Some slower days

As much as I try (without boycotting everything) summer was busier than I would have liked.
  Gone are the slow, quiet days I remember from my childhood.  As my kids get older and more involved, our schedule seems to fill faster and faster.  We had a wonderful summer with lots of fun things and some wonderful memories.  Our three week trip to Utah and Idaho, put us back with only 17 days left until school started.

These two weeks home, before we really got back into the swing of school were great.  We've done little spur of the moment outings to the library and water park a few times a week.  We've made lots of our favorite homemade treats.  We've watched movies and swam in the small back yard pool.  I purposefully decided to abandon some of our summer goals.  Summer is just too short.  Soon enough school starts and it's an overwhelming amount of responsibility and homework.  I love the awesome charter school that my kids attend which is highly focused on academics.  Sure, it's what we want for them (to be pushed, motivated, encouraged, high-achieving, etc, etc.), but if you can't relax and enjoy some good ole summer down time as a kid,  will you ever?  As in all things, there is a balance, but with the competitive nature of things "these days" I am not sure if our society encourages enough down time! 

That said, here are some pics from a fun morning at the local lake with friends.  Just what we wanted... sun, sand, water, food, friends, family, ...good times!  We had such a great time, we went again as a family two days later.

Aubrey and her cute friend, Maddy who came with us.

We also had a really fun night at the River Cats game in Sacramento.  Tyler gets to go a few times a season, but this was the first time we all got to go and enjoy HP's box seats.  The kids were in heaven and I was too being with my family for a beautiful outdoor evening, enjoying a game.  They kept telling Tyler, "Dad, thanks so much for taking us.  This is the best!".

When the kids started to get a little antsy I took them for a walk across the Tower Bridge over the Sacramento River.  The sun was setting and it was a beautiful walk.

What a wonderful night!