Mega Post: Vacation Weekend

Our special friend, Cousin Charlie, came for a visit. We were crazy-happy to meet her and were especially looking forward to spending the weekend with her and her parents. Which we did and which was great. Here are the pictures to prove it.

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WELCOME COUSIN CHARLIE!


Of course they're related, just look at these three goombahs.

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SEA RANCH!


First sight of the ocean!


The hiking trails hugged the shore and in many places ran alongside small cliffs. This caused no small amount of anxiety for mama.


Mama's wishing she had those kid backpack leashes right now.


While picturesque, fences like this did little to soothe mama's fears.


Chimpy on a cliff by the sea.


Chimpy had been throwing rocks at seals when I pointed out that sign to her. Now that she can read she has no excuse for this behavior.


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TIDEPOOLING ADVENTURE!


The next day we went shell hunting and tidepooling.


Jojo discovering mussel shells.


Beachcombing Chimpy.


The salt air was good for the kids, Chimpy grew three inches.


Jojo exploring the beaches.


Chimpy found a hermit crab...


And an abalone shell that looked like a ghost.


Jojo considers the immensity of the ocean.


It pleases him.


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BACK TO THE HOUSE!


Relaxing on the deck.

Cousin Charlie's cheeks were irresistible.


And Cousin Charlie was a great sport about all the attention. Which is good because we love her!

Masterpiece Monday

Jojo reenacting a scene from The Shining.

Four Picture Friday: Two Days in January

January marked the end of Jojo's morning naps, so we suddenly found ourselves with a whole half day more to have our adventures. We had a good run of beautiful weather and headed out to some local regional parks for some fresh air. The first four pictures are from the previously featured Lil' Farm, the last four are from a 'hike' to see some wintering monarch butterflies.

Looking into the pig pen.

Climbing the mountain lion at the visitor center.

Gidyap!

Jojo impressing the ladies at the playground.

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Chimpy's stage debut, playing 'caterpillar' in the monarch life cycle.

Jojo ponders trees.

Jojo ponders sheep.

Water fountain hijinks.

Wednesday Moment of Zen

February's Favorite Fete

It's that time of year again. No, not Groundhog Day. Not Grapefruit Appreciation Month, either. It's our friend L's birthday again! This time around, it's pirates!

Stylin' swashbucker

L's birthday's are always big dos, there were plenty o' pirates swarming a local pizzeria. Besides costumed adults, the biggest of whom made balloon swords and parrots, there was a pirate movie and pirate decorations. Gold doubloons topped the cupcakes.

Readin' the treasure map

Chimpy requested a snake on her turn at face painting.

Slitherin' snake

And L wanted a pirate ship.

Sailin' ship

And here's why we love L so much: despite having all her school friends there, she had time for the littler pirates.

Arr mateys


* * * BONUS PICTURES! * * *
The Sailor's Hornpipe, performed by First Mate Chimpy

Four Picture Friday: The Return to Mocha

After nearly a year's time and with much anticipation, Chimpy finally returned to Mocha. We had last been there with Jojo as a seat-strapped infant and it became obvious he wanted to get his hands into things. Everything. We decided to wait for a time when he could take part in the art before renewing our membership.

An off-hand comment by Mama on her way out the door made us think today could be a Mocha day and so we got ready to go. After a busy morning of getting a pot roast into a crock pot and an exciting drive where we passed a cement truck on the road Jojo conked out just before getting to the art studio so we let him cat nap.



And he woke up to find himself in a wonderland of color where they don't yell at you for getting paint on the floor...



Or tell you how to paint...



Big sisters excepted, of course.



Then it was lunch outside.



For us and the pigeons.



A portrait of the artists as a couple of goombahs.

The Dead Bird

New Feature: Masterpiece Theater Monday

Where we re-create famous scenes from art/film/history. Today, a re-enactment of the Voyage of the Beagle with Jojo as Captain Robert Fitzroy and Chimpy as Charles Darwin.

Motivation, Chimpy Style

Season's Greeting Cards

Santa Sunday