Nature Walk

It was a beautiful fall day (yes, we have Fall in California!) and I decided to take my girls to Markham Park in Concord.  We've been going to a "playground" park almost every day (that I'm not working) for about two weeks.  My girls have so much energy!  A daily trip to the playground about 3:00, does us all good!

Today, however, it was a nature park.  When I was little my grandmother used to take me to Markham Park as she lives just a short walk away.  I also went to some special classes there when I was in elementary school.  I don't think I have been there in over 20 years ... and it has changed!

There are so many places to run, things to explore, and learn about.  The girls picked up leaves, threw rocks, and looked at the stream.  We spend over an hour there & could have stayed much longer. 

Have fun with your kids and just take them out exploring!  Really, my girls had as much fun today exploring nature as they do when they go to an amusement park.  So often, I think people believe that kids need "things" to stimulate them.  A kid can find fun & joy almost anywhere they want to.

We're going to the park, Damn it!

School is out.  This is my first year of "summer vacation" since I was in school over 15 years ago.  I forgot what it felt like.  The anticipation of no schedule.  The luxury of not having to be out the door by 8:30 am.  What I didn't realize with small kids though, is with summer vacation brings hours of unscheduled time.  For those of you moms out there ... yes, you know, that means chaos.

I decided that we would fill our summer with many park trips, play dates and a few day trips.  Tuesday was day one.  A simple trip to Walnut Creek City Park.  It is a really cool park, a lot of grass and trees as well as a fun playground complete with water / sand area.  Now, this seems like it should be no big deal.  For nine months now, we have been out the door and on time to school by 9 am.  Some days have their drama, but not too bad.  SO why today, when we are going to the park for FUN do I get this???

Coco behind the couch thrashing and screaming

she didn't want shoes on ...

Even Audrey was throwing a fit before we left!!

I did it though ... I got out the door, calm, cool and collected.  Inside I was dying to scream out, "Will you SHUT UP??  We are going to the park, DAMN IT!!!"  I know, however that will do little good.  It really only makes things worse.  So into the car we went ... and off to the park.

Once we got there all was right with the world.  The girls hit the swings.  A must for the Magu girls.  The playground wasn't of interest to them though.  They kind of walked around the structures.  Vivienne went down a slide a few times.  Then they spotted it.  A mud puddle.  

The girls had so much fun running through it, how could I say no??  I don't think the other moms appreciated it.  There were several other kids who wanted to join in but weren't allowed.  I even got a great shot of Colette!  My little miss "just try and take my picture".

So just a reminder to all of you moms out there .... just when you think the world is full of fits, screams, and tantrums ... go to the park, damn it.

Vintage fun

http://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/blog/


Saturday night, Paul & I both worked late.  By late I mean he worked until 11 & I worked until 1AM.  When I got home at 2, I reminded him that the Alameda Point Antiques Fair was tomorrow (well, today) and asked if he wanted to go.  "Yes, let's do it" he said.  Now, mind you it is 2 AM and we learned the hard way that if you want to get the best cool stuff you have to be at the faire when it opens ... 6 AM.

The first time we went, I was 40 weeks pregnant with Audrey.  We got there at 7:00, thinking that one hour would not make a difference.  That was until we saw the 6 Louis XVI chair frames for $250 that had just sold 15 minutes before.

So, up we were at 5 AM, coffee in hand off to Alameda.  It is so peacefull that time of the morning.  I love just being with Paul, strolling the isles looking at treasures (and junk) that could soon possibly become a part of our home.

These theatre chairs caught our eye.  The thing I love about this market is you just never know what you are going to find!  I mean really, we didn't go saying gosh, I hope we find old theatre chairs ... but here they are in our entry way!

Another fun find was this old school desk.  At $20 how could we say no??  Vivienne put it to use within 10 minutes of it coming in the house.  I would love to read comments from anyone else who has found treasures!!  Please share!!

a milking we will go!

So those of you who are friends with me on my personal face book page know that since Wednesday, my oldest, Vivienne has been obsessed with wanting to milk a cow.  I have no idea where this came from.  I asked her why, and she replied, because I want to!  Vivienne is a really fun little girl & at times very quirky.  I think part of the fun of being a parent is feeding my childrens' curiosity.  Who knows where it could lead?  I think this philosophy of real world learning is part of Waldorf or maybe Montessori ... but for me the mom, it is just plain fun.

After two days of her talking constantly about wanting to milk a cow I decided I would find a cow for her to milk.  Out here in the San Francisco Bay Area, that is not as easy as it sounds!  There are urban farm programs that have cow milking days, such as Slide Ranch in Muir Beach but all farm days are sold out for the rest of the summer!  There is an urban farm in Lafayette, Sienne Ranch.  They have a farm program where children can milk goats, but you have to sign up for their week long program (which we will probably do in the future).  I told Vivienne I couldn't find a cow, but what about a goat?  She agreed that a goat would be just fine.

After much googling, I found a goat farm in Vacaville, CA that talked about selling kids (baby goats!).  I figured babies = milk.  So, I called them up.  After explaining my situation, the woman said we could show up when they milked their goats at either 8 am or 7 pm.

So ... out the door at 7am Saturday morning!  Headed for the farm!  Of course this is the day all three girls decided to sleep in past 6:30 am (and I had worked until 10:30 the night before ...).

We arrived and first spotted about 20 kids eating breakfast.  They were about 18" high ... so cute!   The girls got to pet them through the fence.  After about 15 minutes, it was time to head into the barn and milk the goat!  We were told about their food and the process of getting 35 goats milked every day twice a day.  They use a machine to milk four goats at a time, but first brought in one for Vivienne.

Here is Vivienne giving it a try.  She listened very well & followed the instructions.  With help, she got the milk out!  And no, we didn't bring one home.  They are a lot of work!