tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31430745015975593852024-03-05T11:36:32.316-08:00Ryder Wrong?With everything going on here, it's impossible to tell!MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.comBlogger601125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-83927129364071627092014-06-20T19:18:00.000-07:002014-06-23T14:31:24.627-07:00Elementary No MoreIt was just three blog posts ago that I wrote about Smunch's first day of 6th grade. Although, I've been terribly remiss in updating my blog, it really does feel like that was about two blog posts ago. How is it then, that he was "promoted" from 6th grade last week?<br />
<br />
Fresh off the baseball win, Smunch attended the school's traditional 6th grade pool party on Monday. I admit, I hadn't given this event a whole lot of thought. There was a pool, there was swimming, Smunch would love it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57ACijcR-ruCWI7JrRNFJEloccyBfhZT6q0DF971XcWJZa286OjmmN4usnU72A_5AmkbEq6h3Re6PLG8ktpapDfO0JjIdxw5oHCBtY1wbCG8SBQLKGtb0eWw1-M2Z3AuSgqT8CM-h_L4/s1600/IMG_3427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57ACijcR-ruCWI7JrRNFJEloccyBfhZT6q0DF971XcWJZa286OjmmN4usnU72A_5AmkbEq6h3Re6PLG8ktpapDfO0JjIdxw5oHCBtY1wbCG8SBQLKGtb0eWw1-M2Z3AuSgqT8CM-h_L4/s400/IMG_3427.jpg" /></a></div>But I forgot to consider that he's in 6th grade and while he's still kind of a little kid in his own way, girls in 6th grade are tall, developing and...holy bikinis Batman! I did not photograph those cute skinny girls in their cute little bikinis. Smunch hung out with his happily geeky friends and pretended not to notice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEueM7MhZcE4hYhX3Rdr7sOt2mpIS1ByGYeP1hRrfISyCiL7G1E7D7bnDJnXfD3F5_dEX_C0xG6CxCWsIhlMka1zP6UdLCvYKvAAlJfPscgbl8eNyz1D1BK61HuLgcCzgG2e8JSWC7gU/s1600/IMG_3431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEueM7MhZcE4hYhX3Rdr7sOt2mpIS1ByGYeP1hRrfISyCiL7G1E7D7bnDJnXfD3F5_dEX_C0xG6CxCWsIhlMka1zP6UdLCvYKvAAlJfPscgbl8eNyz1D1BK61HuLgcCzgG2e8JSWC7gU/s400/IMG_3431.jpg" /></a></div>Maybe he didn't notice. But I'm skeptical that he's quite that naive with all the media consumption he does.<br />
<br />
I didn't stick around. It no longer seems particularly appropriate. It would be like hanging out at one of his friends' birthday parties. <br />
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Wednesday, the 6th graders had their traditional jump rope performance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZTrTfpeoyeChiF4FVNvH8A1SrFDaDtR2iA964uOgGPNcdB_yZfCCiAM0-Iy10h2ekd1NSEQSfIvh6lxrrns_wUSOgpTBQQ7jeZSLGfh9r7zKqiTPLiC0hIZQ6vJtk2fPl9nAu_C3BbQ/s1600/IMG_4154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZTrTfpeoyeChiF4FVNvH8A1SrFDaDtR2iA964uOgGPNcdB_yZfCCiAM0-Iy10h2ekd1NSEQSfIvh6lxrrns_wUSOgpTBQQ7jeZSLGfh9r7zKqiTPLiC0hIZQ6vJtk2fPl9nAu_C3BbQ/s400/IMG_4154.jpg" /></a></div>I'd seen similar perfomances from past 6th grade classes. In the olden days, I walked my kids to school and hung out until they went into their classrooms. I admit my internal thoughts about this performance were along the lines of, "Hmmm...I don't think Smunch can do jump rope. I guess we'll see."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCRjeSVD5B6Oh738x5AJTQAbGUD3CLT4LStzxIWJ_yqCdmwVKohFCc9Gnzs_2g1DDgDKBw2DVWXRMUoVXdqfjIc1dDa1emhgMgKON1banhYV1ORMD9yNQsgJKGIY2wuRphE7dTpDijuU/s1600/IMG_4144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCRjeSVD5B6Oh738x5AJTQAbGUD3CLT4LStzxIWJ_yqCdmwVKohFCc9Gnzs_2g1DDgDKBw2DVWXRMUoVXdqfjIc1dDa1emhgMgKON1banhYV1ORMD9yNQsgJKGIY2wuRphE7dTpDijuU/s400/IMG_4144.jpg" /></a></div>So, uh, yeah. That's pretty much the case.<br />
<br />
They also did a little line dance. I have a feeling Smunch was a little more comfortable with that one, but really, getting a bunch of pre-teens to do such a thing is a small miracle. Many of them looked tortured.<br />
<br />
And that just left Thursday, or "Promotion Day". I did the legwork. Got the kid a decent haircut, bought him some acceptable duds for the occasion. Of course, he wouldn't go shopping with me, so that really meant being his personal concierge, but alls well that ends well, I guess.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR4kmuOxilMXLphvqDkZkohtbBzXU-VgJmKo-D6cW1J9KKpd0PkAMS6X3IE_s8M3uw8lCt1V0jnfAIZ6W_YYSAKraYR7305Gs99A4WSn9-NWb8iuA-EmtCdgY8w1E40unnuMMsWmFmpU/s1600/IMG_3435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR4kmuOxilMXLphvqDkZkohtbBzXU-VgJmKo-D6cW1J9KKpd0PkAMS6X3IE_s8M3uw8lCt1V0jnfAIZ6W_YYSAKraYR7305Gs99A4WSn9-NWb8iuA-EmtCdgY8w1E40unnuMMsWmFmpU/s400/IMG_3435.jpg" /></a></div>That's one good-looking kid, if I do say so myself...and I do.<br />
<br />
He hasn't been so certain about graduating from elementary school. He's been at the same school for seven years now, after all. Change is not his favorite item on the menu. He still didn't look so sure as he toted his chair to the front...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqeQH7wdO_14QULmwM50JH0E9ZzYA2At5Sl3RYJk7byiaFUjb0g6YE0_b_wlyr_mfayv32Go9ugxW4yVUPLrwdsK0L05oxea7X1owOG19Urfhl3g17BzX6eUXsH5733uAziS1Vy8B3fI/s1600/IMG_3441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqeQH7wdO_14QULmwM50JH0E9ZzYA2At5Sl3RYJk7byiaFUjb0g6YE0_b_wlyr_mfayv32Go9ugxW4yVUPLrwdsK0L05oxea7X1owOG19Urfhl3g17BzX6eUXsH5733uAziS1Vy8B3fI/s400/IMG_3441.jpg" /></a></div>not so sure as he resolutely marched out to Pomp and Circumstance either.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx-7ftnsgxJZQs-C_lBD1SAo7djwGakWeJgULsPlZAkHa2OE2TpLFMt3eFHCzecwxdYsbjA-0vT8C2TgflzF2rt5sx8M6Jb7-Ve8ZEmyLfDyLwFrOVyUr2mHcWX0JCJsIEzVqbVfLE8w/s1600/IMG_3443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrx-7ftnsgxJZQs-C_lBD1SAo7djwGakWeJgULsPlZAkHa2OE2TpLFMt3eFHCzecwxdYsbjA-0vT8C2TgflzF2rt5sx8M6Jb7-Ve8ZEmyLfDyLwFrOVyUr2mHcWX0JCJsIEzVqbVfLE8w/s400/IMG_3443.jpg" /></a></div>He didn't even look up. I wondered if he was afraid to catch my eye in case he was teary...or I was. I'd already warned him I would cry through the whole ceremony. He didn't look any more sure of his future as he sat and waited for his turn on the stage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n8Sk20GzKEozMdlwtBO9vCZt0_VA8JcBGAuSC4c_MUhwWUErFsQ9K96G7v2ucnD5WurCBj1rNIJ0Z5K93SBECj890iuTtUkcpqkubiQIM9ifGt39Ph2J8i4dcNhGXonZQtZd7CBmb08/s1600/IMG_4188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n8Sk20GzKEozMdlwtBO9vCZt0_VA8JcBGAuSC4c_MUhwWUErFsQ9K96G7v2ucnD5WurCBj1rNIJ0Z5K93SBECj890iuTtUkcpqkubiQIM9ifGt39Ph2J8i4dcNhGXonZQtZd7CBmb08/s400/IMG_4188.jpg" /></a></div>His class was promoted last and with a name at the end of the alphabet, 80 kids were promoted before he finally got to stand near the edge of the stage. (Just five were promoted after him.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3NVMluDfm2-QwlpIbGxrLcctpOt5eRKWHyy_KpQp5KqGyeoF9an-JbyqWSs2veDgFyenNjfErGnwYT0gpcAK82LHmLx5tk3uEIXunsibqddvhYiuNcnb1e4Cl3ClqmVKdvieS6R2VSg/s1600/IMG_4198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3NVMluDfm2-QwlpIbGxrLcctpOt5eRKWHyy_KpQp5KqGyeoF9an-JbyqWSs2veDgFyenNjfErGnwYT0gpcAK82LHmLx5tk3uEIXunsibqddvhYiuNcnb1e4Cl3ClqmVKdvieS6R2VSg/s400/IMG_4198.jpg" /></a></div>Finally, he had his turn on the stage.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaoZoH-k0-Dpi4TOmnKuqoOKbZsviqJ0l_yHlGf76K9pDOLklXJbz31jYv6EZN7KI6FgYOT0Bk73HA1-wvg4JQVs6wiy6oO7uL3nW9N2JzbXEMWezusz_9EHPeVzPfDHlmcfyDZVLcKo/s1600/IMG_4201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaoZoH-k0-Dpi4TOmnKuqoOKbZsviqJ0l_yHlGf76K9pDOLklXJbz31jYv6EZN7KI6FgYOT0Bk73HA1-wvg4JQVs6wiy6oO7uL3nW9N2JzbXEMWezusz_9EHPeVzPfDHlmcfyDZVLcKo/s400/IMG_4201.jpg" /></a></div>His teacher said some kind words about him...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l8y0wJDbMzlESpLpnmiPrUe_2AZXJtognpKGETPHuevntegfF7MJaE8qSlnUGmFRSrFYeuYjmZ0OSg5opLmc-GYQuB8iaAiFQYPky5QZaev-yjzNxvnvG6dyyAguoyfIjf8iQeV-1Yo/s1600/IMG_4200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l8y0wJDbMzlESpLpnmiPrUe_2AZXJtognpKGETPHuevntegfF7MJaE8qSlnUGmFRSrFYeuYjmZ0OSg5opLmc-GYQuB8iaAiFQYPky5QZaev-yjzNxvnvG6dyyAguoyfIjf8iQeV-1Yo/s400/IMG_4200.jpg" /></a></div>the principal handed him his "portfolio", including his Certificate of Promotion and a Presidential award and letter for his high GPA...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViBXwRY3BwbpR5Nt58x5SfDIw2d-gV9r0xbXx33Zsd6_xgKiNHNxSryB3N9Qopm1XdTPw-AIfKit5YktCCQeR0qsMHw1CN19usYmRZPX5AMsYoj7J78l_hQWoYgZt3Jce5YI242RjBXI/s1600/IMG_4204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViBXwRY3BwbpR5Nt58x5SfDIw2d-gV9r0xbXx33Zsd6_xgKiNHNxSryB3N9Qopm1XdTPw-AIfKit5YktCCQeR0qsMHw1CN19usYmRZPX5AMsYoj7J78l_hQWoYgZt3Jce5YI242RjBXI/s400/IMG_4204.jpg" /></a></div>and then he was back in his seat, looking really no more certain than he did before,looking at the white envelope he'd been given.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlaNi_82ZNI4VIZIVEUbCMElV8Vw7j21UE7aXrVr_Qq5xJhu94P_SFoMUY0f2qiHgraCp0LXssKepdzRbMJoN1zolrbQIUfkbbhZLZWizQdZWjxIFw-Lfz7aC0Ksq7WuqIckIt7Rswwk/s1600/IMG_4206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlaNi_82ZNI4VIZIVEUbCMElV8Vw7j21UE7aXrVr_Qq5xJhu94P_SFoMUY0f2qiHgraCp0LXssKepdzRbMJoN1zolrbQIUfkbbhZLZWizQdZWjxIFw-Lfz7aC0Ksq7WuqIckIt7Rswwk/s400/IMG_4206.jpg" /></a></div>And then it was over. And so was his elementary school career. I'm sure it seemed like an eternity to Smunch, after all he has spent more than half his life there to date. But it seemed like such a whirlwind to me! I still remember how sad and scared my little guy was when I left him at kindergarten and the near panic attack he had on his second day of 1st grade. Relatively speaking, he's <i>so</i> grown up now. So smart, so responsible, so well-established in his little world.<br />
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All the 6th graders were represented by a star on the "Star Wall".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBg9-p7gQoUAFj_hsaP1wmMJ5gqezzxk4Ddis6RjFjCnXgl-qg8SqEkPAL5IQ-Vox3vbLHXQxIFd7jWwBuSLymtfWDi2AEJP5OE1Wx7cM64TDaFkydJW_CJN_OlY_LLeUhhZsDc4dJTE/s1600/IMG_3438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBg9-p7gQoUAFj_hsaP1wmMJ5gqezzxk4Ddis6RjFjCnXgl-qg8SqEkPAL5IQ-Vox3vbLHXQxIFd7jWwBuSLymtfWDi2AEJP5OE1Wx7cM64TDaFkydJW_CJN_OlY_LLeUhhZsDc4dJTE/s400/IMG_3438.jpg" /></a></div>Smunch was there too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuMImdkwef-XBuqrtDwvDLv4R1-jpXglrkNxzS95KMiIMIUhIQJNvd4fpTigYUolXXfzCgczwXJ501wAoOL7meB9RS4I6jntG5wRCiAyo3GimDLzsq6Q9KCqPzj7GRGCGKMzLmkM3j70/s1600/IMG_3439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuMImdkwef-XBuqrtDwvDLv4R1-jpXglrkNxzS95KMiIMIUhIQJNvd4fpTigYUolXXfzCgczwXJ501wAoOL7meB9RS4I6jntG5wRCiAyo3GimDLzsq6Q9KCqPzj7GRGCGKMzLmkM3j70/s400/IMG_3439.jpg" /></a></div>No hint whatsoever that he isn't ready to go. I know that he is.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85b9kUg2kU5luGn-LwdWe6-aUBSL72rTUc-n6ZnXpA5RCEZLWpI1GBsAhOjHtUlzafmephPJAqkvkLEtsKA8xdeEhTaLf5U4q6VcnZeBAgGrtZRevKj3_fPpvIIEEwNk8rgZjFCnMbl0/s1600/IMG_3444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85b9kUg2kU5luGn-LwdWe6-aUBSL72rTUc-n6ZnXpA5RCEZLWpI1GBsAhOjHtUlzafmephPJAqkvkLEtsKA8xdeEhTaLf5U4q6VcnZeBAgGrtZRevKj3_fPpvIIEEwNk8rgZjFCnMbl0/s400/IMG_3444.jpg" /></a></div>I'm pretty sure his 6th grade teacher feels he's very well prepared, although she said she would miss him. I believe her. This was her first class...ever. She will miss many of them, I'd guess.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljxaOKfaoAxdgUSFYecdQvDBqBNeFhzk-HBgzzYK5-39oQKCCzfBGugEWPc8jUi_z-LWyGUE5QocQV97hymNRdpseakp59WHZAWn67pmsU5nv5dK99MNWgmh_PR5QO73YF0cXlp1GpEo/s1600/IMG_3451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljxaOKfaoAxdgUSFYecdQvDBqBNeFhzk-HBgzzYK5-39oQKCCzfBGugEWPc8jUi_z-LWyGUE5QocQV97hymNRdpseakp59WHZAWn67pmsU5nv5dK99MNWgmh_PR5QO73YF0cXlp1GpEo/s400/IMG_3451.jpg" /></a></div>I just hope that <i>he</i> believes he is ready. Because he is. He really is.<br />
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And what did we do to celebrate? I suppose some kids would ask to go to Disneyland. For a few kids, however, THIS is Disneyland.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvhFnX-Cm2PGhAjRiEby4mky3wD6bSTDhusDPob3caWXyVOSotBbrtTwd2fmPMS3D_gFEOhUoHWQ65O_hh8iPvYLL0KNINRkI9l2YyItIKrAikS-JdXHD40ggvlDlgGhJRxb0UkAGSXY/s1600/IMG_3454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvhFnX-Cm2PGhAjRiEby4mky3wD6bSTDhusDPob3caWXyVOSotBbrtTwd2fmPMS3D_gFEOhUoHWQ65O_hh8iPvYLL0KNINRkI9l2YyItIKrAikS-JdXHD40ggvlDlgGhJRxb0UkAGSXY/s400/IMG_3454.jpg" /></a></div>So, before Mam was done, Smunch and I went home and found some tickets to purchase. Then we picked up his sister who had just finished 4th grade (although he probably would have preferred not to)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDYJtsUROH89BUAjYUltpL2kReZeMPCz8UMcUaLwUpdKAt6kLQ-aePZ5nFhAXKu9wiiDDr5tj3RJEdDPOA8DTBtOh27ji0TORAL5WXrarkx_dAxXyk48tnguiuOLrNB6NfIHBZ4fHcaA/s1600/IMG_3452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDYJtsUROH89BUAjYUltpL2kReZeMPCz8UMcUaLwUpdKAt6kLQ-aePZ5nFhAXKu9wiiDDr5tj3RJEdDPOA8DTBtOh27ji0TORAL5WXrarkx_dAxXyk48tnguiuOLrNB6NfIHBZ4fHcaA/s400/IMG_3452.jpg" /></a></div>and headed out to the ballpark. I told him I would buy him a sundae to celebrate. And at $10.50 each, I thought I'd also paid for the privilege to take Smunch's picture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeufhPvOZ8XyCXS2TRpqoxPxmllNnugzJZ9EJvPE5ZcwGKxtiX2xL9hxYz14uebL0m0DQvrrJfweQAo2YTyyYZvCeDoR8FU-nL1i06fpXFdZb8upumWT9PEt7B7aI-auIy23A732WlKY/s1600/IMG_3460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeufhPvOZ8XyCXS2TRpqoxPxmllNnugzJZ9EJvPE5ZcwGKxtiX2xL9hxYz14uebL0m0DQvrrJfweQAo2YTyyYZvCeDoR8FU-nL1i06fpXFdZb8upumWT9PEt7B7aI-auIy23A732WlKY/s400/IMG_3460.jpg" /></a></div>He was a much happier camper than he might appear. Special thanks to this guy...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjmD7XjCifLj80Oy4GAMMLMKUIx67GD2GitOqoXnHRKe7pPmv1iqWoFEY6WWRjvx36kFRgQHYGCTLHFqFaDXIkrKTcsNFXwzNodsxlq7jAR0jIdJf9yUX_LORCEDxxdwx5T8dXaswP_g/s1600/IMG_3458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjmD7XjCifLj80Oy4GAMMLMKUIx67GD2GitOqoXnHRKe7pPmv1iqWoFEY6WWRjvx36kFRgQHYGCTLHFqFaDXIkrKTcsNFXwzNodsxlq7jAR0jIdJf9yUX_LORCEDxxdwx5T8dXaswP_g/s400/IMG_3458.jpg" /></a></div>Michael Morse, who had quite a day. So the Giants won...which was perhaps far more exciting to a 12-year-old baseball fan than any elementary school promotion could ever be.<br />
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Happy Summer!MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-22717603841967358592014-06-20T18:27:00.000-07:002014-06-20T18:28:14.394-07:00More WinnersYou might be familiar with a little trend on Facebook called "100 Happy Days". I don't know much about it, but I gather that the point is to post something that makes you happy for 100 days in a row. It's a nice idea. I don't post on Facebook every day and I don't want to, so I'm not joining in, but it does make me think about how I might shift my outlook just a little and feel a lot luckier than I do. Despite everything that has gone wildly wrong, so <i>many</i> things are going right these days. <br />
<br />
So here are some happy thoughts for today. This year, Smunch spent a second baseball season (as is customary) playing in the Bronco division of our local PONY baseball league. <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2013/06/feeling-giant.html">Last year</a>, as you may recall, was a stunning success. It would be hard to measure up to that.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9vNYKU1l65Udj6BbXVGXY9fU3nw02bcfyIPgwBHeZIbxz-0cf3F9FuCL0iRaCYciEAnjqfDskMmUs7so8gqRi3J2G6KhcUo72WF_XZ-4XyM2WXc5r7kGg7se5QU-hz-teWduWRzjjhg/s1600/IMG_3975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9vNYKU1l65Udj6BbXVGXY9fU3nw02bcfyIPgwBHeZIbxz-0cf3F9FuCL0iRaCYciEAnjqfDskMmUs7so8gqRi3J2G6KhcUo72WF_XZ-4XyM2WXc5r7kGg7se5QU-hz-teWduWRzjjhg/s400/IMG_3975.jpg" /></a></div>This year, Smunch played for the Pirates. And he was on the older side on this team. In fact, he wasn't even the shortest kid on the team. There were THREE players shorter than he was...which is kind of a big deal when you've been the shortest for so long. Admittedly, this was a pretty darned short team in general.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTN34iizG2eftEEnRBt0R-DlMvoWIvUUbOf3qs7JHBwXAznOoG_SqIc2DkpvuaOQESKnWbFh7_OygZ2KKPRZF3Yk8D_HytsuTMT_qzD_NoEa_eZqKZez9TprA6J6E1Zm6YG5MpzJqEdk/s1600/IMG_3987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTN34iizG2eftEEnRBt0R-DlMvoWIvUUbOf3qs7JHBwXAznOoG_SqIc2DkpvuaOQESKnWbFh7_OygZ2KKPRZF3Yk8D_HytsuTMT_qzD_NoEa_eZqKZez9TprA6J6E1Zm6YG5MpzJqEdk/s400/IMG_3987.jpg" /></a></div>The coach was a good guy. He had a short major league career with the Atlanta Braves, or say they say. Smunch got to play a lot and got to pitch, even though he was far from the most menacing pitcher on the team.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyUBt_99DWfeXti-ITfhmUV_mY3WNlPvRCB37oHLS5gecRfSFA1bLtx3SGdB0nLiVYMDY8N-VsKypIEsCMgBHFcxeg-XhxjaiFQWHSR2nOuFv-73rlk_hSCCeghz22-BFCw6fXoofdTw/s1600/IMG_4032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyUBt_99DWfeXti-ITfhmUV_mY3WNlPvRCB37oHLS5gecRfSFA1bLtx3SGdB0nLiVYMDY8N-VsKypIEsCMgBHFcxeg-XhxjaiFQWHSR2nOuFv-73rlk_hSCCeghz22-BFCw6fXoofdTw/s400/IMG_4032.jpg" /></a></div>Geez. He looks intense.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g1fCcz2794edJ6gYGh27gvedtNCSgrDw7AptUOG1TizgUHvv6Ek8bCI7ky_T1Lly6su8uXgVDES5Koasaw5VZSegcADqbAVQ1wdtz86uSvCNwNripeLyX9NqjZEiOY2fap8yiGqfmH4/s1600/IMG_4056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g1fCcz2794edJ6gYGh27gvedtNCSgrDw7AptUOG1TizgUHvv6Ek8bCI7ky_T1Lly6su8uXgVDES5Koasaw5VZSegcADqbAVQ1wdtz86uSvCNwNripeLyX9NqjZEiOY2fap8yiGqfmH4/s400/IMG_4056.jpg" /></a></div>As with last year, I managed Mam's softball team. And as with last year, I missed much of baseball because I was a a softball game or a softball practice. By the end of the season, Smunch had lost a lot of patience with that, so I started finding other moms to sub for me at practice when Smunch was playing in the days leading up to the playoffs.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q3moiREGUKHxNDXdc4J4teH-JvlhoSQFFT9iZoCK0izx4zj4H11XI_SvkBe7wanW_HxLOq4zR5vfcTc72W3aeQ6Wiw9XI5kUUUpYbgMq07ezV23ck1LgmVuOkzuje6NWGiQzJ9Z59bQ/s1600/IMG_4023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q3moiREGUKHxNDXdc4J4teH-JvlhoSQFFT9iZoCK0izx4zj4H11XI_SvkBe7wanW_HxLOq4zR5vfcTc72W3aeQ6Wiw9XI5kUUUpYbgMq07ezV23ck1LgmVuOkzuje6NWGiQzJ9Z59bQ/s400/IMG_4023.jpg" /></a></div>That's the only reason there are any pictures, really.<br />
<br />
The Bronco divison included 10 teams. The playoffs include four games of "pool" play (two pools of five teams each) and then single-elimination bracket play. It meant a lot of baseball between May 29th and June 4th for the Pirates. Nevertheless, at the end of pool play, they were the only team with a 4-0 record. They went on to the semi-finals Friday night where they played a tense game against the Nationals, who they had mysteriously not played against the entire season. The Pirates won 4-3. So, Saturday was the big day of the Championship Game...again. And again, Smunch's team faced the Rangers...who were again, "the dreaded Rangers". <br />
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But these weren't the same kids, or even the same coach as the team from a year ago. One of their players, having been warned about he propensity to "truck the catcher" at homeplate, had left the team since the last time the Pirates played them. Another of their players was tragically undergoing treatment for cancer. It almost made you want to root for them...almost. <br />
<br />
Last year, I'd had to juggle Mam's travel softball tournament with the championships. This year, I was lucky. The championship fell on a weekend with no softball tournament. So I was there for the entire game. Smunch initiated a wicked-good double play from his knees at second base, but that was the most memorable part of his performance.<br />
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These games make me tense. I decided that I would pay attention rather than take pictures. I'm not sure that was a good plan. I need the distraction. The game see-sawed back and forth and it seemed like an eternity before the final out was recorded...the out that gave the Pirates a 5-4 victory.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gRrLEAe067U0KbQ7p9my3rgMoiZRAoPdyHsZ7RaSwZ_ekdZ8_JQERzq8jlPiXb9S6FSjIk327XQufqCE6LDX_vir64Kx5VYvp83UZcXGkrOk8b1IrbNF1gDu6uPslgNiOLntn-lw8EY/s1600/IMG_4098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gRrLEAe067U0KbQ7p9my3rgMoiZRAoPdyHsZ7RaSwZ_ekdZ8_JQERzq8jlPiXb9S6FSjIk327XQufqCE6LDX_vir64Kx5VYvp83UZcXGkrOk8b1IrbNF1gDu6uPslgNiOLntn-lw8EY/s400/IMG_4098.jpg" /></a></div>This was not the Giants team of last year either. There was none of the same celebrating on the field that that team did. There wasn't quite the same joy, but perhaps it's because the game was so tight that there was mostly just relief at the end. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj_od52uwnqfJRKtI2yVeK7UKAaXultAOHnxqFdJrdXuFAa0B2sOoTwAggsryh4Ixdso5Xdvbaiyx8eiu5VWct4_OAqF7BeR4vHnZqoxDW4rBdXKaHiBfmvZ6ci0aQAzO_bPUbw8Z7g8/s1600/IMG_4124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJj_od52uwnqfJRKtI2yVeK7UKAaXultAOHnxqFdJrdXuFAa0B2sOoTwAggsryh4Ixdso5Xdvbaiyx8eiu5VWct4_OAqF7BeR4vHnZqoxDW4rBdXKaHiBfmvZ6ci0aQAzO_bPUbw8Z7g8/s400/IMG_4124.jpg" /></a></div>Two of his former teammates from last year's Giants were on the Rangers team this year. Smunch was the only former Giant in Pirates uniform...the only kid in the whole league with consecutive 2013 and 2014 first place trophies. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6pShAyqHFBjSZCbhhGYS0jOCVPRx0ZcWYmGAeqJMECocPi3ksGQTuoTGEjzAWRlo2yV7dxgQd5KYTvblx0X-vCeNzwje737jDOIWeEjuo5KyorM_fn6Lp38LknwwyJujHcf45tecrkY/s1600/IMG_3362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6pShAyqHFBjSZCbhhGYS0jOCVPRx0ZcWYmGAeqJMECocPi3ksGQTuoTGEjzAWRlo2yV7dxgQd5KYTvblx0X-vCeNzwje737jDOIWeEjuo5KyorM_fn6Lp38LknwwyJujHcf45tecrkY/s400/IMG_3362.jpg" /></a></div>He took it all in stride. Apparently, it's less of a big deal to win the championship if you just did it the previous year. Spoiled any?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsk72Sg1wtNekiJxV6q8pb_PzrONq0YOvLC76c5kYRkciJIVTIIyfFz2v-xBVUzcSWBkejB4kjbF9dcZUsH5-cTW3WIfPalypNFz9m6x0mqei2SxqmmGZCRsYNpqc-WgPLGoWHiUJ8XQ/s1600/IMG_3355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsk72Sg1wtNekiJxV6q8pb_PzrONq0YOvLC76c5kYRkciJIVTIIyfFz2v-xBVUzcSWBkejB4kjbF9dcZUsH5-cTW3WIfPalypNFz9m6x0mqei2SxqmmGZCRsYNpqc-WgPLGoWHiUJ8XQ/s400/IMG_3355.jpg" /></a></div>And what did I do to celebrate? Well, the kids went home with their dad and I did the kind of thing you'd expect me to do when there's a team party the next day. I made a cake. And I had a lot of fun doing it too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrehbUt7UGI46bt59YtzWlsAO5cMp9uPdhJv5NLU6IjOkcn9r1pr4dtn5MOF1OatFvuT2afMxuo8J96w7hur-06MD9SQ2xfgyRFbv27C5BfSI_PtnPjNA_B3utmY7BHZcURGIETiScfs/s1600/IMG_3377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrehbUt7UGI46bt59YtzWlsAO5cMp9uPdhJv5NLU6IjOkcn9r1pr4dtn5MOF1OatFvuT2afMxuo8J96w7hur-06MD9SQ2xfgyRFbv27C5BfSI_PtnPjNA_B3utmY7BHZcURGIETiScfs/s400/IMG_3377.jpg" /></a></div>We had a wonderful picnic in the park late Sunday afternoon. The kids, dressed in shorts and T-shirts, played wiffle ball while the adults chatted and snacked. It was roasting hot, which made the cake a tad melty, but nobody seemed to care.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm2ZDnbkL2C2xmDHAxNPoXR1YYXeKsUv9g5L1rGR4Dxmz17e7QaPhaN2f6SzgUkQtTydDN2vfxdhMERtdBb09xNX946gZUdc9JExcCP6qeQKrXmHLMtT2eNHYwAE2sIXSwx4Z46hIVP0/s1600/IMG_3418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm2ZDnbkL2C2xmDHAxNPoXR1YYXeKsUv9g5L1rGR4Dxmz17e7QaPhaN2f6SzgUkQtTydDN2vfxdhMERtdBb09xNX946gZUdc9JExcCP6qeQKrXmHLMtT2eNHYwAE2sIXSwx4Z46hIVP0/s400/IMG_3418.jpg" /></a></div>And there it was. Another successful season in the bag. No big deal. Looking forward to doing it all again next year! MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-34808962743536363672014-05-27T16:52:00.000-07:002014-06-20T18:34:20.385-07:00WinnerThis photo was the winner for the Wildlife division of the Mid-peninsula Regional Open Space District photo contest.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOzME3ftf6Z_DFs5hxSdChDgnCAq_KzwTehFkpIT5v3ruFmhGCFeaHJTABUVv943B4Jk3shE17zA9AxsKabFUL_my47IyGgatcXOwiRSxT0IEBRCURcbIs2-wJFrNdGKDdDvkKXkbWUE/s1600/IMG_7558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOzME3ftf6Z_DFs5hxSdChDgnCAq_KzwTehFkpIT5v3ruFmhGCFeaHJTABUVv943B4Jk3shE17zA9AxsKabFUL_my47IyGgatcXOwiRSxT0IEBRCURcbIs2-wJFrNdGKDdDvkKXkbWUE/s400/IMG_7558.JPG" /></a></div>You might recognize it. I posted it here months ago...long before I submitted it to this contest. <br />
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I was pretty excited to get any kind of recognition for my photography. I saw the runners up. They were really nice photos. Perhaps someone should have told those fantastic photographers of birds and snakes that cute furry critters always win the day.<br />
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The irony here, of course, is that I'm feeling a whole lot more like a loser these days. Can't find a job, can't save a failing marriage, sometimes it doesn't seem like I can raise a couple of kids right either. <br />
<br />
So, it comes down to this. I take some nice photos. I decorate some impressive cakes. I carve some killer pumpkins. I can even do a great job of managing a dugout of 12 girls and dealing with their parents. What is <i>wrong</i> with this picture. How is it that I have all these things I enjoy and have some talent for and yet...I can't find a job? <br />
