Sarah

So Sam's gotten the last two posts so I figured I'd devote a post to Sarah. Sarah came out from London a few weeks after Sam as her school got out later and she spent a few weeks hanging out with Claire and touring the England countryside. Since she's gotten out here, she's been busy hanging out with friends, babysitting a lot and a week long dog sitting job.

Last year despite my urging because she had a ton of split ends, she opted for an "air cut" which is what my hair dresser calls it when its not even a trim because she didn't want to lose the length. This year she was more game to get an actual cut so that her hair would be healthy.

Bye Bye 6 inches.

She was in mourning the loss of those 6 inches the entire drive home and the next day. BUT its so much healthier.


Its now been 3 weeks and she's used to the length. Two days ago she came home and it was dyed black (yes Elvira jet black). Some pics she took with her computer.

Really cool picture of her although she looks WAY TOO OLD!!!!

Sam & Michaela

So Sam met a great girl when he was here for spring break. They talked alot when he was in London between spring break and summer and when he came back for the summer he asked her to be his girlfriend. But this really isn't a post about the relationship, rather I just want to show you that in the 9 weeks that I've gotten to know Michaela, she's changed her hair multiple times and she's one of those girls where any color looks good on her. Up until a year ago (her mom showed me pictures) she had long curly blonde hair.

When I first met her it was strawberry blonde


Then she showed up one day and it was dark brown. Here it is curly.

Then some blue streaks showed up.

You can see them better here.

And now its light brown with white blonde streaks.

You can see the blonde better in this pic. I promised them this one would never get out but I thought it was funny and its not going on Facebook so I don't think they'll ever know.

Summer

So this summer has been pretty crazy. Really just plain busy with work (we are going through a reorg of the consulting division and layoffs both of which are alot of work behind the scenes), having two teenagers for the summer (more on that later if you haven't heard the jaw dropping stories and parenting according to Shannon already...) and all my fun summer activities with friends. Again I've been negligent on the blog...

Anyways the first thing I want to share (partly cuz I'm proud of myself) but mostly because I'm really proud of Sam is that he got his license. Brigitte had been wanting him to learn to drive since he was 14 (I think in France maybe that is okay and mostly for emergencies) but I convinced her that he really couldn't but that as soon as he legally could, I would teach him to drive. His dad mainly because he lives in London doesn't know how to drive so Brigitte wanted to ensure that was something that he could do. So last year a little after she passed, Sam (16) and I worked through the process of getting him his permit.

On July 28, 2008, here he is after passing his permit test.

The same afternoon he had his first 2 hours of behind the wheel (he had practiced a little bit prior to that in parking lots - good thing since they immediately had him driving in rush hour traffic on busy 4 lane roads) so he could legally drive with me. Next day we were leaving on the roadtrip to Oregon - great opportunity for driving in lots of different conditions.

When Sam was back for Christmas Break and Spring Break and summer, we drove ALOT. On July 28, 2009, he took his driving test and passed. While he was taking the test, I was seriously nervous for him. After he passed, I was still seriously nervous but now it was because he was going to be driving alone in my car.

Sam and his girlfriend ready to head off for their first drive without me in the car. He looks so grown up...

So this is just one experience in my crazy but wonderful summer with the kids. Its crazy to think that while I haven't been blessed with my own kids, I've experienced this terrifying yet proud moment and probably one of the milestone moments in a teen's life and that of a parent's as they have to learn to trust that the kid will be responsible and safe and have so much more freedom while I've got friends whose kids are just starting to get their permits and just starting the terrifying process.

Some of my driving tips and rules that I think are working:

- if possible wait until they are 17 - worked for Sam and I think he's a bit more mature; planning to do the same with Sarah

- lots and lots of practice in all different conditions (it may be easier, faster and less anxiety for you to drive but the better prepared they are the better they will be when they are driving alone) over and above what they will make them do during the driving test (we did lots of freeway driving especially in traffic, parallel parking, frequently doing the routes that they will be driving so they learn)

- lots of commentary from me (are you surprised?) on why to do something, why not to do something, anticipating things that new drivers just don't see and experienced drivers now take for granted

- driving with the radio on - I know some will say WHAT??? but hear me out. Initially when they start driving and you are heavily instructing them no radio but as they get more comfortable driving turn the radio on. They are going to have the radio on (and loud) when they are driving alone or with friends so better to prepare them for how they are truly going to be driving when they are alone. Today there are so many more distractions than when I learned to drive.

- I didn't let Sam take his test until I was comfortable NOT that he would pass but that I was comfortable with him driving by himself safely and responsibly and with my car

- Post License Rules - no ipod, hand holding or kissing the girlfriend at stop lights for 2 weeks; no going out of the South Bay unless I'm aware, select people are allowed in the car when he's driving.

Its now been almost a month and Sam has proven to be responsible and trustworthy as a driver and with my car. The anxiety has lessened considerably although I do still pray that he will return safely every time he takes the car.

Last thoughts are to my mom. I remember like it was yesterday, taking my driving test while you waited at the curb (yes the one that I went over and they still allowed me to finish the test) with the other parents and the minute we got home I had you out of the car and was on my way to my friends feeling on top of the world with the biggest amount of freedom that a 16 year old can feel. But I do remember you standing in the driveway waving as I drove away and even as I got to the end of the block, I could still see you standing there. Such a different feeling for the adult than the kid.

I do (since I've now lived through it), but at the same time don't know how you did it. Like everything else this summer, I appreciate you more for it.

Cruisin'

One of my favorite things to do is ride my purple beach cruiser. Luckily I have lots of friends who also love to do this so this summer has been filled alot of bike rides. A few of us got bike lights so there have been some late night rides too. There have been a ton (essentially anything happening in the Venice or South Bay area is attached to a bike ride) but just a few pictures from some.

Back on Sat, June 27th Taylor organized a late afternoon bike ride to South RB. We checked out the street fair and then grabbed dinner at Creme de la Crepe.

Day before 4th of July I did two really long rides. First one was in the morning - destination the Omelette Parlour in Santa Monica (meals stops are always fun cuz you know you're going to at least work some of it off on the ride home).

Got home, rested for an hour and then headed out on an afternoon ride with my bible study girls to Venice. Of course stopping at Baja Cantina for some margaritas and happy hour food specials.

So in addition to loving riding my bike, I love to (despite how dangerous it possibly is) to take pictures while I'm riding. Most of the time I've mastered the art of taking pics while I'm riding. Its kind of like a selfy shot but really can't have me in it to get everyone else when we're riding. I'm going to coin it Riding While Taking Pictures (RWTP). Unfortunately none of my friends do it so I'm really never in the pics.

Lauren's sister, Tracy, was in town for 6 weeks and joined us on the ride.

How can you not love beach rides with views like this???

This year for the first time I attended the Hermosa Beach Concerts on the Beach. They are only 3 Sundays in July with some relatively popular bands. Here's some shots of the first one.

Jen and Travis

And the second one when Rebelution (reggae) was playing. It was PACKED!!!! Definitely different atmosphere than Manhattan's Concert in the Park. Lots of red cups and interesting smells...

Allison's family came down to visit and she arranged a bike ride on a Wednesday early evening to ride to El Torito in Marina del Rey. We met up with her mom, dad and Noah, her adorable 2 year old nephew. Not bad for another "RWTP" shot.

Beautiful sunset on the ride there. RWTP shot