As mentioned previously, this week the girls are at Galileo, an art and science camp that they’ve gone to for the last several summers. (This is actually Zoe’s fifth year there!) What makes this year especially exciting is that they’re finally really together: Rising third, fourth and fifth graders are known as Supernovas, and Zoe and Avery are in the same group.

-M

When I was sick last week Q had to do most of the camp drop-offs (and pick-ups). I  was still asleep when he took her one morning, and when I woke up I found this note taped to the pillow next to me.

-M

My favorite photo from Avery’s party… They just look so happy!

-M

Since Avery’s birthday fell on a Monday, we waited until the following weekend for her real celebration: a slumber party with some of her closest girlfriends. The girls made stuffed bunnies, did crafts, watched movies, and acted generally silly – ya, know, the norm for 7- and 8-year-olds. And the best part? Thanks to Q (the party planner/nighttime guard), they even got sleep.

-M

I had a summer bug (cold and fever) last week, which is why I haven’t written in a bit. But the girls had a successful first full week of summer, with Zoe at math camp and Avery at a sports camp. I was proud of both of them: These were their first times at each camp, they knew no one there, and they weren’t at all nervous about going. They both had great things to say about them (though Avery, who swam and played tennis, basketball and soccer and didn’t come home until 5 PM each day, was clearly exhausted), and they each made new friends.

Next up for them: a week of camp at Galileo (an old favorite).

-M

An official update, but for now: A shout-out to Avery, who just turned eight! (And here she is celebrating with her treat of choice: not cake, but donuts.)

-M

Sending happy wishes to all those dads out there… We celebrated the day one day early by heading to nearby Great America – a tradition dating back to when Avery was one!

-M

Yesterday was the last day of school for the girls, and it’s official: Zoe’s time at Brandeis is more than half over (gulp). She’s officially a fifth-grader, with Avery – just days away from a birthday – moving to third. We said our good-byes on campus Wed. afternoon… (And they look older than in September, no?)

-M

Love these pics of the girls and their friends – both taken earlier this week.

-M

We may have been in vacation mode after our trip, but things have been far from mellow. There’s been a lot going on, including an end-of-year chorus/band performance by Zoe, an early in-class birthday celebration for Avery, and the finishing of various school projects (such as Zoe’s bridge-building project and Avery’s biome poster, below). I’m ready for a break, and I know the girls are, too: Lately they’ve both been sleeping in past 7, a real rarity (and treat).

-M

One last post from Mexico (I swear): What might be my new favorite pic of the girls.

-M

Two highlights of our recent trip to Cabo were a visit to Flora Farms, a ten-acre valley farm and restaurant about 45 minutes from where we stayed (and where the kids ran around the gorgeous grounds and, after dinner, enjoyed homemade ice cream), and a parasailing trip for Q and Zoe. Avery and I stayed on the ground (or, more accurately, at the pool), but, from the looks of their GoPro pics, the other two had a great time up in the sky!

-M

Some more photos now from Mexico, including some of our boat ride to visit Cabo’s famous arch and a lot from the beach and (beautiful) hotel grounds. And the last photo, in particular, makes me so happy – walking to the beach with my girls, we didn’t have a care in the world…

-M

BK (as in, before kids), Q and I went to Mexico quite a bit. We haven’t visited since Zoe was born, but last month – in need of a little get-away – we decided to book a quick trip to Cabo. We flew out last Wed. and had a sun-drenched four days down there… More pics soon, but here’s one of my favorites.

-M

The girls go to PM care at school twice a week, and almost every afternoon at pick-up Avery is playing with a small group of girls. (And she’s usually having so much fun that she’s not so happy when she sees me!) A recent pic…

-M