hike / free slurpees:

On July 11, we went hiking with some friends at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga.  We'd been there twice before for field trips, but not to hike on the trails in the hills behind the main art center.  We first did a lower trail called the Creek Trail, and I think most of the water was dried up for the summer.  It's very pretty there, and the skies were clear and sunny.  We spotted something that looked like a salamander.  I wish I had my camera out, so I could identify it later.  I think it was a newt.  We saw spider webs, a cluster of birdhouses, and fallen trees.

At the end of our loop around the trail, Lucas and Isaac were wondering why we hadn't gone upward anywhere, and Lucas said it would be a waste of a trip not to go up farther.  The more recent hikes we'd taken usually involved going up to the top.  I told my friends we'd just go ahead and hike up to the summit, but they decided to come, too.  So our hike time increased quite a bit.  I'm glad I was able to drop my backpack off at my friend's car before setting out for the second trip.  I think the temperature was in the high 80s that day.  Lucas and Isaac are more tolerant of hiking in the heat than I am, but I've learned to push myself for their sake, and it's helped a lot with building up my stamina.  I don't do well in the heat or the cold, but I have had heat exhaustion before, so it's probably more on my mind.  I brought a lot of water, but I still ended up with what I think was a dehydration headache later.  Thankfully after consuming more water, it seemed to go away.  The boys were okay, not really even tired or sore.  I was sore the next day, but fine after that.  As we made our way down, we stopped by 7-Eleven for the free slurpee.  I don't know if you can bring your own container anymore, but I generally stick with the small cup they supply since that's more than plenty for the boys.  I have never really liked Slurpees, and I don't want the kids to drink them too often, but this was a special occasion, keyword "free."

Lucas wanted a photo in front of the building.  There used to be really pretty flowers here before the drought.

Heading out.

Beautiful green leaves, never gets old (well, except the poison oak).

Taking a break after the end of the first trail, about to head up for part two.

First lookout point on our way up to the summit.

Made it!  Nice clear-ish day.

Boys wanted to sit and enjoy the view.

Lucas being silly again and pretending to suck without the straw.

eat mor chikin':

We got ourselves some free Chik-Fil-A entrees (plus an order of fries) for Cow Appreciation Day.  My friend Cecille reminded me I had to go in cow apparel since I had not done it before.  Naomi actually has a cow pajama onesie which I would have worn, but she didn't want to wear it to the restaurant and get it dirty.  So I just printed out some cow masks I found online, which was easier, and the boys were willing to wear it.  They took them off for the photos below.  Next year, if I still have some extra white trash bags, I might use a black markie and make costumes, but I try to keep things like this simple.  

beach (advisory) day:

Lucas has been asking to return to the beach, and so Manny took some time off again on July 5 so we could go as a family.  I told him about the beach advisory (due to a hurricane in the Pacific) for that day, but it looked like it would be warm enough in the forecast.  The good news is that we found a great parking spot right by Twin Lakes Beach, and since it wasn't a holiday or weekend, we didn't have to pay.  The bad news is that the winds were so cold and strong that we couldn't get warm enough to get in the water.  Manny on the other hand took off his shirt and put on sunscreen.  I should have taken a photo for contrast.  So we just stayed at the beach for a little while, ate, and then went for ice cream.  The kids didn't complain.  I felt bad for Lucas not being able to get in the waves like he wanted, but he didn't throw any tantrums.  I hope he gets to live out his dream of moving closer to the beach someday (his preference is Hawaii).  We sort of waited for Manny to let us know when it was time to go, and then we headed out for ice cream at the famous Marianne's.  This was our first time as a family, and Naomi's third time there (she's been with the youth group a couple of times).  There is such an amazing variety there.  I got the kahlua chocolate and Mexican chocolate, but I wanted to try just about everything.  I can't have a whole lot of dairy, so I just ate what I could of the junior scoops.  Everyone seemed happy with their choices, and I wouldn't call it a bust.  It was a nice day.

Checking out the waves.  Chilly!

View of the Walton Lighthouse.  Lucas has always wanted to go up in one, but this isn't one you can go inside.

Looks so fun and sunny.

But oh, so cold.

Packed one of his favorite sandwiches, a BLT.

Cold.

Really cold.

Hey, it's so cold, I know what--let's go get ice cream!

We were shivering, but enjoying it!

Nice cream.

fourth of july incredibles:

In all these years of having kids, we've never been to the movies as a family.  When Lucas was born, Naomi was too young, and then I had to stay home with Lucas, and then both boys, and then just Isaac.  Isaac doesn't like watching movies, but he's always like superheroes, and the idea of the Incredibles appealed to him, especially after seeing Lucas play an Incredibles world in a video game.  So, he asked to watch the movie, and Manny took some time off work to make it happen (but still had to go in later that day).  

We are a bit like the Incredibles--parents with a teen daughter, two little brothers.  The older brother needs help with homework, and the little one seems to do no wrong, but is quite intense when feeling threatened.  Both boys wanted to be Dash (the middle one), since they like to run fast.  Big sister Violet has her moments that remind us of Naomi, too, even the hair.  Fun fact:  Manny wanted to name Naomi Violet originally, but I voted it down since it sounded like "violent."  We both like the color and the name, but I'm glad we went with Naomi.

