Friends and a little piece of Kiwi

We had a lovely day hanging out in Solana Beach and found this little New Zealand Art Gallery with a really nice collection of kiwi stuff.  I did pick up a couple of things and have my eye on a couple more :-)

And then we enjoyed dinner sitting oceanside with our good friends, Kris and Wade complete with a pod of dolphins swimming by.  Can't ask for much more than that!

*The internet at the campground is very sketchy and will only let me upload a certain amount of photos so sorry if these posts seem a bit disjointed*

Beach Baby

So, here we are on vacation, and if you ignore the tired (or maybe now that I look at them again, they are content) eyes, I think this child looks tailor-made for the beach.

In fact, the simple fact that she has asked to go to bed by 8:00pm and fallen asleep almost immediately for the last two nights, has proven to me that vacation is just plain good for all of us.

That and I need to somehow find a way to pump good old ocean air into my house.

Summer's Here!!

And so the fun begins!!

Summer is officially here and it is finally time to break out the swimsuits....the smiles....the strawberries....and the swimming.

We took our first camping trip this weekend and enjoyed all of the above.

Veggies

So, this year I decided that we should grow some veggies. Clyde, ever the good sport, built me some beautiful raised beds and I proceeded to plant all manner of veg. I bought a book and planned to read each chapter thoroughly to find out exactly when, where and how each plant should be planted and cared for but hey, who am I kidding..... I don't have that kind of time. So everything was chucked in the dirt, and it will be one big gardening experiment.

I am happy to report though, that we already have little tomatoes on several plants, and Sofia sampled her first strawberry from the garden this evening and gave it a thumbs up. Of course, the chard (which I thought was red leaf lettuce when I bought it because I neglected to wear my glasses to the nursery) is growing like gang-busters. I'm sure someone will want to eat it.

Sofia is especially excited for the "copcorn". Every time we water it she asks "can I eat it".

And when asked what else she wanted to plant in her garden, she replied "Bacon".  Now there's a girl after my own heart.  I wonder how we do that?

Fairy Tale Town

This last weekend we got to meet our friends at Fairy Tale Town for some fun.

Sofia and Lilyana tested out the throne.....

And the slide in the old women's shoe....

Look at these beautiful girls. 

Princesses with their horses and carriage......

Of course, no day would be complete without a total and utter meltdown.

And my favourite shot of the day.  This is the way these kids travelled, running to everything.  In this instance, at least, they were all running in the same direction.

Can't wait for our next gathering.

Sofia

bold

defiant

beautiful

independant

miss Sofia at three

All Girl

Required for today's outfit.....

2 necklaces

1 bracelet

a watch

a purse

a headband

and sunglasses

This girl knows how to accessorize.

Happy Mothers' Day

This year, I celebrated my Mothers' Day a day early.  It was kind of nice that way.  For one reason, we had beautiful weather as it was scheduled, and did, pack up the following day.  And, it meant that the following day could be spent with Geema and Grandma Jean celebrating them both.

My choice, was to go to Funderland and have a picnic in the park.  And it was just perfect.  A no stress, kind of lazy afternoon hanging with my two favourite people.

We rode our bikes down to the park......no mean feat for me given that my friends had dragged me out for a run and bike ride that morning.  Good thing my cruiser has a good cushy seat on it.....that's all I've got to say about that.

I mean, look at this face. 

I LOVE this face and everything that goes along with it.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being Mum to this kiddo.

We rode ponies.  The very same ponies (okay so not the exact same ponies.....that would make them ancient) that her daddy rode as a little boy.

We rode the train.  I really don't think this was made for big people.

And the cars.

And the aeroplanes.

And when we figured out that our plane was busted and didn't go up and down like everyone elses, we entertained us all by pulling silly faces.  I don't know who taught her this particular one, although I do have my suspicions.

One super happy Mama.  You can't even tell that I am trying not to throw up on a Merry-go-Round that was travelling at the speed of light.

And it was all topped off with a picnic in the park in the most beautiful field of dasies ever.

Sofia found a dandelion (we used to call them fairies when I was a little girl) to wish on.

No need for me.......I've got everything I ever wished for.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

 to all of the Mum's out there.

Kiwi Mama's

So with the wacky way this world turns, today is Mothers' Day in New Zealand so I figured I would send a special shout out to my two favourite Kiwi Mama's.

The photos are old because well, it has been a while since we have seen each other, but none the less, here they are.......

My sister Claire who has always been, and still is, the place I go to for all my "how the hell do I deal with this" questions.  She has been there and done that, and done it so, so well.  She has given me the most spectacular nephews and neice any Aunty could ask for.  I just wish that Sac was a little closer to Tapu Bay.

My Mum who gave me and Claire such a great childhood.  She did it all for us......and when I say all, I mean all. 

HAPPY MOTHERS'S DAY my Kiwi Mamas.

I love you.

Fun at Great America

Corndogs....

Waiting in line.....

Riding the cars......

Just hanging with your best bud.....

Rollercoasters......

Tragedy (and if you don't think this is a tragedy just consider that it cost .99 to get those sprinkles added)....

Boats and water.......

Things that go round and round (oh to have a young stomach again).....

Big smiles......

Painted faces......

Beautiful girl.......

Crazy dads........

All tuckered out.......

What a fun time we had at Great America!