Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Summer adventure, in full force
Today, Leila and I took a bike ride to Plaza Park. It was the perfect way to spend a morning, satisfying both our needs for adventure. I got in a 12-mile ride, we shared some nice conversation along the ride, and then she got to feed some ducks and enjoy the playground. We're loving our new WeeHoo!!
We started out yesterday morning by sleeping in (YES!), enjoying some banana pancakes, and then heading off to the third Saturday of sports camp for the summer. Our first two attempts weren't very successful, as Leila stood in the corner and pouted for the duration of the 45-minute class. The goal of the class is to get preschoolers engaging in a variety of sports activities: kicking and throwing balls, running, stretching, etc. Not sure why Leila was so staunchly opposed to the first two classes, but I was thrilled to see her engage and enjoy the activities this week.
Leila's been debuting some rides on her new scooter too (thank you, Daddy!). There's a picture on the box of a girl scooting in a princess dress, so Leila decided she'd go for a tutu scoot.
Yesterday, we headed up to Three Rivers for the much-hyped (way overhyped) Hot Dog Festival. It was a lot less "festival" than the promotional flyers indicated, and a lot more like a simple hot dog lunch (choice of veggie dog or regular, with corn and a root beer float). But it was a fundraiser for the firemen and the historical museum. And moreover, it was an excuse to drive up to Three Rivers. We also stopped by Reimer's Candies to pick up some gourmet sweets and enjoy a view of the river, which continues to race down to the lake in a churning hurry of white water tumbling over smooth boulders. Below, Leila got brave and let a fireman give her a tour of the firetruck....
We started out yesterday morning by sleeping in (YES!), enjoying some banana pancakes, and then heading off to the third Saturday of sports camp for the summer. Our first two attempts weren't very successful, as Leila stood in the corner and pouted for the duration of the 45-minute class. The goal of the class is to get preschoolers engaging in a variety of sports activities: kicking and throwing balls, running, stretching, etc. Not sure why Leila was so staunchly opposed to the first two classes, but I was thrilled to see her engage and enjoy the activities this week.
Leila's been debuting some rides on her new scooter too (thank you, Daddy!). There's a picture on the box of a girl scooting in a princess dress, so Leila decided she'd go for a tutu scoot.
This past week introduced another big challenge for Leila. She started swim lessons on Monday the 11th with the City of Visalia. Lessons lasted for a week. Leila was terrified, which I expected. And as expected, I provided the counterpoint to her terror with my ardent enthusiasm. (Afterall, this is how I spent three of my teenage summers... teaching other kids how to swim through this same program... and little has changed.). Leila shed a lot of tears, drank gallons of pool water and was a record on repeat to the teacher, "Can I go home now?" But overall, she did really well, and I was so proud of her. Each day she got braver, as the instructor pushed her a little bit more. We're well on our way to getting to enjoy the pool together!
And on July 6, Leila started school!! As I anticipated this day, I was excited for Leila and so proud of how beautifully she's been growing up. Some anxiety started to creep in when I started really thinking about what I would put in her lunch. And then, the night before she started school, I had a full-blown emotional meltdown... my little girl is growing up!
The last weekend before school started was an indulgence in all kinds of fun: not only was it 4th of July weekend, but we also had a great visit with Auntie Bobbie. We did all kinds of fun things with Auntie Bobbie, including a trip to Roller Towne, crazy water hopscotch, water guns and 4th of July crafts... but no fireworks, she's still too afraid. (Thanks for a great visit Auntie Bobbie!)
And on July 6, Leila started school!! As I anticipated this day, I was excited for Leila and so proud of how beautifully she's been growing up. Some anxiety started to creep in when I started really thinking about what I would put in her lunch. And then, the night before she started school, I had a full-blown emotional meltdown... my little girl is growing up!
The last weekend before school started was an indulgence in all kinds of fun: not only was it 4th of July weekend, but we also had a great visit with Auntie Bobbie. We did all kinds of fun things with Auntie Bobbie, including a trip to Roller Towne, crazy water hopscotch, water guns and 4th of July crafts... but no fireworks, she's still too afraid. (Thanks for a great visit Auntie Bobbie!)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
It's been an active 6 weeks...
Our last post was May 23. Sooo much has happened since then. I'm going to try to play catch up quickly here, and will start with the most recent fun.
