Grape Farm

We had a nice Labor Day weekend in Santa Barbara. We went to some grape farms (also known as "wineries" to those readers over 21). We went to the Santa Barbara zoo, we went to the Natural History musuem, we went to the beach ... busy, busy! LT had a great time with Auntie B and Uncle V. They were great fun!



In case you are wondering, he did not have to go to the bathroom when I took this picture. He just likes to "hold it," so I try and remind him that we only hold it when we have to go to the bathroom. He got a little mixed up the first time we told him to "hold it" and has been "holding it" ever since.

Video 101

Lesson 1. Do not turn the camera vertical while taking a movie clip. Oh well! It's still cute.

Tummy

Beach Excitement

We went to Natural Bridges State Beach on Saturday as a change of pace from our usual beach. This is right next to the park where the monarch butterflies migrate through in the winter. It is a really beautiful beach. Natural bridge seems a bit of an overstatement since it doesn't actually go anywhere. Natural bridge to nowhere?





But let's be honest, this was the big attraction on Saturday. The dead sea lion:

We weren't the only ones taking pictures.

We followed up the beach with a trip to the boardwalk. A nice family gave us the rest of their ride tickets as they were leaving, so LT was able to enjoy two rides. The last time we were there a couple gave LT all their prize tickets from the arcade. We just keep running into nice people!

He's a very serious boat driver here:

Little Runner

We're trying to get back into the habit of running. We told LT that we were going to go for a run. He ran into his room and got this outfit out. "Here's my running clothes, Mama." Then we stretched out on the porch. Then he refused to get in the jogging stroller. Oh no, he was running, too! He must have gone at least a quarter of a mile before we talked him into the stroller so we could get at least some faster running in.

The running idea has been postponed indefinitely.

County Fair

The weekend before last was the County Fair. I was very surprised to find out that our county has a whole 4H competition complete with pigs, cows, goats, all kind of livestock! We even watched part of the auction for the pigs and cows. LT enjoyed all the typical fair things - food on a stick, pony rides, and meeting the state troopers.

It turns out this was probably the last Santa Clara County Fair. They haven't turned a profit in years and needed 90,000 attendees to break even. They only got about 40,000 they said. The end of an era, I suppose.

A Study in Dry Erase

Here the artist details his work.

1. A Snail. With legs.


2. A Stingray with a Long Tongue, as pointed out by the artist.


3. A Pokey Meany Fish.


4. The artist working on a canvas.


5. A Porcupine with 5 Legs.

Barry Bonds Jr

We've created a baseball monster. It all started with an innocent trip to an A's game a few weeks back. Now he goes around singing "Let's go Oakland." Then we ran into a baseball set at the Discovery Channel Store's Going Out of Business Sale. Next thing you know, LT wants to play baseball every chance he gets. Daddy came up with a genious plan and drew homeplate and the pitcher's mound on the driveway with sidewalk chalk, complete with foot spots. Then Mommy got a spot as catcher. (Wait a minute!?!? LT is really enjoying it. Maybe I will even look for a Tball league for him next year.

Note: the stray satellite dish and umbrella stand are soon to be disposed off.
Note (if Uncle Gregg is reading): We went with Dish Network. Loving it!

Home Sweet Home

You may be wondering where we have been... well, we bought a house, went for a long weekend for a wedding, moved, sold a house, had visitors, all in the span of 2 weeks. Now we are in unpacking misery. Only about 4 inside boxes left! Plus then the odds & ends laying about looking for their perfect spot.

We are really enjoying the new house. Just last night we went to a community even that has a band playing at the downtown elementary school. LT and I jogged over - it's only about 1 mile - and we met up with some friends and had pizza and strawberries and sat in the grassy field and had a great time. LT got a ride back with Daddy and I pushed back the empty jogging stroller and enjoyed the nice neighborhood to walk through. I only got a couple weird looks.



Oh, and a PS - the house was tented for termites before we moved in while we were away on that long weekend!

Local News: It rained!

LT likes to read the paper for the "sunshine" (and the kids' paper, or comics) because that's what's always on the weather page. Newsflash, it rained in San Jose yesterday; 1/100th of an inch to be exact. Apparently, that was the first time ever in recorded history that it has rained on July 18th in San Jose.

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_6411870
Fortunately, the five day forecast shows all sunshine ahead. Phew.

Zoo Park

A trip to our local "Zoo Park."






OOPS! I just realized I had this post saved as a "draft" from the 18th and never posted. It's stll pretty accurate for every trip to the zoo park. We just went again with Grandma last weekend (the 28th) and did all the same things.

What not to do

What not to do when going 50MPH.

Human train tunnel

A picture from a few weeks ago. Notice the Thomas the Train underwear. Coincidence? Probably not.

Kefirbeard

Ranks right up there with the famed Yogoatee

New home pictures

After an intense two week home search and one failed bid on a beautiful eichler (I still like it), we found a lovely remodeled bungalow (60 years new) in a nice quiet neighborhood within a block of two parks. We're in contract and should be moving in about a month.

Not new home

We found a house, but first, a house we did not buy.

In the second picture, that same pattern is on the wall, on the roller shade, AND on the ceiling!

7 seconds

I had this video of LT "driving crazy" that I wanted to post, but somehow I only uploaded 7 seconds. It's still fun.

Crazy Driver!

Haven't had much time to post recently because we've decided to move! We've been running around like crazy getting the house ready to sell.

LT has put in his list for the new house:

Yard
Basketball goal
Soccer goal like JT's that says "GOAL" when you score
Playground

And so on...

I've been moving stuff into the garage so today he added his basketball, soccerball and bike into the pile to be sure we didn't forget it. :D

Wish us luck!

Toddler Topgun

We made a brief visit to San Diego this weekend and had a very nice time. Today LT and I were very tired since we got up at 5am to catch our return flight. LT was so tired that he was asking to take a nap at 9:30 AM. I told him that Miss Karen would surely let him take a nap, so the first thing he said when she opened the door was "Please take a nap." Miss Karen looked a little confused and asked "Now?" So I gave her the low down.

Our toddler topgunners were aboard the USS Midway. It turned out that visiting an aircraft carrier is actually really interesting! Who knew! We stayed 2-1/2 hours and I could have easily stayed more. Seabee LT was frightened by the "scary" cardboard cutouts of the Navy officers. hahahah

ZooZooZoo

BLT Sr had a kayaking class on Sunday, so LT and I headed up to the Oakland Zoo with my old friend G. She and I went to Italy together in 1999. How has it been 8 years already!??!

Following in the footsteps of Daddy...

Oops, I realized I didn't pick the best pictue. BLT is using his Fisher Price camera.

And some excellent results! These next two are BLT's actual pictures!



BLT really enjoying these small doors at the reptile house. He was not as interested as the inside. And he really hated the insect house!


Oakland Zoo is the only zoo in the area with elephants (SF Zoo and our little Happy Hallow don't have any). We enjoyed them!

Blur

It's hard to capture a 2-1/2 year old on film! LT loves to "make laps" at the playground.

This fountain was poorly designed with a bunch of rocks in the bottom and then a small plaque that says "Please do not throw the rocks." Try explaining that to every single child who comes by. LT was picking the rocks up and dropping them. I said,

"LT no thowing rocks."
"Mommy, I'm not throwing them, I'm dropping them."

Fair enough!