Farewell, Summer!

School starts for Sophia on Tuesday. It's so hard to believe that another summer has come and gone. I love summer. That's an understatement. This summer, especially, has been one to remember.

I haven't had PTO work, and I decided at the beginning that I was going to wait until school actually starts up to pursue the next phase of whatever life will bring me. So, Sophia and I have been living completely and totally in the moment together.

Our huge list of things we wanted to do this summer is almost entirely checked off. We got more accomplished than we have in several summers. We've also had more time just hanging out at home - playing video games and watching TV, yes, but also lots of outdoor time and creative play. I have fully enjoyed this summer with Sophia. She turns 10 in September, and I just don't know how much longer she is going to want to spend her summer with her mom. I also don't know how much time there will be to spend together next summer.

Anyway, it's been the best summer I can remember, honestly. I am sad to see it go.

Here are a few highlights.


Tea for the ladies

Flo Rida and fireworks!

Feeding birds at Grant's Farm. (I was outside the cage because I do not like birds.)

Ah, the Circus!

Lots of fun with the Boysies, too!

And an adventure at City Museum.

This is just a slice of the fun we've had this summer, but it'll have to do.

The Vacation Post

I truly intend to post more than once a month, but the summer has been so full and fun, partially full of couch laying and snuggling, that a blog post seems like way too much work. This does not bode well for my or Sophia's productivity in a few weeks, but I guess we'll deal with that when it comes.

We have been back for almost a week from our vacation to Portland and Seattle. That was one of the best trips we've had yet, and we've had a bunch of good ones.

We had a couple great beach days in Seattle. Erick and I got a little sunburnt. I always forget that the Seattle sun packs a little extra punch. It was worth it, though. I had my face sunscreened up, but my arms were sorely lacking. So at least I hope I didn't add any new cancer cells to my face. Downer.

One evening, we left our totally responsible and always surprisingly older kids (15, 12 and 9) at home to play video games while we headed out for some live music with our friends. Oh, did I mention that for our week in Seattle, we were staying in our friends' home? Because we did. And we still didn't tire of one another. Always amazing. But look at these faces! How could you lose?

Before we did Seattle, we did a bit of Oregon, and we loved it. In this picture, Sophia is actually quite congested, but she was a good sport. The higher we went (up Mt. Hood in the background), the more stuffy she got. But it was so beautiful!

This was a really strange landscape and riverbed called the White River. It's so interesting because the rocks here are different than they are anywhere nearby. We were fascinated. And Mt. Hood is hidden in the cloud behind us. Tricky guy.

All along the drive, we stopped at many picturesque locations just to see what they were all about. Water is always Sophia's favorite, and she can probably tell you about each water source we found and compare the temperature and speed to all the others. We saw all three of these and many more in our one drive through Oregon. There is so much exploring to do out there!

And now we're home and getting ready to start getting ready to start getting school supplies. Sophia is not looking forward to going back. This is the typical dread that settles in and dissipates on the first morning of school, kind of like the cloud over Mount Hood. That morning, she'll remember at the last moment to look back and say, "See ya!" 

Tiger Reintroduction

Last weekend, we happened into some tickets to the first football game of the Mizzou season. That hasn't happened to us since we moved in 2010. Erick and I have been over for a couple games, but even that was years ago.

So we were so happy to get to reintroduce Sophia to the culture that is Mizzou football. She also had a guide closer to her age. These two are about the sweetest 8-year-olds I know. I feel lucky to get to hang around them.

Sophia got into it quickly. In spite of the heat and the big score gap (thankfully), we managed to make it through three quarters. If you were still allowed to leave at halftime and come back, we probably could have made the whole thing. That's neither here nor there.

I'm not saying that Sophia's going to go to Mizzou when she grows up. We do sing the Alma Mater at bed every night. All that matters is that we all had a great time, and Sophia knows when to stand and cheer and how to follow up an M - I - Z !!!

Winter Sport

Yesterday was a drizzly, chilly day. Not the ideal day for one's (or three's) first time ice skating. Still, we had postponed ice skating with friends at least three other times for various reasons. We weren't going to let a little drizzle get in our way this time.

Erick, Sophia and I were all complete newbies on the ice. Overall, I'd say our first time was a huge success.