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And this is the point where I'd tell one of my kids to quit their whining already!<br />
<br />
MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-50229894113012962672013-09-02T16:07:00.000-07:002013-09-20T14:06:19.090-07:00A Long Trip HomeSometime before dinner on Wednesday, I realized that everywhere we could stop overnight on our way home was going to be HOT. And having taken a shower, rinsed off all the caked sweat and dirt, I wasn't feeling so inclined to camp in the desert again. The North Rim isn't anywhere near as hot as everything we needed to drive through on the way back.<br />
<p>So, I pulled out my secret plan, devised just for this eventuality. And using the very iffy internet connection at the campground general store, I booked a hotel room in Las Vegas. Smunch was ridiculously excited. He couldn't wait to see The Strip. Somewhere along the line, he'd heard about the Luxor and was dying to see the beam of light shooting from the top. Um. O.K.<br />
<p>Smunch also wanted to see the Hoover Dam. And you know what? We don't just drive out to Vegas all the time, so I decided we'd make time for that. It involved driving through Las Vegas, driving to the dam and then driving back to Vegas. We arrived at Hoover Dam around 3:30 in the afternoon, which was just enough time to take a tour. And when it's 110 outside, a tour is really kinda nice. There's a lot of security at the dam and most of the tour revolves around taking a big, gold elevator up and down. Ooh, a big tube! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPVxX3f-nMKfWhMTBiKEK7KW7BxtsWlnvF3Unj7bWlznQy_-8Q7Jbk35ewRTB480VzI-GRcZqEUAG1Hk3GWPPvd1Ynf0rjcRjqkaUJm7Z4GL_zWKt9WOBN9527853AabP8hXvcKTQYa8/s1600/IMG_2257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPVxX3f-nMKfWhMTBiKEK7KW7BxtsWlnvF3Unj7bWlznQy_-8Q7Jbk35ewRTB480VzI-GRcZqEUAG1Hk3GWPPvd1Ynf0rjcRjqkaUJm7Z4GL_zWKt9WOBN9527853AabP8hXvcKTQYa8/s400/IMG_2257.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The generator room:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdTq9qqIR56CdNS0E09pQ5ux14-drxAp_bJVRIHDvnlnaIeNFHOdy2py7cjWpLec92TkTwZqMhRcYJpOWGDO8LHR5vOpbIkfzh8WZ7ubY6p2JfjHSNPyDoFe_0BtbqlI-8tUx4w4uMDI/s1600/IMG_2258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdTq9qqIR56CdNS0E09pQ5ux14-drxAp_bJVRIHDvnlnaIeNFHOdy2py7cjWpLec92TkTwZqMhRcYJpOWGDO8LHR5vOpbIkfzh8WZ7ubY6p2JfjHSNPyDoFe_0BtbqlI-8tUx4w4uMDI/s400/IMG_2258.jpg" /></a></div>And after learning a lot about how the dam was built and what it does, we were thrust back out into the heat, where the kids whined mercilessly as I took a few photos.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0tMgiNb-Wcg4juNQtrEi_Y7a6Z4j8Sl7cOneh8xcftxWGu70SyC1KiVfJduiO-vGKD0A1i49vGEThtCoZby8csc-3R-QH-8DPMztGq3jmM6Gi4rgZH0j901SZ7yq7w5nP88hZYF-I68/s1600/IMG_2268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0tMgiNb-Wcg4juNQtrEi_Y7a6Z4j8Sl7cOneh8xcftxWGu70SyC1KiVfJduiO-vGKD0A1i49vGEThtCoZby8csc-3R-QH-8DPMztGq3jmM6Gi4rgZH0j901SZ7yq7w5nP88hZYF-I68/s400/IMG_2268.jpg" /></a></div>And because I'm a mean mommy, I bought them ice cream, but then I also stopped the van and made them walk across the bridge in the previous picture with me so I could take one last photo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76ZFTuaowRnZ9HFLXu9p0MdGiq0Ikf3yJzox_n6FAJCWkB59zyIhTWk-yAUFWjrQMifdA1geQrJdatXqUa_y60n6e8AgXC95AqYK8CPBQ8JCTxCiPK60wEeAjB7N3U5NTZhJ_QeOGddM/s1600/IMG_2280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76ZFTuaowRnZ9HFLXu9p0MdGiq0Ikf3yJzox_n6FAJCWkB59zyIhTWk-yAUFWjrQMifdA1geQrJdatXqUa_y60n6e8AgXC95AqYK8CPBQ8JCTxCiPK60wEeAjB7N3U5NTZhJ_QeOGddM/s400/IMG_2280.jpg" /></a></div>I admit that feats of engineering don't impress me as much as feats of nature. But this was something my son was totally psyched about. Mam complained a lot that she didn't want to go visit a dam, but even she seemed pretty fascinated with the whole thing. Turned out to be a good choice. <p>Of course, Mam really just wanted to get to the hotel and play in the pool. And we did that too. As soon as we checked in, the kids changed into their suits (Mam had packed only half of mine and I didn't think anyone would appreciate my showing up in half a suit) and we found the one pool that was open until 8pm. I let the kids play as I dangled my feet in until 7:45 and then made them get dressed so we could eat some dinner and they could see what they wanted to see before we all crashed for the night. There were lots of "neat" things we didn't see. But they saw one end of the strip at least. Fortunately, we stayed at the same end as the Luxor.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x_IwDs_TnzZ-oljp_CQ9cBMVpdxiKaet2cOc3NFnYzNas3GnC7EqGNSTDsGSPWVXGl79V0XxZvT07xpyYJU8jO4J0w7IdgazTDfNT4MJTCZv_thwwWiGGWaZ0U_0mKa24ed0hzDxEt0/s1600/IMG_2291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_x_IwDs_TnzZ-oljp_CQ9cBMVpdxiKaet2cOc3NFnYzNas3GnC7EqGNSTDsGSPWVXGl79V0XxZvT07xpyYJU8jO4J0w7IdgazTDfNT4MJTCZv_thwwWiGGWaZ0U_0mKa24ed0hzDxEt0/s400/IMG_2291.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6e4GhuvY64ZF8K4-DuRwA3tigCpQntDtYRR1IX0v0ejOxLBRXNSfceGCtOi8P4nKrrCquWn5szbXDpZvzdg0k8EthWlNqglyH5pKyGJR36hQz_jUWk-NLfS0ln4-e-DMhjiMAAIafjM/s1600/IMG_2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6e4GhuvY64ZF8K4-DuRwA3tigCpQntDtYRR1IX0v0ejOxLBRXNSfceGCtOi8P4nKrrCquWn5szbXDpZvzdg0k8EthWlNqglyH5pKyGJR36hQz_jUWk-NLfS0ln4-e-DMhjiMAAIafjM/s400/IMG_2303.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Unc9Qyggi-sxLPKH6NZyxMyvDeF72NAsjPAl9qDM9r4oic6LBEm2erMNg_7Tn7XH3yWdUSaUPkdVxgShNWA5auGa6wzWLHONjCIz4WWTDr0WeNAT8pR-EcgE0eVT82CbPdgBccSyStU/s1600/IMG_2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Unc9Qyggi-sxLPKH6NZyxMyvDeF72NAsjPAl9qDM9r4oic6LBEm2erMNg_7Tn7XH3yWdUSaUPkdVxgShNWA5auGa6wzWLHONjCIz4WWTDr0WeNAT8pR-EcgE0eVT82CbPdgBccSyStU/s400/IMG_2307.jpg" /></a></div>It was hard to tell because we were all very tired, but Vegas seemed to overwhelm the kids pretty quickly. As soon as I asked, they were ready to go back to the hotel room...where Mam quickly asked if she could get in bed (of course!). I turned around to ask if she had brushed her teeth, but she was already fast asleep.<br />
<p>I learned that while Vegas is an interesting curiousity and a convenient place to stop, it's not my kind of place. I do not belong there. I may go back, but I'll just be passing through.<br />
<p>Anxious to get home before dinnertime, we got up early Friday morning, ate a quick breakfast at the most expensive Starbucks on the planet and hit the road. <br />
<p>Back in California, we were all getting bored with the driving and Smunch needed a bathroom. We pulled off where there was a sign advertising the Calico ghost town and although I'd read some things about this place, I made the critical error of asking the kids if they were interested in going to see it. Of course they were! And I wasn't about the dampen their enthusiasm, even though it rapidly became clear that this was going to be the most expensive bathroom stop EVER.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx58Cz9bDsz0w8wEEMYF8yPQatpL_Mqcg1l58YmDu3drVNfTeSpy6AQl8YzHs8Tw8IBFZnlNJ-lW3tCNhfuHXSiSP6hBxTJY3sy9I0Ef2_x7boppc4DcRRiJUYOfCqqwGbO4sSpVK1fg/s1600/IMG_2317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx58Cz9bDsz0w8wEEMYF8yPQatpL_Mqcg1l58YmDu3drVNfTeSpy6AQl8YzHs8Tw8IBFZnlNJ-lW3tCNhfuHXSiSP6hBxTJY3sy9I0Ef2_x7boppc4DcRRiJUYOfCqqwGbO4sSpVK1fg/s400/IMG_2317.jpg" /></a></div>It cost plenty of money to get in, so I figured we might as well make the most of it. But it turned out that making the most of it certainly wasn't the same thing as getting one's money's worth. The latter was pretty much impossible. Every "attraction" in the place cost more money. So the kids and I took a little walk in the old silver mine.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z9xcgNU1VlXzPhdkd1kdUvCh3ZxRu80k1-d_Ox8rt_opm8VFV27O_gi22aQtgxFpNeXqS6fQHUbQL16g5DbuEFgasbzUFrYlCv6mhMkplIUgmRwTftZu1BUzSb6kMm-7A4bD8MlzpKE/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z9xcgNU1VlXzPhdkd1kdUvCh3ZxRu80k1-d_Ox8rt_opm8VFV27O_gi22aQtgxFpNeXqS6fQHUbQL16g5DbuEFgasbzUFrYlCv6mhMkplIUgmRwTftZu1BUzSb6kMm-7A4bD8MlzpKE/s400/IMG_2330.jpg" /></a></div>We explored old dwellings on the dusty, hot hillside for free. That was kinda cool, actually.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRC80P5BpoGgPrz2yaGvQXhCQ8lCNflx7cayU2eO2JifcQa5H-dGiTp94BauphK5zk6RxyfYVY340dpukCE-iEsbAsUl1izFftewjFGS1MmJUBP7DHyEiRlKH6e866UOqY5bAW8KlN-0/s1600/IMG_2340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRC80P5BpoGgPrz2yaGvQXhCQ8lCNflx7cayU2eO2JifcQa5H-dGiTp94BauphK5zk6RxyfYVY340dpukCE-iEsbAsUl1izFftewjFGS1MmJUBP7DHyEiRlKH6e866UOqY5bAW8KlN-0/s400/IMG_2340.jpg" /></a></div>And after we took in some views of the town that Knotts Berry Farm rebuilt as a tourist trap, we waited in the scorching heat for a short little ride on the train.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj51JKkfbgcqZgQZAjH1qg0A8O1w0llDdcOCW7JPHAtYjU4paVG5V2ROEaiI0XqxdQQ-z08zThvLLF8PiODMKzqec1JW9FazUkgP9Cg_DHwpPKHr_jgvxFApy45QNl2W-i2usB08Qe5s/s1600/IMG_2333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj51JKkfbgcqZgQZAjH1qg0A8O1w0llDdcOCW7JPHAtYjU4paVG5V2ROEaiI0XqxdQQ-z08zThvLLF8PiODMKzqec1JW9FazUkgP9Cg_DHwpPKHr_jgvxFApy45QNl2W-i2usB08Qe5s/s400/IMG_2333.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ByiD8LbRzKQxvDBFYq0GuUE3sNeSAsPVxYqKccJw4fBcoKSVZ9yoO1U6deQD2chx4-q39e4zprPT_QfOmWkWo3Te1uZbySSQwKA1bq163ne6JLb73j-xpRH_nPYcabN2HBNTQ8Bvqpg/s1600/IMG_2343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ByiD8LbRzKQxvDBFYq0GuUE3sNeSAsPVxYqKccJw4fBcoKSVZ9yoO1U6deQD2chx4-q39e4zprPT_QfOmWkWo3Te1uZbySSQwKA1bq163ne6JLb73j-xpRH_nPYcabN2HBNTQ8Bvqpg/s400/IMG_2343.jpg" /></a></div>I bought three overpriced sodas and we were back on the road again.<br />
<p>We arrived home just in time to meet the extended family for dinner, find out who the kids' teachers would be for 4th and 6th grade this year and who their classmates would be. They had just 4 days left before the first day of school...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9sILr9q5aUFT_Dvb4Zq6br9kENDzIgOLhouUf7wGT930BPlLOf9d-N8tUc5fZ9Ck7usbKHIR2yIXC0FIffd1owxLuitfx7N7NTc5keoaVs351t5YYkbdxu-FKN8ORyY-5M6ubR1PRJo/s1600/IMG_2372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9sILr9q5aUFT_Dvb4Zq6br9kENDzIgOLhouUf7wGT930BPlLOf9d-N8tUc5fZ9Ck7usbKHIR2yIXC0FIffd1owxLuitfx7N7NTc5keoaVs351t5YYkbdxu-FKN8ORyY-5M6ubR1PRJo/s400/IMG_2372.jpg" /></a></div>At least they had something to write about!<br />
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-88000062057658487522013-09-02T15:33:00.001-07:002013-09-02T16:08:20.684-07:00Along the Edge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWqpGMmYnxXCqMgsF0gTd2cWM4dv3udcRNO1ZsKzazP3s3_C0ACLG2T-E4zogBwdr2W1JzK3cOVtgY5sjC2pPSvDPCOVicv8wb9egmPB5Qwgwa0NDcA0q6Ehg22-TE-vRS6jrsG2cxXE/s1600/IMG_2229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWqpGMmYnxXCqMgsF0gTd2cWM4dv3udcRNO1ZsKzazP3s3_C0ACLG2T-E4zogBwdr2W1JzK3cOVtgY5sjC2pPSvDPCOVicv8wb9egmPB5Qwgwa0NDcA0q6Ehg22-TE-vRS6jrsG2cxXE/s400/IMG_2229.jpg" /></a></div>Wednesday was the last day of our stay at the Grand Canyon. Gosh, how sad. There are always more things to do than we accomplish, but I felt like we'd done pretty well. The only thing missing was a cool wildlife sighting. To be honest, the kids' favorite wildlife sighting was a pair of bald eagles. And they were very neat, perched in a tree...just an hour from home. Dangit. We saw a deer on the road as we came back fro our long downhill/uphill hike on Tuesday. But we've all seen lots of deer. It was pretty and all. We saw a kangaroo rat or two in the desert and a lot of pretty cool moths. But aside from a Kaibab squirrel in the campground, the Grand Canyon hadn't been a big animal-sighting experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJOm5we5_jaRt2ie6KFyMrPwCQXCGCnsmhyphenhyphen-Vq6zFSZIq4sQEM2nkF-vFlMIBOPSN9WNdjDmM4Kz_0eq636Gf5nKATTZiCbED29DOh9yUmoow1l9kz27fm9w7yod_bjs1dyTimK_bffQ/s1600/800px-Kaibab_Squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJOm5we5_jaRt2ie6KFyMrPwCQXCGCnsmhyphenhyphen-Vq6zFSZIq4sQEM2nkF-vFlMIBOPSN9WNdjDmM4Kz_0eq636Gf5nKATTZiCbED29DOh9yUmoow1l9kz27fm9w7yod_bjs1dyTimK_bffQ/s400/800px-Kaibab_Squirrel.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">photo courtesy of Wikipedia</span></div><br />
So, we had pretty modest hopes when we set out on the Widforss Trail on Wednesday morning. I'd left this trail for the last day because it was a hike along the rim and relatively easy. After Tuesday's hike, maybe we all needed that. I would have loved to hike to the end of this trail. I'm sure there are some neat sunsets from there...but a 10-mile hike was out of the kids' range that day, for sure. Instead, we kept it to the 5-mile round trip on the nature trail.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15_ir-FjiXg2qKXVeP_zcJMdn2kSOFqjwVj_cmFnP1e4MTy135jAj1cnJQ6s7tbzwpYXPDyc-E1ZMDb9Oeq_UZfiMVxZb7N2ZO98yngc1aiXsO2yjzncWecK2BNhRvR9BOcPBVKbc278/s1600/IMG_2104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15_ir-FjiXg2qKXVeP_zcJMdn2kSOFqjwVj_cmFnP1e4MTy135jAj1cnJQ6s7tbzwpYXPDyc-E1ZMDb9Oeq_UZfiMVxZb7N2ZO98yngc1aiXsO2yjzncWecK2BNhRvR9BOcPBVKbc278/s400/IMG_2104.jpg" /></a></div>This hike had lots of meadow-y areas full of wildflowers. And a lovely view of the Transept Canyon, that changed very little as we walked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSsn0NCiKt5cWPwWs33RsQo8cgyxd_iJC4kG4Vr3Fl6WNXqnwkXPhdFqr6fTFFVuVZzBNa1fHMpy51fh2X_bytjjWaJZ6ji2vjsOmmhcPQ_pDoeGTf7Xpl4fuizDJJRs7fARMIYbggjk/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSsn0NCiKt5cWPwWs33RsQo8cgyxd_iJC4kG4Vr3Fl6WNXqnwkXPhdFqr6fTFFVuVZzBNa1fHMpy51fh2X_bytjjWaJZ6ji2vjsOmmhcPQ_pDoeGTf7Xpl4fuizDJJRs7fARMIYbggjk/s400/IMG_2139.jpg" /></a></div>Turns out that Smunch was the wildlife spotter on this trip. Not only was he the one who spotted the bald eagles, but he saw this guy too:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV2j7tWcqsDb-O8XdGHOjx-alNucaIMiyfirhLeGvXsMFKUhjcXOSQNo7xtgmvrQbxbahf9_qFoFdaQ0HVZRWQ9vhQbrDu6yHycwlxRMEc8S6Pn-zh8Ay11gHNpkRsIFTZ4qP5yDyd2M/s1600/IMG_2089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV2j7tWcqsDb-O8XdGHOjx-alNucaIMiyfirhLeGvXsMFKUhjcXOSQNo7xtgmvrQbxbahf9_qFoFdaQ0HVZRWQ9vhQbrDu6yHycwlxRMEc8S6Pn-zh8Ay11gHNpkRsIFTZ4qP5yDyd2M/s400/IMG_2089.jpg" /></a></div>I would have missed him. And that would have been a bummer. He was a very willing photo subject, this Mountain Short-horned Lizard. Cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYl-rbZweIPkwhCVgXgRuT0crtKkZI9_i3QoYb4JCagtzqk2U-JJWz0ezy8RgyeS3IO2_MhYLt8VwYPPPc6W8E1M0RmqhgYTd85uEf1ky5RtEe7OGxm-VSgQVwJEtMv99uc79d1Tt0AE/s1600/IMG_0989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYl-rbZweIPkwhCVgXgRuT0crtKkZI9_i3QoYb4JCagtzqk2U-JJWz0ezy8RgyeS3IO2_MhYLt8VwYPPPc6W8E1M0RmqhgYTd85uEf1ky5RtEe7OGxm-VSgQVwJEtMv99uc79d1Tt0AE/s400/IMG_0989.jpg" /></a></div>After an hour or so, we passed the last marker on the nature trail and sat down at a rocky outcropping for a snack before heading back. I also tried to take a little timer photo of the three of us. Guess I should have tried to take it a little closer up!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2PfV7-GTxLW4jcJg8RUpHe-F57_jpzF8cPTEePCAdhJTf9ohD1Dgkp7PYKDg_oa5ZhvStH7Qta9Y4-pPSdnq-Kk3SxVxtV2KDx0q8D2nu6oDeffKK66UKYVtQcrxhfN3q6RJ2tOgGTg/s1600/IMG_2150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2PfV7-GTxLW4jcJg8RUpHe-F57_jpzF8cPTEePCAdhJTf9ohD1Dgkp7PYKDg_oa5ZhvStH7Qta9Y4-pPSdnq-Kk3SxVxtV2KDx0q8D2nu6oDeffKK66UKYVtQcrxhfN3q6RJ2tOgGTg/s400/IMG_2150.jpg" /></a></div>And, naturally, in line with the grace I'd exhibited so far, I banged a knee on a rock as I tried to zip over to join the kids. It caused a great big bruise that was a nice addition to my still-painful impaled shin. <br />
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After a nice long rest at the outcropping, we headed back up the trail. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpkrKr3vCMTlZxmh2aBwmn9TZFF-gIudmGQONpW_kWYB9B5y0Ki7Mj45gb__Mdxne2_QSemlnmfRu45Y7Sw-0HyKioRSs27Tx7HrPZ1XV27o8XL7gj_HFaiQYHlTtk27bZ0uaciqDuZI/s1600/IMG_2173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpkrKr3vCMTlZxmh2aBwmn9TZFF-gIudmGQONpW_kWYB9B5y0Ki7Mj45gb__Mdxne2_QSemlnmfRu45Y7Sw-0HyKioRSs27Tx7HrPZ1XV27o8XL7gj_HFaiQYHlTtk27bZ0uaciqDuZI/s400/IMG_2173.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I had big plans for the afternoon...ice cream and showers! There's nothing quite like the first shower after (or even during) a camping trip. I might not have bothered with the showers, but we had dinner reservations at the Grand Canyon Lodge and I thought they might appreiciate it if we didn't stink. That was probably good thinking since we also left a tad late for our reservations and then found the entire parking lot packed. We had to park down the road and walk the half mile the Lodge as fast as we could. They'd already written us off, but we had no problem getting a nice table. We cleaned up pretty well, I think.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFmu0Msv0r4vUPPTMU6d66AGqFHKTmiLnyA4o1c-TI17oPg9tbhDkrpOmlBDel5J_cu9I-KFX1qdGLHAILxqHr3c4ViXU9XrzS2dMwjW2L9hf5D6h_IqQsv7UkZvSjIJx0tnTbrSko0Q/s1600/IMG_1065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFmu0Msv0r4vUPPTMU6d66AGqFHKTmiLnyA4o1c-TI17oPg9tbhDkrpOmlBDel5J_cu9I-KFX1qdGLHAILxqHr3c4ViXU9XrzS2dMwjW2L9hf5D6h_IqQsv7UkZvSjIJx0tnTbrSko0Q/s400/IMG_1065.jpg" /></a></div>It was fun to treat ourselves to a dinner with a great view, even if the food was nothing spectacular.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX0zqeg-u_SJrrB_AS2r5Y88geyAqtmkKhtHWW7u9wIHU11I4zvPBhxLwpnd5B7qv8jyJL0x9znedIQTg0gTx3EJd9-ARlbACkOwXCELzJE2N3RqhYaWR0j56poHB7m5JS8KOer9z0lI/s1600/IMG_2185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX0zqeg-u_SJrrB_AS2r5Y88geyAqtmkKhtHWW7u9wIHU11I4zvPBhxLwpnd5B7qv8jyJL0x9znedIQTg0gTx3EJd9-ARlbACkOwXCELzJE2N3RqhYaWR0j56poHB7m5JS8KOer9z0lI/s400/IMG_2185.jpg" /></a></div>I even treated the kids to dessert, which I oh-so-generously mooched off them. Dinner took a little longer than I'd thought, so the sun started setting while we were still waiting for dessert. I had the kids take the cameras outside and take some more pretty pictures...pretty pictures that are nearly indistinguishable from many of the other pretty pictures we took from the lodge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4D3YzrjilMy0hauUTKPbdoYD7B62xVb2G2Ql-3-bx7RLUFHVBACz6ZsuG2d1NVj0d0LjXTkofDQTOQZbsNqTtJQNTanXunlV5kloy8vy82koTx6gDcKDCTwdYFFHtITQU1Jx7_opH90/s1600/IMG_2210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4D3YzrjilMy0hauUTKPbdoYD7B62xVb2G2Ql-3-bx7RLUFHVBACz6ZsuG2d1NVj0d0LjXTkofDQTOQZbsNqTtJQNTanXunlV5kloy8vy82koTx6gDcKDCTwdYFFHtITQU1Jx7_opH90/s400/IMG_2210.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKgd03DlbgCu9e8QWcnbIevtsA9peOU6G1veg0CuvZgCFDPeaB_AzRxFZdyvmaBDNdNSVE6Xb7mZ2ilBg5QIOkbu_iWI8KOuWoahiix2zUpFnHewuRwfMQcsvY2nNenpEw067BhWIdwI/s1600/IMG_2227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKgd03DlbgCu9e8QWcnbIevtsA9peOU6G1veg0CuvZgCFDPeaB_AzRxFZdyvmaBDNdNSVE6Xb7mZ2ilBg5QIOkbu_iWI8KOuWoahiix2zUpFnHewuRwfMQcsvY2nNenpEw067BhWIdwI/s400/IMG_2227.jpg" /></a></div>As soon as we paid the bill, we wandered back out to Bright Angel Point for the rest of the sunset. Mam took off to go climb rocks and I missed much of the sunset while trying to find her, but eventually, we all reconnected...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HB-3H15oiJs8V1pCNuS6jgr_AYbTwR0_MMQeudm_wqaiNGKqHCT4iFAXoQGUMPuLIJbH51PO6kq8zHQgC-YBj7cCAox8Q_Iq_GMccK_hEEN9w-8dWsEKrbvo-ioTtP9m1LViublPMRE/s1600/IMG_2248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HB-3H15oiJs8V1pCNuS6jgr_AYbTwR0_MMQeudm_wqaiNGKqHCT4iFAXoQGUMPuLIJbH51PO6kq8zHQgC-YBj7cCAox8Q_Iq_GMccK_hEEN9w-8dWsEKrbvo-ioTtP9m1LViublPMRE/s400/IMG_2248.jpg" /></a></div>you know, after they figured out how to get <i>down</i>!<br />
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It would have been nice to stay at the lodge longer, but not anticipating trouble parking, we had no flashlight (actually, I think we did, but I didn't think it worked!) to use to get back to the mommymobile, way up the road. We walked back as fast as we could and it was still very near dark when we arrived.<br />
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And then we set about packing up, so we could leave first thing in the morning...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrLwJP-Y2Umk2Hl50S850xatuh6wYoSwjyxRMrsr5Jah8qptYyazizsgQ9AzIRoACThW96UYAu0HMOYwotuBKM4dCJJTViJgrkL-lbLFtdJV193tymbatRykU5Xyhrox8IufSO0iDYn0/s1600/IMG_2245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrLwJP-Y2Umk2Hl50S850xatuh6wYoSwjyxRMrsr5Jah8qptYyazizsgQ9AzIRoACThW96UYAu0HMOYwotuBKM4dCJJTViJgrkL-lbLFtdJV193tymbatRykU5Xyhrox8IufSO0iDYn0/s400/IMG_2245.jpg" /></a></div>MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-71046134405257473842013-08-29T21:40:00.000-07:002013-08-29T21:41:11.629-07:00The Long Hike DownThe kids recovered pretty well from that <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-grand-adventure.html">traumatic little hike</a> on Monday. I wish I could say the same for my leg. Although it looked fine and there wasn't a hint of infection, it HURT. In retrospect, I'm thinking it probably poked through the skin into the bone and bruised it pretty good. I had to take Advil just to walk in the morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3MUMyoA3Uj7Gaqm64oHytJF2J8v_E093Q1myEkoCUzU8BlhGMC94rl22i2YBZcB3hfsZ46uP9Z2GO2mDPtQToT-PNwt4snoH_Bh64NZdjlRPVxHIqnMCJE5T_tBUwGVbefTcMabtstU/s1600/IMG_1962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3MUMyoA3Uj7Gaqm64oHytJF2J8v_E093Q1myEkoCUzU8BlhGMC94rl22i2YBZcB3hfsZ46uP9Z2GO2mDPtQToT-PNwt4snoH_Bh64NZdjlRPVxHIqnMCJE5T_tBUwGVbefTcMabtstU/s400/IMG_1962.jpg" /></a></div>But the kids were up for another hike. I can't remember now why I chose Tuesday for the most challenging hike of the trip. There was thought behind it and that's all I can say. <br />
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The thing about staying along the rim of the Canyon is that there's no real direction to hike but down. And if you hike down far enough, it's a long, long way back up. I knew that. I had my book of easy hikes handy. And while I'd chosen the hike down the North Kaibab Trail, I reminded myself repeatedly that we were going to turn around at the Supai Tunnel. Tunnel. Tunnel. Tunnel...<br />
