Summer

Current mental soundtrack: "Star Trek" theme (original) [guess what the kids have been watching online]
The kids started taking tennis classes this week, and they're both having a great time. B signed up because her friend L did, then M thought it sounded interesting, so we signed him up, too. We borrowed a racquet from my sister to try out the classes (no point in buying racquets if the kids ended up hating tennis), but I think we're headed out to buy them their own racquets tonight, since E's racquet is the wrong size for them.

I was a little concerned at first that they would feel too far behind the other kids, since they practice with their own age groups, but it doesn't seem to be a problem. M seems to be doing fine in his group--hitting the ball pretty often, and working on his aim. B isn't hitting as many balls, but two of her best friends are in her group, so she's having a lot of fun. They are having a late lunch right now, but agreed to go outside and practice hitting balls with each other after lunch.

The kids are having a busy summer, but with plenty of time for relaxing each day. Tennis for two weeks. Open fencing twice a week (no classes, just bouting). No ballet, no piano, no homework. We had fun in San Diego, then the kids are leaving on the 13th for Minnesota with DH's parents. About a week after they return, we are taking a road trip to Washington for my high school reunion. Once we get back, it'll only be a couple of weeks before school starts at the end of August.

Triple Digits

It's hot here! Yesterday was the first day of summer, and it reached 104° at our house. Fortunately, we have just joined the local swim club, so the kids were able to spend some time at the pool, while I sweated under an umbrella.

Today was almost as hot, so I decided to give both of our cars a badly needed wash. In honor of EBMUD's water rationing, I drove the cars onto the front lawn, so that the runoff wouldn't be wasted. (Since I watered the lawn yesterday, does that count as watering two days in a row, which isn't allowed?) The cars look much better now--it's probably been over a year since they were properly washed.

Keep cool, and make sure you have plenty of popsicles :-) We are having fried rice tonight, which is one of M's favorite meals.