Upcycled Tutu

We are all happy to be home! Except Maeve, who is wishing for more people to smile at and dance with. She is quite the extrovert.

Eva made this skirt at the conference and was showing it off today. You can tell she is still a bit worn out from the trip.

Switched

Eva is my wave swimming, in the ocean, over her head, without a fear, girl. Since she could crawl she would just head right for the nearest body of water and go in. Waves, no problem. So I asked her if she would like to surf at the conference(showing her pictures of the last conference surf lesson). Surprise...the answer was a resounding "No." Okay, fine...and in pipes Elias, "I want to."

What? My son who spends all his time building and digging on the shore. Who rarely can be coaxed into the waves at all. Elias wants a surfing lesson. "You sure?" Yes, he was sure. We signed him and Craig up for the lesson. Up until a couple minutes into the lesson I was pretty sure he wouldn't do much with it. Maybe go out a few feet and sit on the board while the waves lapped at him. Stand on the sand.

Kids love twisting your world around. I love that they do!

Heading out.

Heading in. Upright and happy.

I asked how he liked his lesson. His response, "It is the most awesome thing ever!" His smile muscles were sore. Love this life!

Pelican Splash

Pelicans were out in numbers this trip to Del Mar. We watched them on several occasions diving for fish out in the waves. I love how quick they circle, dive, and come up with a fish. Eva said they look silly with their funny necks.

9/11 Tribute

This was a memorial of the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Powerhouse Park, Del Mar.

Time Out

Being at a conference with lots of other parents and kids for five days is amazing! It can also be a bit overwhelming. We decided we needed to take a break and spend a couple hours at the beach.

We think it was a good decision.

Hotel Surprises

This is part of our hotel room door banner. We took part in the Fairy Godparent (FGP) portion of the conference and needed to help our FGP's find us. Eva loved being a FGP and making, gathering and sneaking the little gifts to her, 5 year old, Fairy Godchild. Elias was happy with the the activities to, but in a distracted way. He loved receiving gifts and delivering them, but didn't look forward to it like Eva. It was a wonderful way to feel like a part of the conference. I do think we will all do it again next time!

Community and Ideas

Part of the reason we go to a conference is to meet up with others doing the same types of things we are doing. I think as the kids get older this view of other kids, in other places, with similar life leanings will give them a broader sense of community.

Another reason we go is to share and explore the ideas and inspiration that other people bring into their lives. This art room was full of that needed inspiration and my kids spent quite a bit of time in here painting, drawing, and exploring with friends and on their own. I really appreciated this room as it gave me ideas as well.