Teddy's Birthday Party

Around here, there are many birthdays.  Most of them belong to the stuffed animals, so loved that they must be given birthday parties almost weekly.

Sometimes I buy into it, and actually bake cupcakes, and join in the fun.  This was a couple of days ago, when Teddy Robinson turned three.  Claire made him a birthday crown, and blew the candles for him. 

And of course, the cupcakes were enjoyed by all!

Grover Hot Springs, 2009

There is something mesmerizing about the great meadow at Grover Hot Springs. Lucky us, our campsite overlooked this meadow, so that it was the first thing we saw upon awakening.  It was a short trip, but we left yearning to return to its glory and many more places to explore.

Off to Nature

And have this be our backyard for the weekend.  Stay tuned for stories of our adventures from Grover Hot Springs!

Beach Day

Another mini heat wave is passing through here... It was hot yesterday (the kids had their first-ever lemonade stand and had enough customers I think they will do it again!), and we thought it was going to be even hotter today.  With that presumption, today, we took off early for the beach to escape the heat.  The tide was supposed to be low around lunch time, too, so we brought a picnic and enough containers for all the treasures from the sea.

But we were pleasantly surprised that though it was warm, it was not nearly as hot as expected. The beach was busy, but still sparse compared to what it could have been. 

We enjoyed our time there, stopped to at Swanton for some more strawberry-picking (there are now many jars of strawberry-jam on our counter).  It was a fun beach and berries day!

The Ukulele

Last week, we went to the flea market here in Santa Cruz.  It was my second time there, and I must say that I don't really need to go back there.  It's a great place if you are looking for something in particular at a great price, not great if you easily get distracted, or if you are allergic to dust, and umm, should we talk about fear of fleas? I still wonder if that is why it is called the 'flea' market?

The first time I went, Claire came with me (and that was after 10 years of living here). It was a date of sort, actually. We had a grand time, checking out the booths, getting great deals for things we didn't need.  One of the things we saw there that time, was a stall of instruments.  We both thought of Momo right away. He would love to have one of those Ukuleles! We agreed to bring the 'boys' back next time.

And so we did. And yes, Momo did like the instruments, and did come home with a real Ukulele of his own. 

A Ukulele, as I recently found out, is its own instrument, popular in Hawaii.  Nobody in this family knows how to play any kind of instrument, unfortunately.  But that does not seem to deter the little man from strumming away on his new love.  He can often be seen singing to his 'garden', with sweet loving tunes and lyrics of his own. No wonder those plants are growing so well!  At times, though, it does feel like there is a 'new member', who is rather loud (and out of tune), in the family...

Artists in residence

Busy at work

Momo's sunflowers

Claire's vase

Claire's Pig and a Present

I am amazed and proud at what my children have been producing lately.  I think most children are naturally artistic, but some are more than others.  Our children seem to fit in the latter category, and I can't be happier.

At school, they have been doing more art with Mrs. Young, who has introduced them to Van Gogh, and O'Keefe, to name a few! 

I hope their love of art continues and grows with them in the years to come!

Very Santa Cruz

I was not meant to be a surfer, or will I ever want to become one (too rough, too cold, and I get seasick). Perhaps that is the reason why we rarely do what the locals and tourists do in this town: go surfing, or go watch other people surf. 

Somehow, today, we found ourselves walking along Westcliff drive, near lighthouse field, where the surf was up.  The kids were entertained by the acrobatic moves that these athletes maneuvered in mid air, on and off the waves.  I was entertained by the seals that took over a whole rock, right where the surfers were catching their waves.  It would be fun to be that close to wildlife... very close.  But no, I don't need to get out there just yet.  

Of course Momo muttered something about wanting to try surfing, too... But the wind was too loud in my ears.  I muttered something about perhaps someday...back to him... 

Rock love

water color, by Momo, age 5

With all our trips to local beaches, we have quite a collection of rocks, shells, beach glass... you name it! They get to come home with us.  As much as I love just looking at them, I am always wondering about what else I can do with them! The practical girl that I am.

I was inspired the other day at Long Marine Lab, when I saw a bowl full of pretty rock magnets for sale.  They didn't cost much ($2 each), but I could not make myself to purchase one. Instead, I came home, to our own beautiful rocks, and with some glue and magnets, I made our own!  

I was declaring my love for them when Jim giggled and had his reservations... What is not to love?!  And I love them even more, when I can use them to hold up our children's masterpieces on the fridge.  How good is that snail painting (even without the rocks around it!), by the way!

Strawberries! In April!

On the way to Pigeon Point Light House last weekend, I saw some people in a strawberry field along my beloved coastal highway 1. I did a double take (a quick one since I was driving), and realized that there were children there, too, picking strawberries.  I would not have thought of April as strawberry season (we didn't get to eat local strawberries until June last year in Boston), but then again, this is California!

On the way back home, the kids and I stopped at the field, Swanton Strawberries (organic, no less).  We went into the 'shack' where we got our boxes for the picking.  The shack itself is worth a visit: there was a jam-tasting station, homemade pastries, chocolate dipped strawberries, coffee.  And get this, it was all self-served, and self-paid (yes, the old-fashioned honored system is honored here... I love that!).

It was very windy, and cold.  But the kids were tough, and willing. We picked a box full, enough for many meals of strawberry-shortcake, and strawberry-rhubarb pies.

We returned today, with some friends, which made it experience that much more fun!  It was less windy, and there were more ripe strawberries! I have a feeling we will be going back there more often...

When it was warm...

Once a upon a time, a heatwave hit Santa Cruz so hard that we had to seek refuge.  Those were the days when the beach was at its perfection (because it is a rare day when we go to the beach here without a fleece jacket)!  Not too cold, not too warm. Just right.

Hard to believe that was only a week ago when the heat of the day kept our bedrooms so warm that the kids had a hard time falling asleep. They even jumped into a freezing, unheated swimming pool without complaining. They played in the Pacific ocean as a way to cool off!

Now, the usual foggy days of Santa Cruz have returned. Back to bringing fleeces to the beach, and wearing the cool hats on the walk to school!  

Highlights

We have done so much in the last few days... I am afraid photos will say more than words. 

Family and Spring

We have a lot of family in town right now, and we can't ask for better weather! We are taking them down the California coast today, showing off some of the most scenic spots of the land! stay tuned for more photos! 

Greyhound Rock, 7 years later

We got married at this beach 7 years ago, on a cool April morning, that gave way to a brilliant afternoon sun.  There were no children then, and nor could we have fathomed the joy and challenges that would follow.

We returned to the same beach today, with children in tow. What a difference seven years make! The beach still looks more or less the same. The spot where we exchanged our vows remains, with less of a sand dune than on that special day.  

To our surprise, however, we were blessed with a very low tide today. The shores were exposed, and a plethora of sea creatures were to be found by the little eyes and fingers: sunflower star!, leather star!, baby seastars!, crabs!, sea slugs!, sand bugs!, bullhead fish!

We all enjoyed the beach, the rocks, the tidepools, and the warm April sun.  Greyhound Rock will always remain a special beach to us as a couple, and now, as a family.