keep it simple

Summer has been flying by in a whirlwind of swim meets, soccer tournaments, and all the practices that come along with it. Two hotter than Hades days of 12+ hours of swim meetings (my new favorite J2-ism), and I was feeling some mom-burnout. I needed a timeout. So, we took one.

Gus was working in Oakland on a Friday. It was a spur of the moment decision to join him and have a quick overnight. In the past, since our time sans kids is so few and far between, I've tried to make everything perfect, find the best hotel, the best restaurant---thus, losing sight of the fact that the whole point is just to spend some time together. Not this time. Honestly, this time I would have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express (provided it was clean) in Emeryville. My only real objective was to sleep without J2's feet in my face or J2 laying across the foot of the bed like a little puppy, and have an uninterrupted adult conversation with my husband.

We ended up in Berkeley. I just didn't have the time to find the best place, nor did I want to read about all the best places and then somehow feel disappointed that I didn't go there. I took the train from Sacramento. Gus met me at the train station and we were off for a little less than 24 kid-free hours. We wandered in upon a Mexican restaurant that had the best margaritas I think I ever had. And the Oaxacan chocolate budino ... the perfect, not too sweet ending.

We drank Peronis and ate Sour Patch kids in bed while watching Food Network. A completely mundane evening that had me thrilled to pieces.

The next morning we slept in, watched some HGTV, had breakfast at Berkeley Social Club (highly recommend!), wandered around a farmer's market, shopped on 4th Street, and made a quick stop at Off Fifth to score a few deals. 

this was the best espresso martin---EVER.

 

It was simple. It was perfect. Oh yeah, until we totaled our car. We are all safe, which is the most important thing, but HEAVY SIGH.

thanks for the love, minnesota

We spent the first week in July on our annual pilgrimage to the homeland. I would venture to say it was one of the best trips home that we've ever had. I'm not sure what it was that made it so magical, but I'm happy to give it a shot.

Drove by my childhood home.

The weather was absolutely perfect. Except for that first night when it was so rainy and windy that the waves sunk my parents' boat, which I managed to sleep through.

We had a little family reunion with aunts, cousins, and kids of cousins. It feels like a long time since we've all been in the same place at the same time.

I saw both of my brothers, and forced them to take pictures with  me.

The kids got to spend some time with Uncle Charlie. The kids don't personally know anyone who smokes, so they were pretty fascinated, and had lots of questions, as well as pointing out that he should probably not do it. LOL.

He also took them fishing. He was so good with them, helping them bait the hook, cast, and take the fish off. Even Gus, who has never caught a fish in Lake Vermilion despite nearly 12 years of trying, managed to snag a bass.

I didn't swim 2.2 miles across a freezing cold lake. But, J1 got some swimming pointers from one of my favorites, Ms. Oz, and she got to help hand out medals to those who did swim across the freezing cold lake. Maybe next year we do a Gordy Rodby memorial swim. Any takers?

I saw lots of friends. Gus in all his social media fame, courtesy of yours truly, even got recognized by a former classmate at the liquor store.

J2 made some new "friends."

Sorry, Eli.

And, sorry Matthew.

Also after the fishing incident mentioned above J2 declared he was a vegetarian and I spent the rest of the vacation assuring him that his hot dog, bacon, chicken, and hamburger were indeed made out of vegetarian meat. I'm totally OK if he wants to be a vegetarian, but I was just not prepared for it on that vacation and had not stocked up on plant-based provisions. That said, when we arrived back in Sacramento and I was fully committed to purchasing him some plant-based meat, he decided that he'd go back to being an omnivore.

J1 got to enjoy her favorite holiday, 4th of July. When questioned as to why it was her favorite, I found out it is because she loves the parade and seeing so much family. Those are pretty good reasons, if you ask me.

The kids had lots of time with Uncle David.

J2 snuck into good old, EGHS. He said he got out before the security cameras caught him. LOL.

We even let Gus visit a friend or two.

It was a wonderful trip. At one point, I realized that I was so relaxed that my neck didn't even hurt. I am back at work, and unfortunately, it's back to hurting. It was nice while it lasted though.

Thanks, Minnesota. We'll see you next summer!

it's summer!

And it's HOT! And we're BUSY! Summer means that my saint of a mother-in-law keeps my household running smoothly and minimizes all domestic bickering by doing my laundry and keeping the house picked up. I love her.

We are on week 2 of very very limited screen time, i.e., you can only watch something if one of your parents is watching with you. I have no idea how this goes over all day long, but so far on the evenings and weekends it's been pretty successful. Although, J2 is now regularly asking Alexa to tell him fart jokes ... so perhaps an Alexa hiatus is next? To be fair, her jokes are kinda funny.

It's been non-stop swim meets since Memorial Day weekend. J2, who couldn't even make it across the pool last year, can manage a legal 25 free and 25 back. He even won his heat last week. Full disclosure - it was the slowest heat AND the other three or four kids had to have help getting across the pool. But whatever. He got out of the pool and was pretty excited that he WON!

This one, on the other hand, while she's been killing it in the pool, could definitely use a little attitude adjustment. She gets rather upset when she doesn't PR, but I mean she's my kid ... so, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. As a mom though, I'm trying to teach her to be better than me so I hate to see her stomping around after a good race. She could also be a little more receptive to constructive criticism, but again ... she's my kid. What I will say is that her work ethic is pretty stellar. She practices every day and bounces between soccer and swimming with little to no complaint. She tries hard and is coach-able, both good things.

I made it to the home state for a hot minute to celebrate my little cousin, Gianna, graduating from high school, where I was repeatedly asked by my little stepbrother about what I do for fun. See above. Swim meets. And figuring out who is going to what practice when and how they are going to get there. That's what I do for fun. But when I have less than 48 hours in Minnesota, I hang out with these two for fun.

And I got an extended visit with Jenn too! Thanks for the coffee, curling iron, and croissant.

There have also been plenty of pools, parks, and popsicles this summer. Some of us are living our best life.

All that "fun" and summer has just started. We're headed back to Minnesota at the end of the week to spend some time with Grandma and Papa at Lake Vermilion!