The things she says...

I love it when kids say the cutest things.

Craig loves it too...

Brea was watching her Daddy and said, "Daddy you're SO handsome!"
He smiled and said thank-you for the kind words.
She looked at him harder and said, "Daddy you're SO handsome... like a chicken!"

She should have stopped while she was ahead.

California Getaway 2011

For the first part of our Spring Break adventures, click here.

On Day 3 in CA, we went to the Living Desert. It is a park with lots of animals, a large outdoor display of working model trains, butterfly/hummingbird house, beautiful carousel and more. It was a gorgeous sunny day. The highlight of the visit was when Brea was treated to a ride on a camel with Nana! Both sported ecstatic smiles atop Gregory the Camel and Brea was just thrilled with the experience – Nana was too :o) I loved the giraffes and was treated to an up close and personal encounter when one came right up to grab an especially tasty treat from bushes next to me. In the butterfly hut, Brea marveled at the colourful insects fluttering about her head and we were in awe of a nesting hummingbird – their babies are born the size of a raisin!

Taking a look at the model trains.

Having a great ride with Nana!

Post-camel ride delight

Looking at us as much as we were looking at them

Giraffe close-up

Posing with one of the many statues in the park

Enjoying a ride on the carousel

Enjoying a ride on Mama

Snuck a picture of a nesting hummingbird

The most beautiful butterfly in the park!

Riding home

Over the next several days we had more desert experiences, after a stop to see Salton Sea, we had a visit to Oasis Date farm for a famous “date shake” – a tasty and filling treat. 

Posing at the entrance of the date shop

First, she poses with the date...

then, she eats them!

We also had the chance to visit the desert hot springs and indulge in some beneficial soaking in the mineral waters. Brea and Rhys love the water and Brea has not one iota of fear. She would jump in regardless of whether someone was there to catch her or not (we are hoping swimming lessons soon will help). She ended up swallowing quite a bit of water during our visit to the pools and was sick on the ride back to the park. Still though, she wanted to go back. We also went to the street fair at the College of the Desert to meander through stall upon stall of wares. The weather was wonderful and every day was sunny though a few did have a fair bit of wind. Rhys loved getting blown in the face and he would light up with his charming two-toothed grin as another gust hit him.

All too soon our days in the desert reached its end and we packed up as Nana and Grumpa did too. We chose to head up the coast while they headed through Nevada into Oregon to get a few repairs done on their unit. So, with maps in hand, we were off again in our van.

*I should mention as a side note how hilarious it is to be road tripping in a right-hand drive Mitsubishi Delica. I’m often reading (maps, books) or in some cases typing on my laptop and the cars coming by will have passengers craning their necks trying desperately to see what that crazy woman is doing instead of driving. Their shocked looks keep Craig entertained as he waves at them. I think he really enjoys the attention and talking to all the guys who would ask him about the unique vehicle we drive.

So this time we decided to go slower and enjoy the scenery. We were going to go up along the coast so that we could stop in to visit my friend, Joni and her family in her new home and then meander up Hwy 1 to San Francisco.

We had a lovely visit and lunch stop in Oxnard. The kids frolicked – in the case of the babes sat and crawled – in a nearby playground and had a stretch. I chatted and ooohed over the décor of their home – Joni is super talented and has a great eye for colour. We didn’t have time for a long visit but luckily they’ll be up in the near future. The boys, Aidan and Rhys will hopefully be more interactive then, they mostly stared at each other that day.

More stories of our trip to come...

Spring Break Getaway 2011

Our Spring Break Adventure is nearing its end and I apologize for the long hiatus while we were traveling. Since we were lucky to have a two-week long break this year we thought we’d take advantage, especially when Nana and Grumpa invited us to spend some time with them in the sun in California. So our destination this holiday… road trip to Indio, CA!

Our first three days of travel were a bit rough since we drove hard to get there. The children were amazing! I had stocked up on travel distractions to tempt Brea with. Rhys chose to spend his car time sleeping – it was a pleasant change from our first car trip with Brea where she cried most of the way. We sped our way through Washington and Oregon and churned down into the deserts of California. We stayed for a night in Creswell, OR and then in Stockton, CA. I have to say, the three days were a blur since I had a book I was reading (A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp). Most of the I-5 is straightforward but there were a few gems along the way like Shasta Lake – it is a breathtaking view! Everything was a surprise again since it’s been 20 years since I’ve driven down to CA. We also were relying on the GPS, which doesn’t do much to foreshadow what is along the way. I had forgotten how mountainous CA actually is in parts as we drove through the Siskiyou. Craig grabbed some maps and TourBooks from the AAA, which provided me with a much more fulfilling, ride back up the coast.

