Snakes and Lizards and Spiders, Oh My

My kids love snakes, lizards, bugs, all those boy things.  They love to check out the spiders and snails in the front yard, even yell goodbye to them as we head off to school in the morning.   And they beg daddy to pick up the stones in the backyard to see the little snakes that live there.

Then the neighbors told us about the Vivarium in Berkeley.  It is actually a place where you can buy reptiles, but I think kids go there just to see them all.  Apparently they have snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, tarantulas and much more!

As much as this place would not thrill me, I think the boys would love it.   Put it on the list!

A Date with White Paint

I want a date with white paint.  I am dying to paint our fireplace white.  With two little boys running around, it is not easy to paint
and not have them get into it.  It may be a great time to call a grandparent for a play date.

I want to paint the fireplace and if I have the white paint out, I am thinking I may repaint our play room as well.  I am inspired by this post on Ohdeedoh.


When we moved in, the walls were painted a salmon color that burned my eyes every time I walked in.  My mom and I repainted it a light green, but I am still not loving it 100%.  I think white may be just the ticket.

Oh white paint, one day we will meet again!

Till then I am loving this...

 

Seattle Trip

More on traditions...

I love our yearly tradition of going up to Seattle to visit my aunt and uncle.  They are Seattle Mariners fans and we are Oakland A's
fans, so the game is always on the agenda, but we have such a good time when we visit.  Drinking wine, watching ball games, heckling each other, dance parties in the living room and laughing a whole lot. Last year we went without the kids and had a romantic anniversary weekend.  We had brunch at the Salish Lodge and it was lovely.  This year, I would love to get up there with the boys.   This tradition is one I want to continue...forever!  And of course, Go A's!

Walking

I have spent the week recovering.  Not from anything that serious.  Last weekend, I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in San Francisco.  It was an amazing experience and I would definitely add this to my bucket list for the future.  What a great cause and inspirational weekend.  39 miles, 2 days and a ton of perspective all rolled into one.

I am sore this week, but nothing that won't go away with a few days of rest and a little ice.  For all those people out their fighting cancer, I salute you!!  No matter what kind of cancer, what a challenge you are facing.  The motto of our weekend was "kick cancer's butt."  Here are a few more shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ode to Traditions

I have been thinking about traditions lately.  I really love them, no matter what time of year.  Obviously, the holidays are when I think of traditions the most, but I hope to create some great traditions for our growing family throughout the year.

Conn and I talk about it often.  I really think that these little things make the most of the time we spend together as a family.  I have started birthday plates for the boys, which is not a tradition I grew up with, but love just the same.  I hope the boys will look forward to eating on their very own birthday plate every year.

I hope to do Sunday dinners of homemade pizza where everyone can top theirs with whatever they like.  Our campsite in Calaveras County is another tradition we have started. We are happy to spend many summer days there, relaxing, swimming and having outdoor fun.

I don’t want to force any traditions to happen, but I feel that the bonding that happens within a family is directly connected to the time spent together.   I have wonderful childhood memories of summers spent at Pismo Beach with my family.  Experiences like these live with you forever and keep a family close.

Three cheers for traditions and savoring moments like these!!