Into July

 The kids finished school and had pretty good school years. Bron did summer school, but only about half of it, as we'd already planned our vacation before finding out she was eligible.  

Vacation was pretty good.  The four of us flew out to Virginia together.  We had a pretty early flight (6am out of San Francisco), so the kids slept for a good portion of it.  The first flight was really empty, so the kids sat with Aaron and I had a whole row to myself.  I think Bron sat with me towards the end of the flight.  We had a layover in Minnesota, I bought a shirt for me and lunch for everyone else.  I think this was the first year that Bert didn't say he wanted to go home as soon as we arrived.  

We spent a lot of time with Rebecca, Eddie and Nana. Went to the pool several times.  I got to have a massage, facial and Cracker Barrel for my birthday.  We played mini golf a couple times.  Took the kids to the trampoline park (I was surprised Bert wanted to go back, after spraining his ankle at his birthday party).  And Rebecca had a splash pad that the kids enjoyed.  The kids caught frogs and fireflies.

Aaron flew home after a week, and we flew home the next week.  He, of course, got sick at the end of vacation.  He got a few extra days at home for the summer cold.  

I feel like I've been playing catch up wince we got back.  The house hasn't seemed to recover.  Partially because I went right back to work, and partially because the kids are home, which makes cleaning difficult.  I've been making the kids do reading, and a workbook page everyday.  And Bert also has to go on a daily walk.  I probably should require this of Bronwyn too, but she's more active than he is, in general.  

Also, right after we got back, Aaron left for a Boys' Trip to Oregon to see his group of friends and play games for 5 days.  He and Scott drove, since Scott has a hybrid, and they decided that would be slightly cheaper than flying.  

At the end of June, Aaron and I celebrated 20 years of marriage.  We went to Black Angus for dinner (We were going to go to the nicer restaurant near us, but it was closed on Mondays), and we planned our anniversary trip.  We're going to London!  We haven't been on vacation alone together since our honeymoon (real vacation, not visiting family).  I'm nervous and excited.  The kids already either don't want us to go, or want to come with us.  I told them, when each of them turns 15 they can choose a location and we'll go there.  (Right now, Bert says Virginia, to see Nana, and Bron says Japan).  

20 Years!

We found direct flights from San Francisco to London (that were cheaper than layover flights) and a mid priced hotel.  We took care of our Visas last night (which was surprisingly quick and easy).  Now we're trying to plan our literary, as we'll be there a week.  Some things on the list so far: the national museum, the Tate gallery, possibly Cadbury World (which is 2 hours away), Gilwell Park, the palace, the bridge, the Eye, Harods, and Big Ben.  Aaron visited London when he was 16 with his parents, I've never been, so it'll be an adventure.  Hopefully we don't get too lost since we'll be using public transportation (or possible Uber) for all our travel.  

Yesterday, the kids started swimming lessons.  Bron was excited, Bert was not (as he "already knows how to swim").  They both had a good time, and did fairly well (though,  Bron still won't dunk her head).  We'll be having them M-Th for the next 2 weeks.  We're going to the Open Swim this afternoon, before lessons and will probably be doing that often for the duration of the lessons.  

Vacation 2024

The pictures loaded in reverse order. So we'll go backwards.

As a bonus of doing a bunch of somewhat complicated one-way flights, the kids and I were able to fly direct without layovers to all the destinations. (When Aaron flew alone, he did have a layover).

The last day in Minnesota:

We flew Sun Country, which, for unknown reasons, uses the international terminal at SFO. My dad parked in domestic (which was fine), but didn't take careful note of where his car was. Because it's the international terminal, it has its own domestic baggage carousel, which is well hidden in the bowels of the building.  I was trying to describe where we were, but Dad was getting more turned around. It didn't help that it was after midnight, and the airport was relatively empty. Eventually, he found a cop who directed him to us, just as the suitcases were finally coming out.  Then we had to try to find the car. And oh, was it an adventure. A helpful janitor told us to take the airtram. We did that an eventually arrived at domestic parking. Dad insisted he parked in 2L14. The letters only went to G, and we were in the 30s.  I assumed he meant second level 14. (There are 5 levels). So I was hoping for the best, as it was now nearing 1am and Aaron was losing his cool. We wandered towards the lower numbers (and letters) and Dad started clicking the horn button. Lo and behold, there was the car in 2nd level C14.

Bron wasn't feeling 100%. And was asleep.

We changed gates THREE times before finally boarding, an hour late.

Bron, asleep at 7pm

Earlier that day, we went bowling. It was Bron's first time, and Bert couldn't remember the last time he went (Bron was a baby). Bert did great. Bronwyn rolled 2 frames, then gave up. We let them play arcades while we finished, but Bron had a meltdown.

Before the bowling fiasco, the kids caught frogs with Bufu

Day 3 MN

We played mini golf

Rocks near Minnehaha Falls

Us, at Minnehaha Falls

Day 2 MN (the Children's museum)

Both kids had a good time.

Day 1 MN

(Trish and Rob's house, Mall of America)

We were hoping to spend time wandering the Mall of America.  (Aaron and I had been there before having kids). We thought the kids would like it. But once they went to the Lego store (our first stop), they had enough MoA. So it was a short trip, fortunately, it's only 20 minutes from Rob and Trish's house.

Lego store at MoA

Lego store

Playing pool was a favourite for Bron.

Last day VA

Watching sparklers

Trying to take a decent picture with the grandkids. It didn't go great.

At girls day out

Aaron and nephew at Rebecca's pool

The kids at Mrs. Howard's pool

We found a frog in the filter

Science museum 

Outside the science museum 

At Kid Empire

One of the days before Aaron arrived we went to the zoo. Bert was a grump for 70% of the day, but perked up at the end. Bron had a great time, but was afraid to feed the animals.

The Zoo.

Ill-fated Richmond Children's museum trip.  Bron was upset almost from the outset. I'm not sure what set her off. It was loud, but she had her head phones. But it wasn't what she expected. Even the splash pad couldn't tempt her. So we left. And waited int he car for Nana and Bert.

The day of the nuclear meltdown. 

It started off great. We played mini-golf with Nana. It was hot when we finished, so we got treats from Sonic.  Then we drove over to the trampoline park. While we were there Bronwyn stated to get upset because there were "no kids to play with". There weren't a ton of kids, but enough. I told her to ask to play with the one's that were there. When the jumping time was up, both kids wanted to play air hockey. It was only $2, so I said they could play 2 games.  Bert won the first, which was fine. The second game was tied at 4-4, before Bert made the winning shot.  (In my mind, I was telling him to let her win, I should have said it in real life too). That was the end of the fun times. She was screaming, crying, hitting, kicking.  "I should have won! He shouldn't have won! It's not fair!" All the way back to the car, through the drive thru. Once, she was nearly calm, Bert tried to be helpful and told her she played well and it was a close game. That set her off all over again. She took a long nap that afternoon.

Leaving San Francisco