As readers know, we love amusements parks. We hadn’t been to Gilroy Gardens yet this season, so we headed there on Saturday…

-M

Last weekend, with the temperature nice and high, friends took us to a “secret beach” in nearby Pacifica. It was somewhat surreal to have the sand and surf to ourselves – the only thing that would have made it better in my book was a fruity cocktail!

-M

The other afternoon, while snacking, Zoe called out from the kitchen to ask if she could another slice of cheese. When I told her yes, she ran past me and sang out. “Thanks, Mommy, you’re the best!” Then she stopped and clarified: “I mean, not just for the cheese, but other reasons, too.”

-M

The girls’ babysitter is interning this summer at the Exploratorium, and we went to see her and, well, explore the place last weekend. And since it’s located on a gorgeous spot on the Bay, we had to spend time (and take photos) outdoors, too!

-M

Q and the girls were all smiles at the Giants game the other afternoon…

-M

Summer time often means clean-up time and while going through a pile of old papers the other day, I came across something Zoe had written about the second grade. Since Harry Potter isn’t among the books she referenced as reading, I’m going to guess this is from the first semester of the school year (i.e. her pre-Harry days). She wrote:

At school, I love reading, writing and my friends like Shayna and Zachary. I like math, and I’m good at it and it’s very fun. At recess I play a game called “bad guys vs. good guys.” Me and Zachary made it up together. Shayna and Halle started to play after we started it. Sometimes Halle or Shayna don’t play because they’re doing something else at recess.

At SSR (“super silent reading”) I like to read Magic Bone and the Fairy Magic series. Sometimes at SSR, I do turtle walking or gardening or book return. But most of all at SSR I like reading, reading and reading.

At “body break” I like to walk for awhile. I do it for awhile and keep going till my body break is over. At math I like to work in my math log, in my math workbook and in my math textbook.

Hopefully third grade will be as much fun for her!

-M

With Q out of town last weekend, the girls and I hopped in the car and drove down the coast for a girls adventure. We stopped at one of our favorite playgrounds before heading south and discovering a hilly trail that led to views of the ocean and a tide pool that was ideal for splashing around in. And all within 25 minutes from home!

-M

On Zoe’s last birthday we gave her a book on “girl power.” It’s filled with cute illustrations and inspirational little sayings (example: “Be glad of who you are today because you have so much to offer the world”), and I knew it was the type of thing she’d like. Fast forward to a few nights ago when she pulled it off her bookshelf and asked if we could read it together. After a few pages, she asked me if I remembered the Dementors in Harry Potter and how they suck out the joy of people they attack. “This book makes me feel the opposite of that,” she said. “It’s like all my happiness is inside of this book.” Then she suggested that we turn the charm at the end of the bookmark into a necklace. “I’ll wear it every day – and when I’m feeling bad I’ll rub it.”

Guess our $9.99 was money well spent.

-M

School’s out but that doesn’t mean the girls don’t still see their friends. Avery recently had a playdate and was so excited to see one of her little buddies that she wound up tackling him. (He didn’t seem to mind.)

-M

With wide eyes Avery came over to tell me something last night. “You know how I know I’m not a baby anymore?” she asked. “Because I started a new hand!” Perplexed, I asked what she meant – and she held up five fingers on one hand and one on the other. “I’m six!” she said proudly.

-M

We woke up bright and early yesterday to head out of the city and up to a Fourth of July celebration in Sonoma. We have friends who live there part time and were nice enough to save us a prime spot on the parade route – and for two hours we all sat and waved, watched, and caught candy under a bright blue sky… We’ll be back!

-M

A blast from the past… (Two summers ago in Madison.)

-M

I love the Fourth of July, and I love San Francisco – just not at the same time. Anyone familiar with the city knows that summer is our gloomiest (read: foggiest) time of the year, and early July is not the ideal time for grill-outs, parades and clear nights. We usually go out of town, but with a trip (to Wisconsin) looming, we’re staying home this year…

After a long, gray day, and fog literally swirling in front of our house, I was feeling grumpy, and in great need of real summer weather, this afternoon. On a little walk to the library, I explained my feelings of unhappiness to Zoe, who (in true Zoe form) tried to make me feel better. “It’s okay, Mommy,” she said. “Let’s think about things that make you happy, not focus on the weather. Like… the fact that it’s July. And there are two holidays: the Fourth and your birthday. That makes you really lucky, right?” She went on to list other things she likes about the month about July and I did indeed think about how lucky I was – but not for the reason she said!

-M