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We stopped at the Coconino Overlook and took pictures of each other.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE33dLWuIw2x1Q9HRo4gtqpL-8pRTiipw6d_CbyWJuijkzZ2vEz6RZ18X-_qOEMvdKkN3EzWvWXVN7ZiAOvkEdS5C3OSkB_XifVyqzWMzZsaUo2-UFSGjLA2ZLxhI-936l4NHmsGvVbIQ/s1600/IMG_1868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE33dLWuIw2x1Q9HRo4gtqpL-8pRTiipw6d_CbyWJuijkzZ2vEz6RZ18X-_qOEMvdKkN3EzWvWXVN7ZiAOvkEdS5C3OSkB_XifVyqzWMzZsaUo2-UFSGjLA2ZLxhI-936l4NHmsGvVbIQ/s400/IMG_1868.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLuqx0ohT7Tq62GAIBrQbwY5HowlhEN1u8jLbSJeYU6U8qSmAa7G-Y3R2e8qK9dRYwGCf42qBk2l7FUa4CZ92A-hdD7An9MWBOgyndaIPHP48EqgEv0q0rct_jHCE-qF8HXQiYeNreu0/s1600/IMG_1876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLuqx0ohT7Tq62GAIBrQbwY5HowlhEN1u8jLbSJeYU6U8qSmAa7G-Y3R2e8qK9dRYwGCf42qBk2l7FUa4CZ92A-hdD7An9MWBOgyndaIPHP48EqgEv0q0rct_jHCE-qF8HXQiYeNreu0/s400/IMG_1876.jpg" /></a></div>Although the views were beautiful, as they were everywhere along the rim, the top of this trail is frequented by the park's mule trains. It's no big deal to move aside for a mule train. But what they leave behind is...well...stinky. So we spent much of our downhill trip stepping around steaming piles of poo and avoiding cesspools in the trail. Still...pretty.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNmlQWug3aNrulAXXZURvwyKUwS1TZ5IoJmZOTNxbyzCTCq1PKGRZ2qhW8Jz1u8U8_sW5XG1T7p1IQYA0gwQFCH6ifW0fF2Fj7FBpgT3uEcimZBEWHqBupfrsfM6mO4l9ObS3iyJd0Ms/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNmlQWug3aNrulAXXZURvwyKUwS1TZ5IoJmZOTNxbyzCTCq1PKGRZ2qhW8Jz1u8U8_sW5XG1T7p1IQYA0gwQFCH6ifW0fF2Fj7FBpgT3uEcimZBEWHqBupfrsfM6mO4l9ObS3iyJd0Ms/s400/IMG_0827.jpg" /></a></div>And before too long, we reached the Supai Tunnel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDerQ1f0cr-uV4YEqa23bfI_vbbqXuZGKrUJeu9Pz6KEwxO7Y7UOYZ2PEeD2H_qMcQnzVVC5C7UsZGvt2P-K8Js_QpLle43fjCnE3-TAP8m1T9yH0HWYItVqcPYmjAuGYVl2Hgr1Flw7g/s1600/IMG_0868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDerQ1f0cr-uV4YEqa23bfI_vbbqXuZGKrUJeu9Pz6KEwxO7Y7UOYZ2PEeD2H_qMcQnzVVC5C7UsZGvt2P-K8Js_QpLle43fjCnE3-TAP8m1T9yH0HWYItVqcPYmjAuGYVl2Hgr1Flw7g/s400/IMG_0868.jpg" /></a></div>But one can't just look at a tunnel and not go through it, right? So we did.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2-W8G3ruPt5hEmjJtEG8Q-EhS-dSQEYyvNN8PhRzfdGbjNJhYxbTQxE3ZnROP3yD2_StU7brOrog90y0yQI21gkK1vhFpt-9io5WWbDBjq_NalaCdP95S5b2_ruv0mNgKm4tdXx1CF0/s1600/IMG_1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2-W8G3ruPt5hEmjJtEG8Q-EhS-dSQEYyvNN8PhRzfdGbjNJhYxbTQxE3ZnROP3yD2_StU7brOrog90y0yQI21gkK1vhFpt-9io5WWbDBjq_NalaCdP95S5b2_ruv0mNgKm4tdXx1CF0/s400/IMG_1900.jpg" /></a></div>And this was the view from the other side, down, down, down into Roaring Springs Canyon. If you look closely, you can see a tiny little footbridge down there. And since I'm me, the tunnel just wasn't challenge enough and that footbridge looked mighty tempting. And the kids weren't smart enough to talk me out of it. So down we went.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZvnl51R0kwHQxGyejlphTEnGMxSpYjxxRmOJEAT7k-eHNQ1-8bM4s7iMEa16ykkcjQq4OAYkeQ2ciEd0vB93ESaWzSW2lkf7IMeGiqAO-2YoenXFFiD8EVXcJ1QUvUNSuNbCVzUiilA/s1600/IMG_1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZvnl51R0kwHQxGyejlphTEnGMxSpYjxxRmOJEAT7k-eHNQ1-8bM4s7iMEa16ykkcjQq4OAYkeQ2ciEd0vB93ESaWzSW2lkf7IMeGiqAO-2YoenXFFiD8EVXcJ1QUvUNSuNbCVzUiilA/s400/IMG_1906.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OIqZ9D-4FIaftBaDK5AGHHjcHJ_rBghykQ1-Xnta0Pd_aG2l-OV-9JrkbxoC1Hj8e8jcDVzsGE0ncZnSwLOY-rtk6oY4AkV4yE7lULYIJ0fQkA8lg-0PzB4a_dx_b712kuAZFUiizeI/s1600/IMG_1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OIqZ9D-4FIaftBaDK5AGHHjcHJ_rBghykQ1-Xnta0Pd_aG2l-OV-9JrkbxoC1Hj8e8jcDVzsGE0ncZnSwLOY-rtk6oY4AkV4yE7lULYIJ0fQkA8lg-0PzB4a_dx_b712kuAZFUiizeI/s400/IMG_1909.jpg" /></a></div>On a map, this part of the trail is a very thick line. That's not because it's wide. It's because there are so many switchbacks that they basically just color that part in. Down and down and down, we went. Smunch, ever in a hurry (or perhaps to warn of impending danger) was far ahead and made it to the bridge well before Mam and I did. He's kind of a red speck in this picture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYKaabx7SxU3L_iEGEv6xqI90snIQxXdQFfuDSftFPohi3cvrP2iC54Y_NGfXRXGLOzSKMjsH0kf5hgyVo-R1gvpJVdNgNJVW6AfuI8i-O28ng9iPsh7s4IpVI7vPj3onUSthK-ZjlV4/s1600/IMG_1913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYKaabx7SxU3L_iEGEv6xqI90snIQxXdQFfuDSftFPohi3cvrP2iC54Y_NGfXRXGLOzSKMjsH0kf5hgyVo-R1gvpJVdNgNJVW6AfuI8i-O28ng9iPsh7s4IpVI7vPj3onUSthK-ZjlV4/s400/IMG_1913.jpg" /></a></div>From the bridge, you couldn't even seen the white-ish Coconino stone near the top of the Canyon, just the red rocks stretching up into the sky.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUfh3uM7QoQPALR4_-0RLWMMML6SBZ2p-MGi2O71aPU0cij7rjWtRtR9dQcbtouPCei0lXuAnNm6hVLoKP-ySr6SR-r7fW6Sor9uAJ_oK88gGomHmC8QDmVXdA6rRD2AZs1DNCatZweU/s1600/IMG_1924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUfh3uM7QoQPALR4_-0RLWMMML6SBZ2p-MGi2O71aPU0cij7rjWtRtR9dQcbtouPCei0lXuAnNm6hVLoKP-ySr6SR-r7fW6Sor9uAJ_oK88gGomHmC8QDmVXdA6rRD2AZs1DNCatZweU/s400/IMG_1924.jpg" /></a></div>We found some shade, had a snack and then started the long, hot trip back up the Canyon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7PQEYYt2FYZJ7RDEz_oIsKkipiu4x8ZEb9DsY3FT6scM-jCYiOLGOUlxm5QTYyVll36rpv_eTnQESODnfcgE0G-IqFndt1Vx3TqrZw88R4ZGPeyt6x8-41pdXKawmXN4RyL56LIS40I/s1600/IMG_1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7PQEYYt2FYZJ7RDEz_oIsKkipiu4x8ZEb9DsY3FT6scM-jCYiOLGOUlxm5QTYyVll36rpv_eTnQESODnfcgE0G-IqFndt1Vx3TqrZw88R4ZGPeyt6x8-41pdXKawmXN4RyL56LIS40I/s400/IMG_1925.jpg" /></a></div>Naturally, there was plenty of whining and complaining about why we'd gone so far down and just how far up it was going to be. I admit, it was long. It was especially long with two hot, whiney children. We got back to the Supai Tunnel, where there was a water fountain, and the kids filled their hats with water before putting them back on their heads.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuSJVAe2ypWdeH58Cp09oLFL9Z5FAoiLwZrAGiaHbp9AbgxkvKsR9MFvee1VMZO3ahfR0058ggSLVg1719FcfKTjHZtcbn-40KIe_x1S_tAQfQLO2Vhie1u2sr87CbPhlqb2APjEvB4o/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuSJVAe2ypWdeH58Cp09oLFL9Z5FAoiLwZrAGiaHbp9AbgxkvKsR9MFvee1VMZO3ahfR0058ggSLVg1719FcfKTjHZtcbn-40KIe_x1S_tAQfQLO2Vhie1u2sr87CbPhlqb2APjEvB4o/s400/IMG_0837.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuq8l6XvPgtcDPsAdFfjuoTN03-MunvJdycEHKi3lwI86FuR88ZMT5u13pjAaErR2RQ3_JA2B5JMK4OAsWteJ6ROfzjyRNElLNGGHxy7RVNf6vLF06-eI9p3rJnICobCPAyz46N-Fg-Ao/s1600/IMG_0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuq8l6XvPgtcDPsAdFfjuoTN03-MunvJdycEHKi3lwI86FuR88ZMT5u13pjAaErR2RQ3_JA2B5JMK4OAsWteJ6ROfzjyRNElLNGGHxy7RVNf6vLF06-eI9p3rJnICobCPAyz46N-Fg-Ao/s400/IMG_0835.jpg" /></a></div>They were moderately happier for a while after that. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcnGy_a9o1FBP0t3Is55ybAGoSUkyFOtvvF_4_HxY9fgIVngLZhnaguc7j6_ZdK8xMNBhGct2V4OSW9FXQOnc47ouD4_9xOu6YRl_N06SW8AUZFe0jpOcMBK2GSAxnhhJlGdR6v0jm9E/s1600/IMG_0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcnGy_a9o1FBP0t3Is55ybAGoSUkyFOtvvF_4_HxY9fgIVngLZhnaguc7j6_ZdK8xMNBhGct2V4OSW9FXQOnc47ouD4_9xOu6YRl_N06SW8AUZFe0jpOcMBK2GSAxnhhJlGdR6v0jm9E/s400/IMG_0848.jpg" /></a></div>But nothing beat getting back to the parking lot and driving back to the campsite. They were tired and hungry. We got some ice cream and made dinner.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jW23Pobxk2JBTeeSr7h7oHyhH7ayNqajLYnOaEp8qoh4Y8v3PLMVfZND4VXxYqWuUWm6mTv-lUvVJ720EmBE4IGa2IPBZtYhRv82C5C6sj18L0rWtLXNaGcZJ2OFl5U66zUIeFPS_QY/s1600/IMG_1965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jW23Pobxk2JBTeeSr7h7oHyhH7ayNqajLYnOaEp8qoh4Y8v3PLMVfZND4VXxYqWuUWm6mTv-lUvVJ720EmBE4IGa2IPBZtYhRv82C5C6sj18L0rWtLXNaGcZJ2OFl5U66zUIeFPS_QY/s400/IMG_1965.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituc_kqUoKFUPV5n3NUVmPyKNBfouRHE5eY0QXaFWG-FB4iAmVNSRw0aEbc7nPj9ln-sTBWUgLAQhyphenhyphenwLJeOcHPW38b3KZ83y0e1TFfjuMHwYtThUvSLoIxP0gfCSaPiTYE_REq1nWdtlE/s1600/IMG_1966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituc_kqUoKFUPV5n3NUVmPyKNBfouRHE5eY0QXaFWG-FB4iAmVNSRw0aEbc7nPj9ln-sTBWUgLAQhyphenhyphenwLJeOcHPW38b3KZ83y0e1TFfjuMHwYtThUvSLoIxP0gfCSaPiTYE_REq1nWdtlE/s400/IMG_1966.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I'd hoped to take a hike at sunset that evening, but I wasn't too anxious to press my luck on that one. Instead, we took a drive out to Point Imperial, which I'd noted didn't seem to have much in the way of a hike. It was just a drive and at twilight, the parking lot was nearly deserted.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7V5iakelG3rlilKakxmP0cb1UwZOlz0rETLDzNUJraQhsD41X7Q1AwHhkltZfXXWRuP8y4-yBZPstQiE4KyVC_LnLwABRbAgILjQptZ6xV58-IQvvqgayKqlGf40CaJkcSBcZvZdmAA/s1600/IMG_1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7V5iakelG3rlilKakxmP0cb1UwZOlz0rETLDzNUJraQhsD41X7Q1AwHhkltZfXXWRuP8y4-yBZPstQiE4KyVC_LnLwABRbAgILjQptZ6xV58-IQvvqgayKqlGf40CaJkcSBcZvZdmAA/s400/IMG_1975.jpg" /></a></div>That's a pity for all the people who didn't get to see the amazing light on the Canyon that evening. But it was pretty awesome for us.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnshCiUDWxjCs9kvISQIEa_RB9un4cQQCmEL_ri7WoCfKoYkIBu1ztjmWInH00lWR_4soR4R6F8de49iIIBi3sPLAdkY7ySM6Mvr3UWGWHuONmVhd5FFxniXdohCplmd7k_saWIne6Lfk/s1600/IMG_1980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnshCiUDWxjCs9kvISQIEa_RB9un4cQQCmEL_ri7WoCfKoYkIBu1ztjmWInH00lWR_4soR4R6F8de49iIIBi3sPLAdkY7ySM6Mvr3UWGWHuONmVhd5FFxniXdohCplmd7k_saWIne6Lfk/s400/IMG_1980.jpg" /></a></div>The kids were not altogether impressed since you couldn't actually see the sun from this vantage point. Once the light left that portion of the Canyon, they wanted to go back to the lodge and head to Bright Angel Point for sunset. I didn't see any reason why not. (Ohmigosh, is that my <i>little</i> boy walking next to me? He's all the way up to my shoulder!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIe5e8IaYDaCsQw_ooyiA-5PARaSTniPF0mvMR9OWUI9dnwjPL3h_xEAZiXfvVzG4VJGyl-nHtU-eMh2RVxbnwrQQAfUbIPb68To38AEic1Lttx7f16VdjtS2r4hRMJD7AjxmQ6KAwzo/s1600/IMG_0905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIe5e8IaYDaCsQw_ooyiA-5PARaSTniPF0mvMR9OWUI9dnwjPL3h_xEAZiXfvVzG4VJGyl-nHtU-eMh2RVxbnwrQQAfUbIPb68To38AEic1Lttx7f16VdjtS2r4hRMJD7AjxmQ6KAwzo/s400/IMG_0905.jpg" /></a></div>It's hard to get tired of views like this. We could have done this every night and never gotten bored.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD8MJTvMWn-yXkIawtv3FmH3WvTpTRwqhOG5KBvptaHQurga00mA0ZbJ9fGb7x7WdrHMr-0pSRgTHK-Ao3yMFwKCqbXJQG7rVGR2QEEgtRTtCZFVz3RF_9_3mPH4YfqE-OzjAxiI9aiE/s1600/IMG_2005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD8MJTvMWn-yXkIawtv3FmH3WvTpTRwqhOG5KBvptaHQurga00mA0ZbJ9fGb7x7WdrHMr-0pSRgTHK-Ao3yMFwKCqbXJQG7rVGR2QEEgtRTtCZFVz3RF_9_3mPH4YfqE-OzjAxiI9aiE/s400/IMG_2005.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0j4VVfbVX9wQmhOwKNQ0vORxLuqMnZ87eJZ7jhNTXlX7cDYhbz5z1dl4O82TOoLvQeow99gC7MasGSmYG_O_KRt6kSA_zOwWU1yu9TYARejXqNf9y3R09bhckdpKH5AOPCevn2gtt5Q/s1600/IMG_2025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0j4VVfbVX9wQmhOwKNQ0vORxLuqMnZ87eJZ7jhNTXlX7cDYhbz5z1dl4O82TOoLvQeow99gC7MasGSmYG_O_KRt6kSA_zOwWU1yu9TYARejXqNf9y3R09bhckdpKH5AOPCevn2gtt5Q/s400/IMG_2025.jpg" /></a></div>MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-60470168897827588942013-08-28T22:24:00.001-07:002013-08-28T22:24:41.103-07:00A Grand AdventureYou know that feeling when you're in a new place and you just want to see EVERYTHING?? I understand there are people who would like nothing better than to finish up a road trip with a week doing nothing but lying on the beach. I'm not those people. <br />
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I was armed with a book of "easy hikes"...because I know my propensity for getting into things the kids can't handle. I vowed to do nothing outside the book. I almost succeeded too...sorta. Anyway, the first order of business in the morning was to vacate our pretty campsite and move to the new one.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d_4NXcyqmwbvJnH5UxNTm2K1TR0v8LhIiJuw-g2Fw0gNe3PR3kC8LVYgHljCI-akCZ9UgiBW6yZbzKexeO4QSyxsjPDHMGCEas_LeytiwG_dq3MTE8mNFBpCDvX32W8idOLro5siDd4/s1600/IMG_1674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d_4NXcyqmwbvJnH5UxNTm2K1TR0v8LhIiJuw-g2Fw0gNe3PR3kC8LVYgHljCI-akCZ9UgiBW6yZbzKexeO4QSyxsjPDHMGCEas_LeytiwG_dq3MTE8mNFBpCDvX32W8idOLro5siDd4/s400/IMG_1674.jpg" /></a></div>This was the original site. It was beautiful and a little out-of-the-way, but also on a slope. I'd been happy to note, the night before, that our new, very flat and more central site was occupied by a couple of young guys with tiny little tents and backpacks. I figured they wouldn't be hanging out enjoying their morning coffee the next day. And, as luck would have it, they were gone before we got up. <br />
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In another major win, I'd purchased a collapsable wagon earlier in the summer. And it rocks! It was a pain to fit in the oh-so-full van, but worth every bit of frustration. I made breakfast while the kids took many, many trips to our new site with the wagon. By the time they were eating their pancakes, the move was nearly complete.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKVAMcqeg-Ik1kPUznXDZeoKfu9HUOxgQtpegOd3UtTevPJP5IARNgL0aI6xxcwqtKJUaIgzzuCAYzdBmNU-w5p6WwstpPb2K_BhPRbMb_E43frXBGUpqLwJsd5hvjVE7SBAb5-IS0pc/s1600/IMG_1679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKVAMcqeg-Ik1kPUznXDZeoKfu9HUOxgQtpegOd3UtTevPJP5IARNgL0aI6xxcwqtKJUaIgzzuCAYzdBmNU-w5p6WwstpPb2K_BhPRbMb_E43frXBGUpqLwJsd5hvjVE7SBAb5-IS0pc/s400/IMG_1679.jpg" /></a></div>Just the cooking stuff and the tent left to go. It's another time when I failed to take pictures. How will I ever prove that my often-uncooperative kids had a great time trucking all our stuff a few campsites over? How will I ever know how funny Smunch and I looked as the two of us carried our giant tent through the campground to the nice, flat space we'd occupy for the next three nights? I'll just have to use my imagination, I suppose.<br />
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I did manage to talk Mam into pigtails. That's a moment to be recorded in the history books...or at least in a blog. For at least a day, she wouldn't look like an unkempt ragamuffin. And it was pretty darned cute, really.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabqqAu09y2Vp-zfJdw59T7EcLtHYW0R-SISEPkyT1_ZIWQjT52MeXmTZ6UU6BWV_X8qUekZsyix4uSozrwykINLo46hfvpEWMwEGi6fGfYPktA7JdtiY71Vi1FAAvg5PCDocR_Fv6MvI/s1600/IMG_0626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabqqAu09y2Vp-zfJdw59T7EcLtHYW0R-SISEPkyT1_ZIWQjT52MeXmTZ6UU6BWV_X8qUekZsyix4uSozrwykINLo46hfvpEWMwEGi6fGfYPktA7JdtiY71Vi1FAAvg5PCDocR_Fv6MvI/s400/IMG_0626.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Once our stuff was all settled in, the kids were anxious to go back to the Grand Canyon Lodge for a look at the Canyon in the daylight. My original arrival plan had been to drive straight to the Lodge and surprise them with the view. You can't see the Canyon from the front of it, but as soon as you walk in, you have a floor-to-ceiling view. But I was too anxious to get there in the waning light and we didn't go inside the Lodge in the evening. <br />
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The kids were impressed. We had willing strangers take our photo at the overlook nearby. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnNts-prtgoDJIogJjhp0VctTgyTPz7tqlYnQW-j4VFFLccTdm9MCEUBAWm-Ha-JjTmOQZ59SyqsPkHFC8S3kQHVP9BUzHKQiVOT87nEsbiphpgiDKgwRCWR21Zr_sE1cyEkbYCGe0bI/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnNts-prtgoDJIogJjhp0VctTgyTPz7tqlYnQW-j4VFFLccTdm9MCEUBAWm-Ha-JjTmOQZ59SyqsPkHFC8S3kQHVP9BUzHKQiVOT87nEsbiphpgiDKgwRCWR21Zr_sE1cyEkbYCGe0bI/s400/IMG_0641.jpg" /></a></div>The dining room was very impressive, right at the edge of the Canyon. I had secret plans to have dinner there on our last night, if we could make it to the showers beforehand.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoNkt7ntBhflwLCRquBBgvIqg76KN4GDqknh99r4nr3KKXMx4aRfBb3CsON1L2PpstM5YaPJX6q4ZX_sWXrejqTUXD_sB7Es5RwP8y6vP5Gh2ZsT-bLj6dDzIimU6mkhcGy6qRQxDH4g/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoNkt7ntBhflwLCRquBBgvIqg76KN4GDqknh99r4nr3KKXMx4aRfBb3CsON1L2PpstM5YaPJX6q4ZX_sWXrejqTUXD_sB7Es5RwP8y6vP5Gh2ZsT-bLj6dDzIimU6mkhcGy6qRQxDH4g/s400/IMG_1693.jpg" /></a></div>The kids wanted to know what in the <i>world</i> this was:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL37XPD9A6PtJdbtEM4OnBFMUMNSIgnTOlpDi8MfoGNHYLRATnq1wVenochsI-wZQCb3pf0NeNgol6aJWVZkIo2IOKknmV9SraO3w9E3SePGf0uaIEa2wDVIKXbl9fC-iRVESyPIbjhw/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL37XPD9A6PtJdbtEM4OnBFMUMNSIgnTOlpDi8MfoGNHYLRATnq1wVenochsI-wZQCb3pf0NeNgol6aJWVZkIo2IOKknmV9SraO3w9E3SePGf0uaIEa2wDVIKXbl9fC-iRVESyPIbjhw/s400/IMG_0651.jpg" /></a></div>I had plans...because I always have plans when it comes to hiking...to go back to the campsite for lunch and then take a short hike along a trail called the Cliff Springs Trail. It included the ruins of an Indian granary, which sounded kinda cool. So we ate our lunch and headed back out on a drive up towards Cape Royal. There are so many different overlooks and beautiful views along this route that we found ourselves stopping a lot.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKYd63Xjj9P7Zkticcon6A2iHG_bE5dVUXAkW22Pa-uWcqyv7V-jUjnKH9Po33fNPht501mDnjPhlCit-iLLMiHvD8-WO3h9o5f0g1Bt-vBpYeZLUw71J7K5GcMVKQ8g81c2fsG_tIOg/s1600/IMG_1699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKYd63Xjj9P7Zkticcon6A2iHG_bE5dVUXAkW22Pa-uWcqyv7V-jUjnKH9Po33fNPht501mDnjPhlCit-iLLMiHvD8-WO3h9o5f0g1Bt-vBpYeZLUw71J7K5GcMVKQ8g81c2fsG_tIOg/s400/IMG_1699.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimXHzeB927iW4KJAsMZwklJAL-fGXEobGEwNgY1rx3HsHVFZc5O0BpY7xKnyuJ0xdmBCamsTLMfbu83R6FVmULAtOAO58AQ5lBYmhCeuJ1uazIw9QN90yF2YuKqJImS8fEg0HXJn1vFI/s1600/IMG_1713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimXHzeB927iW4KJAsMZwklJAL-fGXEobGEwNgY1rx3HsHVFZc5O0BpY7xKnyuJ0xdmBCamsTLMfbu83R6FVmULAtOAO58AQ5lBYmhCeuJ1uazIw9QN90yF2YuKqJImS8fEg0HXJn1vFI/s400/IMG_1713.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJB5waFjGD-UMPKY-uZQWTNWA0cFwpCmQyPN-eaibprIGnM1spD1mExPP8lX50x2aVHiLDkqnOp7i6GDT1F8ZQwN8u8dmQQa1gYbizR0dulX01Cftvfd4lHMzU8bRgMtDT5h45aeC2UA/s1600/IMG_1717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJB5waFjGD-UMPKY-uZQWTNWA0cFwpCmQyPN-eaibprIGnM1spD1mExPP8lX50x2aVHiLDkqnOp7i6GDT1F8ZQwN8u8dmQQa1gYbizR0dulX01Cftvfd4lHMzU8bRgMtDT5h45aeC2UA/s400/IMG_1717.jpg" /></a></div>And every time we stopped, we took a whole bunch of pictures. When a place is this breathtaking, it's hard not to. <br />
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Ultimately, we missed the tiny sign along the road that pointed towards Cliff Springs Trail, so we kept going up to Cape Royal to take in the view up there. It's one of the few places you can actually see the Colorado River, far, far below.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTo4xn0KNXe3X3pfUgYEiIu219rKVqQq4EdGe_O_QTJDLZzB44bGfHXPK3sIDluL7LFxU59oUVg5zZWhA4KEIxwDNECMdUAWytx0q4SYaqxaYNFCjQChdoWSG4ALyM_n-l-3dq7oC21rs/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTo4xn0KNXe3X3pfUgYEiIu219rKVqQq4EdGe_O_QTJDLZzB44bGfHXPK3sIDluL7LFxU59oUVg5zZWhA4KEIxwDNECMdUAWytx0q4SYaqxaYNFCjQChdoWSG4ALyM_n-l-3dq7oC21rs/s400/IMG_0678.jpg" /></a></div>And it features Angel's Window, which is a pretty cool piece of rock, especially since it frames the river.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2r7yXtQcqzCOjL6YGLX138LJBUX41WZC9QTGw_kFiDvxc5TClgFQqVBjFd8PivoNHtGCF2g2H1d1xl3YM5DtMv81ILqSia5J68twaD1ieDLrlIYZHt1_irIZ1r8UoNe4U3ZgPEbrYRE/s1600/IMG_1726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2r7yXtQcqzCOjL6YGLX138LJBUX41WZC9QTGw_kFiDvxc5TClgFQqVBjFd8PivoNHtGCF2g2H1d1xl3YM5DtMv81ILqSia5J68twaD1ieDLrlIYZHt1_irIZ1r8UoNe4U3ZgPEbrYRE/s400/IMG_1726.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozyQ-DAESqUpoXmLpOUWVc5k8sGZDND17Uo8t5FmqJBTfgHzDJojbAIJ5DAS1GwurwpqlPIfV_M_wsnZMFMcnacVf-fFv9y8pFWU_r-hO20-wFvU0ogm-2CbzsWFJzEUyab8lM9bURhQ/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozyQ-DAESqUpoXmLpOUWVc5k8sGZDND17Uo8t5FmqJBTfgHzDJojbAIJ5DAS1GwurwpqlPIfV_M_wsnZMFMcnacVf-fFv9y8pFWU_r-hO20-wFvU0ogm-2CbzsWFJzEUyab8lM9bURhQ/s400/IMG_0692.jpg" /></a></div>We met a guy from home up there. His T-shirt advertising the competitive rock-climbing team at a local gym was the giveaway. Turns out he was a pretty decent photographer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW37q6ASXH9dzC-JGgOKxAsqAMtxgisyKaqQ-Bjp4PPsZKrJH-M6GU8E7eiPMqtJF6LqYOEQwiILP5LybKqEXBzyAwWgXJ9vz1uugmDcd2lNehI4SIbYE2nyi1iKTkg88jYd2ZERscLpY/s1600/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW37q6ASXH9dzC-JGgOKxAsqAMtxgisyKaqQ-Bjp4PPsZKrJH-M6GU8E7eiPMqtJF6LqYOEQwiILP5LybKqEXBzyAwWgXJ9vz1uugmDcd2lNehI4SIbYE2nyi1iKTkg88jYd2ZERscLpY/s400/IMG_1746.jpg" /></a></div>Mam was enamored with all the flowers along the route.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhedEJrHg47OkBTO3Y1Yo-_IUi9VxrDo9oPImk6KcfgsugOIrNlc7h3Onr509BMypAPEFVrpVU9bbcG8S8hhyphenhyphenKNUadkI5HudmZ5eLy3bWG-B-oCYmPivuoH9knc6Uykaq4OT_EiF-rUM/s1600/IMG_0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhedEJrHg47OkBTO3Y1Yo-_IUi9VxrDo9oPImk6KcfgsugOIrNlc7h3Onr509BMypAPEFVrpVU9bbcG8S8hhyphenhyphenKNUadkI5HudmZ5eLy3bWG-B-oCYmPivuoH9knc6Uykaq4OT_EiF-rUM/s400/IMG_0741.jpg" /></a></div><br />
On the way back down the road, we finally spotted the trail sign, and despite having walked out to Cape Royal and Angel's Window, the kids were still game for this little adventure. I admit that this was one of my favorite hikes on this trip. The granary was mildly interesting, although there was very little information about it except for what it said in my hiking book.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsY2tKye36hAno8VgL5ewxgGB7ql3dIWiP1AIpmpx5taPbnCpTnxL0kNbm1X_tGR3U1AAkO5L_yAwoAaFXh08EqgMmPCBE3Rr8HWBq_6MJZs_J-GaH84g7A3y1oK5WEtoEN3eo8Yw4ak/s1600/IMG_1763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsY2tKye36hAno8VgL5ewxgGB7ql3dIWiP1AIpmpx5taPbnCpTnxL0kNbm1X_tGR3U1AAkO5L_yAwoAaFXh08EqgMmPCBE3Rr8HWBq_6MJZs_J-GaH84g7A3y1oK5WEtoEN3eo8Yw4ak/s400/IMG_1763.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO93Oe61F5g_3zyXsnkPe9DEN_o3B0vxOrEPpCWM47W1m3veI3gvjSe0Pg6OLZ6uxYcdOtWWCXQXf04h4068FWXcF7XwAt-I2GfKfPE_yZv4hyphenhyphenRbpy2cHzznnBjDNv9vA3JuWyTzzjvmo/s1600/IMG_1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO93Oe61F5g_3zyXsnkPe9DEN_o3B0vxOrEPpCWM47W1m3veI3gvjSe0Pg6OLZ6uxYcdOtWWCXQXf04h4068FWXcF7XwAt-I2GfKfPE_yZv4hyphenhyphenRbpy2cHzznnBjDNv9vA3JuWyTzzjvmo/s400/IMG_1765.jpg" /></a></div>And there was a funny, fat little ground squirrel who insisted on posing for us until we took our fill of pictures.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jT23f4qG8kty4Z6x2QMBhVEMMWLxtitZLcet_oHduZ18rCauwPE0Kw6ICoySBJdvrIReaJRldMRxhKmMO1EUnaD_PcW6vftKPonS_DX-3RK-cA1jjP98BuhXtBX-4lmkHE0JurNHN1g/s1600/IMG_1771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jT23f4qG8kty4Z6x2QMBhVEMMWLxtitZLcet_oHduZ18rCauwPE0Kw6ICoySBJdvrIReaJRldMRxhKmMO1EUnaD_PcW6vftKPonS_DX-3RK-cA1jjP98BuhXtBX-4lmkHE0JurNHN1g/s400/IMG_1771.jpg" /></a></div>Aside from that, the trail ran along the side of a cliff face where water trickled out here and there. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Ki6mIGWwx_JIIZVYS6sg62GtYcZuz6puglY3Xiu36kVFmzkSy1SXyhEkXHLGu36zUg7xF5ZhM1CTyDOnitZlzha7y40HmeJhhrq5tdkuvu2ykJB7BTD2myXsKGJSUTm6Xb-gR5ZmBg/s1600/IMG_1782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5Ki6mIGWwx_JIIZVYS6sg62GtYcZuz6puglY3Xiu36kVFmzkSy1SXyhEkXHLGu36zUg7xF5ZhM1CTyDOnitZlzha7y40HmeJhhrq5tdkuvu2ykJB7BTD2myXsKGJSUTm6Xb-gR5ZmBg/s400/IMG_1782.jpg" /></a></div>There was nothing particularly picturesque about the oozing water, but once you got around this bend, the view into the Canyon was magnificent.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8VY6pOuLdbrDaQnoGtMuNiBvnCQ-idwwOXrPGtPmqlE2qOzeB204HMdQeCAzGGAMVjHOI7VVcQ3WZMUB4dKcrBt9qEK90BnjehF8m72NkoOfizCoHB3WoRUWTnsBciYDCzHRy0GoSs0/s1600/IMG_1794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8VY6pOuLdbrDaQnoGtMuNiBvnCQ-idwwOXrPGtPmqlE2qOzeB204HMdQeCAzGGAMVjHOI7VVcQ3WZMUB4dKcrBt9qEK90BnjehF8m72NkoOfizCoHB3WoRUWTnsBciYDCzHRy0GoSs0/s400/IMG_1794.jpg" /></a></div>Mam kept exclaiming how this was the best hike she'd ever been on and how every thing was SO cool!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgZTwh03mBA496W-o7lG3R8Xgv_ZldLE0x3Hdj3K_5-umLR2uQhF_LDQofJ_EbTAA9bIBIg6OZp_4UBj7fN-mBc46yV7aRDjCqzaS8SHFMWzW06BoHXVwIpEBL8wLsWqy6sWwaGX5URs/s1600/IMG_1820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgZTwh03mBA496W-o7lG3R8Xgv_ZldLE0x3Hdj3K_5-umLR2uQhF_LDQofJ_EbTAA9bIBIg6OZp_4UBj7fN-mBc46yV7aRDjCqzaS8SHFMWzW06BoHXVwIpEBL8wLsWqy6sWwaGX5URs/s400/IMG_1820.jpg" /></a></div>We were having so much fun that when the trail kind of petered out, we kept going along the narrow, less-defined trail. Other people were hiking the opposite direction, so it didn't seem like a big deal. We got to the end, where it was clear that you could go no further and we stopped for a rest against the big, red cliff face.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsDMb2RUd9u6rHknc9-KCPiujh2wvqQEqlemzfRecowjqsXErA4w2pmwt5B4XAEnvzdR2CvELJySx5I_ik03HKMs2VlU6bNBUqKvp6Vhfmbq5ynJCZLcE4FcZqDBHiO3HJsScgYdCogY/s1600/IMG_1837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsDMb2RUd9u6rHknc9-KCPiujh2wvqQEqlemzfRecowjqsXErA4w2pmwt5B4XAEnvzdR2CvELJySx5I_ik03HKMs2VlU6bNBUqKvp6Vhfmbq5ynJCZLcE4FcZqDBHiO3HJsScgYdCogY/s400/IMG_1837.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9X2gsaWY-kNHjN80bQUBkw9j6KzaZXsSBZrhFVaaGlBnNnikbaBqYSmz5sGeb-dmO1BKSHOh7gtJCwvN_jZ3Ru3O1jPvXWU2mHLR4kMGLvim_hRoCs9Z705SmqPPJ2SZnaG8xQ-Zfk0/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9X2gsaWY-kNHjN80bQUBkw9j6KzaZXsSBZrhFVaaGlBnNnikbaBqYSmz5sGeb-dmO1BKSHOh7gtJCwvN_jZ3Ru3O1jPvXWU2mHLR4kMGLvim_hRoCs9Z705SmqPPJ2SZnaG8xQ-Zfk0/s400/IMG_1843.jpg" /></a></div>Mam and I did a little exploring, making Smunch a tad anxious. We weren't doing anything dangerous. He's just high-strung that way and he was doubtlessly tired. We met Smunch back up on the rocks and turned around. <br />
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It's a funny thing about ill-defined trails. They look so very obvious going one way, but they can be near invisible when you turn around to go back. I'm not sure if that's what happened to us. But I know we lost the trail. And before long, we were climbing around cacti and slip-sliding across a sandy, rocky, rather steep slope. It was hard. It was frustrating. And perhaps I should have made some connections about Smunch's anxiety about then because the struggle to traverse the terrain and find the trail became punctuated with announcements like, "Mom, I don't want to die out here!" and "Well, I guess we could just sleep here and find the trail tomorrow."<br />
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All that sounds pretty alarming, but in truth, we were in no real danger. The biggest danger was that someone would truly get hurt while we were off trail..more than the myriad bumps and scrapes we already had from the rocks and prickly plants. The cliff face curves and from the point where we'd stopped, you could look back and see the trail. We could <i>always</i> see the main trail. We just weren't on a path to get there.<br />
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Before long, Mam started buying some of Smuch's hysteria. And a slightly stressed and frustrated mommy, who'd been calmly, but firmly reassuring moments earlier started to slowly lose it. And then there was this:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXjVpB-IEaEtTMBBOuKx2ewJcam55rL4ShIdzJeBUtGpyb9C2pWQ_ywADfWNjyb9ywk_huw7-tSRZoqZeTICRo_iwS6FX8TKVV68oDpRJi7xB-nbneoO21UUsFtfb4ei3jV7WuW-E-Xo/s1600/IMG_1819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXjVpB-IEaEtTMBBOuKx2ewJcam55rL4ShIdzJeBUtGpyb9C2pWQ_ywADfWNjyb9ywk_huw7-tSRZoqZeTICRo_iwS6FX8TKVV68oDpRJi7xB-nbneoO21UUsFtfb4ei3jV7WuW-E-Xo/s400/IMG_1819.jpg" /></a></div>I suppose I shouldn't single out this particular agave plant. It wasn't this particular individual, but at some point, I stumbled and planted my shin firmly on the outstretched leaf of one of these plants. Know what? The spikes at the end are really sharp and they can stick into your skin a good long way. Knowing that the kids were already panicky, I muttered something under my breath and vowed to ignore my newly-impaled leg, but gosh, it hurt!<br />
