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| The Popsicle Club |
A typical late summer morning in the Marcis house goes something like this... long before the sun appears over the ridge behind our house, when the very slightest bit of light indicates the slow progression into morning, somehow little Whitney's 18 month-old brain decides that YES it is officially morning and we should all be up- especially you mama- as I need someone to read me my morning stories. So Whitney, and her beloved Pink Bear- stand patiently at the crib waiting while mama verifies that it is indeed 5:45 in the morning. Our little ritual begins as Whitney, Pink Bear and Mama head to the kitchen where I desperately tries to get a pot of coffee going while Whitney desperately tries to get me to read her 15 favorite books to start the day. Lyell hears the slightest bit of sound and appears out of his room, but he's not entirely awake and curls up on the couch with 6 blankets and Tigger of course.
After reading books and snuggling in blankies, Lyell and Whitney somehow manage to sync up and they're off... on some play adventure usually including stuffed animals, blocks or puzzles. Whitney is determined to keep up with her big brother, which leads to many "Owwwwws" and the development of a toughness that I think will serve her well in life :) Lyell, in spite of all his shenanigans and "experiments" he preforms on his little sister, loves her dearly. Once during preschool I overheard him explaining to another youngster, "This is my sister, Whitney. You have to be very gentle with her because she is still learning how to run. Let me show you." And he leaned over and gave her a little kiss. This scene makes up for the times that he conks a metal bowl on top of her head and says, "Moooom, I'm just giving her a haaaat."
Now, finally, the rain is pounding down on our roof for the first time in months. I am already checking on my baking spices and pulling out the warm boots. September and October have brought some exciting events and next steps for our family- specifically for mama. Most significantly, I have accepted a job as a
Camp Director for Galileo Learning. My journey to find balance in motherhood and career has been both frustrating and enlightening. When Lyell was born over three years ago it became almost instantly clear to me that there was no way I could be the mother I wanted to be and continue to work full time. Over the past three years I have had numerous conversations with mothers about the life choices we make in an attempt to "have it all." I realize that I am unbelievably lucky to have so many choices, and I am grateful to all the women fought to give me these choices. Having it all, for me, means having the choice to be my children's primary care giver and first teacher, while continuing with a meaningful part-time job in my field. I can not tell you how thrilled I was to find such a fine company as Galileo Learning, who has created (in my unbiased opinion) the most excellent summer day camp program in the country. But don't take my word for it-
read all about it on their website- and come be a camper with me next summer! Or, be an Instructor, Lead Teacher, or Intern if you are a little older!
Other fun events in our lives mostly included- you guessed it- running, biking and swimming- with some camping, hiking and weddings thrown in along the way. See below for all the details...
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Every day is Popsicle Day here in El Portal where the summer temps regularly hit 110 in the shade. Clothes were difficult to keep on small bodies.
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| We escaped the heat with a week long camping to Tuolumne Meadows.... ahhhhh. |
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| Whitney hard at work prepping our camp dinner. |
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| Climbing Lembert Dome. |
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| Mama and Whitney at the top of Lembert Dome. |
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| Playing around inside our camper. Good thing Whitney is such a dainty girl and can rock all of Lyell's hand-me-down pajamas :) |
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| We hiked to May Lake, a 3 mile round trip accomplishment for our family. |
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We spent much of our camping time (and our summer, really) playing at the shores of lakes and rivers. This is our favorite spot, Tenaya Lake.
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| Another favorite beach, June Lake, with mama working very hard. |
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Clapping to the music at the Mobil
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| L and W prepare for a beautiful Mariposa wedding. |
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Mama's athletic endeavors began by swimming the length of Tenaya Lake with three other awesome women and Matthew rowing next to us.
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| The support boat and the length of the lake. We had a big barbecue party at the other side. |
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| Mama continued her training with a 100 mile ride through the eastern Sierra followed by a girls weekend of long rides through Sonoma vineyards with decadent stops at luscious bakeries. |
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| Making baking soda and vinegar "volcanos" at Potluck Preschool. |
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| Gathering sunflower seeds on a field trip to Mountain Meadow Farms. |
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| Matthew has taken several solo backpacking trips in August and September to the high Sierra lakes. |
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L and W help me prepare for my final race- the Merced Gateway Triathlon.
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I took an early lead in the run section, and never gave it up- finishing first among all the women!
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| Our fall trip to the Eastern Sierra where we broke out a bottle of wine saved from our wedding 5 years ago! |
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| Silly sunglasses and sillier kiddos.... |
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| Inside the giant clam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This photo is just to reassure you that Matthew does still exist. He has officially become the family photographer and it's hard to get him on the other side of the lens. |
That's a little slice of life, we'd love to hear about yours! Sending lots of love to family and friends near and far, looking forward to seeing many of you during the upcoming holidays.
