Cousins on the Coast

My sister Jenny and her kids are in town and went to the beach for the weekend. AMAZING weather. We got to the farmers market (which my sister, my mom and I love!) and just play. The beach doesn't always get super warm, but yesterday was a prime day. Heaven....minus the burn that Frances got as I forgot to reapply....ugh. Our friend Dan and Emily happened to be driving through, which made the party even more fun!

Damian Lilliard Fan

You cannot have escaped this season of the Blazers and NOT be a Damian Lilliard fan. He works hard, is passionate, and made a history making three pointer with 9 seconds left. So, when our club sponsored his FIRST camp the kids were IN! We have gone to other camps where the star player is really only there for a bit. Not with Damian. He was there early every day. Wore the same clothes as every other coach. As Henry said "He was a gentleman mom, he shook everyone's hand at the beginning and the end". Frances was the only girl in her group....and she thought that was great.  The last day he promised each kid an autograph and each kid a picture. We were there for two hours for our kids to get their turn and there was still a line and he wasn't leaving -- even though camp was "closed" for 1.5 at that point. Overall, it was a really good experience. I liked Damian as a player before, but now I really like him as a person. So fun when it works out that way. 

CA Beach Weather in Manzanita

I was so warm in Manzanita....like CA warm....BLISS. Frances got to skim board, we all got to bike, and there was general awesomeness. No one wanted to go home. Boo. 

1st...hopefully, many more.....4th of July Parade

Brooke's dad had the BRILLIANT idea for us to be in the parade in a beautiful yellow Nissan Patrol he fixed up. The kids were SO excited. It was basically the most perfect day EVER -- warm and gorgeous. They loved the set up and the hype....and then Maggie nearly fell asleep the last 200 yards. Too much fun that little girl that is still catching up from NYC. We had a wonderful dinner that night at Paul's house on his new deck - so fancy. 

Battery Park

For our last day we decided to take the subway to the end and hang out at Battery Park. It was perfect day and Ms Statue of Liberty was in her glory. The kids loved play "house" with the rocks and Mark and I loved having a beer. On the way back we had some trouble finding a restroom and I became an ultimate NYC mama demanding entrance to the bathroom,... aye de me. We concluded with letting the kids eat Subway on a Subway. Gross to me, but magical to them.

Date Day with Aunt Colleen

My sister and Brian were in Little Rock, Arkansas for an event so I got to babysit for their first day of summer. I was SO SO SO SO excited. The day started with beauty day with Olivia -- who painted the girls nails...yes, including Frances. Then, we had an adventure day -- we went to the Chelsea Pier for golfing and bowling....followed by a lot of sugar....followed by a crash at their house and soccer in the basement. Yee haw. I love those kiddos.