Laowai

Picking blueberries:

A nice long visit to Dow Gardens:

 

The Saginaw Children’s Zoo:

While I was in California Bea was becoming a good little fisherman girl. I love that she is loving this. I loved it as a girl too. I even used that same little spinning rod. Before heading home Dad took the girls and I camping along the Pine River. An overdue first camping trip for my girls.

There she is unbrushed hair, covered in mosquito bites, completely happy.

She caught that one below. Dad got out his tape measure – 18 inches! Everytime anyone catches a fish the girls want to touch it and the dogs want to lick it. It’s complete chaos contained in a tippy canoe.

Who goes camping in a dress? Claire does.

We finished off our summer travel plans with a nice long trip to Michigan and a few days in California for Brian and I.

I dropped the girls off at mom and dad’s house and went to join Brian at his company’s annual principals meeting. It’s been years since I’ve been able to go to one of these meetings. It was a treat to get away – just the two of us. The meetings are always at a more luxurious resort than we would ever choose if we were just going on our own. I ordered a fruity drink at the pool and sat there chatting with some other wives while Brian finished up his work on Friday. It’s not really me, but it’s lovely for a few days.

While Brian jetted off to do some work in Shanghai, I went back to Michigan. I found myself sitting in a canoe next to a wet dog, watching Bea catch fish. I liked that too.

Here are some photos from California:

We went for a hike in the hills overlooking the ocean. The plants are so so different. This Midwest girl can’t get used to it.

We went to Long Beach and toured the Queen Mary and an old Russian submarine. 

My wish will come true soon. We’re heading to Michigan… again.

While Bea was having her weekend away with her friend Mabel we went to the zoo. 

Bea is away this weekend – she’s gone up to the top of Wisconsin to stay at Mabel’s grandma and grandpa’s house. It’s a first – for her to be gone a whole weekend. She loves Mabel’s mom and dad and Mabel’s grandma is a retired teacher so I’m sure she’ll have a great weekend. 

I let Bea choose some fabric and I made pajama pants for the girls. Pink for Mabel, and blue for my Bea.

Claire and I went to the little farm near us – Wagner Farm. The rain was nice. I want that sweet garden fence and I’ll take a big rocking chair too.

Another walk at the Chicago Botanic Garden. This time through the natural prairie area. It was awash with such a great variety of flowers. I was amazed. It was windy and full of buzzy bees and so alive. I loved it!

Here are the photos that Bea took:

Here are the photos that I took:

I told the story of Queen Anne’s Lace and I think the girls liked hearing it just like I always did when I was little. They had to look into each lacy flower to find the drop of blood. Then Claire kept asking me for more stories about Queen Anne. That’s it Claire – that little story is all I know about Queen Anne. 

A side note – maybe I’ve said it before. I kick myself for not naming one of my girls Prairie or Meadow. Brian rolls his eyes and thinks I’m crazy. Yes, it’s a bit like something a Hollywood star would name their kids, but I love it. Is it too late to change their names?