Golden Gate State Park

We spent Saturday in the mountains at Golden Gate State Park. Since we have discovered that the kids don't really care for hiking, we have to bring alternative entertainment, like fishing poles. Clint knew of several little ponds perfect for fishing with kids. Clint baited the poles and the kids took over. Regan really is awesome at casting and has probably outgrown her Barbie pole. Haden doesn't focus on fishing long enough to know if he is a decent caster or not. Thankfully, there was a mountainside behind us that he could climb around on as much as he wanted. Next time though, he will have to wear a brighter shirt that doesn't blend in with the trees so well!

When Lila wasn't digging in the mud, she was talking on the "phone". She really prefers talking on the television remote, but she's not too picky.

Flying baby! She was cackling the entire time. Little thrill seeker!

Thankfully, no fish were caught! We really should try fishing before noon. We might have much better luck!

We found a playground with some old barns that had been converted to picnic shelters. They made a perfect background for an impromptu photo shoot!

Regan picked out the matching outfits.

I thought it was funny. Lila had no issue sitting up there (Clint was holding on to her) and Haden was holding on for dear life! He has never been quite as reckless as Lila. I'm not complaining!

I know I am a little biased, but aren't my kids just beautiful?The kids found an old water pump. Clint showed them how it worked. Lila was so excited! She loves water! She was completely drenched in no time at all.

Clint got tired of pumping before Lila got tired of playing so Regan and Haden did their best to help her out.

And then we headed home. There isn't anything quite like the mountains in the fall. They are positively breathtaking!

It seems like we do the same things year after year. I really don't mind, it just makes me nostalgic. I remember when Regan was Lila's age and we visited the same park.

And now look! She is getting so grown up!

I love hanging out with my family!

Tiny Tots & Wildlife Experience

Haden's first preschool field trip for the year was to the Junior Symphony Guild's concert. Since it was held at the Wildlife Experience Museum, we toured it afterward. Even though Haden's class is full of boys, he hasn't really bonded well with any of them. So, I invited some friends to come with us! It was a lot of fun. This is the third time I have been to the concert. I enjoy it every time. Lila did make this time a little more difficult, though! Everyone sits on the floor and the orchestra is in a circle around us.

This is the second year they have brought the opera singer. He does a fabulous job! He wanders through the crowd of students while he is singing and manages not to step on anything or anyone!

They always bring a kid to perform too. In the past they have had very young piano players perform long pieces from memory and the orchestra accompanies them. This little girl is 5 and has only been playing the violin for a year. Her memorized piece was several minutes long. I was very impressed with both her talent and her lack of stage fright.

The kids loved the museum. Haden insisted that we really need to go back. The animals weren't real, but would still move. The kids loved the alligator/crocodile. He would open his mouth really wide and make some loud noise and the kids would jump back every time. We had to admire it for a long time! I absolutely love Haden's teacher. It has been interesting to notice the difference between having a girl and a boy teacher. Instead of coming home singing cute songs like last year, Haden sang Queen's "We Will Rock You" all the way home from school yesterday. It's a fun change!

We got to watch them feed the fish.

The avalanche machine was Haden's very most favorite part. The styrofoam "snowballs" have to be carried up to the top of the machine. When there are enough, they all come down flattening everything in their path. Haden is awesome at playing with anyone. He quickly befriended this little boy and they played together for a long time.

I think Lila's favorite part was the fossil dig. There was a sandbox full of tiny pieces of rubber. You were supposed to use a paintbrush to brush away the dirt and expose the fossil. Or just use the paintbrush as a utensil to throw the little rubber pieces. I bet the janitors hate that thing!

It was a fun day. Haden insisted that he couldn't walk any farther and dramatically collapsed. Not to be left out, Lila had to go sit down beside him.

It was a fun day! Both kids took long naps that afternoon.