After mostly pastoral landscapes, our entrance to the desert was to hills punctuated by row upon row of giant windmills, the likes of which I had not seen before. It was amazing to see their massive blades churning as they gathered energy from the wind.

Our park in Indio, CA

Upon our arrival to our “California Home” as Brea was calling it, we had a warm and scrumptious welcome ready for us. It had been a few days without home cooking, so Craig was very appreciative of the lovely stew awaiting us. We quickly settled in to our park model, ready for the adventures ahead.

Brea on the steps of our "California Home"

Nana and Grumpa's new trailer!

Brea loved visiting the Nana and Grumpa’s beautiful new trailer. The double doors to the bedroom were a special treat for grand entrances; she’d happily swing them open upon entering and exiting. Rhys’s favourite part of the trailer was the fire extinguisher by the door, right at his height and with a tempting loop ready for pulling.

We had visits from cousins and friends and exciting outings.

I'll continue with more soon as we get back into the routine of being back home.

Spicy Dancing Shoes

Rhys has been teething again (it seems to never end). He often gets a runny nose and a cough from all the drool but this morning, I wasn't sure if a cold was starting so we opted out from going to school today and went for a stroll in the mall instead.

Brea sits behind the driver's seat and it annoys Craig to no end when she boots us as we drive. It happens more often with Craig since he sits farther back than me but today there was a light tapping. I was about to say something when her little voice chimed from the back seat:
"Mommy! My shoes are dancing to the music!"
What could I say to that?

At the mall, we had a treat since a new indian food kiosk opened in the food court.  Brea had a choice between that and Thai food but she chose the curry. I LOVE indian food but I was worried it might be a bit spicy for her. Well, little Miss gobbled it up - she has been a bit reluctant with eating meat but not this butter chicken. She really liked the yummy saucy rice, she only slowed down at the potatoes which did have a kick to them - she ate them all then turned to me and said "my tongue hurts a little - it's too spicy".
But a sip of milk and all was fixed.

That's my girl!

A weekend getaway

We were thrilled to have a getaway this past weekend to visit family in the interior. It's been a while since Brea and Rhys have seen their cousins and Brea was especially excited for the roadtrip. We managed to get away just prior to nap time and took full advantage of two hours of blissfully sleeping kids to get a sprint ahead on the road.

During the weekend, we got to see what Auntie Signe and Uncle Kent have been up to. We visited Uncle Kent's school, cruised by their new house and had a lovely trek to see some of the scenic views. We savoured scrumptious food prepared by Auntie Signe, including her first Angel food cake; played hilarious board games; and the kids played amazingly together. Madison was the perfect older cousin looking out for the young'uns. She was particularly good at dragging carrying Rhys away from the perils of the stairwell and taking away small objects that could choke him. Caylie taught Brea all the intricacies of being a mermaid. And Kai was especially gentle with Rhys and patient with Brea who followed him everywhere.

Brea and Rhys were sad to go after having such fun playmates, we'll have to make it out again soon.

Getting a ride from Daddy as we toured the school.

Posing with Auntie Signe

Giant Peach! (Rhys was having a nap)

Frolicking with water fowl.

At the lookout.

Getting a helping hand in the playground.

Rhys loves the swing.

 Brea found a slide that she LOVED. She probably went up and down a dozen times.

Brea with her super cute hairdo courtesy of Auntie Signe, the pouty face is because she didn't want a picture.

Madison and her bike.

Awww, so cute!

Kai rockin' it on his bike.

Dress-up

Brea had never been one for dress-up. Apart from her tutus, she didn't have much interest but Uncle Kent and Auntie Signe got her a princess dress-up trunk for Christmas and something happened this past month. It has become a princess fest at our house. Her favourite is Cinderella - she loves putting on the earrings. She has told me that the Snow White costume belongs to her brother though.
"Snow White is for Rhysy, when he is bigger and a girl."

Princess Ariel

The fairest in the land!

Cinderella, checking out her jewels.

9 Months or not?

So, it's the 28th today and the 1st tomorrow. Does this mean that Rhys will never be 9 months old?

Regardless, he has been having the time of his life over the past few days with all the snow that has come down. 

Our winter wonderland.

 Brea loved romping outdoors while Daddy shoveled the driveway and I thought it was only fair that he had a chance to experience the cold, wet powder too.

Getting ready to head out.

He mostly sat around for the first little while but as he watched his sister make snow angels, dig with her shovel and throw snowballs, he decided to attempt to crawl after her. He landed on his face... several times and each time as I lifted him up, he'd have a big smile.

An adorable snow baby.