We kicked off the summer with a trip to Sonoma with friends Kristie, Stephen, and many others for the 4th of July ( We had 8 kids there between the ages of 2 and 6, so it was a crazy, fun time.) We had to seriously enjoy the sunshine before returning to 2 months of SF fog!
Our next summer adventure was much more of "roughin it" while camping in Yosemite for 3 days. Except for a few mishaps (stories too long to tell here) it went really well. You can see below how truly dirty Aidan got over the course of our time there... and he loved every minute of it. The first feat was getting the tent up (see below) which was surprisingly easy (I swear they've made tents WAY easier than they used to when I was a kid!). Camping definitely brought back lots of good camping memories I had as a child, and it was great to continue the tradition, and start a few of our own (ie, wine and card games after kids are in bed!)
Aidan making one of his trademark expressions, mouth full o' s'more
We clearly had to force the s'mores down him.
In front of Lower Yosemite Falls
Hiking with Aidan (complete with a carefully selected hiking stick) 
Storytime in our tent
Morning time in our tent
More Yosemite Scenery Mirror Lake
Aidan played in the stream for hours and hours
Ah, relaxing (napping?) by the campground pool
More s'mores, of course.
Fast asleep on the long ride home with dirt on the face
And our last trip of the summer... Southern CA!
Visiting Pismo Beach with Grandma Baird. She treated us to a hotel on the beach and Aidan absolutely loved making sand castles, chasing his beach ball, and playing in the waves!
And of course, swinging on the swings! He got a huge kick out of Mommy doing this too.
Our surrey bike ride (no fringe on top) in Santa Barbara, CA
Don't worry, we didn't actually let Aidan drive this thing (though if there weren't regulations against it we might have!)
Aidan was so tired after our day in Santa Barbara (and no nap) that he fell asleep while we were eating dinner, literally while chewing his food!
After Pismo and Santa Barbara, it was off to Riverside. Above are our friends Amy, Chad and their children, Maddie and Jack, swimming in the Mission Inn Pool.
My friend Cheryl (think WAY back to my theatre days!)
Now think WAY WAY back to my kindergarten days. This is my kindergarten teacher, Mrs Greywood. I'm sorry, Carolyn. Still odd to call her that. And of course, she hasn't changed.
On the window seat of my sister Tara's old room in our Riverside house
Our last day at the Mission Inn
We went to the 6th birthday party of my friend Gareth's daughter, Emma. Aidan had no problem helping her open all her presents and eat her cake.
And the same day, we went to the 90th birthday celebration of my cousin Winnie! Here is someone else who hasn't changed over the years. If only I can be as healthy as she is at 90!
The quilt my Mom made Winnie for her birthday
With Winnie and Aunt Dorothy
The best part of the party for Aidan was playing with Winnie's wooden train
And back in San Francisco, Aidan at storytime at our neighborhood bookstore with best friend Julian. After attending every Wednesday for three years, this was his last one before starting preschool today!
My Mom always helps out at storytime by handing out all the instruments
And finally, our "rest of summer" pictures.
This is Aidan doing Tang Soo Do (a Korean martial art), soccer, and swim!
Earning a stripe on his belt
Soccer classes - being goalie and lining up next to Julian
Something about the pool makes him very very happy!!!
And recently in SF we've enjoyed some beach weather ourselves!
The good weather was perfect timing to have a visit from cousin Carissa!
Other fun stuff around SF.... riding a Power Wheels Cadillac at the zoo, baking with mommy, and BBQs with friends Emily and Julian
James and I actually got away for a night for our 7th anniversary...this was one of the views from our hotel room!
Aidan practicing writing his name on his chalkboard below, and cuddling with "Jack"
Aidan fell asleep one night about a week ago reading his "What to Expect at Preschool" book. This boy was prepared!!! And today, on his first day of preschool, he was a champ! Had no problems saying goodbye to Mommy and Daddy, and we have a feeling that after a few more days of it he won't ever want to leave!
Entering the preschool doors...............and all smiles afterward!
