Ahoy

Hi All,
So we didn't have enough to do in our spare time so we thought we'd get a boat.
Here she is "Califia" an Ericson 27. Actually we're in a partnership with another person (Paul) who knows more about sailing that we do. He's a sailing instructor and is willing to teach us the ropes (so to speak). So we're looking forward to some time on the water. Fiona already enjoys it and, for those who care, she wears a lifejacket and is tethered in when we're sailing.

We have already had a couple of forays out to the mile buoy off of Santa Cruz to which she wondered as we were sailing away, "...where is the mile buoy going?" She also spends a bit of time calling the dolphins over and looking for sea lions.

We're hoping to get to the point where we can sail to Monterey for the weekend. In the future we would like to go a lot further but for now well stay close.

Love
Louise

What Happens in Tahoe, Stays in Tahoe

Fiona Devon Brian Lyle and Liv

Fiona with mummy in the lake

Fiona and daddy and Lyle and daddy

Hi All, we just got back from a couple of days up at Lake Tahoe visiting with good friends Brian and Liv and their baby Lyle. It's a bit of a long drive to get there, but fiona did well in the car. Luna enjoyed returning to her old lifestyle of riding in the back of the truck to the mountains and wading about in fresh water. It was warm and lovely, the water was a bit cold for actual swimming but we enjoyed some quality time on a pebbly beach filling buckets with water and rocks.
There were lots of kids to play with at a big shared house with lots of folks all celebrating birthdays this time of year. We opted to sleep in a bed int he back of our truck which worked out remarkably well for Fiona considering some of the failures we have had with camping in the past.The house served as a playground for about 7 kids (count is vague). Fiona, who is still working on the ins and outs of sharing, did pretty well with all the kids and novel toys to covet. She did well with pooing in new toilets and keeping pants dry. Only one mishap all weekend! As with all our holidays with Fiona she was a bit sick, runny nose-cough and getting new teeth too, but we drove home late last night with only one stop for crying. Fiona slept in until 9:30 this morning (a new record). One of the few times I have been out of bed before she was awake.
Love
Louise

Fiona at school

Here is a picture of Fiona hanging out after school last week. She is enjoying being a big girl, though her mum and dad are looking forward to a time we don't (hear shouted in our general direction): "My poo, it's in my pants!!!!." Though a wonderful sentence is always enjoyed. She only wears "big girl" undies now, still has a nappy at night. Even if you think something more absorbent for an extended errand run would be helpful, you would be wrong according to her, and you are better off bringing extra pants and undies and knowing exactly where the nearest toilet is at all times.

She surprised us by singing "Life is Hard, but life is Harder, when you're two" the other morning while getting dressed. It made us laugh, she was clearly having a rough time though.

She is still trying to live her life by the do-all-by-self principle which does tend to make things harder but what else are we to do.

We are also looking for advice: Fiona is very friendly, talks to everyone at the grocery store and walking down the street...when do you have the "stranger" talk to kids and how do you go about shattering their innocent view on the world? Suggestions? I hate that we even have to broach the subject at all. Damn world. Life is hard.

New Pub

Hi All, we just got back froma dinner date, rode down the hill with the wagon, along west cliff drive, up to the new Pub (close to safeway for those who know), to the park, and then home for milk and summer peaches.

Bike wagon

Hi All,
We have a new toy for the family, A bike trailer hereafter referred to as the "bike wagon."
Its wonderful for riding around town and being able to carry all the things a busy girl like Fiona needs. We went to the Farmers market this morning and as we were leaving we bumped into a friend with her newish baby. Fiona sitting back int he wagon, pushed her sunglasses down to the end of her nose and peered over them to say hello to the baby and mum. V. cool.

We're looking forward to a warm week here in santa cruz so we'll be at the pool some days for sure. Fiona is getting good at jumping into mum or dad's waiting arms. She Does really well and is getting more and more confident in the water. Still a bit small for swimming lessons but the is clearly gifted with the kicking and blowing bubbles already.

Love
Louise