Napa Roadtrip to Home

Next morning the kids and I hung around St. Helena while Adam finished teaching. Took a little drive past The Culinary Institute which is beautiful. So relaxing driving around Napa. As perfect as it looks in pictures. We found the playground again, stayed for a long time.

Love these three.

Cute little church where Adam rented space for his workshop, just down the street from park. Everything within walking distance which was so nice.

After class we found ice-cream at The Big Dipper.

More swimming that afternoon, then packed up and said our goodbyes. Hit Gott's Roadside on our way out of town - it was so good! Burgers outside on picnic tables was perfect with kids. I have a mile-long list of restaurants I wanna try when we go back.
Yum!

Got in the car around 4pm to head home and this is how I found the kids within five minutes. Tired them out big time.

It was a great trip! Nice few days just the five of us, away from home, seeing part of the country we'd never been to before (besides Adam). Hoping to head back this fall.

Napa Roadtrip, First Part

Adam's been teaching acting workshops in St. Helena in Napa Valley for two or three years. We finally got to tag along! It was so nice. Gorgeous little town, and driving through Napa was beautiful. A family of one of his students hosted us and they have an awesome, big, modern home. Audrey and Tyler were obsessed with their teenagers. I think staying at that house was the kids favorite part. The mom even cooked for us a couple nights, making these delicious, fresh dinners.

I knew the Jelly Belly Factory was nearby, so while Adam taught the first morning, the kids and I went to check it out. It was fun, and lots of samples so that was a big hit.

No photos allowed on the tour, but of course they took this awesome one of us before the tour started:

View from my and Adam's balcony. You can see the pool in the back. They had a tons of chickens and lizards, too, which the kids loved. Also basketball courts, Tyler played a bunch with their son, Ethan.

We swam in the afternoons when Adam was done teaching. Audrey's first time off the diving board!

Weird one of me, but seriously love this kid. I feel like we've gotten closer lately. Maybe being home for the summer? Spending more time together? Love it.

Bummed around town. Found this awesome park which is actually the elementary school playground.

Checked out Main Street shops. Kids picked out cookies from Model Bakery, which is actually famous for their english muffins. I thought how amazing could an english muffin be? But Teresa, our hostess, bought them for breakfast and oh. my. goodess. They are like part english muffin, part croissant or donut. So good! We bought a bag on our way out of town.

Kids did great in the car, too. Biggest hit was Diary of A Wimpy Kid audiobook (we were all cracking up with that one). Downloaded The Boxcar Children which we still haven't finished but is good so far (albeit sleepier). It helped that The Lego Movie just came out on dvd. Also counting cows. A penny a cow to be spent when we stop at the gas station. Perfect for driving through farm country.

Summer, Week 1

We've had a great first week of summer so far. There have been bumps and fights and negotiating and reminding myself how to do this whole summer thing, but the last three days have especially gone smoothly. Fingers crossed we are finding our summer groove. A few things we've been up to:

Honey I Shrunk the Kids movie night. Love watching movies and shows from my childhood - hope to do that a bunch this summer.
Evening summer walk. Riding scooters. The weather has been gorgeous.
Library twice!
Super fun swimming day with tons of friends.
Purchased Lego Movie dvd (of course) and celebrated with Taco Tuesday.
Girls night for Emily's birthday!
Adam and I have been re-watching Alias. We were hooked on it right after we got married, so pretty fun to watch again ten years later. Season 1 is great!

Prepping for a little upcoming road trip to Napa Valley.

Good summer fun.

We Love Dads!

Got to celebrate with two of our favorite dads today. Two more favorites we'll see soon - my dad and step-dad, Vernon. So grateful for all these wonderful men in our lives. Hope they all felt a little spoiled today.

Beach!

Spent the first day of summer vacation at Zuma. Gorgeous day - glad to get in some beach time with Adam while he's still off.

Happy, happy California kids ran straight for the ocean.

The Bartys joined us, too. Love these cute kiddos. Great way to kick-off the break.

Few More Photos from Today

Audrey got to help her principal, Ms. Abril, with the morning announcements today. Led the Pledge of Allegiance on the last day - she felt really special.

This kid. He got his Perfect Attendance Award. It was Tyler's goal this year, even telling me "Mom, don't take me out of school to go to Disneyland or Legoland because I want to get perfect attendance." I warned him it might not happen next year because I'm already hoping for Cole's Disneyland birthday, but happy to help him reach his goal this time.

Celebrated the end of a great school year at Cafe Rio tonight. Found out they do cheapo Taco Tuesdays - we must go this summer!

Cutest photo bomber!

So happy it's summer! Not setting an alarm tomorrow morning.

Last Day!

Remember the first day of school? They've grown up so much this year.

This Morning

Took Cole to the mall today to enjoy the last couple mornings "just the three of us". Did some shopping, playing, a carousel ride, and treat at Shave It - yummmm. I'd say Cole was adequately spoiled.

A daytime date the three of us has been one benefit of Adam's extra long hiatus. He did get an official start date for the new show. He'll be back at work mid-July!

End of Year Parties

Was able to get a few shots at school today. 2nd/3rd graders had a magician come to class, then pizza party! I helped out, and it was super fun.

The Kindergarten yard was so awesome. Huge water day with pools, sand, water guns, water balloons, pizza, watermelon, and popsicles. They were all so cute!

Cole was pretty happy about his cookie at the grocery store. Gotta spoil him a little before big kids are home with us.

Maybe Adam and I need a party of our own to celebrate our last two quiet mornings before school gets out. What can I squeeze in? A pedicure?

Tait Super Readers

This has been a fun, busy week. One more week of school and it already feels like summer. Kids have no homework. Cole went to the zoo with Adam, I did a Ladybug Music class for Audrey's kindergarten class which was super cute, trampoline birthday party with friends and two more birthdays this weekend.

Today was last AR awards of the school year. Tyler and Audrey both reached over 150% of their reading goals all three semesters. Every year might not work out that way - but we are sure proud of these two. Hoping to read a ton this summer, too.

Book and A Movie

Pollyanna! I was excited to share this one with Audrey, and she really liked it. Never read the book before, and there are big differences. Love, love the movie starring Haley Mills because of memories watching it when I was little.

My summer goal is to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe out loud to Tyler and Audrey, followed by the movie. It's not too long - I think we can do it.

End of School Year Program

This morning all three kindergarten classes performed songs for the parents. Here's their big group number:

Audrey's class with Mrs. Williams. They sang a song called "I Like Me" - super cute.

Afterward we had lemonade and cookies, and kids played for a bit.

Audrey, Kallie, and Presley - the three amigas.

Happy to spend the morning with my #1 girl.

Ok, Last Baseball

Sorry, two more baseball shots because I love them. I feel like I can see a glimpse of teenage Tyler in the top one.

The Yankees all serious.