Jeff had to go back to Colombia, since he has a job and all, but we got in a date night before he went back, and we made sure to save space for his favorite bread pudding.
We also made sure to get in some time hanging with local friends. Summers are hot in Virginia though, so the kids hung out in the "cold" tub.
The next two weeks of the summer were dedicated to camp, one of the main reasons we make the trek home every summer. Elena has a local arts and crafts camp that she loves. Each week has a theme. This summer she did the magician theme and the carnival theme.
She also likes to check in with the fish in the lobby.
Vivian opted to try something new this year, Camp Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C. runs several education programs, and one of them is a two week summer camp program. Getting Vivian in and out of D.C. was a bit of a hassle, but she was totally in her element.
We were actually pretty lucky with traffic and only had one really bad day. Two people got in a fender bender, and one decided to shoot the other one, so the police closed parts of the highway.
While the traffic in the U.S. is generally better than that in Bogotá, I've come to the conclusion that I just don't like living in cities.
In between all the shuttling back and forth to camp, we found time for some other fun things. I took a trip to the National Gallery with Shelley.
I brought home Paint Chip Poetry, which Viv and I had fun with.
We also got Vivian some new clothes, and I got some cute pictures of the girls outside.
Judy bought a new car, which made her even cooler as far as Viv was concerned.
In digging through the boxes from the basement, I found an old middle school yearbook.
But mostly, we just spent time playing, relaxing and enjoying each other's company.
Finally, it was time for Vivian's performance of As You Like It. Jeff had to be back in D.C. for work, so he was able to make it to the performance.
He also took me out to the new sports bar in Shirlington. It has rooftop seating, which we were eager to try out. I was especially tickled by their drink special. It actually came out pretty close to the picture.
Then it was time for our last meal of the summer at Safta and Grandpa's. The girls, Mom and I were headed back to Bogotá on an afternoon flight.
I only had a couple days before I had to start work again, so Mom and I took a trip to PriceSmart, something I don't usually have time to do. We found a great toy organizer which inspired a full play area overhaul.
The next day it was back to work for me. Jeff was still in the States, but Dad flew to Bogotá to help mom out with the girls. One of the other moms had arranged a nerf fight/picnic get together in Parque de Chico. The girls were thrilled.
When we were looking at pictures of their day on my phone, it turned into a selfie moment.
Those crazy kids :-) We took Mom and Dad out to lunch to help them keep up their strength and be able to deal with the crazy. The girls are fascinated by the table inside the fireplace at this restaurant and are determined to come back some day to try and eat in there. I can't see how the server could possibly get the food to you, but that's just me.
Finally Jeff came home, and we were all in one place. School started for the girls, and Mom and Dad went home. Everything was so busy, that I didn't get many pictures. Not even a first day of school one, whoops. I did get a picture of the girls waiting at the dentist's office with completely crazy hair though.
Definitely need to get a good picture of them this week, but the important part is they are both thrilled with the start of their new school year. Elena is loving being in Year 1 aka Kindergarten, and Vivian has made a smooth transition to Secondary aka middle school. The school has been a great place for them to grow and feel safe and nurtured. Elena has already had a kite day and participated in a Year 6 carnival.
Vivian has already attended a double birthday party and gone flying through the air.
Jeff and I had our 13th wedding anniversary. He got me beautiful roses which the girls liked almost as much as I did.
We went out to dinner at Osaka Peru which was fabulous as always. We put our phones away and just enjoyed each other's company, so I don't have any pictures. It's been a fantastic 13 years, and I'm looking forward to many more.
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