tales from a far-land

The kids spent the entire month of July at Camp Stein.  Camp Stein is located outside of Prescott, Arizona, in the Bradshaw Forest.  It was the first time they elected to spend that much time at camp. But, after camp was cancelled last summer, they had decided that they wanted to go to camp for an entire month.  And guess what, no surprise, they loved every moment of it!  Who wouldn't!  While at camp, the kids get to elect various different activities to explore and enjoy during the day like horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, ropes course, ziplining, rock-climbing, arts and crafts, ceramics, drama, dancing, mountain biking, and a variety of sports including: tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, batting cage, lacrosse, and frisbee golf ("frolf").  At night, they participate in more creative activities that their counselors plan like scavenger hunts, game shows, casino nights, dances and sometimes they go on overnight excursions as a cabin. One of the p...

At the end of June, we traveled to Oceanside, California, for a family vacation.  We were lucky to have found a two bedroom condo located right on the beach to rent.  During our extended weekend, we explored the city of Oceanside and its neighbor to the south, Carlsbad.  We basked in the sun and body surfed in the waves at the beach.  We rode our bikes.  We walked to various restaurants and shops.  We enjoyed the cooler weather, especially the dogs.  We watched the Phoenix Suns play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Conference Finals with several other vacationing Phoenicians.  We experienced extreme high tides and tall waves.  We even tested our strength as we climbed structures and wall at a local climbing gym.   For the most part, it was a great family trip.  Our kids are at an age where they are yearning for independence and trust.  As a parent, we largely love this.  This allows Josh and I to have a lit...

Over the summer break, we had quite a few moments to share in some quality time with our friends and family members.  There was time to swim and play.  Time to light candles and eat challah.  Time to celebrate the Suns advancing in the NBA finals.  Time for the kids to spend time with their cousins.  Time for Aiden to participate in an all-sports camp with his friends.  Time for sleepovers and shopping excursions to the mall with friends.  And time to enjoy just a little break from it all. Pool Time Friends Time Suns Sweep Cousin Time Sports Time Mall Time

This past June, Madilyn and Aiden participated on the Moon Valley Country Club swim team.  Moon Valley is one of several country clubs in the Valley that have joined together in a swim team league for kids.  The kids practiced their strokes every week day morning.  And then, on Thursday evenings, they competed in a swim meet against all of the other country clubs' kids by age group.  The league awarded ribbons to all of the kids at the end of each heat.  Some of the age categories had several heats.  And then, after all of the heats were tallied, then the top five kids in each race would be awarded a medal.  Throughout the month, Madilyn (no picture) earned one medal and Aiden earned two (see below).  From my vantage point, the kids seemed to have a good time.  As a spectator and first time family, we really enjoyed the whole program and were a little disappointed that we didn't engage our kids in this program earlier in their lives.  Th...