Halfmoon bay, take 2

We went back to halfmoon bay, this time for an entire weekend. The weather was beautiful on Saturday, but got kinda rainy and icky on Sunday. Still, the kids enjoyed getting out and about.

I threw Isabella's bicycle into the back of the car as well, and she spent a lot of time riding around the campground, which is pretty well-suited for it, since it's one big oval. She also went on a longer ride, all the way down the bike trail. I had to bail early, since Ian was being fussy. Apparently, dad was teaching Isabella a few tricks on the bicycle (like dodge the rock) and, well, she didn't dodge the rock so well and went splat off the bicycle. Oh well, live and learn, I suppose!

Isabella and I built quite a sand castle on Saturday. Saturday night we ran into another couple with two kids about the same age. They had a Flintstone-style car and a push-riding thing, so the kids took turns borrowing each other's toys. Around, and around, and around the campground... Ian liked both riding in the car and pushing it, as did the other little boy. Isabella was good, and shared her bicycle, although it took a bit of coaxing (she got pushed around in a the car for awhile).

On the way back we stopped at Lemos Farm, one of those places the kids think is a lot more fun than you do! They had a bouncy castle (Isabella was practicing her forward rolls), pony rides, a train (we skipped that), a hay ride (skipped that too) and some rocking horses to play on.

We also popped up to Henry Cowell RW state park the following weekend for one day (Bill was out of town Friday night). Despite not actually managing to reserve a site on line, there was space. It's a pretty reasonable little camp ground, although poison oak everywhere. Isabella rode her bicycle around some again, then got tired and started whining. Ian rode the tricycle for a little while, then didn't want to do that anymore. But he did want to hike down the trail. He's getting pretty steady on his feet now.

Isabella's discovered that the back of the Element is the perfect size for her to play in, especially with some of the softer camping gear lining it. Keeps her out of the way for awhile.

For some reason we had several "poop" incidents with Isabella that weekend. Fortunately, the CVS across from the park we went to had children's underwear. Sigh.

Sunday morning we headed to the beach near Santa Cruz (we were aiming for the boardwalk but missed). There was another little girl there who wanted to play with Isabella, but she went into meltdown mode. So bad we almost left. But she did get to play a little bit once she got her act together. Ian, of course, had a blast destroying sand castles.

We did splash around in the water a fair amount - even Ian, who thought it was great fun to run in and out of the surf, despite being so short. He was not happy, however, when we hosed him off after leaving the beach!

(The borrowed car.) The kids are playing with the toys out back a bit more - Ian, especially, likes to shoot a few hoops, rock on the rocking horse, and slide down the slide before coming in to dinner. It's getting a bit cold out, but not too bad.

We did try a couple evenings going outside and letting Ian walk around and Isabella "ride" her bicycle around. Seemed to mostly result in her whining about everything. Ian, of course, just marches off to wherever. He can sort of handle the concrete-grass boundary, but not always. He sometimes travels faster than his sister on her bicycle...

Isabella demonstrated that she can, indeed, climb a tree. Later that evening that same tree became home to an entire family of raccoons who were having lots of family spats.

Other fun things we've done: We visited Jay's place again for a party. Isabella swung on the rings quite a lot. Ian was a real handful - wanted to grab everything and quite quick on his feet. Isabella and I went climbing with Pam & Mike - Isabella spent the whole time hanging from her harness and swinging around. We visited another friend of Bill's who had these little nano bot things - little bug critters that vibrate and run around a track. Ian was fascinated (Isabella played with the friend's daughter's toys). Bill got us a set, and Ian will ask for it by pointing up to the shelf.

How one little boy can get so covered in stuff... We've got molars in (still missing canines). We had 1 year shots - poor guy got really sick, threw up and had a fever. But just that night. He's doing a regular 2 hour nap, at day care at least (home is still iffy). But he likes waking up at 5-6 in the morning. Grumble. He is starting to respond to directions, and likes to put things where they belong. He knows the crackers are in the pantry, he stands by the highchair when he's hungry, puts milk back in the fridge...

I made Isabella a new dress. Ended up being more work than expected, but she does actually wear it. Although she was very unhappy the first time that the little bows were somewhere she couldn't see (on the shoulders). Next up, Halloween costume!