Vball basics

I took the girls outside today to teach some valuable volleyball skills and Andy snuck some pics with the camera through our front window.

He got some video in there, as well.

Settling in

Amalia wanted to wear her new birthday dress from Aunt Barbara yesterday, never mind the 80-degree San Jose weather. 

 Amalia posing for the camera while Lily sports her post-camp look.

 Ready for her first day of her new gymnastics class!

 Lily helped by adding the requisite superfluous barrettes. You know, they make the hair look tidier.

 Check out the hamstrings on that bear.

 Working her way up to the Iron Cross.

We went into the City today for a barbecue with some of Andy's colleagues. On the way, we stopped by our hold house and Lily checked out where she lived the first 2 1/2 years of her life.

One down

Success! Amalia came home and told me that she LOVES her new school. She also came home with a picture with her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Renfer, who seems lovely and quite in control of her classroom. I think it's going to be a good year. 

Funny anecdote: The aftercare program separates the kids into two groups--K-2 and 3-5. When Andy and I picked the girls up, the staff didn't even realize they were siblings. It doesn't surprise me at all that Lily didn't let on that her sister was on the other side of the room. Even more, it's a sign that Amalia must've been pretty content and/or otherwise occupied. 

A good first day.  

School daze

And so it begins. Andy and I walked Amalia and Lily to school this morning for the start of kindergarten and 3rd grade, respectively. Both were a bit nervous, demonstrating it in very different ways, of course.

I'll be curious about the day's reports when I pick them up this afternoon.

Full house

Both girls are finally back home. From all accounts, it sounds like both of them had wonderful weeks at their respective camps. 

 

My girl Amalia landing at SJC with Grandma Carol.

The next morning, we went to pick Lily up at her camp in the Santa Cruz mountains. These are some pictures she took during the week.

 Her Fern cabinmates and junior counselor, Ali.

 With her cabin counselor, Katie.

 The view from her cabin.

 And here are some pictures we took on closing day. This is the walk into camp.

 

 This is what we saw as we approached Lily's group. I don't think she had a good time at all.

I don't know how we did it, but we lucked into a fantastic camp with wonderful spirit and traditions. Lily immediately said she didn't want to leave and later asked if she can stay for a two-week session next year.

Cabin introductions at the closing ceremonies. 

Interestingly, as we were watching, Amalia leaned over to me and asked why there weren't any brown people. True enough, it's not the most diverse of camps--or at least not the same kind of diversity as she's used to in D.C.

The daughter of the camp founders. The camp, started in 1946, is still run by the family.

 Lily showing us her horseback riding skills--by far her favorite activity at camp.

 

Amalia got a bit jealous and was having a hard time watching Lily ride. I'm trying to pick the sticks out of her blanket, which she had thrown down on the ground.

 

 Happy girl.

 As I told Amy, we may be in trouble.

 And then to archery.

 Katniss apprentice.

 Junior ropes.

 The zipline.

 Riflery. This was very much NOT her favorite thing.

 A giant hammock/spider web thing in the woods.

After we left camp, we headed over to Seacliff State Beach in Aptos for a leisurely afternoon. 

 At the end of the pier was a concrete ship, which has a fascinating story.

Tomorrow: First day at our new school. Kindergarten and 3rd grade, here we come!

Gulliver's travels

Special treat yesterday: Amalia got to go over to Amy's mom's house to ride and take care of the horses.

Here she is on Gulliver. 

Reports from Amy's mom are that the grooming, riding, and feeding went smashingly well with a young Padawan learner who was well behaved, animated and eager. Plus Amalia apparently was a bossy and successful manager for their puppy, Mars. 

 The cinematography could use some work. 

 Pool time with Grandpa. 

Apparently Camp G-Squared is not for the faint of heart. Amalia conked out before dinner.