The first showing sold out, so we went to one of our kids' favorite pizza places, Pizza My Heart.  This one actually had a waterfall backdrop and very few customers at that time, so we got to have a peaceful lunch.  After that we just walked around the plaza.  Tilly's was doing a spin-the-wheel giveaway, so the kids got lanyards and stickers, and I got a bandanna.  Naomi also got an alien t-shirt there on sale.  Thanks, Papi.  Speaking of t-shirts, I had an Incredibles shirt I got a long time ago when there was no sequel in sight, so they were cheap.  Manny wore the one I got him for Father's Day.  

After the movie, Manny had to go into work.  So no barbecue or fireworks, which was fine with us.  I just made a simple dinner and cleaned the house.  Also got a few things ready for the beach the next day.  

Waterfall display.

Pizza time!

Isaac put on the lanyard and pizza sticker and said he's now a Pizza My Heart manager.

Our first movie as a family.

No Incredibles display anymore, but this one was good, too.

Lucas is just pretending to be asleep.  He enjoyed the movie.  We all did.

Incredibles shirts.

good, clean fun (misc update):

Summer has been good to us so far.  Great weather, time with friends and family, and lots of memories made.  Here are some minor things that will go into the treasure chests of the kids' childhoods:

Isaac is now old enough to go with Lucas on the bigger kids' apparatus at the playground, including the big climbs and giant slides.  Lucas is pretty happy about that!

Goodbye, Toys R Us.  You were never part of my childhood (parents never let me go, even to look), but you were part of my kids' childhoods.  Sad to see it go.

I hosted a Norwex party online, and got all these freebies thanks to my generous friends who largely bought to support me.  I love Norwex products.

Splash playdate at the park.  

Loves to climb.  He looks tall here, but he's still pretty small for his age.

 

Free trial parkour class.  The boys loved it, but it's too pricey.

Lucas has been into chess lately.

Time to play!

Matching buddies.

Bumblebee jedi.

Can you tell they're brother and sister?

girls' night:

So glad I finally got to have dinner with my good friend O. again.  It's very difficult for me to get out in the evenings right now, even on weekends, but we were able to make it for this one Saturday night after the Star Wars birthday party and picking Naomi up.  We went for some Italian at Maggiano's.  My friend tends to eat more pastas and American food.  It's fine with me--I can enjoy just about any cuisine.  I often get the buy one/take one home pasta entrees and give the other one to the boys.  This time, I ordered something a little fancier (a seafood pasta) and gave the leftovers to Naomi.  Even without the deal, the portion was pretty huge.  My friend lives about an hour away, and she actually picks me up and drives me to our destination.  She and I are both from Southern California.  I do think the culture is a little different there than Northern California (and I miss it for many reasons).  It's interesting how quickly I connect with certain people, and then find out they are from that area as well.  We stopped by a juicery (for frozen yogurt, no less) and H&M before heading back.  I feel like I unloaded a lot on her.  She has been there for me through a lot.  But next time, I'll be better about balancing our conversation!

We splurged a little on our pastas this time.

No additives in this yogurt.

But it was pretty runny without the additives, I guess.

Friends for almost two decades now.  Time really flies!

star wars nerf gun party / pool party:

The 80s are back!  No, not really.  I guess Star Wars and Nerf guns never left, but it's certainly nostalgic.  After my morning fitness class at the park, I took the boys to a Star Wars party at the park for a CC classmate.  Everyone had fun, and it was good to see people again.  Lucas liked the older-style Nerf gun better, but they don't sell those anymore. 

It was a hot day after a few cool days, and they didn't have water.  They did have a blue punch, but Lucas doesn't do well with food coloring, and blue in particular.  The punch also ran out quickly.  After a trek to the drinking fountain, Lucas suggested I get one of the party cups and just fill it all the way up so we didn't have to go back and forth again.  It may not seem like a big deal, but I am loving how much more Lucas speaks up now and how he's becoming more solution-oriented.  I think I should just bring water bottles for the boys if I know it'll be hot, especially Lucas with his previous kidney issues.

We had to leave the party a little early, because I got a text saying Naomi's bus was coming in an hour early from camp, and the stop was about 45 minutes away from the party.  The boys were glad to see her again.  After we got home, we went swimming with the neighbors.  Lucas got swimmer's ear, and while trying to apply some rubbing alcohol with a q-tip, he said I hurt him and pulled away.  I saw some blood on the q-tip, and he was screaming, so I rushed him to urgent care.  It turned it it was likely a scratch from pulling away and there was no damage to the eardrum, thankfully.  It's sad the first thing I thought was that I should wait rather than spend all that money, but because he was hurting, better to be safe than sorry.  Pain was gone by evening.  Never using non-safety q-tips again for him.  It was a big day! 

I enjoy seeing bridges at parks.

Isaac and Lucas engaged in blown-up lightsaber duels.

Isaac and J. doubling the fun.

Luke Skywater (punch).

Cute wookie cookies in a star bowl.  The kids picked out a lot of the lightsaber pretzels.

I had considered doing this at Isaac's party, but I've learned sometimes it's better to not overdo it, especially since I do the party prep and setup by myself.  This one melted quickly, so we didn't have any, but it was cool to look at if you understand the Han Solo carbonite reference.

Stormtrooper target practice.

They put extra sprinkles and lightsabers on the cupcakes.

I love that they provided safety goggles for the kids.

Cannonball, as always.

I don't necessarily care for the design of this inner tube, but it was cheap.

With our neighbors.  There are a lot more kids in our complex now.  Lucas likes it better when we have the pool to ourselves (more cannonballs).