Santa Cruz sleepover

The girls and I spent Sunday and Monday with friends in Santa Cruz. It's always nice when another family has kids the same age span. The pictures are a bit out of order, but they give you an idea of our weekend.

 Burying your child in sand = great babysitting idea.

 Especially when you can get minions to help. 

 The green stuff is really slippery. 

 Best friends since kindergarten. 

 And going strong. 

 Heaven help us. 

Lily tried out surfing for the first time. 

 One of the cool caves we found on our walks along the beach.

Lily got knocked down a few times and didn't stay in long, but I think she's up for going out again next time. She's tough, that one. 

 These girls climb like mountain goats.

 It's all about timing. 

 The older girls. 

You gotta carry your own board. 

Made with love

My Mother's Day cards were amazing this year: 

 Amalia created a book full of lovely sentiments and beautiful coloring. 

And kissing chicks.

 Aww, so sweet. 

 This was actually a raincheck promise because I was in DC at a friend's wedding on Mother's Day.

All the feels. 

 Enjoy it while it lasts. 

 In case that wasn't clear. 

 Lily also designed a card, featuring artful graphics and font. 

 Also, sentiments words can't capture and a redeemable coupon!

Good thing she included her last name. 

Girls on the Run

Yesterday's 5K run was the culmination of Lily's participation in this year's Girls on the Run program at her school. Girls on the Run focuses on creating positive body image and self-esteem for girls.

We all ran with Lily, along with friends. It's quite a festive event, with music, hair color and costumes to distract you from the actual running. (Amalia had more fun than it appears here--we'd just asked her to quit goofing around so we could take a picture.) 

 Lining up for the start. 

The younger girls alternated between sauntering along like gossipy teenagers in a mall to full out sprinting. 

Lily also alternated between running and walking, as was her plan. 

Budapest

Lily has started to want to play popular songs on the violin, so she's trying to teach herself George Ezra's "Budapest."