I got this shot. 

Ah these two. 

The final show was Sunday night.  Tom, Leo, Nana and I were in the audience.  The little jazz dancers that Serafina was a TA for performed during that show and I told her I needed a picture of her with "her little friends" (that's what I called them all season when she went to assist in their class).  Serafina was dressed for her Senior Hip Hop Crew dance that went on immediately after their routine. 

After the show we were able to give her lots of flowers and praise.  

That night we celebrated my birthday and Father's Day with one delicious cake. 

I don't really mind spending my birthday at recital.  Next year, Serafina will be old enough to sign up to participate in the "Dancing Dads" routine.  Tom isn't so sure about it all, but it is a crowd favorite and Serafina assured him he'll be towards the back.  
 

Mexico Trip - Puerto Vallarta

After a fantastic time in adorable little Sayulita, it was time for some big resort living.  Just two nights in a Marriott in Puerta Vallarta, but we were excited for less bugs and more hot water.  

We were offered an upgrade to a room with a view.  We declined and found our room still had a pretty spectacular view from the balcony.  

We are pretty good at resort life. 

I really wanted to go down to the boardwalk, but Tom wasn't sure if he wanted to deal with the crowds.  I may have pulled the emotional card since this was a special place for me and my dad.  But it worked and we all were very happy we went.  We got there just in time to catch the sunset.  

We literally jumped out of the taxi and ran down to take it in. 

Then we walked along the boardwalk to take in the sights.  

Including these guys...

We also enjoyed these cool sculptures. 

Serafina telling secrets to the giant ear. 

We ended our stroll at a pretty fantastic restaurant that the concierge at the hotel recommended. 

I mean, Sayulita is great but you're not going to be served flaming dancing fajitas. 

The musicians were terrific and they played Guantanamera, which is a song my dad loved to sing along with whenever he heard it. 

Again, we loved Sayulita but they didn't have a night market with a cake booth.  

Saturday we woke up early and headed to the port to go on an excursion called "Outdoor Adventure".  This outing started with a 20 minute speedboat ride to a small beach south of Puerta Vallarta, which I wasn't thrilled about because of my earlier boat barfing, but I did just fine. 

After the boat, we loaded onto these Unimog trucks to head up into the jungle.  

At "base camp" we geared up for the day.  Harnesses and helmets on!  

But we still needed to travel further up the mountains into the jungle.  For that, we rode mules.  Yes, mules.  Mine was named "Mosca", which is a slang term for fly (my dad taught me that).  Mosca decided he wanted to run up that hill and I wasn't a fan.  My thighs were sore the next day from squeezing on for dear life. Serafina apparently almost slide off her mule too.  And Leo's mule was the slow poke and brought up the rear.  That certainly wasn't my favorite part but we made it, and it was on to the rest of the adventure.  We took nine ziplines through the jungle, rappelled down a waterfall, and finished off with a waterslide that required we wear hockey masks with full face protection.  Oh man.  It was scary, exhausting and so much fun.  We definitely made some memories.  No phones were allowed on the course (with good reason), but I don't think any of us will ever forget the experience.  

 

Mexico Trip - Sayulita

Oh boy, did we need this vacation.  We planned it for many months and were excited.  But both kids passports expired in May so we went to the library to have all the documents submitted and paid to have the renewal expedited.  But with less than two weeks before our trip, we still didn't have the passports.  That kicked off one of the most frustrating, anxiety-inducing periods of my life.  It involved calling the National Passport Center multiple times, with each call requiring a two - three hour hold.  One morning I woke up at 5am to call, and still was on hold for almost an hour.  I scoured Reddit message boards for advice and contacted my state Senator's office to file paperwork to assist us.  There was sleep lost, tears shed and hope fading.  We made the decision not to cancel or change any of our reservations in hopes that the universe would allow this to work out.  And then, with less than 48 hour before our flight, we received the passports.  Oh happy day!  I had found out the day before that they had shipped and the weight lifted off my shoulders was indescribably.  

So when we had to wake up super early on Sunday (6/4) for our flight to Puerto Vallarta, it felt like a privilege and a dream.  After an easy flight, we took a cab about an hour north to the little beach town of Sayulita.  I used to visit Puerto Vallarta with my dad in my late teens and early 20s.  We visited Sayulita on a day trip, along with other beaches to the north.  But in the years since, Sayulita has become a popular little beach town with amazing food and a fair number of tourists.  We stayed at an Airbnb on the north side of town, away from some of the hustle and bustle of downtown, but still just an easy walk to amazing food and shopping.  

Our home away from home was very unique.  The upstairs and downstairs living spaces were open air, including the kitchen.  The bedrooms were enclosed with locking doors, attached bathrooms and (thankfully) air conditioning.  The best part? It was just steps to the beach. 

The best part? It was just steps to the beach. 

Heading out in search of some dinner on the first night. 

Saw this beautiful mural on a morning walk. 

Leo absolutely loved being in the ocean.  He spent every moment he could in there.  Including a sunset swim at the end of our first full day. 

Tuesday we took a boat to Marietas Islands to do some snorkeling.  

Unfortunately, after these pictures I got seasick and stayed that way for a while.  Part of the outing was a sit down lunch at a restaurant back in Sayulita.  The waitress took one look at me and said "I'll bring you a box".  I sipped on a Sprite and felt slightly more human.  Not a highlight for me.  

Dinner was fun though.  We ate at this tropical outdoor....well, shack.  

Dessert was ice cream tacos from the cutest little food trailer.  

Wednesday, Tom and the kids took a surf lesson with Chimio.  I follow him on Instagram.  

Here they are getting some instruction on land.  

Then it was off to conquer the ocean.  

I had so much fun watching them because they were doing really well and it seemed like they were having a good time. 

Here's a video of Serafina. 

Here's Tom.

And Leo. 

Successful surfers finishing up. 

Thursday I made my family walk to Playa de Los Muertos.  It's a beach right next to a cemetery.  I thought it was one I had visited a long time ago, but it wasn't.  It was lovely, but small and the walk there was pretty hot. 

We got a good view of Sayulita on the way. 

Almost there.  I loved this, of course. 

This beach was a more protected cove so there weren't really any waves.  Leo preferred the more exciting beach by our Airbnb. 

My gorgeous girl in a gorgeous spot. 

We stopped by the colorful town square on our way back so we could get tacos from our favorite place, but it was closed.  

Tom found a different favorite taco place for dinner that night.  

Frida and Diego bench. 

Ahhh, colorful Sayulita.  

This is about the time Serafina was sick of my picture taking.  

Giving me a smile because we were in line for gelato. 

Here's Tom having a final cup of coffee on Friday morning before we left Sayulita.  He loved being just steps from this spectacular spot, even though none of us really loved the "outdoor" living of the house.  We would absolutely go back, but probably pick a place with walls.