Build-A-Bear with Daisy Troop 2275

The Daisy's used some of their money from the Girl Scout Cookie sales to get a special Build-A-Bear commemorating the 100th year of Girl Scouts.  They worked hard and I couldn't be prouder of these girls ... such great kids.

She chose to have her bear a little fluffy. 

Getting them dressed ... they have the cutest little smocks, just like the girls. 

Patiently waiting for COOKIES.  Yum. 

Lunch with my bestie

Summer dining on the patio at one of our favorite places ... Paesano's.  The BEST White Sangria and the Jalapeno Pepper Salad's are to die for.

Date Night Selfies

Chore time

I came up with a creative idea for getting the kids to do their chores.  I don't ask them to do much of anything but their homework during the school year because they have so much going on with school, sports and homework but in the Summer they need to help out around the house.  They get $5 per week.  

Depending on what needs to be done, I either let them pull 5 sticks (tongue blades) or I pick them out for them.  Some of the chores are picking up dog poop, kitty litter box, watering plants, freebie, garbage, recycling, setting and clearing the table, vacuuming and many more.  It's been WONDERFUL.  I haven't had to nag them at all ... they do a chore and come back to look at the next one ... sometimes running.  Let's see if I can keep this going.

A good photo

I took pictures of the kiddos to put on the "We've Moved" cards I mailed out.  This was no easy task but I think I got a couple of good ones.

Camping in Santa Cruz

We went camping in Santa Cruz and stayed at one of our favorite campgrounds ... Cotillion Gardens.  We love that the campsites are surrounded by huge redwood trees and it's walking distance from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.  The campground and bathrooms are spotless clean, they have a heated pool, clubhouse and we feel comfortable letting the kids ride their bikes around the campground by themselves (staying together).  It quiet ... I just can't say enough good things about this place.  Such a wonderful place to camp.

We may have to start going to a different beach because every time we go to the beach in Santa Cruz it's freezing ... brrr.  Before it warmed up, we played a lot of 3 Flies Up and enjoyed snacks and a picnic lunch which the kids loved.  I rocked it by the way.  Later in the afternoon, the sun came out and the kids were able to get in the water.  The water was so COLD.  They're nuts.

Tag with Dad.

The Sea Lions like to hangout by the pier.

Awe, so handsome.

We were able to walk down to a little swimming hole that they call the Garden of Eden.  It's beautiful.  We spent 3 or 4 hours here.

Mason spent most of his time trying to catch fish ... finally he caught a little minnow.

Tadpoles!

Holding one of the tadpoles.  Hard to believe that this is the kid that used to be so squeamish and wouldn't touch anything ... especially anything slimy.  "Mom, hurry up!"

Kyla jumping off of one of the rocks into one of the swimming holes.  Mason did it first but I didn't make it over in time to take a picture.  Little did I know that there was so much current, Brian had a hard time staying in that spot to wait for the kids to jump in.  Glad I didn't know.  :-/

Roughing it on Sunday morning.  Cereal and a movie.

We like to have dinner on one of the nights at one of the local brewery's.  Kyla LOVED her first Shirley Temple.

Slip n Slide Fun

Brought home a Slip n Slide for the kids to play with ... they sure had fun.  I didn't try it this time, last time I almost punctured a lung and was sore for 2 days!!  

Got you, Kyla

Mason and I played a funny trick on Kyla.  I've attached a QR Code - to view, all you need to do is scan this square with any QR Scanning App on your smartphone or iPad.  I think the one I use is Scan Me and it's free.

Fishing ...

Little did we know when we bought the house that we had a great little fishing pond within about a half mile.  Haven't caught a fish there yet but sure have enjoyed trying and we especially loved watching the turtles swim. 

I found the best free program for photo editing.  It's very similar to the Instagram app for the iPhone.  It's called Pixlr-O-Matic.   Here's the link.  I love the vintage look on this photo. 

Kyla walking on Grandpa's feet.

The American River is just another quarter mile or so away so we wanted to try our luck there.  Kyla can actually cast this year - pretty well too.  She doesn't know that she doesn't have a hook on the end of her pole.  We're not ready for that yet.  She tends to kind of flutter around in her own little world and I'm afrain she'll hook my lip or eye ball!

Granny soaking in some some at the river.

Boy, does he love fishing.  He asks to go every day.

I sure wish he would have caught a fish.

Dad's turn.  Notice the group of kayak behind the boys.  They were practicing their rolling over out there.  Cool to watch.

Love this photo of Mike and Carol.

Picture of the pond.

Fishing the pond.

Father and son.  Smile.