July 6, 2011
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We had a great weekend, celebrating the 4th with quality family time and get-togethers with friends. Friday, after work, Melissa introduced us to a new park with a water play feature, 2 play structures, 2 tennis courts, 2 bocce ball areas, a big soccer field, and a baseball field. Zachary played tennis for the first time and loved it. He also tried bocce ball. We had pizza for dinner at the picnic tables, and the kids had a great time playing until it was dark.
Saturday morning, Zach and I (along with Sam, Erjia, Jaybal, Lisa, and Lisa’s daughter) went on our morning jog. Then I took Calie to gymnastic class, the last of 4 in the $20 Groupon series. In 2 weeks she’ll start another $20 series of 4 dance classes, after which she’ll get to chose which one she wants to continue with. (Pictures below of Calie attempting somersaults … when at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!)
Then it was off to a Sacramento Toy Train event to say hi to Grandma and Grandpa.
And then Dylan’s Hawaiian themed pool party. Karen hired 2 of his after school teachers to help with the kids, so that the parents could socialize. Smart! The kids decorated a cup, played hula and limbo, and spent lots of time in the pool. With the temperature reaching over 100, it was a perfect day for water play. We had salad, lumpia, and grilled ribeye for dinner, and Coldstone ice cream birthday cake for dessert. Happy 6.5th Birthday Dylan!
Sunday morning, James and Zach went on a hike (Hidden Falls) in Auburn. I took Calie to get her first haircut (photos later) and to pick up paper products, favors, and drinks for her upcoming birthday party. We put her favors together while we waited for James/Zach to get back home from their ~5 mile (but 2 hour round trip drive) hike. In the late afternoon, we went to Melissa’s home for dinner followed by the El Dorado Hills Firework Jubilee.
We were treated to barbecue chicken and salad with homemade dressing. The blue cheese dressing was so good, I disgusted my friends by eating it straight, right off my spoon. I brought pesto pasta and roasted fingerling potatoes; again with fresh and local ingredients from the farmer’s market at work.
After dinner, the kids played while the adults chatted until the temperature dropped enough to head to Town Center. It was still hot though. The kids made July 4th themed visors and beaded necklaces, while we all tried to cool down with smoothies and slushies. We spread out a blanket for 9:30pm fireworks. What a great show! Lots of big, impressive fireworks and the show ran much longer than I expected. Loved lying on the blanket with my arms around my little girl, gazing upwards at the firework spectacular in the night sky. Afterwards, as we headed back to our car, slumped over James’ shoulder, Calie said,”I love fireworks. Fireworks are so beautiful!”
Photos of Calie’s haircut at Maribous. Melina (Calie’s hair stylist) was so good with her … and I liked her so much, I booked my own haircut with her next week! The goal is to get on the same cadence, so that we can go get haircuts together in the future … once every 6 months. Similar to how James and Zach go every 2 months.
Despite getting to bed late the previous night, we were motivated to get up early the next day for a July 4th 5k charity run at 8am. It was a tough run! The Lake Natomas trail included lots of hills, and it was hot. I was pouring sweat at the end. Zach and I both ran it in slightly over 33 minutes (Zach 33:12, Jennifer 33:22). Given the heat, I’m just glad I ran the whole way without passing out! My running buddies Jaybal and Erjia joined us too. It was a larger, more competitive race (almost 700 people) so none of us placed.
After the race, we had Jenny and Uyen (and their families) over for lunch. I swear it was all new food, but it was almost the same menu as Karen’s party 2 days ago. Grilled ribeye, pesto pasta, and salad! We also enjoyed lots of strawberries and a fruit cheesecake, thanks to Uyen and Jenny. It was great having my “HP friends” over, as it’s been way too long. Brady is such a cute, happy baby … both James and I were impressed by his sleep schedule and how flexible he was being passed around. That night, after the kids went to bed, James and I watched ‘The Switch’. Horrible movie, despite the fact that I love Jennifer Anniston. At least it was a free rental.
(Horizontal stripes does NOT do the body good. Neither does standing next to Jenny and Uyen! I know how Chloe Kardashian must feel.)
Today, we let the kids sleep in and roll into summer school around 9:30am. Zachary’s drop off was pretty uneventful, but Calie’s friends went crazy when they saw her. Her best friends Ava and Cassie ran over and the 3 girls talked nonsense, hugged, and jumped in circles. I thought girls only behaved like that in movies?!
Sans kids, James and I went out for lunch downtown at Ella’s, where I indulged in raw oysters and tuna carpaccio. (Note for future reference … I prefer the Beausoleil oysters over Kusshis) Then we did some grocery shopping before picking up the kids early. We watched ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ (another free movie rental … not sure how James is getting all these freebies) at home and just played indoors. The weather has just been way too hot to go outside … hoping that changes soon, as there are lots of fun outdoor summer activities!
And so this ends our 4 day weekend. I just got back from a massage while James put the kids to bed. Ahhh… life is good!
