A great school

When we lived in Berkeley, we were lucky to live across from an amazing preschool.  The Woolsey Children's School was a multi-age, play-based pre-school that promoted conflict resolution and respect.  I am so glad that our kids went there - they learned so much from the some of the best teachers ever - and the great school community.  Of course we had to be there in July when the school closing / celebration happened.

I love the tradition that each graduating child made a tile for the wall with their handprint.

Great founders / leaders / teachers!

Childhood friends reuniting

So many great teachers and friends!  The first kids have recently graduated from college!

R&R: Great America

Since R&R was in the summer we could visit Great America.  Lots of great rides.

And of course go-karts

Since it's super hot - the water rides were great.

It's always fun to drive the cars.

Saying goodbye to the home I grew up in

There was a lot that happened during this year's R&R.  The first thing was moving out of the home I grew up in.  A lot of emotions, a lot of sorting, a lot of family coming together, and a lot of goodbyes.

This was the piano that my grandmother played for many years. I would love to keep it - but it's rather large and I don't play enough and I can't drag it all over the world.

I packed up the room I grew up in - but of course couldn't take the mural I painted on the wall.  I did take the beautiful bookshelves my father built me.

My dad had quite the wine collection - so one night we had a sampling party.

And of course with all that wine, we had an inspiring game of celebrity!

More wine?

Bit by bit we got stuff organized in the garage.

We found some cool stuff.

Like my old rocking horse - I called him "Precious"

And a cool foghorn

And some old drill bits

Cleaning out the workbench was cool

Everyone got in to the action.

But we were quite beat at the end.