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We scrambled up and down, trying to make sure we stayed close to the level of the trail in the distance. I kept thinking we'd found it, and being quickly disappointed. Finally, as we walked along a rocky outcropping, I saw the trail...about five feet below. Thankful that I could manage to keep my calm, I kept walking until we came to a small tree close to the rock and we all shimmied our way down. <br />
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Back on the main trail, tired, relieved, scraped and bleeding, we made our way back to the mommymobile. It wasn't far. We really hadn't <i>gone</i> that far. I said something to the kids about hurting myself, at which point they noticed the blood streaming down my leg, staining my socks and dripping on my hiking boots. "Oh, Mommy! Are you O.K.??" Mam cried.<br />
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Of course, I was O.K., I reassured her. I had her take pictures of the damage, just to prove it was merely a flesh wound.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQQydsYXhccxKlSEEkuBv7gCbW-mZgzjCbeqSEWRokUKfzGkLxV3aRae8uPprTFR-TxyAWqXDSMttdbLt2Ua7wRr-WwmSeEMW-LIYXQJmmMQuYxpLzvz25AmKmZ6VLCxqysq8Fb_e-NY/s1600/IMG_0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQQydsYXhccxKlSEEkuBv7gCbW-mZgzjCbeqSEWRokUKfzGkLxV3aRae8uPprTFR-TxyAWqXDSMttdbLt2Ua7wRr-WwmSeEMW-LIYXQJmmMQuYxpLzvz25AmKmZ6VLCxqysq8Fb_e-NY/s400/IMG_0796.jpg" /></a></div>It's not really impressive. It hurt far worse than it looked. Turns out that having an agave give you a nice hard jab in the shin will hurt badly...for days. Thank goodness I brought the Advil.<br />
<br />
The kids declared this hike an absolute disaster. Secretly, I thought it was kind of awesome, despite the challenges...possibly <i>because</i> of the challenges, at least in part. There's some freedom to having the absolute knowledge that you can get out of a situation that makes some people (even little people) panic. I hoped the kids felt like I'd gotten them through the ordeal, even if they maintained their stance that it stunk.<br />
<br />
Whatever I had planned for that evening no longer mattered. The only thing that mattered was getting back to the campsite, cleaning our wounds, making a campfire and having spaghetti. Spaghetti...and s'mores, of course. <br />
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I wouldn't have minded drinking a big, cold margarita in retribution though!<br />
MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-5318464589436691612013-08-28T21:00:00.000-07:002013-08-28T21:00:34.603-07:00Road Trip - Day 2There are so many stories from this trip that I'm hoping not to write an entire post for each day, but I'm not overly optimistic. Sunday was another big day of driving. It went something like this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dE9_60bfhAqq9ADnsZLKaAKbRvqbRFgA3voH2OxXkxv5GagjL4Lpc_xLF1i0tcnEeZUo02WrnKfVaVEPVMZgbgcb1ZLcl-7VgBr2HxWzj3ci7Kof1ywR4D2NOk54_v_2HGBbYTTg43g/s1600/IMG_2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dE9_60bfhAqq9ADnsZLKaAKbRvqbRFgA3voH2OxXkxv5GagjL4Lpc_xLF1i0tcnEeZUo02WrnKfVaVEPVMZgbgcb1ZLcl-7VgBr2HxWzj3ci7Kof1ywR4D2NOk54_v_2HGBbYTTg43g/s400/IMG_2277.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3uX6XxSFJr1XEQxQwddnBKLgtWWi8VdyRONu15kqwG9xx5lYJyU09nHM62p0c_RhOa3w36KgzbO8FyKVPymm4LrKnfYGM_7ztwy1M3o_Ao1P8T4LR5Ou39LLXeBescWxxBnT4zR4Srk/s1600/IMG_0573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3uX6XxSFJr1XEQxQwddnBKLgtWWi8VdyRONu15kqwG9xx5lYJyU09nHM62p0c_RhOa3w36KgzbO8FyKVPymm4LrKnfYGM_7ztwy1M3o_Ao1P8T4LR5Ou39LLXeBescWxxBnT4zR4Srk/s400/IMG_0573.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6f0P6QXklT7KFTvSrHZb6JyA5SVSL1V9xMEJk8gY8r2znIcOgU0b1AOR90FZ_K7bT2_eRxeSzIMismEpFftWnNKSr-UvSoT3edqHlyRVzf1fMgLQCPp8qJWMMc_Eu1ZfO1FlkH0rJk0/s1600/IMG_0596_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6f0P6QXklT7KFTvSrHZb6JyA5SVSL1V9xMEJk8gY8r2znIcOgU0b1AOR90FZ_K7bT2_eRxeSzIMismEpFftWnNKSr-UvSoT3edqHlyRVzf1fMgLQCPp8qJWMMc_Eu1ZfO1FlkH0rJk0/s400/IMG_0596_2.jpg" /></a></div>And then, where two highways diverged, we decided to take...well...probably the one more often traveled, so that we could drive through here:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BP0O8dll5mGHuP-6N9SZnWPSTaFtDbUK-KXh0senDEZFwH5tYmyfPQdYZFoYD4DTeLtc4QSFstaER98aMr7rKnyYyS_DqtumcGLBAUJc0425cWtdmJGx7c50RXs4i8uhwMvRRjY0afg/s1600/IMG_0603_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BP0O8dll5mGHuP-6N9SZnWPSTaFtDbUK-KXh0senDEZFwH5tYmyfPQdYZFoYD4DTeLtc4QSFstaER98aMr7rKnyYyS_DqtumcGLBAUJc0425cWtdmJGx7c50RXs4i8uhwMvRRjY0afg/s400/IMG_0603_2.jpg" /></a></div>I was a little sad we didn't have more time there, to be honest. Zion is very pretty and it was a beautiful day. I'm sure we saw very little of the park, all told.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTCqh7ac1dwzkVUlY9ESXUdj03aExddqk1KwJt5yB7ZqkG7D5xn_VGLEJiKoGiCfNNahtkxxVdiPIqREojtBavznJrMv2oxBJNrhabFqf-Wp0yLvQ4tPvhWbGmvX87sdW-jBoyD8kufI/s1600/IMG_1610_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTCqh7ac1dwzkVUlY9ESXUdj03aExddqk1KwJt5yB7ZqkG7D5xn_VGLEJiKoGiCfNNahtkxxVdiPIqREojtBavznJrMv2oxBJNrhabFqf-Wp0yLvQ4tPvhWbGmvX87sdW-jBoyD8kufI/s400/IMG_1610_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBM1IuTwlyOHq_QoSIoYXj8oQKhulEcKkxQsBOWae-PUks4hihC_78_RvaWOIuiaQYwk9Yv0W7xy6r0F_xl_fvkmAKcCRuM631QEy_KwZsbT3G_S26DJtk7UyiEyp0JERSaQIFSGw0JA/s1600/IMG_1616_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBM1IuTwlyOHq_QoSIoYXj8oQKhulEcKkxQsBOWae-PUks4hihC_78_RvaWOIuiaQYwk9Yv0W7xy6r0F_xl_fvkmAKcCRuM631QEy_KwZsbT3G_S26DJtk7UyiEyp0JERSaQIFSGw0JA/s400/IMG_1616_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERO6iTjfjaj00-DGwFjGitOw7X7FqaeNAEdX1cf8_ApCED1VQRKtHbfiT99POo2PO2CbV8wtrvkxqeGxaDDH_qAI20Xlhie3fc6lc2tWjK1BUb1pCyroZVG11D6vwJlDHAKVD961vF2Y/s1600/IMG_1619_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERO6iTjfjaj00-DGwFjGitOw7X7FqaeNAEdX1cf8_ApCED1VQRKtHbfiT99POo2PO2CbV8wtrvkxqeGxaDDH_qAI20Xlhie3fc6lc2tWjK1BUb1pCyroZVG11D6vwJlDHAKVD961vF2Y/s400/IMG_1619_2.jpg" /></a></div>Met some nice folks from Colorado on our way out and had them take a picture of us at Checkerboard Mesa.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPzRoUjye5l9eRbLvTxNpEEwLiQay9LlHcsGZcOzKav7GqgZcyOgzgyJNXexWHG1_76rJ7RZdhM-Dx9CLQLSS0XmjZdI8-U01d3iO5AV9LzWr5oFu8vz8irVqywIzjv5JuyLy1qhwgE4/s1600/IMG_0605_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPzRoUjye5l9eRbLvTxNpEEwLiQay9LlHcsGZcOzKav7GqgZcyOgzgyJNXexWHG1_76rJ7RZdhM-Dx9CLQLSS0XmjZdI8-U01d3iO5AV9LzWr5oFu8vz8irVqywIzjv5JuyLy1qhwgE4/s400/IMG_0605_2.jpg" /></a></div>Oh, that's a lotta orange. Smunch and I will endeavor to coordinate outfits in the future.<br />
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And then it was back to Arizona...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85TDpME04gO9DCupXQDkHDGtJi_ic7LE3smlH8NxgFEX97HUxHinCa9-31ecfaTOhwi2va6cNtttZn7IzFIlhAwrTyV4jAHv3WwnzbnsCBDPcfC5BvZNkj3UC0tnmYsZ2z9BZcvSs-74/s1600/IMG_0613_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85TDpME04gO9DCupXQDkHDGtJi_ic7LE3smlH8NxgFEX97HUxHinCa9-31ecfaTOhwi2va6cNtttZn7IzFIlhAwrTyV4jAHv3WwnzbnsCBDPcfC5BvZNkj3UC0tnmYsZ2z9BZcvSs-74/s400/IMG_0613_2.jpg" /></a></div>and our final destination. We got out of the mommymobile when we got to the park boundary. It's always fun to take pictures of the kids with the sign, right? But the scene behind us seemed pretty spectacular too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLIv1efqKvOQPgk-JnIKdHkjLLZkfIfPEZrmoMh6Av9G7dslYenulKAgiggrFZQHV1D90lqXgDsmyV3eCoa3cOQ5WYGaO0N3eWhyphenhyphenogNw7c2dCFbUnSq64boQk-lbNH_aNjJOVFS7K4Bo/s1600/IMG_1649_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLIv1efqKvOQPgk-JnIKdHkjLLZkfIfPEZrmoMh6Av9G7dslYenulKAgiggrFZQHV1D90lqXgDsmyV3eCoa3cOQ5WYGaO0N3eWhyphenhyphenogNw7c2dCFbUnSq64boQk-lbNH_aNjJOVFS7K4Bo/s400/IMG_1649_2.jpg" /></a></div>Still, I kinda couldn't believe we made it...like I got kind of teary taking this next picture. Oh. My. Gosh. We're here!!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAoMOIScbohqvOM2IRnLtPgZwNrB33_2nehazCF4aY5w0lGb-V4AYwq0gUq4b_XOZ2HDwq14FnwCjYYKPBl59TMySGDslhBPnKorpOHc2hpGffFHS9XUPVMJBE00VN014mOFjV7RhMhM/s1600/IMG_0617_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAoMOIScbohqvOM2IRnLtPgZwNrB33_2nehazCF4aY5w0lGb-V4AYwq0gUq4b_XOZ2HDwq14FnwCjYYKPBl59TMySGDslhBPnKorpOHc2hpGffFHS9XUPVMJBE00VN014mOFjV7RhMhM/s400/IMG_0617_2.jpg" /></a></div>And, so we were. I flashed my newly-minted (at Zion) National Parks pass and we headed for the North Rim Campground, where we received the welcome news that despite the robocall I'd received weeks earlier saying the fire danger was too high, the alert had been cancelled and campfires were indeed allowed. There would be s'mores. Thank goodness.<br />
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I guess I should stop here and say that the North Rim is not the favored side of the Canyon. Most people head for the South Rim. It's easier to get to if you've flown, but driving, there didn't seem to be a big difference. And if you're going to book your trip in June, you're NOT going to book a campsite on the South Rim. It suited me just fine, even though I still had to book two different campsites to stay for four consecutive nights. <br />
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We had a great spot among the aspens and ponderosas for our first night. The campground is great for car camping. The sites are big and the store is nearby...which is important when you've got constantly thawing coolers. We unloaded our stuff onto a big tarp and I sent Mam to the store for some firewood. While she was gone, I realized it was getting late. The sun was setting and we had yet to catch a glimpse of the Canyon. So as soon as she got back, I piled the surprisingly willing kids back in the car and drove the mile to the rim to watch the sunset.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1Lqthn6QC7gyiwD20JA4FT42Su02s98l6EIofiqzeoRSt_WHJoE0d8rF0nVxrif3DKKv2d50uDc344Nr3O5FaQOSSYo6K3kNsFHyNLSCNzxLCicOeu4scdGOcQzl1HQvcpLQZ9JmNE/s1600/IMG_1653_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1Lqthn6QC7gyiwD20JA4FT42Su02s98l6EIofiqzeoRSt_WHJoE0d8rF0nVxrif3DKKv2d50uDc344Nr3O5FaQOSSYo6K3kNsFHyNLSCNzxLCicOeu4scdGOcQzl1HQvcpLQZ9JmNE/s400/IMG_1653_2.jpg" /></a></div>And what a sunset it was!<br />
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If you look closely at the previous picture you can see a faint rainbow angling down from the clouds toward the Canyon. That's because there were thunderstorms rolling across the South Rim, treating us to a spectacular thunder and lightning show, as the clouds turned orange and the rain came down in pinkish cascades.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_bLq0-XGF7tDnt_iHtDZk_OgA2g0dDj1boOED4mbqdGi3boI7euhnW17IuYsQfkXy-Vm5Of3vBXkv6ahC8LRlXGJ1ltAlScFj9yE2C0Lj8wio5iONVTPPBukfr4tM-h82IrVOgkNySE/s1600/IMG_1669_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_bLq0-XGF7tDnt_iHtDZk_OgA2g0dDj1boOED4mbqdGi3boI7euhnW17IuYsQfkXy-Vm5Of3vBXkv6ahC8LRlXGJ1ltAlScFj9yE2C0Lj8wio5iONVTPPBukfr4tM-h82IrVOgkNySE/s400/IMG_1669_2.jpg" /></a></div>The rain and clouds also provided for a beautiful sunset.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrwH0Um5MhEUrmWg5vpH3P44ZYaGrWL6FRSBgrKbGKZmkgQ6v_InQ8O0Wc_wsnE_JQs5OImdcX9uHr54xDL4d0yZYhXf-wxOvU-28FFJPzD1JouTWG9MF75aJ9BBuOn8Pt1D1qHt2h7c/s1600/IMG_1670_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrwH0Um5MhEUrmWg5vpH3P44ZYaGrWL6FRSBgrKbGKZmkgQ6v_InQ8O0Wc_wsnE_JQs5OImdcX9uHr54xDL4d0yZYhXf-wxOvU-28FFJPzD1JouTWG9MF75aJ9BBuOn8Pt1D1qHt2h7c/s400/IMG_1670_2.jpg" /></a></div>And about that time, I took note that the rain wasn't just moving along the South Rim of the Canyon. It was moving <i>across</i> the Canyon. And that was O.K., but wait... All our stuff was sitting out on a tarp in our campsite. We hadn't even put the tent up yet. <br />
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I grabbed the kids and we rushed back to the car, zipping back to the campground and racing the growing thunder to get our tent up. To their credit, and despite my lack of patience, the kids had never been more helpful. I can't get the tent up on my own. I got the poles in wrong and had to re-do them, but we finally got the poles in their sleeves and arched just right. With just a minute or two left to spare, the rain fly went on and we threw everything in the tent. Phew!<br />
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That just left dinner. *sigh* Their quota of helpfulness having been met for the day, the kids hung out in the tent while I put on my rain jacket and went out to heat up dinner in the rain. To their disappointment, I ditched the plans for spaghetti in favor of heating up the pre-made taco meat I'd brought. And we all squished into the tent's small vestibule and ate our tacos while it rained. I wish I had pictures. I suppose I'd left the camera in the car at that point.<br />
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Sometimes the memories are better...and funnier than any picture could ever be...<br />
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-60614183351555342492013-08-28T19:49:00.000-07:002013-09-03T21:38:48.436-07:00Road Trip! Growing up, my family never really went on a road trip. Getting from the Bay Area to Lake Tahoe was about the most we did. And that was fine. What kids enjoy sitting in a car for hours on end? Well, it turns out that mine don't mind it all that much, as long as there's a good audio book for everyone to listen to, we're all pretty happy. <br />
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Back in June, when Mam was still finishing up her travel softball season, I started feeling a little antsy about having so few plans for the summer. I'd tried to book the kids in as much camp as I could stomach, just so I could go to work. But summer shouldn't be about work. We should be able to do something awesome. They should have something to write about when they returned to school and had to write the latest installment of <i>What I Did on my Summer Vacation</i>. And I needed to indulge my sense of adventure, at least a little.<br />
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So, on August 10th at 5:30 in the morning, I packed the coolers, stuffed them in the mommymobile with a ton of other stuff that I'd packed the day before and we set out for Rose's Donuts and Cafe...a mere 15 minutes away at that hour of the day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVeEzzqLt_mNhcj8tIMXiSNbbHBmJjm2WWQrKokIg6jvi6l_PbhgiD85OHVxgAT2J4d8MPEUPz1L6Us3BzZ8w5F7mexAoTNgnEZABPpxT9uF8KsUOxRioEoOO-v5G70iU4xOa6xEN660/s1600/F7EIFGTZCekG5k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVeEzzqLt_mNhcj8tIMXiSNbbHBmJjm2WWQrKokIg6jvi6l_PbhgiD85OHVxgAT2J4d8MPEUPz1L6Us3BzZ8w5F7mexAoTNgnEZABPpxT9uF8KsUOxRioEoOO-v5G70iU4xOa6xEN660/s400/F7EIFGTZCekG5k.jpg" /></a></div>It didn't look like this. For starters, the sky was dark and the place was empty. We were the line for donuts and we could have whatever the heck we wanted. Yummm. I don't indulge in donuts often, but it was a nice start to a long day. Donuts and coffee. Of course, coffee.<br />
<br />
And then we drove South. And then East. And finally, around 2 in the afternoon, we reached Mojave National Preserve.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnszxdmbErIrFjo9r54apN3BbSaWYe7OVDHdx_J4f6eF51yRoawXCimCF2E5OuSMBPjse5sQ2Dp86CMLF55FtViV0uoc_BYpXe-pPSDlY7XyD01DBis42awevmtrzQLzBAXG0P38ohTE/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnszxdmbErIrFjo9r54apN3BbSaWYe7OVDHdx_J4f6eF51yRoawXCimCF2E5OuSMBPjse5sQ2Dp86CMLF55FtViV0uoc_BYpXe-pPSDlY7XyD01DBis42awevmtrzQLzBAXG0P38ohTE/s400/IMG_0562.JPG" /></a></div>It was hot, but not as hot as it could have been in the middle of the desert in mid-August. I whipped out the smallest cooler and made everyone sandwiches. I'd been a little worried about camping here in the middle of the desert. You couldn't reserve campsites. It was first-come-first served.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBQLmLC5-L6rfuZOcAGJ-gszhMCR9cisYIak7W6_ZxCFO4k0lvT6196ug81knU7L-Xyk3uL6xF3q5NnwFBhELcagPZsy5isl74hjxm_j9-4oSSwZpRQ4Tp2Pmjz1tAwt59njLRpcY4x4/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBQLmLC5-L6rfuZOcAGJ-gszhMCR9cisYIak7W6_ZxCFO4k0lvT6196ug81knU7L-Xyk3uL6xF3q5NnwFBhELcagPZsy5isl74hjxm_j9-4oSSwZpRQ4Tp2Pmjz1tAwt59njLRpcY4x4/s400/IMG_1559.JPG" /></a></div>We were second to arrive at Hole-in-the-Wall Campground that day...a campground with more than 35 campsites. Camping? No problem. The kids found the only available shade alongside the minivan and dug into their lunches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHueowBJK18CVvvX3mjdVGBFQRH-fbn3di2zkqjrjUPD5n8HXn7Xw1E5Prt7Y35eh-1fjC9kKnUv1f_VyLhcVB4G9DWQIchfaSqX8JEVJnYXTXLw568atAsAeZYoYqFxUPn2MHolRsKLY/s1600/IMG_0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHueowBJK18CVvvX3mjdVGBFQRH-fbn3di2zkqjrjUPD5n8HXn7Xw1E5Prt7Y35eh-1fjC9kKnUv1f_VyLhcVB4G9DWQIchfaSqX8JEVJnYXTXLw568atAsAeZYoYqFxUPn2MHolRsKLY/s400/IMG_0536.JPG" /></a></div>We paid for our campsite. We went to the little visitor's center for a moment and then took a little hike, climbing down the holey rocks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1kmPgHf-xM990fkE1oW8YnAjikNkl54ak0QkySm3pKMWQ4R3Ly3jQBJYxtOgGPQqduy1-TlEZwfHyK3pdNt5iLVlSLfkHaKqpkw5NdcN248n4UNsk-UEAV1gXuXiBum7Vt07bLIrYRk/s1600/IMG_0543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1kmPgHf-xM990fkE1oW8YnAjikNkl54ak0QkySm3pKMWQ4R3Ly3jQBJYxtOgGPQqduy1-TlEZwfHyK3pdNt5iLVlSLfkHaKqpkw5NdcN248n4UNsk-UEAV1gXuXiBum7Vt07bLIrYRk/s400/IMG_0543.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3k5Eq9mWdArZSjSJtO5AYseofQBXKp9U5i5ZnjnXp736GOKp8CuvsOF-JDpr_PuYQ2Njrx1ZMovJ68JBC_ra5OTbmVu-tkHJaoF-1BJrjaD5zHMDFsSyJyPNAL33ur9xkduX9Uov2vc/s1600/IMG_0544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3k5Eq9mWdArZSjSJtO5AYseofQBXKp9U5i5ZnjnXp736GOKp8CuvsOF-JDpr_PuYQ2Njrx1ZMovJ68JBC_ra5OTbmVu-tkHJaoF-1BJrjaD5zHMDFsSyJyPNAL33ur9xkduX9Uov2vc/s400/IMG_0544.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf9VYP9y25JekRHTA7KA0C44XzJ9gf_8JWB8X3z1UAp0uWiXH0Rj0u_2fPpA1bizg4zNSDxwIXhJeShjrZWui34q-nVRzijmWpuUjdlpCg_NQV5w4BUT_C2dkpsiVC7RsKhLRB1EVcgQ/s1600/IMG_0549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf9VYP9y25JekRHTA7KA0C44XzJ9gf_8JWB8X3z1UAp0uWiXH0Rj0u_2fPpA1bizg4zNSDxwIXhJeShjrZWui34q-nVRzijmWpuUjdlpCg_NQV5w4BUT_C2dkpsiVC7RsKhLRB1EVcgQ/s400/IMG_0549.jpg" /></a></div>(with iron rings implanted in them for such adventures)and wandering through the open desert. It was hot and beautiful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs-40Ry7Mp-AQ69E1ZeurXN6Rvk9TIOjnllO0TNzuv-01AP0oc7Wc9z1pLVpy-r2-2guIhxoAic780aKDIRIFnZPlRJgZ8cD5uTs_rhjpBg1ZwTAkxahI9KjYxdJtCUQd0gVzoZWDvQg/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEs-40Ry7Mp-AQ69E1ZeurXN6Rvk9TIOjnllO0TNzuv-01AP0oc7Wc9z1pLVpy-r2-2guIhxoAic780aKDIRIFnZPlRJgZ8cD5uTs_rhjpBg1ZwTAkxahI9KjYxdJtCUQd0gVzoZWDvQg/s400/IMG_0555.JPG" /></a></div>When we got back, we went for a little drive to see Kelso Dunes and the other side of the park. I'd misjudged just how big this park is...and how lousy some of the dirt roads are. It was a neat drive with views of rocky mountaintops, Joshua trees and sand dunes, <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ExhF9I2_8X1cuTz-nWdA0hUDeSqhflw0JQW7CuUvbuy8PkFNLT_Lg5PHawoxB35_UhmIp_y7_dce60QtVuZlFkODUy5430-qYS9NYNnqPDn2MVjtILS0UMLsq4puQKMvy8Qzae5q2s4/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ExhF9I2_8X1cuTz-nWdA0hUDeSqhflw0JQW7CuUvbuy8PkFNLT_Lg5PHawoxB35_UhmIp_y7_dce60QtVuZlFkODUy5430-qYS9NYNnqPDn2MVjtILS0UMLsq4puQKMvy8Qzae5q2s4/s400/IMG_1565.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31sUzXWs7s73qLMECceBuV4shRiWjukiLqQCJgVGxvmiYvh7ep1wO5MO-3KlQYdQBCDgPwzrmfly4ILaEySDfY9Z0_5YsAMUYLHQIWkgpJAUtUa6YaNThSR-DqjE8tVPWj9BbQ-8SmEQ/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31sUzXWs7s73qLMECceBuV4shRiWjukiLqQCJgVGxvmiYvh7ep1wO5MO-3KlQYdQBCDgPwzrmfly4ILaEySDfY9Z0_5YsAMUYLHQIWkgpJAUtUa6YaNThSR-DqjE8tVPWj9BbQ-8SmEQ/s400/IMG_1576.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNm8aHFymtj95ChYDr2sSu8bSVymqRe_dADojWtDKBQavTZagFMe4qWaQ7jSM1psV_48XHdr12zsVimfKuuBz7kyNQY4eZfLkc_C2pjruT6JYA16M3ZNfLLm2ptX5j9WQv5Suf5SsYmc/s1600/IMG_0559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNm8aHFymtj95ChYDr2sSu8bSVymqRe_dADojWtDKBQavTZagFMe4qWaQ7jSM1psV_48XHdr12zsVimfKuuBz7kyNQY4eZfLkc_C2pjruT6JYA16M3ZNfLLm2ptX5j9WQv5Suf5SsYmc/s400/IMG_0559.jpg" /></a></div>but it was also near dark when we rolled back into our campsite.<br />
<p>Fortunately, I'd planned ahead for something like this and although I'd scheduled us for a stirfry dinner, everything was in the cooler, cut up and ready to go. The only thing I hadn't really planned on was the volume of moths in the desert. There are moths of every size and shape. Some of them are plain enormous and all of them are, stereotypically, attracted to light. So it was hard to keep them at a distance. They crowded around the lantern, flew into the camp stove and doubtlessly into our food. Who doesn't like a little moth stirfry?<br />
<p>At one point, Smunch said excitedly that a BAT had landed on the side of our table. That seemed a little strange, but I went around to look. Wow. There was a tiny bat hanging on the side of the table. But then, on further inspection, it wasn't a bat after all. It did look like a bat, but it was just another huge bat-colored moth.<br />
<p>A little kangaroo rat peered over the edge of our campsite, just to see if our meal looked interesting. <br />
<p>Smunch and I set up the tent. I'm not sure why. Mam slept outside and seemed perfectly comfortable. The campground filled up a little as evening fell and at one point, an anonymous neighbor told us there was going to be a meteor show that night. How cool. A meteor shower would be awesome in the desert. But I'd gotten up at 4:30am. The meteors wouldn't show up until midnight. Not happening. Oh well...<br />
<p>Still, I've spent very little time in the California desert and I was happy to be there...away from everything, with two of my favorite people.<br />
<p>We were up early the next morning, shoving everything back in the van and on our way to greater adventures...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfHQwjMcwhQfSrfS-sXf2wcWOWWRR6R9wLtuRM0xVhUKWrcGxzfLCZpDXCok8WU4RBavL-cReHhly9_-W8U0TJ7lIftZWg8Ly18_gNAY8DmZiNDCcBlet2Dr-sf4FbjNNpgw9UI2ztY8/s1600/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfHQwjMcwhQfSrfS-sXf2wcWOWWRR6R9wLtuRM0xVhUKWrcGxzfLCZpDXCok8WU4RBavL-cReHhly9_-W8U0TJ7lIftZWg8Ly18_gNAY8DmZiNDCcBlet2Dr-sf4FbjNNpgw9UI2ztY8/s400/IMG_1581.JPG" /></a></div><br />
MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-61753326661138980442013-08-25T22:20:00.000-07:002013-09-24T18:53:23.691-07:00Images of Summer<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Heh. I didn't write a single post for the entire summer. It was a busy season...and it honestly seemed really long. I can't believe the kids are back in school. My life suddenly seems a little more sane, even if there's more work involved. But the summer deserves some thought. We packed a lot in those few weeks when I didn't work. And the kids were in camp the rest of the time. It was busy at the office too, so I was glad to have planned ahead. But enough of that. On with the pictures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtXTozIQpGXiEsuwTPNg33vLM0W7TY6LN-e1jaekQ3k9fKhmxwUvjpwTvdGihFtmWQbXP5z6hQbVUQTUglPf8a9imSmaQYzGVjEDVjrLGqx40z1IAuxWPjATtj7x67SDi0E1JFvhiZ50/s1600/IMG_1318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtXTozIQpGXiEsuwTPNg33vLM0W7TY6LN-e1jaekQ3k9fKhmxwUvjpwTvdGihFtmWQbXP5z6hQbVUQTUglPf8a9imSmaQYzGVjEDVjrLGqx40z1IAuxWPjATtj7x67SDi0E1JFvhiZ50/s400/IMG_1318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smunch played on the PONY in-house All-Stars team, which plays a single weekend tournament against the other in-house teams. His team won again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OxR_almTbBg1pYyTRsEZ6PL5a_J0z6DB3n6wh3UdhaxlyUUxLVIWmeqZqtgvqGF1wGwfLUg6NgHRM6eWLnwCn7Kmbr5KM26Z3sLBQuLxJx8L9Ks_wmYoIqj82ByDogPu4BuO0GG7KZc/s1600/IMG_1322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OxR_almTbBg1pYyTRsEZ6PL5a_J0z6DB3n6wh3UdhaxlyUUxLVIWmeqZqtgvqGF1wGwfLUg6NgHRM6eWLnwCn7Kmbr5KM26Z3sLBQuLxJx8L9Ks_wmYoIqj82ByDogPu4BuO0GG7KZc/s400/IMG_1322.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best baseball season EVER.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3skZE3XvrJ-J2a6QQnD-DpLXx7ps5_QCYgEsFQkkUkNplZ_XhNJoQ3w634ompX1L7X0sx2WmakKhsX-lASLiCKE7cFEK-GqrOt3gZNRrTWtdpz5o_gE6CPEhnUxUlcFJga26eR7ESzow/s1600/IMG_1326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3skZE3XvrJ-J2a6QQnD-DpLXx7ps5_QCYgEsFQkkUkNplZ_XhNJoQ3w634ompX1L7X0sx2WmakKhsX-lASLiCKE7cFEK-GqrOt3gZNRrTWtdpz5o_gE6CPEhnUxUlcFJga26eR7ESzow/s400/IMG_1326.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mam continued to have a successful Nova season all the way through June, although they won no more tournaments. She was often one of the stars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJV-RS9g1wH6QPL3RRPI_t4yEp_jQaDT3PcDQcGwBybW3rBSLe71C_HPBvbO2etm98iQkF5Qvu4soLWzQApXs4dgS87DW2Tw_QRJYoURWuSMDfxWMUCHQd5cFpjTL4AID6G3dkErazJI/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJV-RS9g1wH6QPL3RRPI_t4yEp_jQaDT3PcDQcGwBybW3rBSLe71C_HPBvbO2etm98iQkF5Qvu4soLWzQApXs4dgS87DW2Tw_QRJYoURWuSMDfxWMUCHQd5cFpjTL4AID6G3dkErazJI/s400/IMG_0281.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">We went to see the big boys play. Shocker huh? Wasn't a shocker when they lost in 13 innings either!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOSeBss8gt_MofRqf3HvPYYwnu0qWgaZilVLq_xaxJhHySwcjB3Sb0xjKsWia2WS1S4VL_Ip6O9jh3K3psWhB_cqj8580lG_72xgzIi_geZMfEI8ASV74mlA8ypoN6a0oMZKaP4e6Uhs/s1600/IMG_1381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOSeBss8gt_MofRqf3HvPYYwnu0qWgaZilVLq_xaxJhHySwcjB3Sb0xjKsWia2WS1S4VL_Ip6O9jh3K3psWhB_cqj8580lG_72xgzIi_geZMfEI8ASV74mlA8ypoN6a0oMZKaP4e6Uhs/s400/IMG_1381.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As soon as Nova was done, we went camping in the Redwoods...with banana slugs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0os4R9tLNtg5vj0ZFp5yB7KGCFqM8r_iA_vsVM4VjGArALdqC5g-eYALLyKgI8o0PHf0laXNrQHfOF46YqwZTyou6jZZ1CWPYMN-eOoZ14-aptlBaJkQPaLRHkUzvhFWUu9X2jiZe7gQ/s1600/IMG_1402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0os4R9tLNtg5vj0ZFp5yB7KGCFqM8r_iA_vsVM4VjGArALdqC5g-eYALLyKgI8o0PHf0laXNrQHfOF46YqwZTyou6jZZ1CWPYMN-eOoZ14-aptlBaJkQPaLRHkUzvhFWUu9X2jiZe7gQ/s400/IMG_1402.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">We did some hiking in the forest, including fording the little river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QXq3AL8iV7yczukMJwiG2fhoNJ4G69nBaC2bV22a1vh5mvI0REsShKJI82hH5SMgcoR2orkh42lFVFExRZqIYrBYbvsdMkmKbUkwu7Oc4rvmmHPh2PQGt2uA04tUWm1Tt2M_pSLotgc/s1600/IMG_1454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QXq3AL8iV7yczukMJwiG2fhoNJ4G69nBaC2bV22a1vh5mvI0REsShKJI82hH5SMgcoR2orkh42lFVFExRZqIYrBYbvsdMkmKbUkwu7Oc4rvmmHPh2PQGt2uA04tUWm1Tt2M_pSLotgc/s400/IMG_1454.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">The kids enjoyed themselves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUGOHYtVdoHZqtLB5eD34aZgeNNqibPQrZLSZAGrcVTW-CV6J7aGBr1FjXa_7ZYMbzyAam0eR0wlZ6NIBlRp4EQ8mUXah9CTszleEHg3ZBN180RjS-YVwjpu3-odIJ6uIBEFF6D0eHRg/s1600/IMG_1497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUGOHYtVdoHZqtLB5eD34aZgeNNqibPQrZLSZAGrcVTW-CV6J7aGBr1FjXa_7ZYMbzyAam0eR0wlZ6NIBlRp4EQ8mUXah9CTszleEHg3ZBN180RjS-YVwjpu3-odIJ6uIBEFF6D0eHRg/s400/IMG_1497.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Best Ranger Program EVER</td></tr>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYwsX9DpvRgBqy0YQe1XD_C1y3xtTc3uY74anMe2PBbCumWqPqkBC2dTbptvelTWrUqdvjVw8-L3T8PPN_r-j5KbtUhajyuYrVbmcctNZJeaYuYFDpE2l0zzEUV9Ttnr-I0T8W8YBMiQ/s1600/IMG_1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYwsX9DpvRgBqy0YQe1XD_C1y3xtTc3uY74anMe2PBbCumWqPqkBC2dTbptvelTWrUqdvjVw8-L3T8PPN_r-j5KbtUhajyuYrVbmcctNZJeaYuYFDpE2l0zzEUV9Ttnr-I0T8W8YBMiQ/s400/IMG_1513.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><br />
