School's Out

 We're finished school for the year! It feels both REALLY good, and rather a let down. Really good because it dragged on SO long and at times felt like it would never end. Rather a let down because we STILL can't go anywhere to celebrate - not even out to eat. Still, for the two weeks we have left of summer break, we do have plans to try make it somewhat special. 

Yesterday, for our first attempt, we managed to go for a short hike with a friend. Just girls and moms, as there are restrictions on the number of persons allowed in cars and under 12's are supposed to be out and about at all. It was short because it is the rainy season and the windows of clear weather are usually short - and we were all so out of breath on this new trail that goes pretty much straight up!  We just made it to a small trickling waterfall in the jungle and turned around. All the same, we got quite high and found some funky tree formations. In this one, three branches made a very comfy, springy seat. What you can't see is that the long branch Grace is sitting on goes around the tree in the bottom right of the picture and sort of turns into a root along the ground before shooting up like a tree again.

This next week, we've decided to finish the food we have in the fridge, and then enjoy take out from all the local stalls near by - roti, burgers, tacos (!yes! not sure what they will be like... its a new place), Thai, fried noodles, dim sum, chicken rice... A break for Mom and a festive feel as it's a treat to not have home cooked food.

Other ideas we have to make these holiday weeks different are thinks like another hike that is local, beach time, long put aside projects (the girls have another song video in the works), game nights, etc. But the best thing of all is simply not having things we have to do and not having the drag of unfinished work. That all by itself is a huge gift!

In other news, we were notified recently that this pastel drawing of Jasmin's was chosen out of 1000's to be the cover photo for the drawing group she's been posting to for her drawing course this year! A very nice encouraging surprise.