Since coming back to California we’ve been dying to go back to Tahoe with the boys. So, the week before I was due back to work, we packed up my beachy mom van and drove up to King’s Beach for 4 days. We originally only booked 2 nights at our favorite AirBnB but it was available another night so we went for it. Tahoe is our happy place. We could probably stay at either end of the lake but in the summer we always find ourselves closer to North shore so we can go to Sand Harbor. It’s by far the most beautiful beach on the lake, and recommended by locals as well. It’s also great for kids, with its shallow and crystal clear banks. Traveling or even taking a “vacation” with kids isn’t really a vacation though, it’s a lot of work. The moments where we weren’t changing a poopy diaper, or cutting up fruit for little mouths or swaddling, breastfeeding, soothing, applying sunblock on sandy skin, carrying butt loads of stuff or having to play a zone defense so no one kid would run in the street or fall off the porch, we’re far from in between but still cherished. If anything, our hearts soared when we saw how excited Jace was to be in “Tahoe”, his adventures looking for black bears, Walker’s obsessions with bird calls and sand buckets and shovels. Even Mr. Callen with his still newborn needs was able to nap a couple times on the beach, and stay content. It was a long 4 days but gosh, was the weather beautiful. We had it all too – thunderstorms, lightning, hail, rain, sunshine, wind and cold and warm. But it gave us more reason to cuddle in our cabin and dip into the hot tub. A trip we’ll definitely remember, regardless of the unexpected fevers and late nights up soothing babies. Nothing a couple Moscow mules can’t mend we say!
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Activities for Kids
Blackberry season is upon us here in Santa Cruz and we are loving it. There are literally vines galore in our little Rio Del Mar neighborhood. And I’m pretty much convinced that wild blackberries truly taste the best; they’re so flavorful and juicy. My mouth is watering just thinking about a freshly picked blackberry in my mouth. Lol! They also make for a fun activity for the kids; it’s just one more thing we love to do outside during this beautiful California summer.
When Jace’s last day came around at his daycare, I wanted to make sure he had something to leave behind to remind them of him. So I brought some otter pops for all to “stay cool” and these little toddler-size pineapple trucker hats for all to keep as a reminder of their friend Jace. I found them on Etsy of course and ordered just about every color available, just to make sure we had enough options for all the kids. Jace picked red for himself and even to this day, months after giving these to his friends in AZ, it’s still holding up, even after a wash. Great quality and size and obviously made well. We sure do miss our old daycare and the friends, especially Veronica! But hopefully when they see a pineapple they think of Mr. Jace :)
When Jace broke my phone at the end of last year, I lost a lot of my photos, and haven’t been to an Apple Store yet to recover them. But thankfully I found these gems saved in my email! Back in October when Pam was visiting I was given suite tickets to the last Giants game of the season – fan day! The view was amazing and we enjoyed all kinds of perks in the company suite. Part of fan day were games and freebies and first game certificates for the boys. Such a beautiful day and a great game. Jace was full of brotherly hugs and photo bombs too. Such a lover that one. Glad I was able to treat my sister to a little fun in the city. We even got to run the bases after the game!
This weekend we boarded the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (put on by Roaring Camp) and although I want to say it was all that, it really wasn’t. I was quite scarred from the experience actually. Of course I was warned as to how ruthless the crowd can get if you’re not there early enough to get a seat, but I was not prepared for what I saw with my own two eyes. What I had hoped would be a magical Christmas-y night, like when we did Polar Express last year, was a stressful, uncoordinated night on all parts. Rob and I didn’t communicate the best and he was getting food, while I needed him to get the car seat and stroller back to the car before the train came. I was in line early, only to be left with two kids and a bag full of corn dogs and ketchup oozing all over the place, and a monster crowd of rude Santa Cruz @$$holes, pushing their way and cutting me in line. There wasn’t much for me to do by myself, holding an 8-month old, hot chocolate, and everything Jace didn’t want to carry, while Rob was loading stuff back in the car. All the friendly people around me at the start immediately became oblivious to my baggage (literally) and turned into cutting, push you back, I don’t care people. I even felt bad for the elf conductors taking tickets who were verbally bashed and talked down to.