With a little guidance, you can find all kinds of stuff in the creek!</td></tr>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LoR2jbB-unxCeyakq9tB3harClQ_b3UUfsvFFb-xJebKcfNAwktpnhsD74rZbOw-7jJB-O6H076eKu3cdZPPPWh6kTpcus8wRpjuflYdRCbDa66P3o2mr4rKOEUAPNDBAnwFJMSq3f8/s1600/IMG_0332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LoR2jbB-unxCeyakq9tB3harClQ_b3UUfsvFFb-xJebKcfNAwktpnhsD74rZbOw-7jJB-O6H076eKu3cdZPPPWh6kTpcus8wRpjuflYdRCbDa66P3o2mr4rKOEUAPNDBAnwFJMSq3f8/s400/IMG_0332.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Aunt Karen came to visit with Spencer! and Lucas! Lucas was more lively than this most of the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu5oG-jH03x4ab33tsAPXxe5I14CDGO9EyXuZp0TBdoJVHvQ_J81pqWErScehA4tcLiASW0ujwAYg42asA9bfMELZBegeFuLGzZ9uE_eWOFXNyIJuBuhXsQCDKvXCeQSW2TUp2mCe234/s1600/IMG_0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu5oG-jH03x4ab33tsAPXxe5I14CDGO9EyXuZp0TBdoJVHvQ_J81pqWErScehA4tcLiASW0ujwAYg42asA9bfMELZBegeFuLGzZ9uE_eWOFXNyIJuBuhXsQCDKvXCeQSW2TUp2mCe234/s400/IMG_0474.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">And then we went to San Diego to visit Aunt Karen..and Spencer! and Lucas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP680QmRDT0RO4j79PX7VdRC0ZSICoK_7L0gpAwF5Enpe8KeLoPE4uK11CT5m0t1CJwjTFxe2kepLU4oZyFNg_hiQeD6E2BnuMcSE6VoNSN3Fg3Qg69cLfjtWLwTGin8GV3Hvxtu0ekQ/s1600/IMG_1517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP680QmRDT0RO4j79PX7VdRC0ZSICoK_7L0gpAwF5Enpe8KeLoPE4uK11CT5m0t1CJwjTFxe2kepLU4oZyFNg_hiQeD6E2BnuMcSE6VoNSN3Fg3Qg69cLfjtWLwTGin8GV3Hvxtu0ekQ/s400/IMG_1517.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">We went to Anza Borrego State Park on a particularly thundery day. The kids learned about flash floods!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP83aq7iBN1eFnKURAzciilg2-n0KZ5sSfZYXL11w7OmWwesbkMCkow44yuRZYxiLGbRPMENw2IETrKKksYv01pPF6qfL6ZRMhgM_7B1-g6GJn1xBjO1sBcBhTa8n9igHonHBjdtaaS0/s1600/IMG_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP83aq7iBN1eFnKURAzciilg2-n0KZ5sSfZYXL11w7OmWwesbkMCkow44yuRZYxiLGbRPMENw2IETrKKksYv01pPF6qfL6ZRMhgM_7B1-g6GJn1xBjO1sBcBhTa8n9igHonHBjdtaaS0/s400/IMG_0365.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">We went to the water park...apparently water slides are <i>exhausting!<br />
</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzF_frIfOXeJoFqMTfhpZZXqvIZVxLixlVUy7wEd-5Meb0s-nt7WrmNLUTBuXeTCgWVXm2lX_Q6Rwrk4F9j8blXxNveUREz7fzzVXz1dywCr4PB7flRR7JJgO4Nf2OVvvFQJ4BHG1Tn4/s1600/IMG_0385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzF_frIfOXeJoFqMTfhpZZXqvIZVxLixlVUy7wEd-5Meb0s-nt7WrmNLUTBuXeTCgWVXm2lX_Q6Rwrk4F9j8blXxNveUREz7fzzVXz1dywCr4PB7flRR7JJgO4Nf2OVvvFQJ4BHG1Tn4/s400/IMG_0385.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">We went boogie boarding at the beach. The kids LOVED it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichKUSghD7nqUUkTjZBYqQxPtjN_PYWFvB7sj6WjFfSowmq8NcRrVOf4S47s66glc-U-O3RDCNrJkh4_x3jPDZSjxEioFm14axre3ysACAmrVXSAsL5nsRpXxvEenl6HqiSy-wKEGwqnQ/s1600/IMG_0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichKUSghD7nqUUkTjZBYqQxPtjN_PYWFvB7sj6WjFfSowmq8NcRrVOf4S47s66glc-U-O3RDCNrJkh4_x3jPDZSjxEioFm14axre3ysACAmrVXSAsL5nsRpXxvEenl6HqiSy-wKEGwqnQ/s400/IMG_0393.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Did I mention that they LOVED it??<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zPvHmPlPdFd6DbOSK5Z0fopO1KIeUl9cHVExUF-gqY1OZ161vO-yqxUSVIYRSud6uwVwngSoN50_lbSC3dW1SXWOuki4Gx80d-C4jAMJy-ToHNW8OTpNWp_tATULw8qMqY0_az0BIGc/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zPvHmPlPdFd6DbOSK5Z0fopO1KIeUl9cHVExUF-gqY1OZ161vO-yqxUSVIYRSud6uwVwngSoN50_lbSC3dW1SXWOuki4Gx80d-C4jAMJy-ToHNW8OTpNWp_tATULw8qMqY0_az0BIGc/s400/IMG_0430.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">O.K., I thought it was pretty fun too.</td></tr>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLKLgUC-p8mVUJkLq83Dmi3YkuRD4GO0_wUcLK7jW_3mO0h-X33SXihGEVO5zbC3BgnZD2pi0VL-MLMxab2xHvfqutYmSnDtGu7rZGcA6rdp3nTn_R-pJwnnNqFnC2EhTKky5YWwk4vQ/s1600/IMG_0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLKLgUC-p8mVUJkLq83Dmi3YkuRD4GO0_wUcLK7jW_3mO0h-X33SXihGEVO5zbC3BgnZD2pi0VL-MLMxab2xHvfqutYmSnDtGu7rZGcA6rdp3nTn_R-pJwnnNqFnC2EhTKky5YWwk4vQ/s400/IMG_0464.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">And we all took a falconry class at the La Jolla Gliderport. Smunch with a Harris' Hawk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp9TOkKmpKep51DW3SMECA5-PGBTIY_Cq2KLOCSD4PMENBfvNq0dyDNZ39GmgV1pgBTnOG30mTXNa1wiVSTqOwjmthYEhIA38qZygVXzmpUSt_Dhbbp6exo-M2Ya0dr3dLPf7Ibd0770/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp9TOkKmpKep51DW3SMECA5-PGBTIY_Cq2KLOCSD4PMENBfvNq0dyDNZ39GmgV1pgBTnOG30mTXNa1wiVSTqOwjmthYEhIA38qZygVXzmpUSt_Dhbbp6exo-M2Ya0dr3dLPf7Ibd0770/s400/IMG_0500.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">A week later, Mam and I decided to do something Giant</td></tr>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWEetGtDuPqNm2VMbRgT4ZsJS4CfxvFpvNQPnYvN0hpqkbm3Mxlu4RNdnEmSm-JLLDEGUf9jY9o_UXCTFu00uXfyDu90p4gbWFVp89MYAoWPTs-nm_ZENYHRHfhJy9qjWX_bcuPapv_o/s1600/IMG_0513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWEetGtDuPqNm2VMbRgT4ZsJS4CfxvFpvNQPnYvN0hpqkbm3Mxlu4RNdnEmSm-JLLDEGUf9jY9o_UXCTFu00uXfyDu90p4gbWFVp89MYAoWPTs-nm_ZENYHRHfhJy9qjWX_bcuPapv_o/s400/IMG_0513.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">...and completed the Giant Race 5K right on the field at AT&T Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></table></table></table>And would you believe, that wasn't the end? We still had one more Grand adventure in store....but that requires its own post or five.</td></tr>
<br />
MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-69407941979539434642013-06-10T14:08:00.000-07:002013-08-30T22:15:30.423-07:00Feeling Giant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG4jSd8Wl5_Lmwq-gdbbNYHxvIoaVv1QCeb6tGMOEin1Owe8Mbn4992kLouFStVZ5Lqj6hS6UE478yOwoZax0PYCD4C2-RIMqqLQ3nByGyrSSxZHm_kIuxC7EBU2L9MdHiHM1iKixgrM/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG4jSd8Wl5_Lmwq-gdbbNYHxvIoaVv1QCeb6tGMOEin1Owe8Mbn4992kLouFStVZ5Lqj6hS6UE478yOwoZax0PYCD4C2-RIMqqLQ3nByGyrSSxZHm_kIuxC7EBU2L9MdHiHM1iKixgrM/s400/IMG_1113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Back in March, I wrote about Smunch's latest <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html">PONY baseball team</a>. He is now in the Bronco division which spans 5th through 7th graders. He was visibly the tiniest player on his team. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpQsWR8jZVS-lRtQgULKlQI4i_brV7W3N_9Sn-lSN4b5u21Ecn8F-pVxmwcEJuPHVoOvKVedkgTHAnMHzaI9KyLu_J5vjXzGitjdjTgzB4UdHQXQ74hctlGbaCzEaiuxIrx6chdI7p7o/s1600/IMG_0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpQsWR8jZVS-lRtQgULKlQI4i_brV7W3N_9Sn-lSN4b5u21Ecn8F-pVxmwcEJuPHVoOvKVedkgTHAnMHzaI9KyLu_J5vjXzGitjdjTgzB4UdHQXQ74hctlGbaCzEaiuxIrx6chdI7p7o/s320/IMG_0937.jpg" width="213" /></a>The team had a good season. They finished with a win percentage a little over .500. That's respectable. They played some great games. They played some not-so-great games. Through it all though, they were a great group of boys. The superstars on the team were also good leaders. They picked each other up. They encouraged each other. They made room for everyone. I have to believe that it started with a really good coach...who managed to draft really great boys, with great families in the stands.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNx5W5C0_-b_CGYhAK49hXjiYQ6D3QVr3Fzl6QhRE_fH4GWgdAc87HjeXn7QyGvbgfvaF2NfnTCyXRDv2WbfwdReOvpCxjgzZFxLW17wj06BUze9y0EmJhcosVcEoNUobW7_iWag_0ug/s1600/IMG_1023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNx5W5C0_-b_CGYhAK49hXjiYQ6D3QVr3Fzl6QhRE_fH4GWgdAc87HjeXn7QyGvbgfvaF2NfnTCyXRDv2WbfwdReOvpCxjgzZFxLW17wj06BUze9y0EmJhcosVcEoNUobW7_iWag_0ug/s320/IMG_1023.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
The Bronco season ends in playoffs...three games of "pool play" for all 10 teams, followed by semifinals for the top four finishers and one championship game. All of these games are smashed into two weeks. For the Giants, that meant games on Wednesday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday followed by possible games Friday and Saturday. Ouch. There are strict pitch counts for the boys at this age, so it also involves some planning by their coaches.<br />
<br />
<br />
There were some really good teams in the Giants' division, including the feared Cubs and Indians, who were first and third, respectively after the regular season, and the "hated" Mets. And there were the pitiful Pirates, who had a rough season and came in last place. The Giants were ranked #6 after the season. No one was counting on them to get past pool play. And that was O.K. The baseball season is long and busy. Folks are usually ready to get back to their real lives by the end of May.<br />
<br />
But the Giants had other ideas. Those Cubs they were so afraid of? They beat them 17-4. The Mets? Well, that didn't go so well. They lost 12-7. And they crushed the poor Pirates 17-2. Their last game was against the Indians. Whoever won would go to the semi-finals. The loser would go home.<br />
<br />
Our coach had our very best (by far) pitcher primed for the occassion. He pitched 5 innings, using up half his allowed pitch count. And the Indians couldn't keep up. At the end of the 5th inning, they were down 9-0. Smunch came in to pitch. He struggled. The defense struggled behind him. They gave up 4 runs. He was replaced for the 7th and final inning, by another good pitcher, having a bad day. He gave up 3 runs, but the Giants were the home team and in the end the Giants beat the Indians, just barely, 9-7.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-nU-1TwlfnnKg_wT1W_igXPATU6-IBYleGWhSbtb2HEtZ11IXmPRLwHZlchfY9opNN2lzonsscA1e9GlT4srYr5dnO_TaqxsXUFfcNR_klsNu6IXe4d1VDKwrGmOAdJnc-K2nDXHt3U/s1600/IMG_0961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-nU-1TwlfnnKg_wT1W_igXPATU6-IBYleGWhSbtb2HEtZ11IXmPRLwHZlchfY9opNN2lzonsscA1e9GlT4srYr5dnO_TaqxsXUFfcNR_klsNu6IXe4d1VDKwrGmOAdJnc-K2nDXHt3U/s400/IMG_0961.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You might think Smunch would make the most of his baseball off days. It's the end of the school year. There isn't much homework. But making the most of those days, for him, meant going to watch the other teams' playoff games when he wasn't playing himself. So, we learned quickly that the Giants would be playing the Nationals during the semifinals on Friday. Smunch's Mavericks coach was the Nationals coach and one of his buddies from school is their first baseman much of the time, so this would be a fun game. The Giants had trouble with the Nationals during the season, however.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf07xoHciZfo7k__1X8dEfOs-qloO3RMVIYPz9jetyXgYE81YIPbtfXEC6WWT1HSIrFRtgrwLX5MG8SWdwQyaGw6t0PLauSvGOC8EqLun6EWFt_8Qeo6kqiE_o3jPDJO6MX_1mGo3axUg/s1600/IMG_1047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf07xoHciZfo7k__1X8dEfOs-qloO3RMVIYPz9jetyXgYE81YIPbtfXEC6WWT1HSIrFRtgrwLX5MG8SWdwQyaGw6t0PLauSvGOC8EqLun6EWFt_8Qeo6kqiE_o3jPDJO6MX_1mGo3axUg/s320/IMG_1047.jpg" width="212" /></a>Against what might have been his better judgement, but at the urging of the assistant coaches, the coach put the Giants' ace pitcher back out there on Friday. Perhaps it was the only way the team could win against a team like the Nationals. The big guy (seriously, the top of Smunch's head doesn't reach this guy's shoulders) threw 5 more shut-out innings and he was out of pitches...for the rest of the season. He came out of the game with the score standing at 7-0. If the Giants reached the championship, they would be without his pitching services...although fortunately not without his hitting. This kid is really phenomenal. Smunch did NOT want to pitch again. Fortunately, the kid who went in next was good and Smunch wasn't slated to pitch regardless. The Giants won 7-2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a big surprise, over on the other semi- field, the Rangers beat the oh-so-feared Cubs. And the match-up for the championship was forged.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh-z22_zytts83O5NidpswLZHcZ4yuXVmSVx3asLHpJeuhINYHh-eEUFgqjOpWVb_nzVOkImz497FNz3FRJwn9jrTBvwi07w5zRjPl8G3km20qJPBkdl2xaAXkOluJFTS2sVi81ycRgA/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh-z22_zytts83O5NidpswLZHcZ4yuXVmSVx3asLHpJeuhINYHh-eEUFgqjOpWVb_nzVOkImz497FNz3FRJwn9jrTBvwi07w5zRjPl8G3km20qJPBkdl2xaAXkOluJFTS2sVi81ycRgA/s400/IMG_1088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Serendipity was also on the Giants' side when it turned out that the San Francisco Giants' mascot, Lou Seal, had been hired to appear at grad night for the junior high school where the semi-final game was played. After the game, all the kids went out front and had their pictures taken with the big guy. Who knows? Maybe the magical 2010 and 2012 seasons of those "Big Giants" would rub right off Lou Seal and onto these guys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it came to Saturday morning, Mam had to be in South San Jose by 10am for a weekend softball tournament. Her games were at 11, 3:30 and 5. The Bronco championship game started at noon. I was exhausted just considering it. But I wasn't going to miss the first championship game Smunch ever played in. It was just NOT. GOING. TO. HAPPEN. Period.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2-mlfLYwPOul7p5hsdzM98qHGflfWzrlAkcLgkSndcApk3AqBry0NHEf8eyneO1d3LjPZMT0LH9MNm4EPh5W8Ppp4P7o1NU-h9ZS5O2ixGgU1cEHnQ1t-65AVJKIwIDnPbm0iSpq6OU/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2-mlfLYwPOul7p5hsdzM98qHGflfWzrlAkcLgkSndcApk3AqBry0NHEf8eyneO1d3LjPZMT0LH9MNm4EPh5W8Ppp4P7o1NU-h9ZS5O2ixGgU1cEHnQ1t-65AVJKIwIDnPbm0iSpq6OU/s400/IMG_1136.jpg" width="266" /></a>I drove Mam to San Jose, pawned off the scorekeeping on a willing grandparent, pawned Mam off on one of the team managers, watched the first half inning of her game (leaving when Nova was up 4-0 and Mam already had an RBI) and jetted home, reaching the ball field during the bottom of the first inning. The Giants had already shelled the Rangers' ace pitcher and the score was 7-0 in the Giants' favor. It was a hot, hot day and the fans (aka parents, grandparents and siblings) were roasting. The kid who had closed out the semi-final game the day before was put in as the starting pitcher. He wasn't having such a good day on Saturday. He worked hard, but the defense failed him over and over and they gave up run after run until he finally ran out of pitches and left the game with the score at 10-9, in favor of the Rangers. I'm sure Smunch was grateful that it wasn't him. And hopefully, it helps him maintain the perspective that it's O.K. to have a bad day in baseball. It happens. One day can be stellar and the next can be disastrous. At any rate, the whole thing was stressing me out far more than should be allowed. It's a kids' baseball tournament for goodness sake! I considered driving back to San Jose and avoiding the torture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa0D1j4lhUoEK54pjmGDS1V8GxnQZsYKIpkzz0CKxxLxXomLyHK5mIrIrMjuIGXuY-CuFznw_dKPxUdzVOkgJ1ZIhbA5EL5L1oFemhkDfb-73HVLVXk2HwC-5rbA-Qvl7Bf9dSboPifo/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVa0D1j4lhUoEK54pjmGDS1V8GxnQZsYKIpkzz0CKxxLxXomLyHK5mIrIrMjuIGXuY-CuFznw_dKPxUdzVOkgJ1ZIhbA5EL5L1oFemhkDfb-73HVLVXk2HwC-5rbA-Qvl7Bf9dSboPifo/s320/IMG_1045.jpg" width="213" /></a>I haven't said a whole lot about Smunch's personal performance in these games, aside from his rough couple innings pitching in the last game of pool play. He had a few hits, but didn't touch the ball in the outfield in either that game or the semi-final game. He didn't have many opportunities for heroism and I think that was just fine with him. He maintained his position as lead-off batter. I think he was proud of that. He should have been. It meant that he made it to first base more often than not. He probably walked to first as often as he hit the ball. His strike zone is that small. The championship game was different, however, with their ace pitcher done for the season, there were a lot of hard-hit balls that went to the outfield. Smunch fielded several of them. It wasn't always beautiful, but he got the job done. His best play was on a fly ball where the crowd held its breath as he looked skywards, taking a few steps this way and that before the ball finally landed in his glove as he fell over to one side. He's a good base runner too, so while he didn't have a single hit in the championship game, he scored two runs and even had an RBI. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite being a little guy, he knows what he's going out there, even when it isn't done to his own satisfaction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEOQ2lRAEin4FagVM1yolFwIQRTLI6MQQU9Gk-HbfNQ-5hG-7E_oZvk8it3rGSLaV0vNz_UMJRwo12nH6KlSowfoMxzhWtmdAuGGU51Y0kdqlO30CxXUlRPpWp4n-FxdHWhyphenhyphenp5XZCvmY/s1600/IMG_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEOQ2lRAEin4FagVM1yolFwIQRTLI6MQQU9Gk-HbfNQ-5hG-7E_oZvk8it3rGSLaV0vNz_UMJRwo12nH6KlSowfoMxzhWtmdAuGGU51Y0kdqlO30CxXUlRPpWp4n-FxdHWhyphenhyphenp5XZCvmY/s400/IMG_1195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't think he had any problem with scoring that run there though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the starting pitcher left the game, things started picking up. Although the Rangers had their ace pitcher available, the Giants hit him so hard that they were forced to replace him. Their next pitcher fared better, giving up only a couple of runs, but he was Smunch-sized and throwing his entire body of the mound to throw fast, beautiful strikes. He could only last so long. As soon as he was gone, so were the Rangers' chances of winning. A game they were once leading 10-9 became a smoking crater that they lost 23-11.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OVBgMfkLEbWZUsJr3bcyw3sxk1g3dYCpOGqRiDHqXAarOcxP8mj0WsRBK-hmiuNlFIJ95tmPH3GKCh8_uTxUBxkoPeOu8Pofyngct9QjXV0Dciv7hjEKhmdCxJsC-yq3HKFmE1mkkBg/s1600/IMG_1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OVBgMfkLEbWZUsJr3bcyw3sxk1g3dYCpOGqRiDHqXAarOcxP8mj0WsRBK-hmiuNlFIJ95tmPH3GKCh8_uTxUBxkoPeOu8Pofyngct9QjXV0Dciv7hjEKhmdCxJsC-yq3HKFmE1mkkBg/s400/IMG_1220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpK-wg2iH-NaecEydyB6MWCyYmMhugIZA26eY7nP2g6LC62BHJcx5fhvmYdhKcR1s639loMMFV2VsvonCACCLKsbLHcvL1bdAZ7nx3ZiImLxoXJzqT_wJ8-IjoHY0GTMISWKcG7vbnPI/s1600/IMG_1221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpK-wg2iH-NaecEydyB6MWCyYmMhugIZA26eY7nP2g6LC62BHJcx5fhvmYdhKcR1s639loMMFV2VsvonCACCLKsbLHcvL1bdAZ7nx3ZiImLxoXJzqT_wJ8-IjoHY0GTMISWKcG7vbnPI/s400/IMG_1221.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that is how a really fantastic group of boys with four phenomenal coaches became the 2013 PONY Bronco Champions. And I'm so sad it's over for them, even though it ended in the best possible way. I spent too much time at softball and missed too much of this awesome group of boys. Any one of them would be welcome at my house any time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGZUffAHFbiYJJEvaT4uurWQXV5tE76D_nq8l8qwiGch0r_Hxm9j4NH9u3cZqh8LhMKb5h5enr07wNdXju3YhImgnVyoXy2kkqElGbonuHQiKUh0tILjgd3LU5tWHuWYESTywdSyE6ac/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGZUffAHFbiYJJEvaT4uurWQXV5tE76D_nq8l8qwiGch0r_Hxm9j4NH9u3cZqh8LhMKb5h5enr07wNdXju3YhImgnVyoXy2kkqElGbonuHQiKUh0tILjgd3LU5tWHuWYESTywdSyE6ac/s400/IMG_1257.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the way back to San Jose for the rest of Mam's softball tournament, Smunch commented on what a weird feeling it was to win...not just a game, but the whole championship. "It's a feeling I've never experienced before," he said. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsLRgWgKfnGDVtJQVQohWuyXHzO_Q7xmVISiO_t4IE8dua1E5Wmk1xDDWE3pg69R7_lksq4J1HJpVrOJWl23vghSgAmvStd9N47TCVVb0o25KZHbQBZou0eeDl1rZGojEj7sR5nIMh4w/s1600/IMG_1254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsLRgWgKfnGDVtJQVQohWuyXHzO_Q7xmVISiO_t4IE8dua1E5Wmk1xDDWE3pg69R7_lksq4J1HJpVrOJWl23vghSgAmvStd9N47TCVVb0o25KZHbQBZou0eeDl1rZGojEj7sR5nIMh4w/s400/IMG_1254.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope he knows how special and rare that feeling is for most people. It's something you have to appreciate in the moment so you can look back on it and remember just how that felt. If you're lucky, you get to feel it again (and again and again), but you might not, so it's worth taking stock when it happens. Smunch got to be an integral part of a team where he got to play a sport he loves with great teammates and great coaches, including his own grandpa (who's pretty special all by himself). He may not have grown in physical size compared to his teammates (as evidenced above), but he grew so much in skills, confidence and experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Championships aside, I wish every baseball season was just like this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ8jJt7XE8wZLAkL2LI5OUaUi7woNHklA0zs4wL7RArGxLeqEbo1d7UlkGxAYqImnJFKxk5uUrzAug9uxmJ-UMIASZxuy1AUR1uBImV6AXTSDaraszOJDLdIPqqSO6nTtOUv3HxVkKsM/s1600/IMG_0923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ8jJt7XE8wZLAkL2LI5OUaUi7woNHklA0zs4wL7RArGxLeqEbo1d7UlkGxAYqImnJFKxk5uUrzAug9uxmJ-UMIASZxuy1AUR1uBImV6AXTSDaraszOJDLdIPqqSO6nTtOUv3HxVkKsM/s400/IMG_0923.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-24335236818679765392013-06-10T12:37:00.001-07:002013-06-10T15:16:34.672-07:00The Dwindling Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring is nearly over. I haven't felt a lot like writing lately, but it doesn't mean I haven't taken plenty of pictures. Since our camping trip to Pinnacles, I went on a short backpacking trip, Smunch participated in the Junior Olympics, we had a successful 5th grade Colonial Day, played lots of baseball, played lots of softball, Mam made the summer travel softball team, Smunch's PONY Bronco Giants won the Bronco Championship, while his travel team lost almost every game they played. Mam and I ran a 5K together...what a blast that was! Smunch played his cello on stage for the first time. I played my flute on stage, for the first time in 20 years...and possibly the last time, but I remembered how much I enjoyed it.<br />
