It's a Scorcher!

With temperatures reaching 110 degrees recently, we've been doing all the water-related activities in the morning while its a relatively cool 90 degrees. The plants don't mind the extra water, and Sydney keeps a safe distance in fear of a bath. Amazing how 3 inches of water can be so much fun. 

SF Zoo

Gina took the kids to the SF Zoo with family friends Tim & Laura, their kids, and Uncle Dan. Julie apparently threw up three times in the parking lot, but then rallied long enough to see the giraffes and do a spin around the zoo train. 

Nate the Biker

Nate, after taking my sunglasses off my head and riding his tricycle around Sydney. 

Sydney lapping up the attention

 

Sunday Berry Picking & Winery

On Sunday we loaded up the car to hit Phipps Country u-pick berries in Pescadero. The fog was rolling off the coast, cooling our 90 degree weather to a brisk 60 degress. While the strawberries were unavailable we decided to pick olallieberries instead...just like blackberry picking we ate as much as we picked. After showing Nate and Julie the little farm, we drove backroads up the mountainous ridge to drink chardonnay at Thomas Fogarty winery and eat peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Mmmm, what a combo. We even baked an olallieberry crumble by the end of the day. 

Arty Google Earth Images

These are tidal marshes and salt flats just outside of Redwood City. Here's a map of the area. 

Funny sayings lately

"We need to do something about that tricky baby." - Nate, about Julie
"I've got diaper crash!" - Nates term for rash.
"No farking!" (followed by laughter) - Nate's request of Sydney when she barks.
"Baby banana!" - Julie's food request each morning
"I'm jealous of my baby sister." - Nate's great verbalization of his feelings.
"I'm jealous of my thermometer." - Nate's saying which makes us question his prior great verbalization of feelings.
Me: "When you go to San Francisco, will you bring me a slice of fog?" Nate: "No, that would be too spicy. I'll bring back some train sauce."

Another short clip: A ghost!

Julie likes to walk around the house with a blanket over her head. She's gotten much better at not running into the walls.

Short clip: "Me, Daddy. Me!"

Julie decides she wants to see herself on the camera.

Basket Rides

Julie's new favorite game is emptying the block basket and then asking for a ride -- aided by the balloon (string shown here) and her daddy. 

Fourth of July - Mom & Julie

 

Fourth of July

Redwood City Fourth of July Parade 2006: Grandmom and Uncle Dave walked to downtown with us, and although the streets were too full to sit down, we watched the first part of the parade. Nate & Julie loved waving (but what happened to the tradition of throwing candy or toys?) Nate's shown here with his favorite "locomotive that needs to find some train tracks." Afterwards we walked to a restaurant on the other side of town with window seats to watch the rest of the parade. 

Swimming Lessons

We are all signed up for swimming lessons, but Julie had to go to the doctor's with Mom so I took Nate alone to the first class. Nate's a natural. There were only two other kids: one refused to even dip a toe, another was obsessed with gathering the rubber ducks. Nate instead learned how to relax on his back, practiced blowing bubbles and showed the instructors he could "dog peddle" (as he calls it). 

Zonked Out

The past few days Julie has been fighting a 103 degree fever. Lots of sleepless nights and sleepful days, all around.