Beating the heat

When it's not overcast and gloomy this summer, it's hot as hell.
The kids like the latter so that they can cool off with a good sprinkler frolic and hose fight. I can't post those pics though, so here they are sword fighting with canna flower swords.

Moss Beach, again

Tired of Moss Beach? We aren't.
We escaped the heat wave in Oakland and stayed cool and breezy in the hazy day of Moss Beach. Yet another dead and rotting sea lion drove us from the tide pools, which was fine since the tide was high anyway. We've discovered a beautiful cove next door, so after a shadowy stroll along the bluff of Cypress trees we spent some time in the sand before walking back through grass and trees to the car, then on to half moon bay for snacks at New Leaf, then over the hill back into the inferno of inland heat.

Lazy Afternoon

hanging out on the bed, enjoying the sun coming in the window, taking pictures.

Cheeseboard Pizza

Fall finds us haunting Berkeley again as we join up at the YMCA after a summer break. Zoe is back in swim class and progressing well as a little Eel.
After swimming we headed over to Andronico's for snacks and sips, and remembered Cheeseboard Pizza next door. They serve one kind of pizza per day- usually simple, unique, local, organic ingredients. So we bopped over for a slice and were treated to Friday afternoon live music. How nice! We had front row seats for the performance and Zoe was especially interested since she started music lessons a couple of weeks ago.

Children's Fairyland

An Oakland institution.
Rumor has it, Walt Disney came here, and was inspired to build Disneyland.
That's how long it's been around. Build on the grassy banks of Lake Merrit, it's right in the middle of town. Shame we hadn't been before.
But so fun that Caryn and Reedlebear came up with the idea of Fairyland for our shared Wednesday Whim Day. On your first visit, you can buy a "Magic Key" which is used throughout the park in little electronic boxes- turn the key, and it tells a story.
Children can wander through fairytales come to life in statues, amusements, trains, playgrounds, gardens, puppet shows and many other novelties to explores with all their senses.
We'll be back sooner than later.

Game Night

Our first game night!
Forget the Wonder Pets, let's get together and play a game!
We all had a good time playing animal dominoes, and to Zoe's surprise, she won!
Fair and square.

Last Stop Boardwalk

It' supposed to rain tomorrow.
This morning was misty, but still 70 degrees.
Nico wanted to take one last trip to the Boardwalk before fall and winter really settle in, and the rides close for the season.
Everyone filled up with lunch at New Leaf then headed to the beach for a tour of our favorite rides. Even Julian decided to join in for a few.

Porcelain

Muffins enough to share

Whisking batter is tougher than it looks.
I remember thinking my mom was so strong because she could drag the wooden spoon
around in circles so fast.
Zoe helped me bake cornbread muffins, and after we ate our fill for the night, we took some next door to share.

North Beach excursion

It's the Wednesday Whim Day edition of Keeping Up.
Today's excursion takes us to North Beach.
Now, let me be clear that the weather in the Bay Area has been *unusual* this year (read "CRAP") and while I held hope that September would be our savior, so far, that hasn't been the case. September; month of wildfires, absence of fog, dry heat, golden light, long sunsets, warm mornings. Alas, not this year.
We put on our full autumn clothes in layers that were never peeled down. And while we had plans to ride on Cable Cars and picnic in the park, it was a bit cold to enjoy these things, though gelato sweetened the taste in our mouths as we meandered the streets of North Beach, following the dusty ghosts of mommy's past life.

Back to School

Zoe is so happy to be back in the cozy, warm, happy room known as Kristi's classroom.
Old friends, new friends and, Penguin.

Last days of summer

Greefest Carnival

Zoe loves the ferris wheel- everywhere. And after filling up on herb and lemon grilled chicken, rice pilaf, retsina and a brick of Pastitzio, a twirling spin was not for me. Thank goodness daddy stepped in for the ride, which was a little fast for my taste. Julian and I hiked the narrow stairs for a potato sack slide. I think Julian was more afraid of those stairs than I was of the speeding ferris wheel.

Laguuuuuuuun-aaaahhhhh

Is my idea of Heaven.
Zoe and Julian like it too. This is my super favorite beach in California. And it's a long coastline, people.
When the tide isn't too high, this is the perfect strip of soft, clean, white-pink sand in front of tumbling waves and blue green sea. A small little cove between tidepool filled rocky points topped with palm trees. Oh yeah. Life is good in Laguna.

Beach Beach Beach

No. We can't get enough.
From the bayside to the ocean side and back to the bay, it's always a good day on the beach!