How wonderful a summer you helped create
When we saw each other again
In between our two school years
Together we took a stroll
Down the cliffs of La Jolla Cove
Watching seals and sea lions laze in the sun
Looking at colorful trinkets on the stands
We were not afraid to go into the water
At the beaches of the Pacific Ocean
We had fun playing with the seaweed
And chasing the pigeons all around
We took walks in the evenings
When the sun was gone and the air had cooled down
We drank the sweet juice of the sugar cane
And tasted the bánh cam Mama bought
We had the most sumptuous dumplings
At Din Tai Fung the well-known restaurant
Mama’s aunt made sure the food kept coming
To satisfy the hungry guests who welcomed each dish
At Stearns Wharf pier we used the telescopes
To look at far-away boats and lands
The sea gulls and pelicans flew overhead
The artists got together and sketched
We lunched French food at a French café
A recommended place far from the touristy crowd
We learned about the Joshua trees
At Joshua Tree National Park
And saw rock formations
One of them looks like a skull
We drove through the beautiful landscape
Treasuring what nature offers us for free
The longest day we spent walking
With many memorable moments
Was when us twelve met at Disneyland
And together we rode the fun and the scary rides
Giggling and screaming through it all
Until our legs were tired
As we sat on Dada’s shoulders
To watch the light show at the end of the day
Our summer break ended with a blast
When Mama’s brother and sister came
To wish her a very happy birthday
One she won’t be likely to forget
At Schlitterbahn water parks we got splashed
And round and round we asked for more
The summer sun kept us from freezing
On the rides where the water was not warm
Now as our summer break is over
We have pictures to help remember our fun
And family and friends to hold and love
In albums and collages you stay
We’ll keep and treasure the memories
Of the summer fun we have with each of you
