A Hiking We Will Go

I just realized that I haven't blogged for a month as I watched Victoria reading the last post I did on our trip to Utah. I've been trying not to get distracted from our daily homeschool routine. I think we only had two days in May with nothing on our calendar. We took a hike at the beginning of May to San Pedro bluffs which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. We walked down the steep trail to see an awesome assortment of sea creatures (sea cucumber, starfish, sea anemones, and more). It was a great hike for the kids and us adults. Allan and Nicholas went on the hike again on the 20th with their cub scout pack. I wish I took a picture of the steep steps we walked up another portion of the trail. Lizzie had to use her knees to crawl up the steps, then I would lift her from step to step and eventually Allan carried her. Benjamin hiked up and down the bluff as well as the rest of the switchback trail. He is such a great hiker at age five. We will definitely have to go back there again! (Below past the pictures are the directions to the trail)


The boys led the way to the tide pools.




We crossed on a plank of wood and there was a
good fall depending on which way you fell.




Lizzie & I carefully going down the steep and slippery hill.




"Look mom and dad! I found a starfish"




The kids had a blast jumping from rock to rock.





Lizzie needed to take a rest in the shelter
which included a bbq.

 


This is the beautiful view we had while hiking.

Switchback Trail from Warmouth in San Pedro.  From the end of the I-110 freeway, take a right on N. Gaffey St. and then a quick left on Summerland Ave.  Go a mile and turn left on Western Ave.  Go 2.5 miles to the end of Western Ave. and head right on Paseo Del Mar.  Go 0.5 miles, turn left on Stargazer.  Follow Stargazer to its end and head right on Warmouth.  Park on the end of Warmouth and look for an open gate leading from the south side of the street.

Check out the website for more info:
http://nobodyhikesinla.com/tag/switchback-trail/


Summer Fun With Cousins

The Kids & Their Cousins: Can you tell their related?

Last week the kids had a blast spending time with their cousins. We decided we were going to go to this really fun musuem in Temecula called Pennypickle's Workshop. We called up Maddie & Sammie to see if they wanted to join us. It was a long drive (1 1/2 hours) as Benjamin asked, "When are we going to be there, mommy?" I brought lunches for all and we ate those in the van since I didn't know where a park was near the musuem. Benjamin kept us laughing with his silliness. I braved watching through Old Towne Temecula shops with six kids & no stroller for Lizzie. My nieces helped to keep Lizzie & Benjamin safe while crossing the street and obeying rules. We had to use up about an 1 hour until the next session. The kids entertained themselves in a cute kids boutique with toys & expensive children's clothing. They actually behaved very well. We splurged and bought Starbucks drinks (coffee free for the kids).

Here's the scoop on the musuem we ventured to. Pennypickle's workshop/Temecula's Children's Musuem is a 7500 square feet home cluttered with hands-on inventions, gadgets, experiments...and kids won't even know they're learning as they play! You walk into a very fun gift shop with lots of different things to take home. We left with a small butterfly finger puppet, a finger printing kit, a purple, glitterly night light, a green heart-shaped stone and a whistle. As you enter Professor Pennypickle's home the staff tells you to look for a penny & a pickle together. At those spots there is always something for the kids to look at, turn, touch, crank, stack, etc, etc. The kids love this place because you can touch almost everything. For kids who can read, the staff will give you a scavenger hunt and they get a small prize at the end. This was our second time going and we had a blast! Check out their website before you go. I'd say it is great for 18months on up: http://www.pennypickles.org/

This is Professor Pennypickle's Library

Lizzie enjoyed sitting in the time travel chair as the lights
dimmed and upbeat music played.

Time for Fun

Last week we had spent every day at the doctor. Lizzie had an eye infection and Nicholas had to have a laceration from camp looked at on Monday at the pediatrician. On Tuesday Victoria and Benjamin went to the ENT for their biannual visit and auditory test. Both stayed the same with their hearing loss. The doctor did think they needed allergy medicine though. I had scheduled Victoria's 10 year check-up for Wednesday and thankfully she didn't need any shots. But that same morning I found out that Ben needed a TB test for transitional kindergarten. He was not happy, but was very brave after he realized that it really didn't hurt. On Thursday, I had scheduled Nicholas and Elizabeth's ENT biannual appointment for their auditory test. Lizzie had not slept well the night before and as I suspected she had an ear infection. Nicholas' hearing stayed the same and Lizzie is still showing no hearing loss. Yea!! Finally on Friday we only had to have Ben's arm looked at for his TB test. Then we ran all of his paperwork over to the school district's office. He is now officially enrolled in a transitional kindergarten class. I even know his teacher's name. So after a week of doctor's visit we were ready for some fun.

First we met up with some friends at the Belmont Pier for this pirate festival. The kids did crafts, a treasure hunt, obstacle course, and a giant slide. We couldn't resist the yummy selling kettle corn. The best part was

hanging out in the shade watching our kids beat on buckets with wooden sticks. One of the craft ladies brought them over to us. Then we all headed over to Chili's to meet up with more friends for lunch. It was fun just hanging out with friends, enjoying our beautiful weather and watching our kids have fun!

A craft to lift the spirits (fill an egg with some favorite things,
seal with stickers, and as you shake it think positive thoughts)

The kids had a blast beating the buckets and drawing
in the sand with the sticks. We enjoyed the shade.

Mommy and daddy are letting me make lots
of beautiful noise. I'm a beach princess!