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I feel like I'm drowning in kids' practices and sports right now, even as the school year quickly winds down. I'm praying for July... when softball finally ends...to rescue me. And since I have no real heart for the writing, here are some pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommie N. and me at Pt. Reyes National Seashore for a more adventurous trip to Alamere Falls</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, I missed Smunch competing in the Junior Olympics. Here he is doing the standing long jump.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvaihoHxub7J3bpWkGiRRRuBmjVL2KrFpRMSDm8TgvAuhH0tg3RYXfLx1C1ZGvXmv7pKaZYwmQ1c3k2Dx2glwbqNUUnMUZj4wTVxDkw4hsFiACdmHm9H6MinITrA83QzFrd2JHPHKh0A/s1600/IMG_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvaihoHxub7J3bpWkGiRRRuBmjVL2KrFpRMSDm8TgvAuhH0tg3RYXfLx1C1ZGvXmv7pKaZYwmQ1c3k2Dx2glwbqNUUnMUZj4wTVxDkw4hsFiACdmHm9H6MinITrA83QzFrd2JHPHKh0A/s400/IMG_0189.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little runner, who ran the entire 5K with me for Girls on the Run.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcHK45TYLumZgX83rfE12g1MNT7ChLT3aEkyY85ECjloHZER0dMLCe3rmv34JNiML7RY0mMVYRAiGIg2YhGZ0LmNs7qNciGICHvz4zH1P_1Q-ULb2bVaRAywmmgvVSJNTEE3wGufaoQY/s1600/IMG_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcHK45TYLumZgX83rfE12g1MNT7ChLT3aEkyY85ECjloHZER0dMLCe3rmv34JNiML7RY0mMVYRAiGIg2YhGZ0LmNs7qNciGICHvz4zH1P_1Q-ULb2bVaRAywmmgvVSJNTEE3wGufaoQY/s400/IMG_0193.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out running with your daughter is pretty awesome. She says I'm too slow, however.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrZZY5plNYZJwAkfjv40mdcTjbXy6NS37MoIiUrqn_yfgvo2cjuWE8h12O2bKnWFaKloyXBngMjdWXatS9WsjL1ye6z559oNw5Zf7LK97PixtHkTuKGJ5LHnringUCmxrR66THP5JcAA/s1600/Q82C8100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrZZY5plNYZJwAkfjv40mdcTjbXy6NS37MoIiUrqn_yfgvo2cjuWE8h12O2bKnWFaKloyXBngMjdWXatS9WsjL1ye6z559oNw5Zf7LK97PixtHkTuKGJ5LHnringUCmxrR66THP5JcAA/s400/Q82C8100.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Mam finished her stint as a Neon Green Viper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_ZI3r9xMpBtBfVgoVZCf7sR68C3IGSUdG67kJVniWDe-jCtjvo6yZb8lNg-OYxD8D8gO3Yli80Hjr3qRSxd1QvNTrRH28gaQHWVJQF6Hy2mPrWxu3U50VCjBXCely9i2F3DY4NcIG1Q/s1600/IMG_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_ZI3r9xMpBtBfVgoVZCf7sR68C3IGSUdG67kJVniWDe-jCtjvo6yZb8lNg-OYxD8D8gO3Yli80Hjr3qRSxd1QvNTrRH28gaQHWVJQF6Hy2mPrWxu3U50VCjBXCely9i2F3DY4NcIG1Q/s400/IMG_0219.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I joined current students and alumni to bid a happy retirement to our high school band director, retiring this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQwqae7XFfZzx5qRHSMric2ZlkO44oMlpLUaNn1dph7wm18gW2eAvScR0YvE-HO7KYfvWVq1ZPeYmpgyQCHLy8JjNdRDR2OG6GLpBpJaE_w-MMPrV7FxFcvAxAWArYcCJDcAG96jXgDQ/s1600/IMG_0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQwqae7XFfZzx5qRHSMric2ZlkO44oMlpLUaNn1dph7wm18gW2eAvScR0YvE-HO7KYfvWVq1ZPeYmpgyQCHLy8JjNdRDR2OG6GLpBpJaE_w-MMPrV7FxFcvAxAWArYcCJDcAG96jXgDQ/s400/IMG_0217.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My high school buddies on stage with our flutes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKZaRXF2AKTqaZkyXSkp01_lQRrdfbsP1MjePAaf7KALjW5Lw2aGIIGhwsp0TUuYbMOcUQTA4tUUcSBDVZvmV-vAfJUsc_Xg78L-NX50KXY8AcY0G0EvItezCV4FdIMDRApkKxtrxHkY/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKZaRXF2AKTqaZkyXSkp01_lQRrdfbsP1MjePAaf7KALjW5Lw2aGIIGhwsp0TUuYbMOcUQTA4tUUcSBDVZvmV-vAfJUsc_Xg78L-NX50KXY8AcY0G0EvItezCV4FdIMDRApkKxtrxHkY/s400/IMG_0231.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, <i>one</i> of us appears not to have aged a day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRvWlp-Yfty9WqcJmv-LVZpswVetrbKS4EXVuIoA4X6rtlqaFOWT4ERJ5RemtpqCLtv3VKpU6I-WHIqNou9M9B3Wu4eWdwqOlE3WN8acpIu4sa0-cZNGwoGtKI-gi3FAmY9OtuX6VSYk/s1600/IMG_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRvWlp-Yfty9WqcJmv-LVZpswVetrbKS4EXVuIoA4X6rtlqaFOWT4ERJ5RemtpqCLtv3VKpU6I-WHIqNou9M9B3Wu4eWdwqOlE3WN8acpIu4sa0-cZNGwoGtKI-gi3FAmY9OtuX6VSYk/s400/IMG_0236.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy little cellist preparing for his first concert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKc4Xdg_uDEMg4GXT7OhE7k1YUYg0U6AhISB2-vDfSholbhXYP_nvShVqqz4TNox3dKqx2mKG401VFKQR6kpE9Rz1E4YMWPIF9JVS8h6WK3-zyJnrUeJTcyNZxYlzDF9NKvXmXLTTpa8/s1600/IMG_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKc4Xdg_uDEMg4GXT7OhE7k1YUYg0U6AhISB2-vDfSholbhXYP_nvShVqqz4TNox3dKqx2mKG401VFKQR6kpE9Rz1E4YMWPIF9JVS8h6WK3-zyJnrUeJTcyNZxYlzDF9NKvXmXLTTpa8/s400/IMG_0246.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And after this? He quit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6pvlAtDG87sGDs8J4asv1QYD7mIzM2oLz_olif5bhC2bUtEozB-bXNgfxYbqB4aKm70RRLmKlcr5oWR3KmtNHUV5JaT8yfm89Qp6lPJjhJvtCwm6IdoAzZutNrKGRYXg1Hgi5naF2HI/s1600/IMG_0721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6pvlAtDG87sGDs8J4asv1QYD7mIzM2oLz_olif5bhC2bUtEozB-bXNgfxYbqB4aKm70RRLmKlcr5oWR3KmtNHUV5JaT8yfm89Qp6lPJjhJvtCwm6IdoAzZutNrKGRYXg1Hgi5naF2HI/s400/IMG_0721.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mam, once again, tried out for the Nova softball travel team</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXtPzCYm9tDoH6wEGHNTUgMbgJKpwKRal9aTUvQbwIcYyINe3Glgn90sKzhjieiPQ4onoCR1Rd0hnsh_2oFOLujq6BJcAGvIpiWy4YmsWssQjtOtGPck0Vne5mDYKKR9tED5Q-JcOcME/s1600/IMG_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXtPzCYm9tDoH6wEGHNTUgMbgJKpwKRal9aTUvQbwIcYyINe3Glgn90sKzhjieiPQ4onoCR1Rd0hnsh_2oFOLujq6BJcAGvIpiWy4YmsWssQjtOtGPck0Vne5mDYKKR9tED5Q-JcOcME/s400/IMG_0805.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The head of the cooking school and her little colonist</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpW4JyHQzaqqM6gIdF35DASNmVg9hfr9S0s-hNRRflGAQXxuuWd1ect7p7pz5JfDucs9lrbeHc0MJ-Dw11ThyphenhyphenzGif-G7DP-ipS5HnQq9rotCeO8PKk2ab09UFz-TwA2EYyTz81YZSitY/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpW4JyHQzaqqM6gIdF35DASNmVg9hfr9S0s-hNRRflGAQXxuuWd1ect7p7pz5JfDucs9lrbeHc0MJ-Dw11ThyphenhyphenzGif-G7DP-ipS5HnQq9rotCeO8PKk2ab09UFz-TwA2EYyTz81YZSitY/s400/IMG_0776.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew there were pickup baseball games during colonial recess?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnBW6_GAvO6eyXeiHdcBI4SWB0XRJfEGtNGDL3pFsAOD1j8U_gh0i7KH6HMTufOvUJNDIQ5mYEzcc_CcRSl81CouqITmU_C3BolDSCPFL4mcEYRIzREdRmxxJgE50Ia20v25Of7uP3Bw/s1600/IMG_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnBW6_GAvO6eyXeiHdcBI4SWB0XRJfEGtNGDL3pFsAOD1j8U_gh0i7KH6HMTufOvUJNDIQ5mYEzcc_CcRSl81CouqITmU_C3BolDSCPFL4mcEYRIzREdRmxxJgE50Ia20v25Of7uP3Bw/s400/IMG_0823.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, and she made the team.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8FqRRKkC1EB7ahXJjoaM_3IZR6Uf2MTjijCUIkJ3VrSct5m5FE7z1p60AOG5Z32OdAVm_jbCqOvCN031VgJ_oK_gpTJ9457mcZHBsEnEfd9rHlGleNPVbLZL7yU5b_pTyEQXyKf9mLI/s1600/IMG_0899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8FqRRKkC1EB7ahXJjoaM_3IZR6Uf2MTjijCUIkJ3VrSct5m5FE7z1p60AOG5Z32OdAVm_jbCqOvCN031VgJ_oK_gpTJ9457mcZHBsEnEfd9rHlGleNPVbLZL7yU5b_pTyEQXyKf9mLI/s400/IMG_0899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8U Nova winning their first tournament in Brentwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfjOx4q0ecnPph0i2UFZQXmKRfZ0guxqZYBQgL4w_WpntJuV_XHmbHxpyRWowyWDNLL16aGERkSeDvWNpU0Nj77Go4xnHYMYEHm0HbvUoXqu0goaJmyzTAu5Hk8legx0JeWtmJ2ot5Fc/s1600/IMG_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfjOx4q0ecnPph0i2UFZQXmKRfZ0guxqZYBQgL4w_WpntJuV_XHmbHxpyRWowyWDNLL16aGERkSeDvWNpU0Nj77Go4xnHYMYEHm0HbvUoXqu0goaJmyzTAu5Hk8legx0JeWtmJ2ot5Fc/s400/IMG_0913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the Mavericks' season was far less joyful<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ1StZ0BcjqW9u1R5fBQ1Oq85PZV3kZTVBIcY2aiTWe7FQi0eI_u-Dk0fnFLpiSW6dRghBFJ-b1aSsZyNPacjboCRTBHDpHeNd6ekM2tCgZMLu4XrE9VNoGncP0Dv2doKa9Ul37rh5jM/s1600/IMG_0255.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ1StZ0BcjqW9u1R5fBQ1Oq85PZV3kZTVBIcY2aiTWe7FQi0eI_u-Dk0fnFLpiSW6dRghBFJ-b1aSsZyNPacjboCRTBHDpHeNd6ekM2tCgZMLu4XrE9VNoGncP0Dv2doKa9Ul37rh5jM/s400/IMG_0255.png" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">A little something I did for myself</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohPWZ92mA0xILcOeNvkxmzw_07rRjw2TN_EuC1Du2WKPjtzLRKp1eqOhF32dZXjPc1fTp3Qaa9Sm5PRDlT_yH3aCmQe84HlwoqI2PvJ-5i3CrNjcg7REYRwidIW3r6M-P-CraMsI9aIU/s1600/IMG_0921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohPWZ92mA0xILcOeNvkxmzw_07rRjw2TN_EuC1Du2WKPjtzLRKp1eqOhF32dZXjPc1fTp3Qaa9Sm5PRDlT_yH3aCmQe84HlwoqI2PvJ-5i3CrNjcg7REYRwidIW3r6M-P-CraMsI9aIU/s400/IMG_0921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat your heart out, Justin Bieber. Smunch with Coach Jeff.</td></tr>
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And this is where I realize that the PONY Bronco Giants really, really deserve <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2013/06/feeling-giant.html">their own blog post</a>. Because they just do.<br />
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-547992831017251732013-04-19T23:05:00.001-07:002013-04-19T23:07:14.737-07:00Reaching PinnaclesLast week was Spring break for the kids and it had been a good, long while since I got them outside...I mean really outside. Our spring camping trips have traditionally not gone well. During the first one, we got snow, last year we got rained out. This year, I decided to pick a place that's just too hot in the summer to wait for summer vacation to roll around. I had some other ideas, but they were more remote and a longer drive. Instead, we opted for <a href="http://www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm">Pinnacles National Park</a>...newly upgraded from Pinnacles National Monument.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT-PBoz9vwd14LJd3bwZc_PY26hnGKmkG_arYdh_jRmuADSQqN0Cbo10o6l-eqtUbMJ9W6SpRkxl5sKtVpYEXvU1TOwKB6PoHeCGKyOes9iwcseLL7VbGdh22DPioMDaAz4l90AtsFWQ/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT-PBoz9vwd14LJd3bwZc_PY26hnGKmkG_arYdh_jRmuADSQqN0Cbo10o6l-eqtUbMJ9W6SpRkxl5sKtVpYEXvU1TOwKB6PoHeCGKyOes9iwcseLL7VbGdh22DPioMDaAz4l90AtsFWQ/s400/IMG_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'd been there before, but it's been a long time. I'd never camped there, but there was plenty of availability. No great hiking right out of the campground, but it just meant we drove to trailheads once or twice a day.<br />
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We had a nice campsite, featuring a big, broken tree. Turns out the kids could get inside it from the back and found all kinds of hand and footholds to climb to the top. Between that and sliding down the dirt hill behind it, the might've been able to stay in the campground the entire time. We also had some fun campground visitors...</div>
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Nothing too surprising. We have quail and bunnies on our street at home, after all, but that's somewhat rare. We saw these critters all the time, along with a deer and a wild turkey or two that wandered through our site.</div>
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Some friends from school joined us for the first day and we took a short hike to some caves, which were partially closed in favor of bats. The kids still loved it. </div>
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And we headed to the reservoir where we found some tadpoles and the kids passed some time throwing rocks in the water.</div>
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It was nearly impossible to keep track of Mam who was off climbing rocks before I knew it. I'm not even sure how I got her back down to continue our hike. That girl is so incredibly fearless about her abilities that she makes me a little nervous. There were no problems of course. We had a lovely hike back and returned just in time to fix dinner.</div>
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Day Two featured a hike up Condor Gulch. It was pretty warm, but there were occasional breezes. Smunch whined a lot. He doesn't seem to make the connection that the more of this stuff he does, the easier it will be. Mam, on the other hand, was off ahead of us and wasn't ready to stop when both Smunch and one of the other kids became pretty whiney and we'd already reached our proposed destination, the "Overlook", which was fairly underwhelming as overlooks go. Didn't seem like we overlooked much, although the rocks loomed above us.</div>
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Smunch was not pleased with the idea of continuing any further. Mam was not the least bit thrilled with the prospect of turning around and going back. Oh, the joys of multiple children. And I have just two!</div>
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Critical mass seemed to suggest we go back. And we'd been so delayed (by a temper tantrum unrelated to my children) leaving for the hike that it was already lunchtime. I had some snacks with me, but it wasn't going to cut it for lunch. I promised Mam that perhaps we could revisit the trail the next day.</div>
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Our friends left after lunch and we were on our own. We decided to trek out to the other set of caves and see what was there. The kids were great, the weather was lovely. The caves were...empty. It made for a great late afternoon hike.</div>
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It was a long-ish hike. We had a late dinner, but we were all tired enough to get in our tent and pass out at the same time. We didn't get up too early either. We had a relatively leisurely breakfast...at least the kids did. I'd already started packing for home. It was hard to get everyone on the same page with the packing. Mam was a real pain and no threatening of taking her desired hike away helped. </div>
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In a move of undoubtedly bad parenting, we ended up going hiking anyway. Mam was in tears, I kind of wanted another hike myself and Smunch didn't really want to go, but I somehow convinced him it would be for the greater good. </div>
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We hiked up Condor Gulch again. The trail is significantly more challenging beyond the overlook, but completely worth it. I learned a little something about Smunch. When he gets hungry, FEED HIM. He was so whiney by the time that we got to the top of the ridge that I wasn't sure what to do with him. I gave him a breakfast bar and he turned into an entirely different child. I told him we'd be turning around at 12:30, but by then, he was so far ahead of us that there was no way to turn around. </div>
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And that was a little bit of serendipity too because it turned out that not only was there a lot of fun climbing up rocks at the top, but there was a California condor sitting up there too. There were so many turkey vultures that I might not have noticed, but someone mentioned that this bird had a yellow tag on one wing. Pretty good clue that it wasn't a plain ol' vulture. Nice trip highlight!</div>
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Now that it was easily closer to 1 o'clock, we hightailed it back down the trail, trying to get home in time for Smunch's baseball practice. There was a quick trip to the bathrooms by the parking lot, where Smunch discovered the park's newest bathroom attendant.</div>
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I happened to be chatting with a ranger when Smunch announced there was a rattlesnake by the bathroom, so it caused quite a commotion. Oddly, the park staff doesn't really approve of vipers guarding the bathrooms.</div>
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We couldn't stick around to see how they moved this critter, but we took off towards home, stopping just once for an ice cream lunch before arriving dusty, dirty and sweaty back at the house, where I sent Smunch right off to practice...to get himself dusty, dirty and sweaty.</div>
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-48865143793599095052013-04-16T14:50:00.003-07:002013-04-16T14:52:18.382-07:00Scenes from Easter<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXaS1PwxM9dUuOt8xpVXztFDfx90rxx2WOgutpSzpFvbbUaft623VpfnuHFN4PpRodX1wpaj_ASg1EaV0BjvuDmuet7Bztx4vZI2GGlhbPNuW32BqBL_Jge9Kbh6g1Q_lMflD5iCYGd0/s1600/IMG_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXaS1PwxM9dUuOt8xpVXztFDfx90rxx2WOgutpSzpFvbbUaft623VpfnuHFN4PpRodX1wpaj_ASg1EaV0BjvuDmuet7Bztx4vZI2GGlhbPNuW32BqBL_Jge9Kbh6g1Q_lMflD5iCYGd0/s400/IMG_0351.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't leave out baseball entirely, even for Easter</td></tr>
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I don't have a lot to write about Easter. We actually managed to color eggs this year. I'm the only one who eats hard boiled eggs, so I'm still trying to finish them off. Otherwise, it was a lot of chocolate, racing around the yard to find real and plastic eggs, a yummy, sticky breakfast and a nice dinner...that didn't look nearly as thrown together as it actually was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKxPfOzAMUnwpFCe61sUVkr1_W1WqLlG_3dNPPVVIUNMq3KpzRyRAsGKetVF_HuPUMeOYCfOcO8_w8_NJuKHNj4WSmfEW5gtkrUw0DwmnoPK0CHs7SsS1023S9Gz_NtTEBLu1w4XKwo4/s1600/IMG_0295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKxPfOzAMUnwpFCe61sUVkr1_W1WqLlG_3dNPPVVIUNMq3KpzRyRAsGKetVF_HuPUMeOYCfOcO8_w8_NJuKHNj4WSmfEW5gtkrUw0DwmnoPK0CHs7SsS1023S9Gz_NtTEBLu1w4XKwo4/s400/IMG_0295.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those rabbits lay funny looking eggs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting impatiently for the hunt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4nxEOuEp0VcgoZ3wgAO_Qw8CXPJXNRdBDHvv3N9ipEKduhOV0K52DRatmoUlbvpNcrYqL-wjGoIieBVXM4vYxG4PCpfq_3QYe2dRGjex_4f7kePWqHoUxUfCsOQVnyMxiQl0LFLCRjo/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4nxEOuEp0VcgoZ3wgAO_Qw8CXPJXNRdBDHvv3N9ipEKduhOV0K52DRatmoUlbvpNcrYqL-wjGoIieBVXM4vYxG4PCpfq_3QYe2dRGjex_4f7kePWqHoUxUfCsOQVnyMxiQl0LFLCRjo/s400/IMG_0362.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting impatiently for cinnamon pull-apart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDx3noUDMoAhKRuXE5dDCgMm6qs5UOQVPsNXVGEPgDITmT3U9dbXkzbG-e-Um5yN8I83uK-bv3XtAaF4Ni6eP57MYVCiSadrwt2zR519nNlJPVe7whPOfnKxEkt33CVBT3H9Rs6Y5b2o/s1600/IMG_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDx3noUDMoAhKRuXE5dDCgMm6qs5UOQVPsNXVGEPgDITmT3U9dbXkzbG-e-Um5yN8I83uK-bv3XtAaF4Ni6eP57MYVCiSadrwt2zR519nNlJPVe7whPOfnKxEkt33CVBT3H9Rs6Y5b2o/s400/IMG_0363.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting all the eggs before his sister</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKicP-7nczA6HJLrZbe18Lw1y4vZ1zjnvrWcUWTmtSx45-a6XW-ItxesZUYldh0NyMKrt3JrIw3Fmpm-LZeH6bJ3vCAE3RrxXYtp-NgAl2a0gugBxIaEWwMni3X3cppnBSbgL6Kr1u5k/s1600/IMG_0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKicP-7nczA6HJLrZbe18Lw1y4vZ1zjnvrWcUWTmtSx45-a6XW-ItxesZUYldh0NyMKrt3JrIw3Fmpm-LZeH6bJ3vCAE3RrxXYtp-NgAl2a0gugBxIaEWwMni3X3cppnBSbgL6Kr1u5k/s400/IMG_0367.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not impressed with this egg's first finder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SUeWhpy-jYmPrVl40WSKLk8SjrbKHgHspgS32nLjk7OU7mFcg2DMP0Ui2iCJ-jHgUgie_WdYM9T_hElDv4bAexW3gHcicE0IzK2pCpp5Ai3fNt92eqaaq3WdaK-5vRovxu7j0jSO4fc/s1600/IMG_0379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SUeWhpy-jYmPrVl40WSKLk8SjrbKHgHspgS32nLjk7OU7mFcg2DMP0Ui2iCJ-jHgUgie_WdYM9T_hElDv4bAexW3gHcicE0IzK2pCpp5Ai3fNt92eqaaq3WdaK-5vRovxu7j0jSO4fc/s400/IMG_0379.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Spring-y</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main attraction</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last minute yeast rolls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks almost like I really planned for this!<br />
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-35749504495334014402013-03-31T22:33:00.001-07:002013-03-31T22:45:05.845-07:00Play Ball!Holy moly, if it isn't baseball season again already! Truth be told, I hardly had a chance to miss it with the San Francisco Giants playing all the way through October again. They don't start their regular season until tomorrow, but that doesn't mean that I'm not blessed with my full complement of softball and baseball games and practices.<br />
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This weekend started with Smunch's first "real" baseball game...inasmuch as it was the first one that would count in the season standings. Smunch is now playing for the PONY Bronco divison Giants (as opposed to the San Francisco Giants.) While he looks mighty spiffy in his new uniform...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzLsWiVDmUsXwHTVcE8DVmEJ3-4hAAy96Bh28kazU024C1_kZrgdKHNi_142UNV2OU_payUcUZTRfpNKmNPN6d6CHMEzz0zcu4-3k5R8bSXOuJI2Fcms_22AwX1FXMog4b1vbmrPbx2w/s1600/IMG_0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzLsWiVDmUsXwHTVcE8DVmEJ3-4hAAy96Bh28kazU024C1_kZrgdKHNi_142UNV2OU_payUcUZTRfpNKmNPN6d6CHMEzz0zcu4-3k5R8bSXOuJI2Fcms_22AwX1FXMog4b1vbmrPbx2w/s400/IMG_0265.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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he is also the smallest player on the team...by far. The kid next to him, in the catcher gear isn't exactly a monster either, but Smunch is noticeably smaller in real life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxx9KB3KEMdlxKLcE5PVtO5BHyzJmn9srjgCmE7qAf10oCXBWLSs5n2lQICTo7B6U1DBY9Ktxq90E9KzPP7KnEB4lbc9chbNQuOaXPAu6FHMVR12suffzHhXFomKb2pcGrSbqX5XCHOk/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxx9KB3KEMdlxKLcE5PVtO5BHyzJmn9srjgCmE7qAf10oCXBWLSs5n2lQICTo7B6U1DBY9Ktxq90E9KzPP7KnEB4lbc9chbNQuOaXPAu6FHMVR12suffzHhXFomKb2pcGrSbqX5XCHOk/s400/IMG_0267.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At the game, a mom I'd never met before asked me if the really big kid in the photo was my kid. I laughed and said "No, the little one is mine." "Oh, Smunch?" she said. "He's my favorite! He's not very big, but he sure can play baseball." She's my new best friend.</div>
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Smunch was supposed to pitch during the third inning, so I was hoping they'd get there before Mam and I had to hightail it out of there to her softball game. The game was going a little slowly. I only had about an hour and 15 minutes to stick around. </div>
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Although one of the Giants hit a home run (the biggest one in that picture, two to the left of Smunch), which is a feat I may have to get used to, the game was tied, the the bases were loaded and the Mets were up, with only one out. The coach intended to use the first pitcher for two innings, but he decided he'd better get someone new in there and he called his diminutive center fielder in to the mound for relief.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEGoGez3j4pSNFtPLkY47lxp6usM2n414DaghzaVPMPJHbm5t4G-Fxskzkx8ERDUZ6CSzhuYKS9aqRC_Em6iAvlVdoo8DvrwKi-fTsg8f9Mx7HodpKn9pckNtzRex9UHIBRhyphenhyphenI1PLoHw/s1600/IMG_0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEGoGez3j4pSNFtPLkY47lxp6usM2n414DaghzaVPMPJHbm5t4G-Fxskzkx8ERDUZ6CSzhuYKS9aqRC_Em6iAvlVdoo8DvrwKi-fTsg8f9Mx7HodpKn9pckNtzRex9UHIBRhyphenhyphenI1PLoHw/s400/IMG_0279.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Yes. In case you're wondering. You <i>do</i> get to be #1 when you're the shortest. Smunch is not fond of this number. He's probably an entire foot shorter than the kid he replaced.</div>
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And there he was, this tiny little 11-year-old, who promptly induced a weak grounder for the second out and struck out the next batter. Mission accomplished.</div>
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I got to stick around for the third inning too. Smunch trotted right back out to the mound, faced three batters, got the first on a pop fly, the second flew out and the third struck out. It's weird...and undeniably cool that these boys are finally old enough to field plays cleanly and support their pitchers. They look awesome...sometimes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAClPGjC9gdd9EUF_O-PLPwRjXsQeZf3_aLc_1GcidGu8XE8OV76mTQtgVKUulVeNK8T7qHdabb6VegsIQveIx-dsXtxTyI95ULLT2sJFlpSNcecjrouyZ0UHxi1nQ6cSLW-SBDv6Hbi0/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAClPGjC9gdd9EUF_O-PLPwRjXsQeZf3_aLc_1GcidGu8XE8OV76mTQtgVKUulVeNK8T7qHdabb6VegsIQveIx-dsXtxTyI95ULLT2sJFlpSNcecjrouyZ0UHxi1nQ6cSLW-SBDv6Hbi0/s400/IMG_0281.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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That's one happy pitcher! And the last batter was a kid he's played with before, one of the best kids from his previous division. You can bet he was proud of himself! </div>
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And I was so proud of him that I prattled on and on about it as I drove Mam to her game. I couldn't see her back there, but I imagine she was rolling her eyes at me. That would be like her.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyecQbSyT00EVj-TQv_sOS5teMTWpAUNDUMZ76FTu_gphLrHTNw2mnK2S_ZD5WUaMTwHlAyQKq2h2g_6v2V91NeJ2zIVt-xvm2JKrCVlcP5sZS2LBR7rjgT9sIYvQyKwxCcsUQcavvxUc/s1600/Q82C7463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyecQbSyT00EVj-TQv_sOS5teMTWpAUNDUMZ76FTu_gphLrHTNw2mnK2S_ZD5WUaMTwHlAyQKq2h2g_6v2V91NeJ2zIVt-xvm2JKrCVlcP5sZS2LBR7rjgT9sIYvQyKwxCcsUQcavvxUc/s400/Q82C7463.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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She's not <i>really</i> all attitude. Really. She didn't say a word about my pride in her brother. She just made sure I was going to be equally proud of her when the day was done. </div>
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8U girl's fastpitch softball almost couldn't be more different from 11 to 13-year-old boys' baseball. A few of the girls can pitch. A few of the girls (not necessarily the <i>same</i> girls) can throw. A few can hit the ball. Very few can catch a ball if a miracle occurs and they get a decent throw in their direction. The boys were just like this at their age, I should add.</div>
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On Saturday, Mam didn't get to pitch and she didn't get many fielding opportunities since the girls on the Killer Penguins didn't hit a lot of balls her direction. She did make a nice play at first base to get an out with the aid of a teammate...who not only came in to cover first base (which Mam was playing) from right field, but <i>caught</i> the ball Mam threw to her. </div>
