Stay-cation Adventures #2

For Stay-cation adventure #2 we thought we'd live like tourists do when they come to San Diego so we went and stayed at Paradise Point, a local beach resort.

The weather could have been a LOT warmer but that's what you get for San Diego in April and May.

There was a great spot overlooking the bay, with beautiful palms and flowers. I thought, "The kids are clean all at the same time. We should take a picture." (yes, I have low standards!)

I tried to pose them and I ended up with this:And then this:So I let them do their own thing and I got this:

Much better! They are so natural here.

The next morning we went for a walk on the beach. It was chilly but a great way to start the day.
I love how they like to write in the sand.It was so cold at the beach, Max was content hanging out in the stroller watching birds and playing with seashells. He is always a happy guy!
The best parts of our stay-cation are we won't be paying for it for months and we still got to squeeze in dentist and doctor appointments. We live in an amazing area and get into our daily ruts and we just don't take advantage of all it offers. So much to do... so little time!

We have a couple more days of break left and I asked Madeleine and Sam what they want to do and they said they want to just stay home. Really? All right.... I confess I'm tired out too. I suppose I'll learn how to relax a little...? I'm not sure I know how to do that but I'll try.

Thanks for checking in!
Cheers!
Christy

Stay-cation Adventures

Life lesson #57: "Life with 3 kids is expensive. Vacations shouldn't be."

With that in mind, we decided to do a stay-cation for Spring break. Thankfully, we live in an amazing area so we aimed to stay within San Diego county and do things we normally do not do.

We started last weekend camping in the Anza-Borrego Desert. The flowers are in bloom in the local mountains and the drive was gorgeous!We didn't do our traditional camping this time. We "roughed it." The Bureau of Land Management allows you to pull off a dirt road and camp where ever you want to. Did you know that? I didn't! We chose an area near a dry lake bed where the kids could climb rocks, have fun.... ...and giggle...We really were in the middle of nowhere!It was warm camping in the desert and the stars were AMAZING! (psst... love my new iPhone app called "Star Walk." We were finally able to figure out the constellations!)

On Day #2 Brentt said, I know these cool mud caves not far from here, let's go! Ok, I'm up for the adventure. An hour later after driving on dirt "roads" like this...I started doubting our destination (and the ability of my minivan!). Even looking through the informational book about the desert, there was no mention of this place.

This is it: Really? What?!? Not so cool until you get in there. Here is a video from inside the caves. I can't believe there is something like 3 million people who live in San Diego county and there were only a dozen or so people out here the whole time we were there. Well kept secret I suppose?

The caves were not "Max-able" but he still had fun. He makes his own adventures; usually by running away. Don't worry though, he charms and kisses his way out of trouble every time! On the way back to our campsite, we stopped at Hollywood and Vine Street. Maybe not the one you'd expect to see in Southern California...So weird!

Alas, Spring Break is not over yet. Check back for Stay-cation adventure #2.
Have a great day!
Christy

Spring already?

It feels like spring here! I know the calendar disagrees and that many of you still shoveling snow will disagree but...I think Spring may have snuck up on us here. In our mild climate Spring and Fall weather only last a couple weeks.

This morning we had an early morning rain and then Max and I went for a walk around the lake. You could really smell the Eucalyptus trees and we even saw some baby duckies. Too bad Max was sleeping and missed them. No matter, the dog barked and chased them away anyway.The sure sign of Spring in our yard is our peach tree....Yep, its blooming. Time to plan the garden and stir up the soil. I'm excited to grow food for Max's baby food.
Another sign of Spring is the outdoor sports have begun. Max loves to jump in his jumperoo on the back patio. Last week, he jumped himself to sleep.Maddie is playing softball this year, and so far, enjoys it. I have some great pictures but they are trapped in my scraproom on my external hard drive. (See the redecorating mess below.)

Sam has been riding his bike ALOT (like father, like son!) and has been working on stream crossings. Oddly, he loves getting all muddy and wet. I just think boys are wired to find a muddy puddle and love it.Good or bad, he can only do this here in the Spring. After the rains stop, we'll be back to being a desert landscape.

For me, spring means it is time for spring cleaning. Brentt is a little annoyed at how far I've gone because I'm not only cleaning out closets, I want to redecorate rooms too. Taking down wallpaper, retexturing walls, painting, sewing curtains, etc... It is a lot of work but my scraproom/office is going to be fabulous, someday. Here is what it looks like now:
ugh...Like I said, someday. Hopefully some wonderful Spring day. (My creativity cannot be contained until summer!)

Lent has begun so.... yes, my conclusion is that Spring has arrived. I hope your Spring arrives soon too!
Cheers!
Christy

The sun, the beach, and yummy scrap goodies

The sun has been shining and the birds have been singing! Life has been good. Sorry I've been away from the blog for over 2 weeks! Y'know the old saying... time flies when you're having fun. Well, not all of it has been fun. I potty trained Sam a couple weeks ago. He was so easy. I won't bore you with the potty details but it really wasn't that bad. I expected much worse!

It was warm most of all of last week so we blew up our cheesy, cheap swimming pool and the kids had a blast!

Then, it cooled off again. Our friends had their 3rd baby so their older kids came and stayed for a couple days. Once again, the kids had a blast. Just look at Maddie and Bella this day. They insisted on looking like twins. If you didn't know it, they could pass as sisters! Oh, and here's the latest celebrity. They named him Xavier Todd. Mom and baby are healthy and happy. Isn't he beautiful?!? How's that for stoking the "I want a third child" fire?!?Then Saturday was another warm day so we thought we'd brave the beach. It had been a while since we'd been there and we wanted to go before Spring Break next week. (All the tourists in San Diego during breaks is really crazy for us locals. ) Sand! Sand! Everywhere!!!And then, of course, I make time for my scrapbooking obsession. I just made this wall hanging with some papers and sticker journaling spots from Jenni Bowlin. Each month her site has full instructions on how to make something new. This was the February idea. I didn't follow it exactly, but you can find it here. For the red paint, I used my glimmer mist (Candy Apple Red) and painted the edges and back of the cardboard base. I'm loving the glimmer mist these days! I also used that same shade of Glimmer mist to paint this Maya Road chipboard album. I know it's weird to some people but I scrapbook backwards. Meaning that I make something inspiring, and later add, or even take pictures for it. There are no pictures in this album yet. I'm in the process of evaluating and photographing "what I live for today". It's a good introspective process for me. I used all my new and old favorite things that I'd been saving for "the perfect project". I was even generous with my favorite vintage lace. I can't even close this album so I guess I'll find someplace for it to stand. Ha!

It is Spring!

I found this lovely Spring poem and I wanted to share it with you. It could be referencing the Spring season or perhaps, the Spring of a child's life. But it definitely goes well with these pictures I took of Madeleine at our peach tree.

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!
~L.H. Bailey

Enjoy your day!
Christy

Signs of Spring

Even here in San Diego, Spring comes with a welcome relief. It's been a rainy "Winter" and I'm looking forward to more warm days. Don't get me wrong ----I'm no fool! I grew up in Minnesota where Winter is a harsh awakening to the human response to survival. I hated winter. That's why I live her. Now, in San Diego, Winter is not that bad. I do miss the vividness of the change of seasons. I think that's why I seek out and cherish our subtle signs. Here are some pictures after a recent rain.

Our peach tree is now in full bloom!

And we have a few cool weather vegetables growing in the garden already.

I hope you're able to find a little Spring in your day! Happy Friday!
Off to a lenten fish fry. Do you think the church will serve wine? ;)
Cheers!
Christy