Summer Vacation Part 1: Arrival

After two days in the car with two little kids, one big grump and a dog, I would have been happy to have been anywhere else. But this was much better than just anywhere. This was good people, good food, good weather and space. SPACE. Space to run around and beach to build forts on. And so many pies.And it was all in a setting that made me think I was had stumbled into a Sunset magazine photo shoot. Life can be very good sometimes.

Caleb's First Capoeira Belt

This weekend was a big weekend for Caleb. His entire Capoeira class earned their first belts! Mestres (masters) from all over the country flew in to celebrate the Batizados and helped out with the kids as well. They started with a special workshop from Mestre Batata (from Santa Monica) where he taught them "If you're happy and you know it" in Portuguese, and they practiced their handstands. Mestre Batata even included Zoe in the fun. Afterwards, the mestres picked up the instruments and played music while each kid was given a chance to enter the Roda and play with one of the mestres. Here's Caleb's performance:

Caleb was the last to go, and after he earned his belt, Mestre Batata invited Zoe into the roda where she went onto to impress everyone with her Capoerista skills.

Children's Fairlyand

Erin was busy working Saturday morning, so the kids and I hopped in the car and headed to Children's Fairyland. It was our first visit and as soon as Caleb saw the entrance (a giant shoe from the nursery rhyme of the old lady who lived in a shoe) he was hooked. He recognized the shoe from Sesame Street. We went in, got our hands stamped, and received our magical keys. These unlock special storybook audio machines around the park, and Caleb and Zoe ran from audio box to audio box putting in their keys to hear them play.

Caleb's Magical Key

The audio box

We visited the mole from the Wind in the Willows, Wonderland, Neverland, and Snow White among others. The kids rode the rides (The Jolly Trolley and the Ferris Wheel were among the favorites).

Caleb and Snow White

The Jolly Trolly

The Ferris Wheel

Later we saw a real-deal puppet show with marionettes about a rabbit going to a wishing well and wishing for red wings, followed by hot chocolate for everybody.

The puppet show

Easter!

Easter, being the Resurrection and all about rebirth and renewal, seems a fitting time to reboot the blog. We'll see how it goes.