Summer swimming

The boys have been interested in trying out swim team for a while.  We never ended up capitalizing on their excitement of last summer's olympics, but after trying it this summer their excitement is definitely still there. 

First day pictures:

Practicing streamlines 

I was so proud of the boys for practicing things and trying even when they weren't totally sure of themselves.

Neither of them had ever used a kick board before, Scott picked up pretty quickly, Owen struggled for a while, but let me tell you that kid does not quit.  Ever.

We've been at it a few weeks now and the boys are hooked.  They even participated in their first meet (pics to come!).  Just incase we weren't in the pool enough, now we go from our pool to the oaks pool for practice, and then most nights right back into our pool.

Happy swimming!!!

Lopez Lake camping

The day after school got out we headed to Lopez Lake for a weekend of camping with Grandma and Gpa.

We arrived late Wednesday and woke up to our wild turkey camp neighbors greeting us.

Fortunately or not we ended up with one of the hottest weekends this year.  But lucky for us we were right next to the campground water park.

We spent the whole first day riding the slides and hanging out under the mushroom waterfalls.  From open to close, literally Scott was one of the last people up and down the slide.

I think they rode these slides at least 100 times.  I would know because I rode with them.

Then we all took turns braving this bad boy.  Brian rode with each of us, he said Scott was pretty terrified.  Owen seemed to be all smiles by the end.  And I got whiplash, but that's another story.

Mama deer and her baby walking through our campsite.

Campfires (although it was still super hot)

It was the perfect kick off to summer!!!

Yoga retreat weekend

The weekend before Scott got done with school I escaped for a girls getaway with two of my very best ladies! We planned this way back in january or february and it couldn't have come at a better time.  We were all on end of the school year burn out (one is a teacher and has high school kids, the other has a high schooler, middle schooler and an almost kinder) - we were DONE with school routines, sports commitments and it was the best way to kick off summer.

Sandy and I headed up early friday morning and basically ate our way from Thousand Oaks to Montecito.  We arrived to the grounds of the yoga retreat early and got to explore and get settled before our first yoga class.

Paper crane gardens....:)

Pre yoga/meditation, post dinner, or vice versa.  The whole weekend was yoga, meditate, eat, repeat - so revitalizing. 

Labyrinth meditation, which was made over a few month period on the property by a group of monks who did it as a trade for their room and board.

Cacao ceremony

Surriena and Stella our magical leaders and teachers

Sisterhood 

We drove home via Ojai, because why not!  And discovered Revel where you can do kombucha flights....my people!!!!

So obviously we did....

It was the perfect weekend with wonderful women and it filled my soul!

Ending of some chapters...

I hate the ending of chapters.  I know they are necessary and their are seasons for everything, but it still doesn't make the endings fun.

Scott had the most amazing baseball team this year, parents, kids, coaches - the whole shebang! They all learned so much and grew as young athletes and as a team, but most of all they were just the best kind of people.

We came back in the playoffs to finish the season off 3rd - so huge for our dudes.  We celebrated the end of the season with a pool party at Coach James and team mom Lenka's house. 

Loved watching these crazy dudes party and celebrate.

The best coaches ever! Scott got the "toughest player" award.

So thankful that we made so many friendships this season, we hope to keep in touch with many of these families for years to come.

Classic next morning picture after partying too hard/late with your buddies the night before. 

We also said goodbye to the school year at Bridges with their annual bridging ceremony, that some how falls on the hottest day ever.

But it didn't stop us from enjoying the night celebrating all that Scott has accomplished this year.

And then it was time to say goodbye to team.  The hardest ending of a chapter yet.  Team class has been our home for the last 4 years.  Its where I learned to be a better mom, and where the boys learned the most valuable social emotional skills that have already taken them so far.  Its where my kids come back to to recharge.  And in Scott's words, "its where I grew up."

Owen being slow to warm upon arrival.  Ms. Jennifer knows just how to find him and bring him right in.

The magical team teachers and some of my favorite women on the planet!

OG mom tribe.  We have all been in team together for all 4 years, most of our kids are like siblings to each other.

Team teachers and me and Andy (my person!)

A lot of us, but so so many not pictured.

My gift to team at the end of the year picnic.  You can't really see here but it says "welcome to TEAM a magical place to grow"......and it really is.

I could go on and on and on about team and horizon hills.  It is truly a magical place and our family was given the greatest gift in our time spent here.  I know we are ready to move on, but we will carry all we have learned with us and share it in our community.  But a little piece of my heart will always be in team class with these four!

And finally the end of first grade (for now).   What a year it was, but I can honestly say that it all happened for a reason and despite the emotional roller coaster that it was I am grateful for our growth and investment in our school.

Ms. Marsi's first graders 

Excited to be back in class with Ms. Marsi in the fall!