Hiking--Marin Headlands

A few weeks ago there was a clearing of the fog so we took the kids on a short hike in the Marin Headlands...the hills overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.  I've been wanting to take them on shorter hikes for a while.  I feel they are "city kids" and we need to be intentional about getting them out into nature. The first stop was the battery overlooking the Bridge. Timo had a blast looking at where the canons used to be and all the bunkers that remain. We walked up and down hills, in and out of tunnels and watched the fog clear out over the bridge.

We even got to watch this cool Navy ship pull out under the GG Bridge.

Then we drove out to the lighthouse...you park and hike out over these rocks to get to the Bonita Lighthouse at the very tip.

Timo and Cameron were so into the "hiking".  Timo kept saying over and over how much fun he was having.  This was our first extensive hike with the children...I have this fear of getting all the way in and having to carry them all the way out.  So before we started this big hike out to the lighthouse, we all agreed to the terms that they would walk themselves the whole way...THERE AND BACK.  Filled with excitement, we headed off!  Such beautiful sights to see...sea lions, crashing waves, huge boulders, hearing buoys ring in the distance and picked un numerous sticks and rocks along the way.  The first part of the hike was downhill...so it seemed easy.

Unfortunately we missed the gate to the lighthouse by 10min.  They close the door leading out at 3pm.  Bummer.

So we headed back up hill to go see the Nike Missile area.  Timo was a champ hiking back up.  Cameron had a little harder time.  But they both did it, without being carried.

As we were coming back up hill we noticed the fog starting to roll back in over the bay.  We took that as our cue to head home.  We drove around the Headlands a little longer, looking at all the trails we wanted to come back and hike.  I see much more hiking in our future!

Swimming

I'm so proud of Timothy and his accomplishment in swimming. They both have been taking swimming classes since April but it's taken Timo a LONG time to warm up to the idea of sticking his face in the water. I really think it goes back to him falling in a pool when he was 2 and I had to jump in to save him. Even though he doesn't remember it, that fear of going under water has to be lingering in his subconscious. So it's been very challenging, to say the least, to get him past that big hurdle and to swim class each week.  But he has quietly been practicing when he thinks no one is looking. He tells me not to watch him while he's in the bath tub...but I peek in and find him sticking his face in the water over and over again. He tell me before each class that he will try to be a big boy and not be scared, even though fear sometimes get the best of him.  And the teachers at La Petite Baleen were so amazing in taking him separate from the class and working with him, step by step.  He knew all the motions to swim, just couldn't put his face under water...until two weeks ago!  I love this picture, the teachers arms in the air cheering for Timo as he reached the platform swimming, face in the water and without a floaty!

And one he broke that barrier, there as been no stopping him.  He completed all his tasks to reach get his green ribbon and catch up to the rest of the class in just two weeks.  Such a happy day for him!!  I'm so proud of all his hard work, even though he didn't know I was watching...

Here is a short video of him swimming on the day he got his ribbon...It was amazing to see my scared little boy become a big boy, face his fears and learn how to swim.  Yes, I was teary eyed.

And I LOVE Cameron's excitement over Timo's swimming. She is smiling so big, squeaks out a little giggle and gives him a little pat on the head as he gets out of the pool. Such the little encourager.  And she has been doing so good too...except when she gets water in her goggles.

Cameron has been working really hard to get her next level ribbon, blue. She loves swimming!I think her enthusiasm for swimming has been a big factor in Timo being able to accomplish his goals.  She may be a "little" sister but she has been a big support to her brother.

Time Away

A few weeks ago I was able to take a long overdue trip to Southern California to see one of my best friends, Mindy. She is the mother of a 2 year old in the mist of the terrible twos and was in much need of a break.  Our husband graciously agreed to us going away for a night to a spa resort in So Cal for a little time away. It. Was. Heaven.

I took the short flight to San Diego, Mindy picked me up and off we drove to the Laguna Hills Spa and Resort.  Our room wasn't ready when we arrived so we lounged on the deck, eating lunch and then relaxed in the spa.  It was so nice just not being on a schedule and not have little hands tugging at our sleeves.

We didn't even leave the hotel!  Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the restaurant and dessert on the deck outside.  Did we really order three desserts for just two people??  Yup, we did.

I feel like we talked all weekend, nonstop.  It was such an encouraging time for us both, just to be able to talk and listen to each other.  Mindy was such a blessing in so many ways, I can't wait to see her again...let's just hope it's not two years again.

Meanwhile, back in SF, Daddy was taking good care of the kiddos.  They had a birthday party to go to that weekend.  Along with all the other activities, there was face painting.  Our little superhero girl was Spiderman!

They kids got to take their first canoe ride, which apparently, they loved!  I kinda hate I missed that experience but I guess some special things need to be reserved for the Daddy.

And in true Daddy fashion, a trip to Best Buy is his kind of fun...and the kids too.  Best Buy is Timo's new favorite store, he asked to go there at least two or three times a week.  I wonder why??

I'm so thankful to Young for suggesting I get away.  I really believe that, as well as a break for Mommy, it's good for the kids to have a break from me.  As much fun as we have together, I think they get tired of hearing my voice all the time...it's good just to hear Daddy's voice sometimes.

