Free to Play

What a great day the kids had exploring the park and the Orange County Zoo with their friends. Ali was out to get some great pictures and Maddy was determined to finish the zoo's scavenger hunt. There was so much empty space to explore, run and sometimes hide! What a great place for them to just be.

Inspired by Art

This week we went to Surf City Nights in Huntington Beach. They close down the main street and set up handmade food, crafts and local music and art. Ali was really impressed with the art...he's always been drawn to painting and this was a great chance for him to see some great work and watch some really talented painters in action. Maddy is more attracted to the jewellery and was delighted to find an artist who used environmentally friendly materials to make bracelets, rings and other wearables! And it would be no surprise to hear that Katie was into the food! That girl has a real sweet tooth and attracted some attention after finishing her chocolate ice cream! One of the highlights for us all was listening to all the different styles of music...it is really nice to watch people who are so passionate about their art and you can't help being drawn into their world for a little while.

Happy Birthday Gramma!

Recently we went with friends to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. The kids all love aquariums...and being by the ocean they've been to quite a few now! This one was small enough hat they could go off and explore on their own. It was fun to watch them run from exhibit to exhibit together checking out marine life and just laughing and having fun. We eventually walked out on the pier to view the lighthouse and check out the view. Although all these things were fun the real highlight for the kids was a huge sand sculpture in the shape of the whale. Well...it wasn't a whale anymore by the time we left. The kids ran up and down, buried themselves in it and even rolled down it! The next day I was reading an article about the aquarium having a special event the day after we left, and that one of the special events for the kids was to be a giant whale made of sand...oops! I hope they had someone to rebuild it!

Gramma and Grampa go to the beach!

Balboa Island

Balboa Island was a feast for the senses. Sweets and treats,and lights and sounds all around us as we explored. The kids loved the arcade...Katie preferred the candy store!

Family Time

This week Gramma and Grampa are here for a visit. We're hoping the weather stays hot so we can take them to some of our favorite beaches!

Perfect Endings

We never get tired of seeing this at the end of our beach day...

Aquarium of the Pacific

These are some of our favorites from the aquarium. By the way, the kids took most of these pictures! Pretty awesome eh?

I can't believe that we have been here for over two months already, the time is really flying by. We only have three weeks left in California. So our focus for the rest of our time here is going to be beach, beach, and more beach. After all, once we hit Arizona we won't be able to get near the ocean again for awhile! This weekend we spent the entire time at Huntington Beach. It's a huge beach, both long and wide, and is popular with surfers. Huntington Beach is actually called Surf City! While we were there we watched a surfing competition. It was fun to see some of the really young kids do their thing! Ali tried out the skim boards...you stand on the board as it skims along the surface. It's harder than you'd think! The kids all had fun digging holes bigger than themselves, looking at the starfish, Ali collected hermit crabs and we saw more dolphins! Another great day at the beach!

Today the kids went horseback riding. Since we've been here they have been asking to try western riding. After two years of english riding lessons they figured it would be a piece of cake. I think they were surprised at how different it was. After about an hour into it they got the hang of it...not long after Maddy took a BIG fall off her horse when it started to canter...she panic a little and down she went! Thankfully after a couple minutes recovering from the shock of what had happened she got back up on her horse and finished her ride! What a trooper! Ali enjoyed his ride and being at the ranch so much that he now volunteers there during the week...not my idea of fun mucking out stalls, but he enjoys being with the other local homeschoolers who are there as well to work. After a full day of volunteering he comes home happy and tired! Here's some photos of the kids with their horses...Ali and Jimmy; Maddy and Dandy.

Busy Days

The holidays flew by for us here in California! We've done everything from the beach, Balboa Island and the zoo to Disneyland, geocaching and local parks. And there is something to be said for just hanging out at home and playing all day outside! Over a year ago my friend Caroline and I decided to start an unschooling group modeled after a group from California we found on the web. Who knew that a year later I'd be at the park talking and playing with the same group that inspired us! Temperatures are rising here so the week ahead will mean plenty more outdoor activities! Here's a few of our pictures from the week.