A walk with Ranger Carolyn

On Sunday I was feeling extremely lazy... but I had already planned on going on a nature walk over at Hellyer Park. SO rather than stayed curled up in bed, we started the day and then after lunch I packed up the children and headed out.  I'm so glad I did!  We had a great time!
Ranger Carolyn started with a talk about all the different animals that live around the park (we may or may not see any during the walk -- I'm thinking none would be fine with me!).
Here is a stuffed cougar:

 Here is a coyote skin:

 A raccoon skin:

 Skunk anyone?!!!

 And a real live king snake!!!!

 Then off we went!!!

It was a fun couple of h ours.  We got out of the house and I was no longer feeling lazy after this.  Thank you Ranger Carolyn.  We look forward to future walks.  Thanks Varnell Family for joining us!  :)

Another busy day

We had planned to go bowling... we showed up and the place was dark!  Turns out the water was off and they could not "legally" let us in.  I had to explain this to my disappointed children and 3 other children that I had with me.  They promised they wouldn't drink any water.  Well, I had to explain it was more complicated than that... Like how they could not use the bathroom if they needed to go, etc. etc...

So we slowly dragged our feet away from the bowling alley and we all buckled up and headed to the park!  They played for about an hour and a half and wanted to leave!  But they played well together while we were there!

 So we left and headed over to Jenna's house and...

 had a great time!

 Check him out!

 Too funny, huh?!  What a life!  ;)

 Afterwards we came home and quickly set out again...

 To see Jim at the hospital.  He is better now.  But, he has been in the hospital since Monday  night. His heart was not doing so well and he has had a few tests done, lots of needles poked in him, and lots of cameras in him to see how his heart is.  He has been attached to some monitor or other for the last 4 nights and the children couldn't see him while he was in ICU.  (This made MG very sad and she cried while I was visiting Jim that night.)  Now, he can be out of his bed.   He is no longer hooked up but is still being monitored.  His heart is doing better... nothing too critical. So we are relieved...

 But at least this visit, he was allowed children as visitors.  The children were happy to see him and have him explain all the things that he went through the last 4 nights and what all those tubes were still connected to him!

 And true to Jim's character, he put the boys on the bed and gave each of them a ride!  :0

And we found a nice place to put his bouquet of flowers that they made for him:

 After a few hours the children were done.  MD wanted to explore the monitors and we thougt it best to not explore that in case he hitsome button that would start up something!  You never know with MD.  He is very curious!!!  So we eventually left Jim, grabbed a bite to eat so we could avoid the traffic back home.  On the way home we decided to stop at Toys R Us to pick up a birthday present for James who is turning 6 tomorrow.  SIX!!! I can hardly believe it!  And look what my goofy boy found... a Fred Flintstone car.  I had to take a picture he looked so cute!  :)

I am so happy Friday is here.... Tomorrow we will start out slow, hang out at home, do a few fun projects, and then end up at James' birthday party for the rest of the evening.  It will be fun!

Park Playdate and Bowling

(not together but in that order)

July 12, 2011... Years after leaving teaching it was nice to see some of my colleagues again.  I've missed them... and what a joy to meet some who now have new family members!  :)
We met at Highlands Park in Santa Cruz.  It was a hidden park and sooo nice!  We will be going back!
He climbed this in no time...

 See how far up he really is???!!!

 He, of course, had to show it was no problems for him to get up there in no time! ;)

 What a sight our picnic area was!

 Look at all the children!!!!

 My 3 are almost finished with their lunch...

 E:

 MG:

 and MD:

 Off to play!

It was a wonderful day.  The children played to their heart's content with old and new friends. I was thankful that Becky offered to drive.  Next time, I think I can do it by myself... unless I'm going with Becky... then maybe she will drive again! lol

July 14, 2011...
This bowling alley has offered free bowling to children during the summer.  Of course, I signed them up!  It took us awhile to get started but we finally made it there!  :)
Here they are... don't they look excited? (not really! lol)

 It's good to have friends to join you!

 He had a great time... but needs a lot of practice! ;)

 Today was his first time and he was nervous, but I think he will be more confident next time!

 Here they are supporting each other. :)

 MG showing E what to do:

What a great week... full of swim lessons, playing with friends, library visits, park play dates, reading, writing, and enjoying the cool weather!

Our escape from the heat...

We woke up yesterday morning and knew it was going to be a HOT one.  So we piled into the car (after a big breakfast) and headed to Monterey.
We were wandering by saw this band all set up... musical instruments to my children mean. "grab a seat and stay awhile!"  So we sat down and waited to see why they were here.

 The men went to grab lunch here and deliver to us (I know, we are so lucky!):

While we waited ... turns out they were doing a reenactment of the day when Commodore John Drake Sloat rowed ashore from a warship, landed on the beach below the Monterey Customs House (that's the house in the background), raised the American Flag and claimed California for the United States!  (I had no idea!) 

 (I liked this guy here... this would be me if I joined the band!  Low maintenance, wouldn't you say?!)

 The who speech thing got them a bit distracted... E was getting restless so he laid down on MG's lap... so cute!

 After we feasted (and I mean it!  I had my own plate of calamari!), the children also had calamari and garlic fries!, Vince had fish and chips... So we had to walk it off... of all places... the candy store was our first stop!

 Yummmm, salt water taffy!

 Of course, they wanted cotton candy!

 Why not... it's our country's birth celebration!  ;)

 Then we walked some more... and saw some wonderful things!

 sea otters at work:

 a doggie at play -- I didn't know they could surf!

 Then we passed by this man with a whole selection of tropical birds (later we will watch Rio at home!):

 MD, who kept running away from the man trying to hand him a bird, finally gave in.  I think he was glad he did, even though you could tell he was scared at first.  He said to me, "it only hurt a little mom (meaning the claws)."

 Then MG had her turn:

 Not to be outdone... E had his turn too!

 Think he was proud of himself?!  ;)

 Awww... so cute!!!!

 More sightseeing....

 It was a beautiful day in Monterey...wish I had one of those boats!

 Then off to the beach!  The children were anticipating this all day:

 To prove I was there...my ugly feet:

 It was windy at first:

 Then these 2 got tired of sand castles so off they went to jump the waves!

 (they are both in red and hats! My children are always easy to spot -- they are the only one who actually keep their hats on!)

 He had fun!

 Then he went back in...

 She watched - because that is what she always does...

 He jumped a few more waves...

 I think she was pretty happy where she was!

 After getting completely sandy... we headed off the nearby park:

They played to their heart's content:

 This was an amazing exhibit!

 Yes, I was nervous...so I sent Vince up there:

 HI!!!!!

 Now, get back down!!!

 CAn you imagine having to run a train with children climbing all over the controls like that???

 Rock climbing???

 She did well:

 These water fountains crack me up!

 It was a wonderful day!!!!  Thanks Daddy for taking us out...  Don't think we ended our day here... we actually drove home and went swimming at Becky's pool.  Thanks Becky!  (we arrived home by 10 PM and watched Rio!)