The Greatness of Bodega Bay--and a Smart Phone

This post is all about our day trip to Bodega Bay. Mostly. 

Actually maybe it's really all about the fact that I now have a smart phone and am amazed at all the tricks it can do. These photos were all taken on the smart phone. Then, because my entire life is now directed and organized by Google, I simply created a new post and uploaded my Bodega photos from the cloud. So easy. So--almost disturbingly--magical. 

 There was water play, and sand castles built, sandy sandwiches to eat, and seagulls constantly lurking. There was also a lot of wind. Mark and Matthew made a blanket-tent. I took a peek inside--

They were set up with snacks and warmth and comfort. Matthew peeked his head out once when he heard Isabella frolicking around. "Beba?" he called. I told him she had run off back to the water. Satisfied with my response, he immediately pulled the blanket back over his head. He knew where the real fun was happening.

Matthew loved the waves of water, so long as he was carried by one of us, which meant Mark and I got pretty wet--and cold.

Isabella was in her element. Never cold, never hungry, never tired. That all happened the second we got back into the car. But at the beach, she was just a kid, having so much fun,

And digging a hole to China.

Bike Camp

On Saturday, Matthew attended an event through the local Down syndrome advocacy group, in which kids of all ages with Ds were able to get a free strider bike and helmet, to help them learn how to ride a bike.

 It was pretty awesome: the set up, the equipment, the organization...they had "practice" courses, where the little ones could get used to holding a bar while straddling or balancing on a line or beam.

 But he was on his own agenda...

 We tried to encourage to walk the line, so to speak.

 He did walk. He cruised, circled the bumps, and rearranged the obstacles on the obstacle course.

 The bike? Meh. Dad can carry it a little longer.

 Up and down the ramp

 And through the rainbow sparkly-fringed finish line (which he was quite suspicious of initially)

Course complete! He wore his helmet the entire time, which in my eyes, makes him a winner, because he hates to have anything on his head. Maybe next time he'll try the bike.

Summer Color

 Flying a paper kite out in the pasture

I just loved watching my blonde-headed children disappear into the landscape all around them.

Summer Middle

 I looked out the window and what did I see...

 Isabella reading books in her favorite tree.

 Although it is barely noticeable in this photo, I realized this is the only evidence we have of Isabella's Big Bike Accident this summer. She took a nasty spill down a hill, while out riding with Mark. She flipped over her handle bars and pretty much landed on her face. Her nose and front top teeth were badly bruised and scraped, and she got a mild concussion, but she was back on her bike the next day.

 Summer evenings

 And of course, summer pancakes...

...which is the same recipe I use for the Spring, Fall and Winter pancakes. I don't know why I love taking pictures of them eating breakfast.

School's Out

Matthew had a strong finish to his first year in preschool. I think he actually made it through 3 solid weeks without getting sick and missing class. By the end of the year, he was attending four days a week.

Because he started the school year late, he was placed in a four year old class. I loved the way they loved him and cared for him.

 Trinity was one of his school buddies this year.

 During his independent play time on the last day, he decided to put on some bling and do a little BBQing. Cuz that's what you do to celebrate your last day of school. 

Teacher Martha, Teacher Gabe and the Head Teacher, Kendra. They were all so good to Matthew. (Matthew loved to play soccer with Gabe.) We are so happy he had such a good experience!

Summer Start

 Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast, Parade and Carnival 2015

This year She wanted to be a collector of candy, not a giver-outer. So I rode her bike, while she scouted out the perfect location to collect. She was smart; she started at the head of the parade where the giver-outers bags' of candy were full and the adults had not yet issued their warnings for the regulation of candy-giving.

Another smart candy collecting tactic: use the plastic firefighter hat, given at the pancake breakfast, to collect your spoils.

 Such an obvious move, Mom.

After the parade and breakfast, we headed to the carnival. For Matthew that meant kicking around a ball on the field adjacent to the carnival.

 Such joy.

 Fun with Papa.

 The rest of us joined, and the drama ensued. Matthew fled. Isabella collapsed.

 Of course, that was followed by jubilation.