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But really, Mam's greatest chance to make a difference came when she was up to bat. The first time she was up, two girls were already on base and she hit a hard grounder into the outfield. The outfield is a little like outer space to some of these girls. It got past all of them. So, there Mam stood, on second base, having hit the ball hard enough that both her teammates scored. The next girl struck out and the inning was over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXlh69gWb3OoD720PIorY52ENpFeRb-_l3sXW2m21cyN2eS5VHEQZIUnOSX7s3QcIdztj0ZsseuCkqluryh9NdOnXj4K77cV1qEW4tHW5KFSK-CFr5SR-LbQTok5DbtX3gJDM244OPIA/s1600/IMG_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXlh69gWb3OoD720PIorY52ENpFeRb-_l3sXW2m21cyN2eS5VHEQZIUnOSX7s3QcIdztj0ZsseuCkqluryh9NdOnXj4K77cV1qEW4tHW5KFSK-CFr5SR-LbQTok5DbtX3gJDM244OPIA/s400/IMG_0241.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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It was a long time before Mam made it to bat again and by then the Vipers were down 6-3. It was the third inning. They only play four.</div>
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The bases were loaded when Mam took her place at the plate. And she smacked the ball again. Again the ball got past the outfielders (who play on the edge of the infield anyway) and again Mam had cleared the bases of everyone but herself. And once a team scores three runs, the inning is over. So, Mam shut the inning down all.by.herself. That's kind of like her, now that I think about it. </div>
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Neither team scored in the fourth and the game ended in a 6-6 tie. Mam had driven five of the Vipers' 6 runs in...giving herself 8 RBIs in the 4 games her team has played so far. They are still undefeated at 2-0-2.</div>
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Turns out that over at the baseball diamond, Smunch had also driven in the tying run. That was before their homerun hitter smashed a grand slam and then took the mound and struck out seven in three innings, locking up the Giants' first win of the season (14-8) in the first game that counted.</div>
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It was a good day and when the games were over, it was time to think about Easter...</div>
MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-30694885432858672832013-03-18T13:01:00.002-07:002013-03-19T21:31:22.400-07:00Nature NerdI haven't gotten out much lately. A combination of iron-deficiency anemia and general blahs has kept me indoors doing laundry, filling out paperwork, somehow not actually making my house any tidier. It was a big weekend...three baseball games, a softball game, a basketball game...but it was all over before noon on Sunday.<br />
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I had plans to go for a nice long hike, but I was instantly hit with more blahs and a moutain of stuff that needed doing at home. Thank goodness my neighbor called and asked if I wanted to join her while she walked her dog. The invitation was just what I needed. She suggested we might go somewhere else, other than the nearby neighborhoods, so I did some quick research and found all the dog-friendly open space preserves nearby. We chose one and set off.<br />
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It turned out to be a great choice of parks. It was beautiful, intermittantly shady, lots of flowers, lots of friendly dogs (apparently a few ticks too). My friend, L., commented on one of the plants. "That's neat," she said.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaFpKk6ehhlYiHtBqc5Vwmn-MivCQ5MfAowYYjShzL9Jx_FACl6JqXCcwbfuNUEsDNe_0STWw6Vi5_tU1lSLguW6NxWPPjs-LaKEnc467LNRuNUTRKb-NY-qRIaMZes6v6QMIRI0heA4/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaFpKk6ehhlYiHtBqc5Vwmn-MivCQ5MfAowYYjShzL9Jx_FACl6JqXCcwbfuNUEsDNe_0STWw6Vi5_tU1lSLguW6NxWPPjs-LaKEnc467LNRuNUTRKb-NY-qRIaMZes6v6QMIRI0heA4/s320/photo.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo shamelessly stolen from </span><a href="http://anewscafe.com/2012/05/12/stars-of-the-spring-woodland-garden-trillium/" style="font-size: small;">anewscafe.com</a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Yeah," I said without thinking. "That's trillium." And I suddenly realized that it's no great wonder I feel out of place here in Silicon Valley. Not only did I know what kind of plant it was, but I was pretty pleased with myself for knowing as well. I'm </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>such</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> a nerd...but the completely WRONG kind of nerd to live around here.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was a short hike. L. needed to get back and that was fine. I puttered around the house a little, did a little gardening, filled out some paperwork, washed some dishes, then put on my hiking boots and left...again. By then, it was 5 o'clock. I figured people would be leaving my favorite little hiking spot (which as become very, very crowded over the last 30 years) for dinner and I'd be able to park. Twilight is a lovely time to be there. Animals are out the views across the Bay are lovely and there are fewer people around.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZCgN-NV_LgxHXkb0gP9u58OO8TSfz68hTX9dc1a79Jp39Gnxph357GC3dT-0fiQBdzcXhbK9ItJ9H5t_0UGrrR3DlDbyyUIvlB9MvyPNgRB9v0E5CESbeze2kMX8nDQh_eO9ZsLAJ9E/s1600/IMG_7587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZCgN-NV_LgxHXkb0gP9u58OO8TSfz68hTX9dc1a79Jp39Gnxph357GC3dT-0fiQBdzcXhbK9ItJ9H5t_0UGrrR3DlDbyyUIvlB9MvyPNgRB9v0E5CESbeze2kMX8nDQh_eO9ZsLAJ9E/s400/IMG_7587.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of a different day and time when I had a camera on me</td></tr>
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On a lovely day, "fewer" is all relative, however. There were still a lot of people there.<br />
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I left my camera at home, which generally guarantees I'll see something cool.<br />
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I was immediately greeted by some male wild turkeys, showing off their magnificent breeding plumage to anyone who'd pay attention. I didn't see any hens around, so maybe they were just showing off for each other. Most of the year, turkeys are just kind of around, but I really enjoy watching them at this time of year. I swear one of them had the brightest blue head I've ever seen and a long, bright red waddle attached.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq7NKfgnPua7X6NcAS65b1AZWwEthqW24GXwmASlR_Xd5Xr2aDFK7iyLMAxfk6arno-SQ_j9DwzDbW6101jfDgVc4d0hT6LwlUeBGJdnJBOcNv-AaGiyBOtCBW2LSI4w-yCEUXFfB1UM/s1600/turkey_0558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq7NKfgnPua7X6NcAS65b1AZWwEthqW24GXwmASlR_Xd5Xr2aDFK7iyLMAxfk6arno-SQ_j9DwzDbW6101jfDgVc4d0hT6LwlUeBGJdnJBOcNv-AaGiyBOtCBW2LSI4w-yCEUXFfB1UM/s400/turkey_0558.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of the <a href="http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/wild-turkey">Missouri Department of Conservation</a></td></tr>
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I ran into a curious Western Gray Squirrel. There are always squirrels in my backyard and honestly, there's nothing terribly impressive about squirrels. I even came to dislike them when I worked with orphaned squirrels at Wildlife Rescue years ago. But backyard squirrels are generally Eastern Gray Squirrels. They're little and scraggly, compared to their Western cousins.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaqRS3BI5S_iTuia5vf_HKNlLGyFZha5tB2B8hB1ET9Qe2vdzpf63V_gSUFEUwKEB-yJhF_PRpec6Acynh72XOWV8cf1k6ATyLJ1mlnNQnCbNeGXUQHNVQ_LWwWIM1ye9zhkEgIx13ls/s1600/methow_graysquirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaqRS3BI5S_iTuia5vf_HKNlLGyFZha5tB2B8hB1ET9Qe2vdzpf63V_gSUFEUwKEB-yJhF_PRpec6Acynh72XOWV8cf1k6ATyLJ1mlnNQnCbNeGXUQHNVQ_LWwWIM1ye9zhkEgIx13ls/s400/methow_graysquirrel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of the <a href="http://www.methowconservancy.org/">Methow Conservancy</a></span></td></tr>
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The squirrel that hopped off the trail and then sat and watched as I passed was <i>magnificent</i> as squirrels go. He was big with a giant plume of a tail. We had a little chat and I went on my way.<br />
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There were more turkeys, herds of deer, views, hikers, joggers, and still a significant amount of peace to be had.<br />
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I reached the end of my loop and, having landed in the wrong parking lot, took the long gravel path past more gobbling turkeys, to the one where I parked. I was almost too lost in thought...or maybe I was still laughing at the turkey on the hillside above me...to notice this guy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH58kDcY65QI0qmAibifpykf9cmc8cNG-qohTcECK4z3TT2JcCdzW4A13Rqq16OmaEE678H0CuFhbbBeKziFBAyjpbGTXrPHNTmFmMImcCI5n9A405ky2Ch8eBtC3brXO20B567qPRuXo/s1600/0317031848a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH58kDcY65QI0qmAibifpykf9cmc8cNG-qohTcECK4z3TT2JcCdzW4A13Rqq16OmaEE678H0CuFhbbBeKziFBAyjpbGTXrPHNTmFmMImcCI5n9A405ky2Ch8eBtC3brXO20B567qPRuXo/s400/0317031848a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of my absurdly obsolete cell phone</td></tr>
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That would've been a pity.<br />
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I put this photo up on Facebook because I was so excited to have seen this snake...a California King Snake. I'd never seen one before and I know enough about snakes to know this one wasn't poisonous, even if I didn't know what he was at first.<br />
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After all, this is a viper:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PinnPfjwbayVZk8Sh62fE0X4erBCt7YSL-INegouBq_dv8_ot-mKCX-ui96YhaDggStN3ffLctFOnAdaZCW7bJs3fpY2wQCyUY8RsJqqSb0_V3M087VlN4Z4EkX6Mn8FyI_E5gV4yAk/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PinnPfjwbayVZk8Sh62fE0X4erBCt7YSL-INegouBq_dv8_ot-mKCX-ui96YhaDggStN3ffLctFOnAdaZCW7bJs3fpY2wQCyUY8RsJqqSb0_V3M087VlN4Z4EkX6Mn8FyI_E5gV4yAk/s320/IMG_0233.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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This sweet little snake is <i>not</i> one of those. (Eek!)<br />
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<a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-finders.html">Last time I found an unknown snake on the trail</a>, I'd taken pictures and mailed them off to a herpetologiest who was interested in sightings of rubber boas on the San Francisco Peninsula. He was very excited that I'd found him a rubber boa and asked if I'd let the kids handle it. Handle it? Are you kidding me? I didn't know what it was! Of course, it was obviously non-venomous as well, but it seemed a poor example to set. It made me a little tempted to pick up this king snake though. It was really long though...and now I'm glad I thought better of it. Apparently, they're known to bite people if they're not used to being handled...and to dump their "cloacal contents" (aka: crap) all over you in defense.<br />
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I have to say the Facebook reaction was kind of disappointing. A lot of my "friends" said they would have been totally freaked out, or grossed out, or just said "ewwwwww!". I get that not everyone is a big fan of snakes. I don't consider myself a "snake person" either. After all, not even I was about to pick this one up, but it was <i>so</i> cool! And I was so very impressed with his five feet of black and white stripes. The snake was not nearly so impressed with me, after I got down in his face and took his photo. He turned around and went back the way he'd come.<br />
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Sometimes I forget what a nerd I really am because I don't fit the nerd-mold around here. It's nice to be reminded that there are some things I get really jazzed about (that don't relate to my children). It's kind of a lonely business though...being a biology nerd.MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-539998263519874622013-03-11T22:58:00.000-07:002013-03-11T23:00:30.502-07:00Mam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I ran across this photograph of Mam the other day...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DJchKVmgNOpp3BvPlAePD54IQn0-9eulFo11Ak4ZgbQrkngNjwXeJdCJmjxltSLZVmhQgXkc5n6B5T7-F5G7PaJ60yzBvG7LvnsEqMTbn27OwfPo0hvAIVDw7QxrgB1Q-joryjF_xX8/s1600/IMG_5463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DJchKVmgNOpp3BvPlAePD54IQn0-9eulFo11Ak4ZgbQrkngNjwXeJdCJmjxltSLZVmhQgXkc5n6B5T7-F5G7PaJ60yzBvG7LvnsEqMTbn27OwfPo0hvAIVDw7QxrgB1Q-joryjF_xX8/s400/IMG_5463.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Gosh, I miss that teeny little girl. It's hard for me to fathom that this is the same little girl who sang at the spring concert at school last week...my nine-year-old. Could that really be her?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_h6oUpHO5P19T6-mveJT2aNAXhQSpi5RA5ubUT4Jq1TVku-gxRjzqlMTdGjLxuJxVfTSyBWwCr5Ylqhu3rpnXJHnKklPfJ0Uq4L_RDALRCPRORsns0fBIr71IR_biLJGymVZ9zHSkKM/s1600/Mam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_h6oUpHO5P19T6-mveJT2aNAXhQSpi5RA5ubUT4Jq1TVku-gxRjzqlMTdGjLxuJxVfTSyBWwCr5Ylqhu3rpnXJHnKklPfJ0Uq4L_RDALRCPRORsns0fBIr71IR_biLJGymVZ9zHSkKM/s400/Mam.png" width="299" /></a></div>
Well, the dimple matches.<br />
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She's such a funny girl. There she is, all smiles in her cute pink dress with swirls on it. She's very proud to be up on stage and thrilled that her family is there to watch her. And then there's this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNf9_7T5VIuiog7bwndHgbp2nEsT62TPIa5LKkoEKl6srjLratbKBV9ZCj9WkZZ9wCXAc-3nDGQ6q30vdAf4y4KCbo0aRDKxS53kScBOXeBILoKx3kvCUPQ_PO10KmzZJMiFauBs_Hls/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNf9_7T5VIuiog7bwndHgbp2nEsT62TPIa5LKkoEKl6srjLratbKBV9ZCj9WkZZ9wCXAc-3nDGQ6q30vdAf4y4KCbo0aRDKxS53kScBOXeBILoKx3kvCUPQ_PO10KmzZJMiFauBs_Hls/s400/IMG_0233.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
This is the little girl who went from being a Red Unicorn, to being a Pink Butterfly, to being a Fuchsia Firework. She's now a Neon Green Viper...obviously.<br />
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She's every bit of that and more. She loves her dresses, but it doesn't make her less of a fierce competitor. And last weekend was the Vipers' first game. She was ready to show them her stuff too.<br />
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She's a little rusty on the pitching, but she'll get there.<br />
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She's ready. She's paying attention. She's got the batting stance...</div>
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She threw a couple of strikes, got two good hits and scored a run. And then there's this:</div>
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She may be a fierce competitor, but she's really just a goofy girl at heart. </div>
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-77773462830094032712013-03-11T22:31:00.000-07:002013-03-12T08:54:53.612-07:00Slip Sliding into Nine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a photograph from Mam's actual birthday. As is tradition in our house, I let her go pick out nine cupcakes at Sprinkles for the big day. Unfortunately, it was a <i>really</i> big day for her, with a new running program starting after school and overlapping with one of her first softball practices of the season. We had a late dinner out. She chose <i>Afghan</i> food...at the same restaurant where we'd eaten for <i>my</i> birthday just a month earlier. I was pretty sure she despised anything that didn't look like cheese pizza, quesadillas or macaroni and cheese. Perhaps she really is growing up. <br />
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But I digress. Thankfully, I'd planned Mam's birthday party for the weekend before her actual birthday and her cake was done in plenty of time. None of the midnight cake decorating that has gone on in more ambitious years. <br />
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The cute little local ice rink doesn't open for parties or public skating until 3pm. It's a great little spot with an outdoor rink. It's been there at least since I was a kid. I remember thinking it was a pretty magical place back then.<br />
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It's not quite as magical when you're throwing a party and doing less of the skating. I made hot chocolate (and brought marshmallows, of course), brought the extra strawberries (which disappeared in minutes), some emergency cheese sticks and the cake. I figured that would be plenty for a two hour party. And it was...except that I should've brought more strawberries and less hot chocolate! The kids all drank hot chocolate, of course, but I probably brought enough to fill a swimming pool.Thankfully, I did get in a little skating with the birthday girl. </div>
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She had a great time and only came off the ice for cake. All her best friends were there. She even invited a few boys...beause they're friends, not because she <i>likes</i> them...of course!<br />
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Sometimes, the parties I've had at home have felt interminable, but parties somewhere else always feel too short and like I didn't have to work hard enough to make it terrific. Funny that these are the ones they generally like the best! At least a few of them made sure I didn't get to be too much of a slacker!<br />
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MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-51784654419630874802013-03-11T22:16:00.000-07:002013-03-11T22:32:13.593-07:00Another Post About Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ta da! One last ridiculous cake for the season. And it was rather sane, if I do say so myself. I mean...sane for me...which I guess isn't saying much.<br />
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This year, Mam wanted to have an ice skating party. Turns out, ice skating parties are far more economical than trampoline parties, so I wasn't about to refuse. Besides, I like ice skating. And since I'd delved into the world of <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2011/03/hasta-killer-penguins.html">fondant penguins</a> before, creating fondant penguins on ice skates seemed like something I could handle.<br />
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Mam insisted that she wanted a white cake...<br />
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with whipped cream and strawberry filling. </div>
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I don't particularly love that combination myself, but I do as I'm instructed. Seriously though, how could this be better than <i>chocolate</i>?</div>
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I spent an evening crafting funny little penguins to skate on top of this cake. I had fun with it.</div>
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And never one to leave good enough alone, I decided these little guys were far too naked and dressed them in assorted winter ice skating attire.</div>
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As much as fondant-covered cakes look amazing, I'm not thrilled with how fondant tastes, so I got Mam to opt for frosting and created just a frozen pond out of fondant with some shiny glaze.</div>
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I don't know why, but I was oddly underwhelmed by this cake. Thankfully, a gaggle of little girls and a few boys thought it was pretty spectacular, gushing over how cute the penguins were and exclaiming in disbelief that it was homemade. </div>
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And one little ice skater in particular with thrilled with her cake. And really, what else matters?MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-53096229437569239962013-02-24T22:35:00.000-08:002013-02-24T22:40:14.845-08:00Out - Please Leave a Message<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I must be kinda dense. I don't know why anyone wouldn't enjoy doing something like this. Thanks to <a href="http://doudna-doings.blogspot.com/2013/02/21713-redwood-park.html">MommieN.</a> for joining me on yet another adventure.This little day trip couldn't have come at a much better time. My kids were getting ready to leave on a ski trip for the week...something I've got completely irrational paranoia about...and birthday season always has me a little stressed out. Just one more birthday to go, thank goodness. I'm looking forward to ice skating this weekend with a bunch of 8- and 9-year-olds, but that just means I've got a cake to get started on.<br />
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I don't talk about it too often because it makes me a buzzkill, but I really hate skiing. I hate just about everything about it. I enjoy the "whee!" factor a bit, but not enough to overcome the things I just detest...the cold, the people constantly threatening to run me down, my own lack of skill and confidence. <br />
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So, when the kids came back on Friday, I snuggled up to Mam one evening and told her I felt badly that both my kids love something so much that I really don't enjoy. I said that I'd missed them and that it was strange to be here all by myself. I didn't say so, but I really don't enjoy being the odd person out either. <br />
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"Well, it's kind of like hiking, Mom," Mam said, trying to placate me. "You really like that and we DON'T."<br />
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I didn't know what to say. Mam was obviously unclear that my problem had more to do with spending activity time alone than with not having an activity to do. I might've preferred a stake through the heart to a declaration that no one likes hiking but me. </div>
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How in the world did I <i>produce</i> these people?? And what am I going to do with them for a weekend in this same state park this summer?MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-41317104096058872762013-02-18T20:24:00.000-08:002013-02-18T20:41:25.233-08:0011 - Tiggers are Wonderful ThingsThis:<br />
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is my 11-year-old. Even though at-home, old-fashioned birthday parties are appparently passé, he still wants me to make his birthday cake. Cute. Of course, I've set ridiculous expectations in this regard. Silly me. It started with the Curious George cake, then the Elmo cake, the 3D train cake, the fire engine cake, the Spiderman cake, the <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html">soccer field cake</a>, the <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2009/02/another-birthday-another-cake.html">Superbowl cakes</a>, the <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2010/02/checkmate.html">chess cake</a> (ooh, that one kinda rocked!), the <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2011/02/nine.html">SF Giants cake</a>, the <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2012/05/quick-fix.html">laser tag cake</a>, which gets a lot of hits on Google...I'm sure I missed a few in there.<br />
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This year, Smunch wanted to go to a trampoline place for his birthday. It made for an easy cake idea at least. The idea was easy. The execution is never quite so easy...especially with increased hours at work and such. It just meant I had to start early. I made lots of colors of fondant.<br />
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Smunch wanted a yellow cake with strawberry and whipped cream filling. Done.</div>
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And if he was going to have a trampoline party...well, then..it had to look like a trampoline, didn't it?<br />
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And if it was going to be a kids' party, there had to be kids...or else it was just going to look like some funny, stripey cake decoration thingy.<br />
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Very P.C., huh?<br />
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If there were going to be kids, they were going to have to be jumping, somehow. Fortunately, I made some <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2011/03/hasta-killer-penguins.html">basketball dunking penguins</a> once upon a time. I almost felt experienced with this sort of thing.<br />
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I got this done around 11pm, the night before the party...and then added a border to the bottom the next morning because I just can't leave well enough alone.</div>
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It's pretty impossible to take pictures of little boys jumping on trampolines in a dimly lit warehouse. I tried, but the cake was probably a pretty good approximation of what it looked like anyway. I gave up trying to get a real photo and took a picture of one of the TVs they had monitoring the trampoline dodgeball arena.<br />
