Saturday, June 30, 2012

June 2012 - Officially into Summer!

When I look back at these pictures, I definitely think there are moments when I was an awesome mom. Unfortunately, I don't think that's true anymore, since I prefer to just hole up in my house and refuse to go anywhere, but at least I can remind my kids that, at one point, I used to be fun. These are a few outtakes from the month of June.
We frequented the Concord Airport many times. My boys loves this place! They recently remodeled it and now it's essentially a playground AND a place to watch planes. What's not to love?!
We also get to consume lots and lots of berries during the summer. The kids love having oatmeal with fresh berries. When I'm feeling really hardcore, I don't even add the brown sugar.
This little darling just can't be skipped. I have no idea what we were doing here, but it was, undoubtedly, much better with her there.
We went to the drive-ins! The kids got all snuggled up and we watched a movie. Right on cue, after the first movie, the kids fell asleep and John and I had a little date night with the kids asleep in the van.
Of course, by the end of the night, it looked a little different.
We also have been getting great use out of our popsicle maker and the slip n slide. I'm pretty proud of myself for coming up with that combo. You get sticky. Then wash it all off.
Our friends, the McKissicks came over and we had a system with the two Zokus and even got in on making some character faces!
These guys have really taken to reading nighttime stories all in the bed together. It's pretty cute. It seemed like a crazy idea to have Ethan in such a big bed, but now I just see all the advantages (Thank goodness I made his king-sized quilt, eh?!)
We also got a zoo membership this year! I love that we can go for one hour or a few. We get out, get a little exercise (You've heard of the Oakland Hills right? Yeah they are most certainly present throughout the Zoo and I get a workout pushing two kids in the stroller!)
It's funny which animals catch their attention each visit. I'm not sure it's ever the same one.
We also went to swimming pools a lot this sumer!
The boys loved shooting each other with water canons and only got a little sunburned.
Ethan commandeered my goggles for the day, but he looks pretty cute in them. I might let him keep them.
Can they get any cuter? My kids are made to be outdoors.
For the first time ever, we went to Mission Dolores park in San Francisco too this month! Oh my goodness, this park is awesome, but it is HUGE!
It's a little tricky keeping your eyes on the kids when there is so much room!
It was such a perfect day in the city though!
We stopped into bi-rite ice cream too and it did not disappoint!
It got so hot there, we had to seek out some shade refuge with friends. We stayed for a long, long time.
Ethan really wanted to include this one. It's always a good thing when you've got chocolate all over your face from consuming lots of chocolate covered popsicles.

Charlotte has a funny habit of puling herself up and then falling asleep. It's hard to see in the picture, but she's in a swing and pulls herself up, away from the back of the seat to fall asleep.
Happy June!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Bay Area Discovery Museum - June 2012

On my birthday this year, I took all the kids to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. I can't get sick of this view ever.
 I really do love this bridge.
 This was our first visit and I had no idea what to expect. It was basically a gigantic science exhibit and play place for kids to explore. Everything was just their size.
 I think my favorite part of the museum, and one the kids wanted to revisit again and again was the painting wall. Basically they gave the kids paintbrushes and water based paint to cover a giant plexiglass wall.
 After they are finished with their work, they could use spray bottles filled with water to spray down their work, then squeegee it down to the bottom.
 It was just as much fun to paint as it was to clean up afterward. They painted over and over.
 It only took a few visits for me to realize that they had waterproof aprons there. It was a good idea, but not entirely foolproof.
 But it was all worth it to see these boys interested in creating their own art.
 This is something I would seriously consider installing in my house if I had endless amount of room and or a single playroom, and a weekly maid too, I suppose all that water could get pretty messy. Ok, how about an outdoor, covered playroom? With a patio/type floor with a central drain. Done. Perfection. Draw up the plans.
 It's funny how train obsessed these boys are. We have the exact same trains at our house, and they were still occupied for a long time in this area.
 The only problem is when other kids needed a train after Ethan had hoarded the majority. 
 Whoops. Next stop, Meltdown City.
 At least we got quickly distracted when we discovered a large fishing boat, complete with life vests!
 Lincoln even ventured into the crabbing area.
 On the lower side of the boat there were different aquariums filled with fish and a maze for the kids to run through. Very clever indeed.
 The museum cleared out considerably in the late afternoon, and we had the wave/wind area all to ourselves.
 The boys placed different wind socks and mini turbines in the way of these hugs fans, then turned it on to see how they moved with the "wind."
 The fan was so load, Charlotte was a little less enthused with this exhibit.
 We headed over to the wave pool, which had enough boats for 30 kids all to these guys.
 Can you see those cog wheels a-turning?
 They had boats of all different shapes and sizes and the boys stacked them as they as they could then watch them topple over in the waves.
 Clearly the water exhibits are right up their alley.
 Of course, anything with a considerable amount of noise is a plus as well.
 It was such a beautiful day in the city and with the backdrop, it couldn't get any better!

Turning 32!

For my birthday, we had friends of ours recommend a place caked Skates by the Bay which is located near the Berkeley Marina. We LOVED it! The views were absolutely spectacular, the pictures can't even do it justice.
 We got to watch the sunset from our seats right over the water.
 The view just kept getting better and better. It was such a clear night and I think we could see all the bridges.
 It was beautiful!
 And what's a good dinner without throwing up a few gang signs.
 We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and ate ourselves silly. 
In my opinion, that's the BEST way to spend a birthday!