The grownups managed not to fall down even once. And Sophia's falls were almost entirely on her butt, so that's a win. I was very proud of her. New things are definitely not her favorite things, especially when pain is a potential outcome. She kept at it in spite of being soaked and exhausted and improved quite a bit!

Having some friends with us didn't hurt at all. We discovered that standing close together is not necessarily a good idea for stability.

This was a common look on Sophia's face.

Erick opted to be photographed alone and avoid his flailing companions. Wise, wise man that he is. 

Turns out, I'm a fan of ice skating, as I am of most outdoor activities. I look forward to a time when I can stray more than a few feet away from Sophia and try a little speed. I have a feeling that when that happens, I won't be able to claim a completely upright victory. But a little fall now and then can be a good thing. It happens often enough to me that I know how to tuck and roll.

Don't worry, Mom, I'll be careful.

Best of Busyness

Since we got back from vacation, we've been busy. We have spent a lot of time at the zoo, as we tend to do in the summer.

Once with these guys:

Once with these Seattle guys:

And we're never very far from Forest Park, especially when the weather is going to insist on being so lovely.

We've also had fun of our own. Just packing it all in before summer comes to an end.

Girls

Last weekend was packed full of family, friends and celebrations. This weekend will be more of the same - only different. Sophia and I went to Columbia for a quick visit. Our main reason for choosing the weekend was to celebrate the impending (sounds ominous) arrival of a baby girl into the family of some great friends. 

This little girl is going to be so loved and well taken care of. She's also going to be cute. I cannot wait to meet her. Sophia's excited about it, too. 

At the baby shower, Sophia was befriended by an adorable and charming little girl. The two of them had a wonderful time walking that delicate sparkly line between being girly and being wacky.

I was so happy to get to celebrate with my friend. I could not be happier for them to get to start this new book (too big to be a chapter) in their lives.

At some point in the celebration, I got a little distracted by my own feelings. Maybe because we're reaching the end of another school year. Maybe because Sophia made me tell her the story of her baby shower. Maybe just because thinking about my friend mothering a daughter makes me think about my own daughter. Whatever the reason, I just couldn't help but be a little distracted by my gratitude for my own girl.

I love her to distraction.

New Places; Old Friends

We three Creaches decided that staying home for too much of Sophia's break would be too uninteresting for us, so we decided to visit a new city and see some old friends.

We have some very good friends who moved to Indianapolis in 2012, and we had yet to visit them in their new home. We did not expect to enjoy Indianapolis itself quite as much as we did.

We stayed in the downtown Omni hotel, which is in a very cool area. Lots of interesting architecture and walkable restaurants. Exactly what I love. The Omni and several other hotels are all connected by a skywalk, similar to the one in Kansas City, with a great mall in the middle.

In said mall, there are the usual stores, cineplex, food court and such. There is also a huuuuge arcade. This arcade is the nemesis of parents of small children. Why? Because most of the walls are covered in prize-hoarding crane machines like this one.

Sophia had been looking through the whole mall for a stuffed animal that was wearing an Indianapolis-themed shirt. I really am not making that up. Imagine the mixed feelings Erick and I entertained when we spotted, at last, this machine full of bears wearing an "I" on their shirts...

Before we let her spend any of her (and our) money on this effort, I showed her the chair that she would sit in when she tried it three times without success. It would be her chair of sadness and disappointment. She understands, having tried unsuccessfully at these machines many times before, that her odds are very slim.

But she's an optimist.

She tried it once. With no success. She asked Erick to take over. Palms sweaty, the pressure building, he dropped a bear on the first try.

Last try they had. Sophia got behind me so she couldn't see. Erick and I were silent as the crane swung gently and carried the blue bear (Sophia's favorite color) ever nearer the drop point.

Then we hooted. And so did she...

That may have been a highlight of the trip, but we were also very impressed with the memorials that Indianapolis has downtown to their veterans. Sophia could not understand why we'd fight with Mexico, but she did like the memorial. And we were cold.

Somehow we were too busy with our friends to capture any pictures of them or us with them. Their kids are adorable. Their house is wonderful and spacious. We had lots of fun. But you'll have to take my word for it.

Here's proof, however, of the fun we had just the three of us.