Exercise

Young used to ride his stationary bike all the time, almost every day. Then he stated running a little over a year ago...leaving his bike behind. It gets used a few times, if it's raining outside. I'm glad the kids have picked up the exercise torch and are getting some use out of the bike now...although, it doesn't really seem like exercise when they do it!

Preparing for School

The week before school started was a busy, busy week for us.  Lots to do to get ready...like get hair cuts!  Gotta look sharp for our teachers this year!

 Enjoying our last few days of having no schedule to follow.  We enjoyed a late breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes at IHOP and and afternoon of lemonade in the Mission.

Dentist visit...gotta have shinny, clean, cavity free teeth!  Timo did much better this visit but wanted Cameron to go first so he could see what they were going to do.

Last minute "back to school" shopping at Target and Trader Joes...need groceries to fill up those new lunch boxes!  As you can see, the children find ways to entertain themselves on these less than exiting errands with Mommy.

And a little mid afternoon snack/treat, enjoying some much need summer sun in SF.  I'm sure we'll still find ways to fit in ice cream treats on our Saturdays or Sundays.

First Day of School!

Today was the first day of school for Timo and Cameron. They were so excited to start their second year at CAIS. They couldn't wait to see their teachers again and Cameron even made "I miss you" cards for each one the night before.  Yay for school!

I took them to Target to pick out a new outfit for the first day...and this is what they picked, not the sharp looking polo shirt or pretty floral print dress. Timo saw Jake and the Neverland Pirates tv show once at Granny's house this summer and fell in love.  We don't have cable so he hasn't seen it since but talks about it all the time.  He had to have this t-shirt.  And my little super hero daughter wanted nothing to do with the pretty shirts or dresses, she had tough time choosing between the Batman shirt with a cape or this Captain America shirt.  We went with Captain America because it matches the lunch box she picked out.  Yup, that's my little superhero!  I'm learning, as a mom, to let go of my ideas/plans and embrace the individuals that they are.

Peach Pickin' and Jam

In my never ending quest for fun, sun and summer activities, I took the kids peach picking to make some yummy peach jam. My mom taught me the fine art of canning and it's something I want to pass down to my kids.  And some of the best stone fruit farms in the country are about an hour outside SF...which means sunny warm weather. (We have been fogged in for about three weeks now and in desperate need for some sunny vitamin D.)  We visited about four farms, picking peaches at two of them.  The kids were full of energy and enthusiasm at the first farm which is where we picked the most.  The peaches were sooooo juicy and sweet!

The "fruit" of our labor...ha, ha,ha.  We picked two buckets full before the kidos got too hot.  And I wasn't looking for perfect ones...since I was making jam, I was going for really ripe, sugary ones.

We stopped at another farm for some fresh strawberries, tomatoes and squash...Timo enjoying one of the strawberries he hand picked.

The next farm was nectarines and plums.  This place had wagons which re-energized the kids on their picking campaign.  They were picking like crazy...trying to fill up their wagons.  I had to reign them in and let them know that would be way too much. 

Timo unloading the goods to be weighed.  These were smaller than the peaches so we kept these for snacking fruit.

We stopped at one more farm for some corn before heading home.  I loved it so much, I think this will be an annual trip.  Next year I'll be more prepared to get a few bushel of tomoates for canning and cucumbers to make pickles.

A few days later it was time to make jam!  We made a trip to Walmart to get canning jars and pectin which made the kids even more excited to get home and make some jam.  I decided to do the cooked jam instead of the quick freezer jam, just so the kids could see the whole process.  They helped peel, pit and cook down the peaches.  Then we weighed out the sugar and they helped stir...asking a ton of questions all along the way. 

But in the end it was well worth it.  It took about 5 hours to make and the kids got to help from tree to jar!  The work has already paid off...their new favorite breakfast is toast or waffle with peach jam and now they have some homemade gifts for their teachers this year. 

When I Grow Up...

Happy Hollow

In search of some sun and summer fun with friends, we met our buddies Matthew and Noel at Happy Hollow in San Jose.  This was our first time at Happy Hollow and we loved it!  It's the perfect mix of everything...a small zoo, a few rides, fairy tale themes, plenty of playgrounds and a puppet show.  Just big enough for a few hours of fun for the kids.

All the rides were just the right size for the kids, they could ride them all.  Cameron was so happy to finally be able to ride a swing ride!

The puppet show was a lot of fun...the Three Little Pigs.  All the kids were really into the show because there was lots of audience participation.  Timo and Cameron are still talking about how funny the dragon was...three weeks later. 

And the zoo was just big enough to be interesting but no overwhelming with large closures where you couldn't see any animals.  Making the goats look pretty and checking out meerkats!

The really smart thing about the park were how many play areas they had.  It seems each section we went to had a different area for the kids to jump, climb or play.  This gave us parents a chance to have a break of walking and the kids run off some energy build up while standing in line for a ride.

So much fun hanging with Matthew.  I wish we lived closer so we could see them more often, but it makes these day trips a little more special!  We loved Happy Hollow and can't wait to go back!