Snacktime

Fresh kale chips and a graham cracker....yum!

Ladybug Hike

We took our annual hike to see the ladybugs in Redwood Park today.  We met some friends there and enjoyed the walk down to the ladybugs.  Surprisingly, it was muddy, despite the fact that it hasn't rained in a few weeks.  The ladybugs were in the same location where we originally saw them four years ago.  It still boggles my mind that they end up there every year.  It was in the fifties today, so they seemed to be enjoying the warm weather.  We stopped at Girl's Camp on the way back for a picnic lunch and then headed back up the hill to the car.  Julia was insistent on walking on her own for part of the way back.  Of course, it was for the entire uphill portion and that little firecracker didn't mind one bit!  She did a great job and Alex was a good little hiker as always.

Silly Girl

A series of photos of Julia being very silly with Daddy and the coyote puppet.

Cutie!

Julia wearing the lion hat which Daddy brought back from France, for Alex.

Afternoon Snack

Yesterday afternoon I was working in the kitchen and went to check on Alex and Julia.  I found them in front of the best view in the house, with chairs pulled up and snacks being eaten, while having a nice little chat, getting ready to watch the sun go down.  Smart kids!

At the Dentist

We visited Dr. Lety's office yesterday for checkups and cleaning.   Alex, as usual, had a "fun" time at the dentist.  When we left, he told me that he "had alot of fun".  He always does.  It is so cool!  He has loved that dentist's office and all of the staff there, since the first time he visited.  He always makes me so proud when we are there, because he listens so intently and follows every direction that they give to him.  They always comment that he is such a good listener.  If only that would translate to listening all of the time to his Momma! ;-)  He was rewarded with a couple of prizes from the box and he chose a lanyard type thingy with teeth on it and some crazy squishy caterpillar.

Miss Julia did not like the dentist as much as her older brother.  To be fair, she has had much more contact with medical professionals than he has and has been poked and prodded during EKGs, echos, blood draws and the like, so I think that she is just more wary of anyone in scrubs.  She was very patient in the exam room while we watched Alex get his cleaning and exam and then when it was her turn, she was not thrilled with Dr. Lety trying to look at her teeth, even though when we practiced at home, she was a little champ.  Oh well, many more visits in the future, maybe it will get better.  She did stop crying once Dr. Lety gave her some special little dog stickers from her pocket.  Maybe we should try that first, next time.  Ha!

Of course, she didn't get anything from the box, probably because most of it is not really age appropriate for a 19 month old.  I knew that I should get two of the same toy (the squishy caterpillar) because of course she would be attracted to that crazy toy as well.  Alex let her play with it for a while and then I asked her to give it back to him.  She didn't want to, so I then gave it back to him and the crying ensued.  At some point, I am quite sure that she didn't even remember why she was crying, but she certainly was not going to stop.  Not for a sticker, not for a granola bar.  Nope, for nothing!  Needless to say, the caterpillar is now in Alex's room along with some other stuff which is in his "secret stash", which will remain Julia-free.

Reading Together

So sweet!  Reading the latest issue of  Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine.  In case you are interested, it is a fabulous magazine, put out by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  Lots of great articles about wildlife and nature in each issue.  They have alot of resources on their website as well, at:  

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/index.html

Monterey Bay Aquarium

 Julia and Alex looking at the tidepool exhibit

 Julia wanting to get closer to the birds.

 Looking out on Monterey Bay

 Alex with an orca replica.  A favorite, these days.

Jellies!

Last Saturday, we took a day trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  We stopped in Gilroy for "brunch" at a Mexican restaurant on the way down, where Alex ate a breakfast burrito about the size of his head ;-)  Once we arrived at the aquarium, we spent a few hours looking around at the many exhibits.  The kiddos seemed to enjoy everything, but Julia especially liked the "moon jellies" and Alex's favorite part was seeing the live sharks and the killer whale replica.  

Random Activities

 Playing with the Playmobil nativity set which The Chias handed down to us a few years back.

 Julia happily coloring in her new Hello Kitty coloring book and Alex doing some serious decoding.

Christmas Prep

 The kiddos fashioning some decorations out of boughs, on the stairwell.

 Julia sitting in the wreath which we were making.

 It was like a nest for her.

 Making wrapping paper for the Grandparent gifts.

 The treat for Gingerbread Making Day at school.

Goofy boy and his vegetable Christmas tree.

We did all kinds of Christmas prep stuff while Daddy was in France and Switzerland in early December.  We made a wreath from clippings which we took from the pine trees and the juniper in our yard, made wrapping paper for all of the Grandparent gifts and made a veggie Christmas tree for the Gingerbread Decorating party at school.  I figured that there would be enough sugar treats while they were decorating, so we decided to make a Christmas tree from veggies.  I was happy to see that when Miss Debbie went around and served it, each child would take at least something from the tree, and some were happy to take broccoli, cherry tomatoes and carrots.  Fun and easy and something which could be adapted to many different occasions.  A little ranch dressing on the side and it makes a fun treat.

Santa's Sleigh Part II

Some photos of Matthew in Santa's sleigh, while Santa got the "reindeer" ready.  As you can see, Matthew was intently watching to see what exactly his cousin was trying to do.

Christmas Day

December was super busy, with all kinds of school activities, prepping for Christmas and of course, a fun visit with Ming, Fiona and Matthew.  I got behind on posting, hence the barrage of photos and posts the past few days.  Better late than never, right?  These photos are from Christmas Day.  It was rainy and we spent most of the day parked in the family room and playroom, gradually opening presents and then playing with them all.