First Grade Field Trip

Today was Sophia's first field trip of first grade. To say that she was excited would be a gross understatement. The funny thing is that she was going to the zoo, which she goes to dozens of times every year. Riding the bus the five minutes that it takes to get there apparently kicks the zoo up about a bajillion notches.

Because there were so many parent volunteers, I had a group of three little girls. Easy peasy. That's not sarcastic. It really was. At least as easy as walking around the zoo all day ever is. Did I mention they were three chatty girls? As long as I nodded occasionally and looked like I was paying attention, they were happy as three cute little clams.

No matter how many times we go to the zoo, it never gets boring or old. But, apparently, you can have more to say about it. Chat-ty...

Look how excited she is to get on that bus. It beats walking, which is what she knows I'd make her do...

Starting Sophia's Birthday Week

Sophia was very happy to start her birthday week with our good friends in Farmington. It has been sooo long since we've seen them, that I had never even met this darling girl!!

 
The only activity away from the house was at the pond. Paul caught this fish but let Sophia reel it in and hold it. Marking her very first interaction with a bluegill.

This is how they walked home. I just loved watching them follow one another, discussing their most recent and their next adventures.

Yesterday, the three of us went to Eckert's Farm. That place is huge. And very fun. We picked some apples.

And Sophia rode some rides. The ticket system there is pretty reasonable really, in case you're interested in heading to Belleville for just such an occasion.

I think her week of birthday fun is more or less on hold until her actual birthday, which is Friday. The rest of the week promises to be more or less routine... Unless we can think of something exciting to throw in.

Play Date Chatter

This afternoon Sophia had a friend over to play. And chat. They had a magnificent time. And I had an entertaining afternoon listening to them. Sophia listened when her friend talked, but she was the one who felt particularly "share-y" today.

The afternoon started off with a look through Sophia's baby book. Always a favorite pastime of hers. Other topics covered this afternoon were: all three of her dead pets (two fish and a hermit crab), the Missouri Tigers, the Portland Timbers, her aunts, her singing career (five years in the making) and much, much more. She is very lucky to have friends who find her as interesting as she finds herself. Hopefully it stays that way.

I've been pretty fortunate in that area myself, so I assume Sophia will choose wisely as I have.

Northwest Vacation

We have been back from Seattle for a couple of days. I, for one, am still exhausted. I don't know what it is about this trip, but I can't seem to recover as quickly. Too close to school, maybe.

Anyway, we had a marvelous time. I'm about to share a bunch of pictures. So I hope you're ready to take a visual journey.

We arrived in Seattle and picked up where we left off. Plus, feeding chickens...

Sophia loved the chickens. Any time she has a chance to care for a creature, she's a happy kiddo.

After a couple of days in Seattle, we headed down the road to the Oregon Beach.

It was beautiful. Picturesque. Moving. I highly recommend visiting the Pacific in Oregon.

We spent lots of time at the water. The sand was perfect for building. Mostly free of rocks. Just a few sand fleas.

This was our first sunset from our back porch.

The next day, Erick and I left the beach to head halfway across Oregon to see some of Erick's family. Beautiful countryside. Lots of beautiful streams and mountains.

Erick's uncle Bill lives in Bend, which is high desert. We were surprised to get through all those mountains and streams to arrive in an arrid, hot climate.

It was great to see the family, though. Well worth the day in the car.

We did, however, get a little bit punchy on our drive.

Then we took a night walk on the beach. So peaceful and refreshing.

Then we headed back out for a long walk in the morning. Lots of exploration.

Did I mention picturesque?

Once we passed through those rocks, we were very surprised to find the rocks on the other side covered in star fish and mussels. Pretty cool. Kind of creepy.

Our last evening in Oregon was perfect. We made a fire while the kids played in the sand and ran along the beach. Then we just relaxed. And danced a little.

This was the closest I could get to a smile from Sophia. It's a smile, for sure, but maybe a little nutsy.

Once we were back in Seattle the next day, we did more relaxing. Hanging out. Watching movies. General merriment. We also went to the Seattle Science Center, which happens to be right by the Space Needle. It was a great Science Center. We spent several long and full hours hanging out there.

Anyway, glad to be home. But our trip was magnificent, as always. The northwest is lots of fun. Tons of things to see and do or a great climate for just hanging around. Love it.