Sketch

Alex and I watch Project Runway online every week.  I let him watch it with me because I think it is good for him to see the process of designing, picking out fabrics, working out the details and actually sewing the garments.  There is a bit of drama, but really not that much in the grand scheme of things.  Yesterday, we watched and episode and then in the evening, I looked over at his art table and he had sketched this girl in a dress on the paper on his clipboard.  I asked him about it and he told me that it was a girl wearing a dress, like they do on Project Runway.  I loved it!  His use of color is always so interesting.

Go Giants!

 Waiting for the BART train to take us to the game.

 Daddy and Alex watching some baseball.

 Happy boy!

 Outside the park

Rare family picture

On Wednesday evening we went into San Francisco to see a Giants game.  Alex was quite excited, and although we didn't actually get to watch that much baseball, he did manage to see both Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey gets RBIs while we were there.  Hot dogs, pretzels, a few trips down the big slide, watching some baseball, riding BART and Muni, what more could a four year old want on a Wednesday night?  Oh, some new Giants swag (a hat and t-shirt), which were included with the tickets that David's company so generously gave us.  It was a late night, but worth it.

Thanks, Bro Bro!

Julia found these sandals from Grandma Elaine in the closet the other day and wanted to put them on, so Bro Bro came to the rescue and volunteered to put them on for her, without any intervention.  Sweet!

Proof!

Lately, Mimi has decided that one of my makeup brushes is a great duster.  Finally, some proof that I do actually dust!  These pictures prove that she has seen me dusting at least a few times in her life, right? Ha!

Potty!

Julia's latest interest is the potty.  Surprisingly, she has indicated that she had to go poo a couple of times in the past week and she was absolutely correct and did poo in the potty.  I have no expectations whatsoever, that this will actually be the end of diapers, but it is certainly a good start.  Bonus is that big brother is quite excited to help in the potty training department.   Another bonus....the almost 5 year old sweet neighbor girl donated her training underwear to Julia, complete with gift bag and tissue paper a few months ago.  It was too cute!  We're ready to go!

Chopsticks!

Mimi's first attempt at chopsticks the other morning when we were having dim sum at home.

Cal Academy

 Alex wanted to imitate the dino!

 Look, fish!!

 I want to go in!

 More fish....

 Mei Mei likes the Cal Academy just as much as her brother.

 35 day old ostriches

 Playing outside after lunch

 Julia looking up at the butterflies in the rainforest exhibit.

 Taking a little rest.

The end of the day....they're looking a little tired, no?

The kiddos and I visited the Cal Academy today (thanks for the tickets, Isabelle!).  We had fun, as always.  It is interesting to see Alex and what he is interested in there, now that he is a little bit older.  He loved the dino skeleton, the penguins were still amusing, the aquariums are still awesome and the baby ostrich were super cute.  Julia was loving all of the fish, the baby ostrich and the butterflies in the rainforest.  Both took naps on the way home and are refreshed and playing nicely.  Not a bad Wednesday!

http://smaskensbaby.blogspot.com/2009/04/california-academy-of-sciences.html
http://smaskensbaby.blogspot.com/2009/05/cal-academy.html
http://smaskensbaby.blogspot.com/2009/08/fun-at-cal-academy.html
http://smaskensbaby.blogspot.com/2010/03/cal-academy.html
http://smaskensbaby.blogspot.com/2011/04/california-academy-of-sciences.html

Hike

We took a nice hike one morning.  Along the way, we were able to see Donner Lake from above.  We took a little picnic and enjoyed it along the way.  Both Alex and Julia were good little nature troopers.

Donner Lake

We spent a nice morning over at Donner Lake at the beach club on Thursday.  The kids played in the sand, Alex and David took a kayak out on the lake and Julia and I just relaxed in our beach chair for a bit.  There were lots of people out in kayaks, on stand up paddleboards and a few in boats.  As you can see, David and Alex tested out the water too.

What it takes to get the picture....

Lest you think that the photos are easy to get....  there are about five of the top photo, for every one like the bottom photo. Ha!

Strawberry Shortcake

Commons Beach in Tahoe City

We spent a few hours one afternoon, visiting Commons Beach in Tahoe City.  We got yummy Hawaiian sandwiches from a local place and had a little picnic, did some swinging and played in the water.  All in all, a great afternoon!

Squaw Valley and the Tahoe Maritime Museum

We visited Squaw Valley one day, hoping to take the tram up the mountain, but unfortunately, since it was the offseason, the tram is only open on the weekend.  Instead, we looked around and had a little fruit milkshake treat.  On another day, we visited the Tahoe Maritime Museum, where Alex and Julia were able to "drive" a boat on Lake Tahoe.  We saw lots of cool vintage wooden boats and made some little sailor hats while we were there.

Exploring

Um, can someone give me a hand here?  I want to climb this rock.

My boys!

The crew out exploring behind the cabin one morning.

Cheese!

There were plenty of places to explore around Tahoe Donner.  We found a trail behind the cabin and also used the nature trail to walk down to the rec center one day.  Alex learned about pine beetles and Julia picked some flowers.