summertime

It has taken us over a month, but we finally feel like we are on vacation. With the kids' activities, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of running around and generally not relaxing. On the plus side, both of my kids (and I) had incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experiences these past couple of weeks. My son participated in a program called FACES for the Future in Oakland, where he learned about public health and health professions, and had to get "dressed up" everyday (i.e., no jeans, collared shirt, decent shoes) -- and did it willingly, on time, waiting for my husband or I to hurry up and get ready to make sure he wasn't late. It was a welcome role reversal from the usual parental refrain of are-you-ready-to-go-yet-and-do-you-have-everything-you-need-hurry-up-we-are-going-to-be-late. My daughter led the first two weeks of art classes for the TRUST summer youth camp in West Oakland sponsored by the Oakland Unified School District Police Department, teaching arts and crafts to children five to twelve years old -- an ambitious task for a thirteen year old, but she did a great job. It was wonderful to see her in action and to watch the kids taking direction (most of the time), turning the materials she provided into creations that reflected each child's interests and personality. For me, it was surprisingly fulfilling to just sit back and observe these teenagers -- my babies -- growing into their own.

And, now, at last ... time to do some summertime chillaxin'. I'll leave you with a current picture, and a flashback post: the pyro family. Time to go create some more family memories.

Happy vacation, everyone!