With the Concordia school schedule, the past couple of years, we have been flying home on my birthday. It is my birthday when I leave Shanghai and it is my birthday again when we land…a double celebration. Mimi held a very nice birthday dinner for me at her home upon our arrival. On the weekend for my birthday, Terri and Andy took us on a day trip to Napa Valley. I haven’t been to Napa since before Elle was born. It was fun to wine taste and enjoy the beautiful wineries. Terri and Andy treated me to a delicious meal at one of their favorite places, the Farm House.

We began our summer adventure with the musical, Wicked. Terri got tickets for all us. We knew Emmy would love it, but not too sure if Elle would follow the story. They both sat completely engulfed in the music and the story. I had the cd from seeing the musical in San Francisco a few years back. Seeing the musical gave the whole family an added summer bonus. Wicked become the music of choice in the car. Oh, such a nice change from Hannah Montana and the Best of Both Worlds. Emmy knows ALL the words to ALL the songs. Hum, why can’t she remember what 9 x 6 is when she can memorize an entire cd!! Emmy’s favorite song is “defying gravity”. I love to hear her sing it. Elle does her best to sing along, but she doesn’t know all the words.

Summer for the girls is always a magical time as ALL the family spoils them. Terri and Andy take them on an adventure every weekend. They have family passes to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Therefore, one or two trips to Monterey each summer to enjoy the aquarium and beach. The Bay Area was having a heat wave, therefore, Terri and Andy took the girls to the San Francisco Zoo. The SF Zoo is next to the ocean with nature’s air condition system. Everyone needs jackets at the Zoo.

Mimi always arranges her special day with the girls. She loves to take them to the local parks, library and museums. Mimi and Papa took the girls to the Snoopy Ice Chalet in Novato. The girls were thrilled to ice-skate in the Snoopy Chalet as both had been taking ice skating lessons. They enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Snoopy Cafe along with the Snoopy Gift shop. Another special adventure this summer was a special Beethoven exhibits. As Mimi still uses a film camera, I have no photos to post of their adventures. Maybe that is what we need to give Mimi for Christmas!!

Aunt Nancy began her summer adventure with the girls at the new Science Academy in San Francisco. Nancy is a member, which allowed them early access. The key word in this is NEW and very popular.

Since they were in San Fracnscios, Nancy took the girls to meet Baby Chloe for the first time. Chloe is the first great-grandchild for Mimi and Papa. Elle loves to hold Chloe. I am not to sure Chloe is as thrilled.

This summer Aunt Nancy taught Emmy how to knit. Emmy loved it right away. She would sit on the sofa watching tv and knitting. She is currently knitting me a scarf, but Elle wants it.

Aunt Kathy was busy this summer as a new Grandma for Baby Chloe. Kathy is loving every minute of it. However, Kathy always found time to bring her dog, Buddy, down for the girls to take walking. They disappear down the street with Buddy and Kathy. Sometimes it is a very long walk as the girls love Buddy. Last Christmas, Kathy gave Elle a stuffed dog that looked like Buddy. She got a collar with a tag for it at the pet shop. Elle still loves her stuffed Buddy. He has been to school many times.

Emersyn desperately wanted to get her ears pierced this summer. I was hoping to put it off until 12. However, it is hard to say no when most of the girls have their ears pierced at this age. We went to the Piercing Pagoda in the Mall. The woman at the Pagoda was older, not a teenager working there for the summer. Emmy picked out a nice blue pair as her starter set. She will have to wear these earnings for 8 weeks.

At our home in California, the only bathtub is the big jacuzzi bathtub in the master bathroom. Elle has a choice of the shower or the kitchen sink. She chose the kitchen sink. She may not fit next year!!

We ended the California summer with a surprise party for Papa’s 85th birthday. The theme of the party was Aloha. Papa had spent some of his childhood living in Hawaii. As a family, we went to Maui to celebrate Papa’s 75th birthday.

Since it was a month early, he had no idea. Nancy held the party in her backyard. We had discussed other options, but in the end, we went with the best. Nancy has a beautiful backyard. Nancy & Ernie did all the work to move furniture down to the sports court to create the Aloha party theme. It was very nice and cozy with family and a few close friends of Mimi & Papa.

My girls love playing with their cousins, which are all adults ranging in age from 26-32.

There is also a new addition to the extended Lyon family, Baby Chloe. She is Jim’s nieces’ baby girl. She is the first great-grand child for the Lyon clan. And, she is just adorable. Elle loved holding her.