Last Day of Summer Vacation

Dear Grady,

Yesterday was the last day of summer vacation and boy did we have a fun-filled one this year.  As I looked ahead to the summer months, I made sure to sprinkle in some camps, some adventures and some down time for you and for us as a family.

We made time for a trip to Southern California to see your grandfather, as well as our maiden voyage to Legoland with our best friends, the Christiansens.

We made time for games, library visits, making art and reading when we could grab the chance.  You installed the coolest origami yoda installation in our  kitchen and I absolutely love it.

You enjoyed summer academy at your elementary school and shared your newfound knowledge of the capybara, the world's largest rodent.  You studied anatomy and drew animals that you found interesting.

You attended CYO camp in Occidental, went to the farmers' market with me and picked veggies at Bloomfield Farms.

We spent a week in Bodega Bay where you fine-tuned your golf game, discovered the joys of the tennis rally and swam until your lips turned blue in the community pool.

You renewed friendships and said goodbye to Seth & Heather, too.

An impromptu trip to Alaska landed in our laps courtesy of Stephanie, so we figured it out and jumped on a plane the first week of August and headed north, via 1st class (a first for us!).  You thoroughly enjoyed going to the front of each line and getting your own personal device to watch movies on, as well as really cool headphones.

Alaska was amazing.  You and the girls soaked it all up and were the best kids on the planet to vacation with.  You attended a marine mammal camp and learned so very much in such a short amount of time.

The weeks passed all too quickly and we now have to get you ready for 5th grade.  I can hardly believe it, but I think I say that every year.

The naked ladies are blooming and that means summer vacation has officially come to an end.  We spent the last day as a family riding bikes along the Willow Creek Trail (you and your father) and I walked...and got lost.  Shocker, right?

You surprised me with your new Shaun White skinny, skinny jeans in turquoise and sported this snowboarder's brand head-to-toe on your first day of school.

We had so many wonderful times this summer and I loved watching you try new things, gain confidence, branch out, be fearless and even win an ice cream eating contest!  Yes, you had fun this summer.

I look forward to this new school year and what you will teach me about you.

With all my love,

Mom