E & Z Bday Party

This year we consolidated Eden and Zion's bday party with Eden's actual birthday. While it was nice to simplify I felt like I missed out on quality time with Eden on her actual birthday and Zion was super confused since it wasn't really close to his birthday at all. BUT it was a really fun and perfect day. Being host kind of took me away from my photography duties so there are not many pics, but the kids did have a blast.

One side note I would like to remember from this day, is what an incredible job Eden did with spending time with each one of her friends at the party. She had quite a few friends there from different groups and I watched as she purposefully made her way around to each one of them. If you know Eden, then you know how overwhelming big groups of friends can be for her. This is the first time I have ever seen her do so well in a situation like this. 

Eden Zi and Ryley

Lizard Love

I remember loving lizards as a kid, just like Zion. I remember spending (what seemed like) hours trying to catch one once. My parents let me keep that one. We put it in a small aquarium, got it a hot lamp, and fed it crickets. It lived for a bit of time, not sure how long. Not long enough to inspire me to do the same for Zi. But I do love reliving my love for these creatures with him and through him. 

Summertime at the Beach

It seems like the beach gets a little weird during the summer. Things happen there during the summer that would never happen during the fall or winter. This iguana for instance was quite the unusual site for our beaches. I'm sure they are used to these types of these things at Venice beach, but we aren't at Rivi. Nonetheless it may have been the highlight of our summer beach days by far. And now, more than anything, I really really want one. (:

July Skate Days

Pics from some of our skate days in July. Looking back on this summer it feels like we were at the skatepark nearly every day (which I think we pretty much were). Now that we are in school (since this is post dated) I miss these carefree skatepark days. I enjoy having these pics though. It's really fun for me to look back on them and see the kids' progression. I never had anything like this when I was a kid. Something that I was really passionate about and I worked hard to improve. Maybe gymnastics but somehow it doesn't seem the same...

I never thought Eden would drop into this steeper section at our skatepark - until one day, she just started doing it. 7/3

Eden worked on dropping into this bigger bowl with Jon over and over. Holding his hand each time. This was from early July. If you scroll through the pics you will see that by the end of July she was dropping into it on her own with increasing confidence. 

This is the month that Zi started to get really bored with his scooter. He had mastered all of the biggest drop ins at the park and it seemed (to him) there was really nothing more for him to accomplish on it. At the same time he felt hopeless on the skateboard so this was the beginning of some extreme frustration for the Zi guy.

Wheels out!

Eden fell in love with this ramp at Shane's. It became a huge point of contention between she and I because I would spend a lot of money on skate lessons and she would spend the entire time going up and down this ramp at least 100 times in a hour. 

 Encinitas Skatepark

On the way to the airport the day we left for Madison, Jon took us to this skatepark. It was the first time Eden had ever been to a skatepark other than San Clemente and we thought Eden would be in heaven. Conversely she was mortified. Eden is somewhat averse to change. She likes routine and things she is comfortable with. It takes her a long time to warm up to things that are new. This is something that I should know about this child of mine already but I find myself learning it all over again nearly daily. All that to say this skate session was pretty frustrating for everyone - a whole lot of crushed expectations etc. The way she acted there I would have thought she never wanted to go back, but as soon as she saw these pics the other day she asked when we could return. We've had problems with Eden's attitude in regard to skating but many times those problems are in direct correlation to our misplaced expectations. It seems silly but Eden's skateboarding has stretched me and taught me so much - about her, myself, and parenting in general.

Shortly after we returned from Madison Eden started working on dropping into the bigger bowls at Shane's.

She also started gaining confidence at the skatepark bowls... 

Until she had it. 7/20

Whenever Eden gets to skate with a friend she just lights up! In a way she does not enjoy skating as well unless she is with a friend.