Scratch my back

A wicked game of tic-tac-toe.

Lily usually loves to have her back scratched, but I don't think an allergy scratch test is what she meant. We took her in for some testing this afternoon after she had some concerning allergic symptoms last week--namely, puffy, swollen lips. The good news is that she isn't allergic to California (we don't have to move) or any types of food (she can continue to eat all the things she loves). Just a bit of a reaction to mold, likely due to DC humidity exposure. There's nothing saying she won't develop something after she's exposed to the West Coast trees, pollens, and grasses, but for now we're pretty happy. And while the puffy lips remain a mystery, at least they're a benign mystery, as the allergist put it.

Two funny related Amalia anecdotes:

• Today as we were picking the girls up from camp to take Lily to the allergist, Amalia complained that she too wanted to be tested, saying, "I'm way more allergic than Lily!" Everything's a competition. 
• Last week, when were first trying to figure out the allergic root of Lily's symptoms, I asked Amalia if there was anything she was allergic to (just to include her in the conversation). Immediately she replied, "Yes. I'm allergic to Poland." Which I thought was very humorous--and odd, especially given she's never been there. But as she explained further, she clarified that she was allergic to "pollen, not the country." Oh, that makes more sense. 

Show and tell

The girls finished their third week at Camp Galileo. The theme was amusement parks. Here are a few pictures of their projects and a new feature: explanatory videos.

 Amalia made a Jake bird.

 This is Lily's science project: The Black Hole Roller Coaster.

 Lily's art project--a circus and tightrope.

 Her handmade cat.

 The ring master "armature" hanging out on the tightrope.

Lily's mask.

 Amalia explaining her science project.

Her Jake bird art project. 

Another art project.

Another science project--and the concept of force.

Lily explaining her art project.

Lily explaining her science project--the Black Hole Rollercoaster.

And last but not least, the mask.

Streaming

Today I found what I think may become a favorite spot--Vasona Park in Los Gatos. 

We were walking in the stream, minding our own business...

...when a bunch of geese decided to join us. 

 They swam around us.   

The park also has a nice lake where you can rent paddle boards and kayaks. Next time, methinks.

Hello muddah

As if to prove she's not my carbon copy, Lily spontaneously requested to go to a sleepaway camp this summer. Our DC neighbors had gone to one last year and she really liked the sound of it. Plus, I think she's looking forward to a week away from her sister.

The camp is in the nearby Santa Cruz mountains and is a few weeks away. Yesterday, Lily received a form asking her to write a letter about what she's looking forward to at camp, which they will copy and distribute to other campers going into her same grade. Presumably she'll get some letters, too. A pretty nice idea when you're going into it without knowing anyone.

Below is a transcript of the letter she wrote (note the formal touch):

"Hi, my name is Lilith and I am 8 years old. I am really excited to go to Camp Kennolyn. I love horses and I know how to do archery. My mom says that I'm really good at picking out cute outfits so I'm also excited to do Fashion Designs."

I hope she finds a kindred spirit.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch

 Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Colin picked up the girls at summer camp on Friday. 

 These are the closing ceremonies.

 On Saturday, the girls went to the San Jose farmers market and then checked out the children's museum.

 Amalia apparently felt like the occasion called for her Merida costume. 

 Bubblicious

Curious George has a new doorman. 

Jersey boys

Andy's anniversary gift to me this year was a surprise trip to New Jersey to catch The Last Summer on Earth Tour with three of my favorite artists (Guster, BNL, and Ben Folds Five), which I seemed destined to miss due to our relocation to CA. 

 The boardwalk at sunrise. 

To picture it at night, imagine drunk people wearing too few clothes and too many layers of spray-on tan. 

 Us on 3 hours of sleep. 

 Rewarded with a spotting of The Situation. 

After going back to bed for a few hours and then spending much of the day enjoying the beach during waking hours, we headed up to the show, where we were rewarded with a pre-show bonus set in the Reverb eco-village. That's Adam (Guster), Ed (BNL) and Jim (BNL).

Our seats, courtesy of Ryan (Guster) by way of our friends Ross and Cookie (Ryan's parents). During the Guster set, we were joined in our row by a couple of the Guster wives and kids who are touring with the band this week. It was kick seeing the kids watching their dads on stage.

 Before Guster's set was a comedian/singer named Boothby Graffoe. 

 A shot of Kevin Hearn for my mother. 

 My Guster guys. 

 Ryan

 And his characteristic head tilt. 

 After Guster was the recently reunited Ben Folds Five. 

Another mini Guster set between mainstage sets. The intimate setting and the crowd singing along were pretty cool. 

 BNL, the headliners. 

 Another shot of Kev.

 Jim and Ty (on drums)

 Ryan coming on to play with BNL. 

 Brian on the bongos for "Brian Wilson."

After the show, we went backstage (after a bit of a delay) and got to chat with some of the BNL and Guster guys, as well as thank Ryan for the tickets. We also chatted a bit about our move to CA, driving across country with the girls, and what it's like to travel on a tour bus with the 7 Guster kids. 

We finally got back to our hotel around 1 a.m. and slept for a few hours before heading back to the airport. I neglected to mention that our hotel was right next to the MTV "Jersey Shore" house. They give tours. I did not take one.

Right at home

It's official. We made our first trip to IKEA for the new house. The girls both got new bedding. Lily went with blue.

Amalia opted for pinks and purples.

 Today the girls put on a skit for me. That's them making the "Action!" sign above.

 The story was a bit tough to follow but it had something to do with a girl who had a pet dog (Lily) and another dog that needed a home (Amalia).

I'm not really sure what the trampoline represents. Perhaps the ups and downs in life. 

The girls have also been having a great time with Amalia's archery set from her Brave costume, shooting rubber-tipped arrows at the glass door. Yesterday, Amalia came running inside all upset, complaining that Lily had called her "stupid." Lily clarified, "No, I called you a beginner's Cupid." Honest mistake.

Shipped off to camp

 The girls started summer camp on Monday.

 Meeting one of the Camp Galileo counselors. Amalia is a Nebula; Lily, a Supernova. 

 Amalia was happily covered with face paint when we picked her up at the end of the day. 

 Lily's cheek panda was much more subtle.

 Back at the house, more unpacking. And building of box mountains. 

 The girls have much warmer feelings toward the boxes than I do. 

There are two girls in this picture. Can you find them?