We just got a new toy and in less than 24 hours, I put it all together (no small feat) and we've taken it out for two test runs, the second of which was 7 miles. It's called the WeeHoo iGo rider. I've been eyeing it for months and finally gave in. So glad I did. It's amazing and Leila loves it! No doubt, we'll be traveling many, many miles with our Weehoo. Leila and the trailer weigh about the same, some 70 pounds together. Though it's a very smooth ride, the weight will definitely keep a limit on our total miles per trip.
July 1 was a big day for us, and July 6 will be an even bigger day (her first day of school). Leila had her last day at Michelle's. I hadn't anticipated the swell of emotion that overtook me as we had a small farewell party for Leila. Michelle has been such a formative force in Leila's life, and I feel lucky to have found such a positive influence in Michelle. We thank her for almost 2 1/2 years of patience, love and wisdom.
Here are the cupcakes I made for the occasion. Butterflies for my butterfly who is spreading her wings... growing up and getting ready to start school. It really is happening so fast.
On June 24, Leila and I took a trip to Santa Cruz. I had a client meeting and then we enjoyed the next two days with friends. Leila captured the heart of baby Jack Davis who eagerly learned her name and repeated it like a mantra for the duration of our visit (and even a few days after we left).
We stopped by the Boardwalk and took a ride on the merry-go-round. Jack and Brooke were with us too, which made for Jack's first "ride" ever... what a treat.
And here was Leila's first "solo ride..." (Uncle Kris... this is a shout-out to you!)
And no trip to Santa Cruz is complete without a visit to "Blue Ball Park..."
On the second weekend of June, we took a trip up to my parents' cabin with the Clarks. We had a great time, blissfully breathed in that clean mountain air and took a hike along the Trail of 100 Giants. On Sunday, Leila and I made another hiking excursion that included a jaunt up to Dome Rock, where Leila fearlessly frolicked and scampered along the massive granite, 7,000 feet up, with a breathtaking view of the valley below.
And over Memorial Day weekend, we made a trip up to San Francisco for a much-needed visit with Auntie Bobby. As usual, we had a great time touring SF's many destinations. Our highlights included a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden and a stroll through Berkeley.
We've also been having plenty of fun around town, and have made recent trips to Imagine U (always a favorite of Leila's) and the sports park, complete with the ever-exciting giant water fountain.
We just got a new toy and in less than 24 hours, I put it all together (no small feat) and we've taken it out for two test runs, the second of which was 7 miles. It's called the WeeHoo iGo rider. I've been eyeing it for months and finally gave in. So glad I did. It's amazing and Leila loves it! No doubt, we'll be traveling many, many miles with our Weehoo. Leila and the trailer weigh about the same, some 70 pounds together. Though it's a very smooth ride, the weight will definitely keep a limit on our total miles per trip.
July 1 was a big day for us, and July 6 will be an even bigger day (her first day of school). Leila had her last day at Michelle's. I hadn't anticipated the swell of emotion that overtook me as we had a small farewell party for Leila. Michelle has been such a formative force in Leila's life, and I feel lucky to have found such a positive influence in Michelle. We thank her for almost 2 1/2 years of patience, love and wisdom.
Here are the cupcakes I made for the occasion. Butterflies for my butterfly who is spreading her wings... growing up and getting ready to start school. It really is happening so fast.
On June 24, Leila and I took a trip to Santa Cruz. I had a client meeting and then we enjoyed the next two days with friends. Leila captured the heart of baby Jack Davis who eagerly learned her name and repeated it like a mantra for the duration of our visit (and even a few days after we left).
We stopped by the Boardwalk and took a ride on the merry-go-round. Jack and Brooke were with us too, which made for Jack's first "ride" ever... what a treat.
And here was Leila's first "solo ride..." (Uncle Kris... this is a shout-out to you!)
And no trip to Santa Cruz is complete without a visit to "Blue Ball Park..."
On the second weekend of June, we took a trip up to my parents' cabin with the Clarks. We had a great time, blissfully breathed in that clean mountain air and took a hike along the Trail of 100 Giants. On Sunday, Leila and I made another hiking excursion that included a jaunt up to Dome Rock, where Leila fearlessly frolicked and scampered along the massive granite, 7,000 feet up, with a breathtaking view of the valley below.
And over Memorial Day weekend, we made a trip up to San Francisco for a much-needed visit with Auntie Bobby. As usual, we had a great time touring SF's many destinations. Our highlights included a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden and a stroll through Berkeley.
We've also been having plenty of fun around town, and have made recent trips to Imagine U (always a favorite of Leila's) and the sports park, complete with the ever-exciting giant water fountain.
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