Wilder Ranch Hike

Today was one of those very rare and uncomfortably hot days in Northern California.  Let's be honest..California weather is so wonderful we as Californians ever rarely complain about it except when it has rained 2 days in a row or the temperature has reached into the mid 90's. As the temps neared the 100's we decided to head for the coast and visit Wilder Ranch. Ahhh...so much better with a cool breeze!  Hitting the trails today hoping to make it far enough to reach the fern grotto caves.

 

The kids did well.  There was lots of silly games and chit chat. Their own cameras came along and they took lots of shots along the way.  Their energy held out and we made it to the fern grottos today. Lots of beautiful shells were found as well.  Hikes always include a chocolate granola bar or something of the like which is a great motivator at times when the energy is running low.  Today nobody remembered it, so that's always a good sign of a fun time.

 

At the end of the hike we walked down towards the farm house.  There is a great tree in the front yard that the kids have always loved climbing from way back to their preschool days. After our hike we hit the downtown Santa Cruz for a dinner of pizza followed by ice cream at the Penny Creamery.  My most favorite ice cream place with lots of yummy homemade organic fun flavors that change daily. 

Facing the last day of 2011

Today is gorgeous.  We are at the beach, which is my very favorite place to be.  It has been a good day, good weekend.  This is the absolute perfect day to hang up 2011 on. 

As far as the year goes, it hasn't been a bad year, just a very busy one.  I haven't had as much free time as I would have liked especially with 3 kids now in elementary school. I certainly haven't spent a moment on any of those personal goals I had put forth for myself 2 years ago when I started this blog.  I'm okay with that too, as I sense that time is coming soon.  I did choose instead to give all of myself to my kids' school.  It has been a good experience and there have been plenty of rewards; being with the kids, getting to know the staff better, seeing what is up and coming and getting the opportunity to meet and know more families in the community.  Next school year I will need to find more of a balance between home, family, myself and school just so those other areas aren't entirely neglected.  Which brings me back to the present.

Standing here today, watching my family in the surf.  Feeling the sun and wind's breeze, while the water laps at my feet.  Breathing it all in and taking a respite from the busy school year and the X-mas holidays. I'm feeling calm.  And I'm thinking that just maybe, 2012 is going to be a good year, a more balanced year.

3 Things I'm Grateful for:
1) This amazing place
2) Respite
3) New Beginnings

The Great Backyard Campout

The kids have been planning a campout forever.  To celebrate the end of their week long camp and also to support The Great American Backyard Campout

 we pitched a tent in the backyard, roasted hotdogs and corn on the cobb and of course smores. 

We slept outside in the tent 2 nights in a row.  It was already up and of course the kids were so excited the first night they didn't sleep quite as well as the second night.  It was a beautiful clear night...the crickets were in full swing and of course the wild dogs in the neighborhood could be heard too.

The great thing about putting up the tent...they played and slept in it for hours.  We sure enjoyed a quite morning to ourselves both days.  We do hope to camp beyond the backyard this summer, but for now, this was nice too.

Three things I'm grateful for:
1.  Sleeping kids in the backyard
2. Warm cups of coffee
3.  The summer still far ahead of us

Disneyland

Snow Trippers

Hubby and I do not have a lot of experience with the snow but our children sure wanted the opportunity.  It was all they talked about... which became all we talked about.  Where to stay?  What to wear?  What to bring?  How long to go for?

My sister and her family of young kids enthusiastically joined us on this little snow adventure.  We chose a fairly close locale, decided to limit it to a weekend, rented everything but mittens, hats and long johns and had no expectations other than a little sledding and snow ball fights.

Our first trip was pretty successful.  The snow this year was very light and the weather over the weekend was warm which made our outings very easy and comfortable for all the littles.

The boys loved their snow ball makers and the sleds were a hit.  We had an ice picnic both days, a nice place to stay below the snow line, and an easy drive home.  I don't think hubby or I will become winter sport athletes but I can see us hitting a weekend in the snow again, perhaps next year?  What do you think sis...are you in?

3 Things I'm grateful for:

1) Warm weather for prolonged enjoyment outdoors

2) Family that is willing to join in on crazy adventures

3) Not needing to pull over and figure out how to put on snow cables

Crafting gifts

The boys have been weaving furiously for months now with no desire to stop that we decided to incorporate it into our teacher gift giving.  Here are the completed gifts, belt, christmas ornament, wreath pin and a bracelet.

Boy wonder is trying a smaller french knitter and crochet thread.   He is making a bracelet with beads for his second grade teacher.

Bubba has two teachers and made an orament for one and a belt with fringe beads for the other. 

I have no photo of Busy girl as she and I worked on her teacher's gift earlier.  She made a patterned wreath out of beads and had help with the bow and pin.

They each wrote nice messages in their cards and momma tucked in her own gift card of appreciation as well. :)

3 Things I'm grateful for:

1) Our wonderful, hardworking teachers

2) Children that love to craft

3) Spending time together

Mini Trip to the City

We live so close to San Francisco yet we hardly venture there. Well, it was time we did! So, we took the kids up to San Francisco today and visted the SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art).  It was our first visit to a museum with our energetic bunch.  I think they did surprising well and may have even been unconsciously inspired.  The SFMOMA is a nice size and with lots of modern and colorful sculptures and paintings easily kept our troops engaged.  We brought along journals, crayons and colored pencils in case they felt the need to create a masterpiece or two of their own.  For Busy girl, who was the first to tire it gave her a chance to relax in the stroller and keep herself busy.  One of my favorites to watch was the fascination of the gold beads that covered a large entryway from top to bottom. 

After the SFMOMA, we headed to the end of the block and had lunch at

Time to burn off lunch with a romp through Yerba Buena Gardens...

 and a trip to the playground connecting the gardens.

Of course we couldn't pass up a ride on the Zeum carousel.

The weather in SF could not have been better.  It was a glorious and fun day today.  We should all sleep well tonite!

Reflecting, remembering...

There are places in the world that just the sight of them will always touch my heart and make me grateful for that time, for those experiences, for those memories...

3 Things I'm Grateful for:
1. My children's first teachers, first school
2. My children's love of nature
3. My memories

Meeting the Mouse

We spent our Memorial week down South visiting the famous mouse that resides in the Happiest place on Earth. It's always such a treat to be there. The kids really enjoyed themselves. The one funny thing I really noticed this trip is that my daughter is a Disney character stalker.  It's quite funny to see your children so taken with these characters. As soon as she spotted one she was off. She loved seeing them, taking photos with them, touching them, hugging on them.  Even if she had no clue who they were...which was most of the time.  She did know who Minnie Mouse was and this character especially was a favorite.  A girly sounding mouse that wears pink...I guess what's not too love?  She didn't even mind waiting in line to see her (and yes everytime Em saw her we stood in line) and everytime after the greet it was like pulling teeth to get her to leave her...she was just so fasincated with her.  And no fear...she would approach them on her own...even the giant bear named Balou from the Jungle Book.

3 things I'm grateful for:

1. Kids that love Disney almost as much as me

2. Eating out...yum..yum

3. Being part of a family