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Geez. That looks just like...a birthday cake!<br />
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So, Smunch successfully turned 11 and had a bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bouncy party with his friends (who are a pretty awesome group of boys, I might add) on his birthday.<br />
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And even though I got more pictures of cake and little fondant people than I did of the sweaty little 10 and 11-year-olds, I think it was all a raging success for everyone.<br />
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<br />MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-5769214896210088722013-02-18T19:43:00.000-08:002013-02-18T20:02:48.711-08:00On the Good Ship Lollipop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChvjWZBUxJvw7jRhtkg44cbeGSsx7OpyKndII8FeUgOYpw463y8pU9Mf-SCNWhv2ZMjewTZDTrywgEZWvVK7e7yzaWMHSuK1QWWZUHrv4PNa4HWE2YJtLptp_6vj2sgPb6yenuHe4QyY/s1600/IMG_9935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChvjWZBUxJvw7jRhtkg44cbeGSsx7OpyKndII8FeUgOYpw463y8pU9Mf-SCNWhv2ZMjewTZDTrywgEZWvVK7e7yzaWMHSuK1QWWZUHrv4PNa4HWE2YJtLptp_6vj2sgPb6yenuHe4QyY/s320/IMG_9935.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>At our elementary school, third grade is a big deal for lots of reasons, but the Famous Americans report ranks right up there near the top. You might remember that <a href="http://ryderwrong.blogspot.com/2011/02/jackie-robinsononly-shorter-and-paler.html">Smunch became Jackie Robinson</a> a couple of years ago. It was a huge deal, not just because he stutters, but he had to memorize a five-minute presentation, come in costume and have a certain number of props. It was stressful, both for him and me.<br />
<p>This year, Mam chose to be Shirley Temple Black. I'd never really thought of Shirley Temple as having contributed that much to American society, so it was fun to learn more about her. Not only was she a very, very famous little girl, but she did some interesting things as an adult too. She was a delegate to the U.N., she was an ambassador to Ghana, she was ambassador to Czechoslovakia and she was the first female chief of protocol in the United States. That's kinda cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAkkFb783HTbMtHw4ibSAJeAYO_bQ-UH0kpmjOP6l1g9QzbY0crYePoduDL2RmFL0Z3OfMNme6jiLnRvsVqIEyRT-nKEAIFO8yzZlWWC7Y5Eyug6J8iyXZKYIBgU2uOSAbYl_1KoaznI/s1600/IMG_9950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAkkFb783HTbMtHw4ibSAJeAYO_bQ-UH0kpmjOP6l1g9QzbY0crYePoduDL2RmFL0Z3OfMNme6jiLnRvsVqIEyRT-nKEAIFO8yzZlWWC7Y5Eyug6J8iyXZKYIBgU2uOSAbYl_1KoaznI/s320/IMG_9950.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Know what else is cool? The third grade teachers finally decided this year to turn this into a real third grade project. The kids wrote almost all of the presentation themselves, they didn't have to memorize anything, costumes were optional and props were mostly absent. So much more low key and so much less stressful for everyone involved...unless you're sick on the day of your presentation, as Mam was. Then it's kind of sad to lay your curly little tresses on the sofa all day. <br />
<p>But Mam got to perform on Wednesday instead of Monday...and that was just fine. We got to do a "dry run" on the curls and make sure they worked out. She had fun sleeping in foam curlers and she did a great job with her presentation, despite only just being well enough to be back. She made good eye contact, read slowly and clearly and had more poise than I've seen her have before. <br />
<p>This one is super hard-headed, but she's going to do whatever she wants to do with her life...whether you like it or not.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MY2CKd8xDouql28k9aH452HA2DA70iXSiaD_6XpXv9uAl3PFKiTs-lP3SYz5zkotlEHnYK9iCzZi5cAKsPC39M2x-j0Rw1cz8dddYweo7TZIkC2oHZWsryMIB4ZYjSrkTvZyxNtVRhY/s1600/IMG_9947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MY2CKd8xDouql28k9aH452HA2DA70iXSiaD_6XpXv9uAl3PFKiTs-lP3SYz5zkotlEHnYK9iCzZi5cAKsPC39M2x-j0Rw1cz8dddYweo7TZIkC2oHZWsryMIB4ZYjSrkTvZyxNtVRhY/s320/IMG_9947.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-90498467924262868732013-02-11T22:17:00.000-08:002013-03-19T21:51:22.973-07:0040...again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is a reason I don't plan big events. I tried it once several years ago and learned that it completely stresses me out. I'm not even worth being around because I'm so worried that things will go wildly wrong. But this year, I put all those fears aside to organize a 40th birthday party for my sister...in San Diego. I figured her husband wasn't likely to do it and no one really deserves it more...besides, her birthday is the day after mine and they fell on a Friday and Saturday this year. What better excuse to go spend my birthday with my sister??<br />
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So, after months of planning, a friend took me out to breakfast and dropped me at the airport on my birthday. And I hopped a plane to San Diego.<br />
Unfortunately, I hadn't uh, say, read the instruction manual for the new camera lens I've got. I didn't realize you could turn the image stabilization OFF. Who'd want to do that, after all?? Not me. Except it was...until Sunday. So I have a lot of blurry pictures. Whatever. <br />
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Leaving my nephews at home with their dad, Karen and I set out for a nice dinner...all.by.our.selves. We had such a good time catching up, drinking pomegranate martinis and ordering too much food. I should drive to San Diego just for dinner once in a while. Well, maybe not really, but it's fun to pretend.<br />
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Saturday was party day. On the recommendation from one of Karen's friends, I booked the "back room" at a wine bar in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. I'd corresponded with the manager via e-mail and talked to him on the phone a couple of times. But gosh, doing things long distance is always so sketchy. I'd ordered a cake the same way. I found a commercial kitchen that made wedding cakes and had a good online reputation. It was near Karen's house, so I ordered a cake from them. I thought I'd ordered a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and coffee mousse filling, but it didn't quite turn out that way. <br />
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O.K., so the frosting's the wrong color, but they wrote the right thing on top and it looks pretty...sorta. The gum paste flowers are lovely, but why are the roses so...uh...white. They're beautiful, but really, really chalky-looking. O.K., now I'm kind of freaking out about something totally ridiculous...and I'm thinking I could have made her a prettier cake (whether that's true or not), so I had Karen drive me to Michael's to buy some "lustre dust" and paintbrushes. I took the roses off the cake and brushed them with color so they weren't so darned pasty.<br />
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The first bunch was...well...experimental and reminded me of that children's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pinkish-Purplish-Bluish-Sandpiper-Books/dp/0395361729/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360649586&sr=8-1&keywords=pinkish+purplish+bluish+egg">The Pinkish Purplish Bluish Egg</a>. Ever read that? No? It's about a mourning dove who finds a funny-colored egg and it hatches into a griffin named Ezekiel. Oh, nevermind.<br />
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The second set of roses, I brushed with yellow, decided I liked them and left it at that. I carefully rearranged them all on the cake again and set about resuming my daytime job as a relatively normal person.<br />
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I left early to help a couple of Karen's teacher-friends decorate the room at <a href="http://www.winestealssd.com/">Wine Steals</a>. The room wasn't quite what I'd envisioned, but I think it was probably <i>better</i> that what I'd envisioned. It was a cozy little room in the back of the restaurant. We had our own little private wine bar, food and great company. Karen's friends are a blast.<br />
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Who knew elementary school teachers were such fun on the weekends? Well, other elementary school teachers, apparently.<br />
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Even our parents, who had also made the trip from the more northerly reaches of California, seemed to enjoy themselves. <br />
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If anyone finds this blog while looking for information on Wine Steals, I'd have to say the manager at Hillcrest, Nick, was super nice and easy to work with. I wish I'd caught the name of our wine pourer because she was fantastic. Once I figured out how to get my laptop all hooked up, the stereo system was great, the wine was good, the food was yummy. I don't have a single complaint. We had so much fun!<br />
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I'd brought some large truffles as party favors...and I had to take a picture of them because I was so proud of how cute they looked.<br />
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And that cake was pretty yummy too, despite the white frosting. I'm certain no one would have looked twice at the pasty white flowers, but at least I was secure in my knowledge that I'd done my part to make the party a little more colorful...well, by coloring the flowers, and drinking three glasses of wine.<br />
Considering I was in a room full of strangers, the party was over far too soon. I'm so glad I put forth a little effort and it turned out so well. I've got an awesome sister. She deserved a great 40th birthday...and then some.<br />
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<br />MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-41570524949939953422013-01-18T21:19:00.000-08:002013-02-11T23:33:20.759-08:00BuzzzzYou know those parents who just can't help bragging about their brilliant, good-looking kids? They're kind of obnoxious. And honestly, I don't know many of them. <br />
<p>On the whole, it seems like most kids are remarkable primarily to the people who are genetically related to them. If you bother to get to know any child, however, you'll find that they're <i>all</i> pretty darned remarkable in their own ways. Sometimes it just takes something special to bring it out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo8lX7JrgjWJthr6mo0HDneUubo2eJQZKi6j3j3BLVc7QFP1-cQQN-ENQdS61LgbOWTXAmNFUlcBgZIVbuJyjqQ1m0jdRRARCIwmW74RqffLG2RIpupa87ZoI_YmfdMbnEoPIaWNr_HM/s1600/IMG_9794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo8lX7JrgjWJthr6mo0HDneUubo2eJQZKi6j3j3BLVc7QFP1-cQQN-ENQdS61LgbOWTXAmNFUlcBgZIVbuJyjqQ1m0jdRRARCIwmW74RqffLG2RIpupa87ZoI_YmfdMbnEoPIaWNr_HM/s400/IMG_9794.jpg" /></a></div>If you read this blog with any regularity, you'll recognize this picture as my firstborn, Smunch. Of course, you might not recognize him without a baseball uniform on. <br />
<p>He loves baseball. He enjoys school. He's pretty good at math. He likes science. He's got a great group of friends. He plays football or wall ball every recess. Kids like him. Teachers like him. He's pretty bright. He's got a great sense of humor. He's also a stereotypical elder sibling. He's responsible, organized and on top of his own work. He's also responsible for beating on his little sister. At home, he probably watches too much TV. He likes the History Channel, the Weather Channel and the Discovery Channel. Admittedly, his favorite shows are still probably <i>America's Funniest Home Videos</i> and <i>Wipeout!</i>. He's almost 11, but he still smiles when I show up at school, wants to walk next to me on the way to the library and occasionally wants to hold my hand. I'm painfully aware that these sweet little gestures of affection are dwindling and I appreciate them as they're offered.<br />
<p>Despite all I know about my son, I didn't know he had any special knowledge of world geography. But every year, his elementary school hosts a school-level <a href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/">National Geographic Bee</a> for the 4th, 5th and 6th graders. It's affectionately known as the GeoBee.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrAkzW7mI3HwbXFQhwSaPOzkyuy4EKLpzUlgl-jPLGdk7RV0KSo_CaR4qmJiLg1jCMUFsHb_rZTLKQktEcISaPXC6W7qS4vEEiogNSwAHrRSrewiL0XvF94Gc57tUSEHm8u6sPPt58Q0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrAkzW7mI3HwbXFQhwSaPOzkyuy4EKLpzUlgl-jPLGdk7RV0KSo_CaR4qmJiLg1jCMUFsHb_rZTLKQktEcISaPXC6W7qS4vEEiogNSwAHrRSrewiL0XvF94Gc57tUSEHm8u6sPPt58Q0/s400/photo.JPG" /></a></div>Before the holidays, all the upper graders were treated to seven geography questions that might qualify them for the GeoBee finals. In Smunch's class, he was the only one to get all seven questions correct...because he knows stuff and because he got lucky with the questions. Only ten students made it to the GeoBee finals, but he was a shoo-in. Anyone who got six questions right was subjected to a tie-breaker round. The ten finalists are pictured above. Smunch is the one with the white shirt.<br />
<p>I was not there. Another mom who, uh, didn't have a hard-to-reschedule hair appointment, was kind enough to send me the photo.<br />
<p>Smunch apparently came second in this round. His friend, C must have come first. That meant the two of them faced off in the championship round yesterday. I had to work and I don't work close by, but I wasn't going to miss it, especially once Smunch said he'd like me to be there. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije6O-fAs2VrUnObzqeuEujMKXbR1sEd8nISwEhcQG9EUbvMWVT9tWM8xiKlVt4ncNu-bmS56itx2VJjMgey14JmvBzTPj2wDJxvc1ExhQd4CtdtalbMq5gIFr7nEGkRGSZEhFfzd6g80/s1600/IMG_9795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije6O-fAs2VrUnObzqeuEujMKXbR1sEd8nISwEhcQG9EUbvMWVT9tWM8xiKlVt4ncNu-bmS56itx2VJjMgey14JmvBzTPj2wDJxvc1ExhQd4CtdtalbMq5gIFr7nEGkRGSZEhFfzd6g80/s400/IMG_9795.jpg" /></a></div>The rest of the crowd consisted of 20 or so other students, mostly girls, Smunch's teacher and his grandparents. (His dad was traveling on business.) Smunch completely ignored us when he walked in the room. I didn't think he looked nervous, but he later told me he was and I'm thinking this picture suggests that too.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yu03sRkMuSZV2H8l5xzufuho5VUUg86zWjkoUPNmlQ1g5svEk4E5M1zc8u5GU9BzFHYf_-Z7ocoNP64WsAw87tpOo2f_cHn0r1DoYN3On-TYrhKS1uHJudQERNjdKBJVdC184Mo_ZKI/s1600/IMG_9792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yu03sRkMuSZV2H8l5xzufuho5VUUg86zWjkoUPNmlQ1g5svEk4E5M1zc8u5GU9BzFHYf_-Z7ocoNP64WsAw87tpOo2f_cHn0r1DoYN3On-TYrhKS1uHJudQERNjdKBJVdC184Mo_ZKI/s400/IMG_9792.jpg" /></a></div>...or he was just really stiff and alert after coming in from the crisp morning air or something.<br />
<p>The GeoBee is a big deal, so I was surprised to learn that the championship round would be only three questions. The boys would listen to each question, write the answer on a piece of paper on a clipboard and then tell the moderator (a sixth grade teacher) what they had written.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdVm-nJ4fSsNsR5zjDKGXt9wmbn97sPWZ4SlxZUd8QB2IJg6X4N-QEWIjgzZ1WbALS2nm96Pw5Q91sqIXF3bsWy1z1Z-CTj-3bovlcswq0jg1YlnivZ2t3gkXmFPjScldRaXwFFA3oxs/s1600/IMG_9796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdVm-nJ4fSsNsR5zjDKGXt9wmbn97sPWZ4SlxZUd8QB2IJg6X4N-QEWIjgzZ1WbALS2nm96Pw5Q91sqIXF3bsWy1z1Z-CTj-3bovlcswq0jg1YlnivZ2t3gkXmFPjScldRaXwFFA3oxs/s400/IMG_9796.jpg" /></a></div>The first question was pretty easy, I thought. Bozeman, is a town 140 miles North of Yellowstone Park. In what state is Bozeman? I realized quickly, however, that Smunch was going to say "Wyoming"...because I'd just been on a trip to Yellowstone Park and my trip was to Wyoming. C. also happened to know that Yellowstone is Wyoming and they both answered incorrectly.<br />
<p>The second question: What is the name of the chain of volcanic islands that extends 1,200 miles off the West coast of Alaska? I knew that one, but I was sure that Smunch didn't. And I had no clue what C. knew about Alaska. He's a smart kid. So, when the moderator asked Smunch what he'd written, you can imagine how blown away I was when he said "the Aleutians". Dang. C. made an educated guess and said "the Alaskan Islands".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-PccsDKt3jtbMarjFp7agn_GNT5i8mLwrO9YmYxVtGrZyhAejG1trZBx9zUWHAgKfi4pNNPYgP9jQl08IzZ5ks5qEaGcO2_rDMiSFJz0PTghuGParjB0_RO_bVEaSmrazfbVEtDnCI0/s1600/IMG_9797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-PccsDKt3jtbMarjFp7agn_GNT5i8mLwrO9YmYxVtGrZyhAejG1trZBx9zUWHAgKfi4pNNPYgP9jQl08IzZ5ks5qEaGcO2_rDMiSFJz0PTghuGParjB0_RO_bVEaSmrazfbVEtDnCI0/s400/IMG_9797.jpg" /></a></div>This was Smunch's look of relief at being right.<br />
<p>The last question was about South America. The island of Tierra del Fuego is shared by Argentina and what other country? I've heard of Tierra del Fuego, but I didn't know anything about it. I never would have gotten that question right. Smunch said Brazil. C. said Peru. At least they both chose countries on the right continent! (The answer is Chile, in case you had a burning need to know.)<br />
<p>And just like that, the contest was over.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWJtHjx67_bIYec6xQfoN4hAx6k4vRqIwrK4bTstX-jLqZT_kfAIFsl4nBdc2R18IG5LmX5UosGnez8t4Ek7FQCsKSZfJv5pxKafj-fxezlkf-ZBYynouu9huHn5HhD785NLWRj4z604/s1600/IMG_9802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWJtHjx67_bIYec6xQfoN4hAx6k4vRqIwrK4bTstX-jLqZT_kfAIFsl4nBdc2R18IG5LmX5UosGnez8t4Ek7FQCsKSZfJv5pxKafj-fxezlkf-ZBYynouu9huHn5HhD785NLWRj4z604/s400/IMG_9802.jpg" /></a></div>Perhaps my proudest moment came next. It wasn't when the teacher put a medal around my son's neck. It was when my little boy reached out to shake his friend's hand. C. wasn't looking for it and didn't notice at first. But Smunch tried again. They're such nice boys and such good sports. I don't think C. will begrudge Smunch anything.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU5e-yvvydoLPhKeoEyEZYv72qBr5NxEovRYqMRHsziX7o6IRAKc6CotQpaD56BDCt8uc_nyiH8ETjkYOmKN4Xo6om5ARt2KmEJ33oUdKJ4W4xPdKm0FeeUD9L6Fnp4xEwHt7uCB9uOM/s1600/IMG_9805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWU5e-yvvydoLPhKeoEyEZYv72qBr5NxEovRYqMRHsziX7o6IRAKc6CotQpaD56BDCt8uc_nyiH8ETjkYOmKN4Xo6om5ARt2KmEJ33oUdKJ4W4xPdKm0FeeUD9L6Fnp4xEwHt7uCB9uOM/s400/IMG_9805.jpg" /></a></div>And with that, he was out the door, with nary a look at his mom. Off to stash his medal in his backpack and go play football with his friends.<br />
<p>Apart from a nice certificate and his name on a plaque in the school office (if they ever update it...it's already missing the last two years),<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrWhJWVxqPt0NIz19S_6P_mUn2hlk54jzqWzhXpAC_tbtWS92NS1tTr66OFw8kqlue11337OZL0eJvPZQpTN2p_EtSFD1RjjeqRIlf_h1vBuhLoY8P65QpWmwDyXrt1oFTwyjhwPqHsk/s1600/IMG_9808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrWhJWVxqPt0NIz19S_6P_mUn2hlk54jzqWzhXpAC_tbtWS92NS1tTr66OFw8kqlue11337OZL0eJvPZQpTN2p_EtSFD1RjjeqRIlf_h1vBuhLoY8P65QpWmwDyXrt1oFTwyjhwPqHsk/s400/IMG_9808.jpg" /></a></div>Smunch's other reward as GeoBee Champion is to take a written test next week.<br />
<p>The written test will determine if he qualifies to go to the state GeoBee contest in Sacramento in April. Not sure he'll make it to that level, but it sure would be a fun experience!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtMjUPIGt6ydIeSqcJdbbvMCOUbraFw27HfNeHTTIvS9zOLU3AIhMJ3j7hTrTsWNWj90HFiPWkFo-maoUgezP47wDT-2qJcYXEUH7FTd_m6DmnVcJgaPSywLDw_T56RU4wjfbSJEFsoU/s1600/IMG_9814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtMjUPIGt6ydIeSqcJdbbvMCOUbraFw27HfNeHTTIvS9zOLU3AIhMJ3j7hTrTsWNWj90HFiPWkFo-maoUgezP47wDT-2qJcYXEUH7FTd_m6DmnVcJgaPSywLDw_T56RU4wjfbSJEFsoU/s400/IMG_9814.jpg" /></a></div><br />
MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3143074501597559385.post-5076637095389085162013-01-06T20:45:00.001-08:002013-01-06T20:51:08.565-08:00Packing it inThe holidays are mercifully over.<br />
<p>I've always liked Christmas. I like finding just the perfect present for people. I don't always succeed, but I enjoy trying. And sometimes I'm surprised when something I was excited about goes over like a lead balloon or something I gave little thought to is the giftee's favorite thing. I like the cookies. I like our big family breakfast. I like having a sparkly tree in my living room. I love having all the kids here, cousins and all.<br />
<p>I'm so glad it's all done. The holidays were difficult and awkward this year, despite all the things I still loved about them. I never got the icicle lights on the house. I'm too scared of the high peak above the garage. I didn't make truffles. But I did just about everything else, and then some. I didn't make it to yoga. I didn't make it to pilates. I made it out for one very short hike. I didn't fare too well.<br />
<p>I got a lot of sleep after the holidays. Then I finally made it to a pilates class and hired babysitters so I could spend some time at work. Things started looking up enough that I managed to make a fun last day of vacation with the kids. Starting with...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqtZ8qZfC_mWXwjyIp1iRtfd_WlQX24iG2g36O9bO9XkpRu7MOTScFXklyT1830Ioh2TfZwvxK-FbdUxKGp80ukgJePU7xuONor0hsb_ztRMynh6XecxwNkkawexEeeayJd03-0C2wkQ/s1600/IMG_9660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqtZ8qZfC_mWXwjyIp1iRtfd_WlQX24iG2g36O9bO9XkpRu7MOTScFXklyT1830Ioh2TfZwvxK-FbdUxKGp80ukgJePU7xuONor0hsb_ztRMynh6XecxwNkkawexEeeayJd03-0C2wkQ/s400/IMG_9660.jpg" /></a></div>pancakes, of course. There's nothing my kids like better for breakfast. They won't even go out for pancakes if Mom's pancakes are an option. I'm very flattered. And now that I have a griddle built right into my range, I'm totally loving it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZa_zCU-SbEA0LWK1W99Prj2Kgi1oCh8MwM0hGpVKJuuxpKU2mdJu5fdaR55c8s0MR8B_QEpmhYkjohq7zF0GNF2dUCVCl_FUQ6rQTB84ln19KFbmgNtAiEBOMnixYZf9UfXDf1SCK_M/s1600/IMG_9662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="266" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZa_zCU-SbEA0LWK1W99Prj2Kgi1oCh8MwM0hGpVKJuuxpKU2mdJu5fdaR55c8s0MR8B_QEpmhYkjohq7zF0GNF2dUCVCl_FUQ6rQTB84ln19KFbmgNtAiEBOMnixYZf9UfXDf1SCK_M/s400/IMG_9662.jpg" /></a></div>Mam does <i>not</i>, however, like to be photographed while eating said pancakes.<p>After breakfast, I promised to take the kids ice skating. We have a really cute little outdoor rink that's pretty local, but it's open for only two hours in the afternoon for people who aren't taking lessons. I opted instead for the seasonal rink in our nearby "big city".<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YDj3NbTR6Wdf6nkdlus436Xbm6fYo7Tb6mcbdtG4bCk1MsqTLLJmI5V6w02jMNmLkrFSbKbWlwwk1ITMjBsh0uE_RZMC6tBknAzXHwXi381086qyV4sR0zLaFQCR6Cp9mzSWnCuSeQ/s1600/IMG_2844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03YDj3NbTR6Wdf6nkdlus436Xbm6fYo7Tb6mcbdtG4bCk1MsqTLLJmI5V6w02jMNmLkrFSbKbWlwwk1ITMjBsh0uE_RZMC6tBknAzXHwXi381086qyV4sR0zLaFQCR6Cp9mzSWnCuSeQ/s400/IMG_2844.jpg" /></a></div>It's sponsored by Kristi Yamaguchi and Hawaiian Airlines, so I guess it's required that the rink be under the palm trees.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR-29_XOaNzZLlPDsdJIdbkUdW62OyGM7lp7E4yiwmCANEuH4TaMZlIlvqgd-X3uhqIuQIJpB0U2mCG_gA13A4wZh1P_qbVHru00Alj0jmew6YpqmiOF9GRrhKd8TdRMoSJfy_gDvkLA/s1600/IMG_2845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR-29_XOaNzZLlPDsdJIdbkUdW62OyGM7lp7E4yiwmCANEuH4TaMZlIlvqgd-X3uhqIuQIJpB0U2mCG_gA13A4wZh1P_qbVHru00Alj0jmew6YpqmiOF9GRrhKd8TdRMoSJfy_gDvkLA/s400/IMG_2845.jpg" /></a></div>Friday was "Aloha Friday" and we got in cheap for wearing Hawaiian clothes. I'm so darned cheap, I actually went by Diddams and bought the kids leis to wear. We looked pretty silly out there ice skating in our "Hawaiian" duds and long underwear, but we had fun anyway.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyFO-yEKWkoftWo912FH_NNGy1pBsG7RiacycwxGG25JNUd2l6UShepqU3_5MifM9rB_vQn77GO1DC96-BVnZOEE1I6r_COXSjJCr9WlcKxRvLIiz_rKbqETJ03nSv5csFt9lr7E-eXA/s1600/IMG_2843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyFO-yEKWkoftWo912FH_NNGy1pBsG7RiacycwxGG25JNUd2l6UShepqU3_5MifM9rB_vQn77GO1DC96-BVnZOEE1I6r_COXSjJCr9WlcKxRvLIiz_rKbqETJ03nSv5csFt9lr7E-eXA/s400/IMG_2843.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDSH7oJR-vknE3MJCylmKlxzPyVuDsOycncHgnic24lhnOxZf4x_Y3bGtLclQvgq2yH9EL-5YwWNteuUvWpcwyvm53mHGNHlqswn8Z3EFYrKxNFbSJD8QPvFomhGf6tW02PWh-Z8U3DI/s1600/IMG_2837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDSH7oJR-vknE3MJCylmKlxzPyVuDsOycncHgnic24lhnOxZf4x_Y3bGtLclQvgq2yH9EL-5YwWNteuUvWpcwyvm53mHGNHlqswn8Z3EFYrKxNFbSJD8QPvFomhGf6tW02PWh-Z8U3DI/s400/IMG_2837.jpg" /></a></div>Smunch may have complained bitterly about his skates being hard to skate in. He said he'd never had hockey skates before. But it's amazing how long children can be entertained by skating around in circles. It's California. It got kind of warm, the rink got pretty watery and Mam ended up very wet, but she still didn't want to stop. We stayed for an hour and a half and then I announced it was time for lunch. <br />
<p>I don't know a lot about places to eat downtown, but I knew one restaurant that would get them there, just with its name. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxm5vasaIoNjhf6FglmFQWkqV_GL4xzmcuVw2q2z2gjr5VLk8pQ0aNcGio0p14lPqOepXUfZFpgRCg-XMlDor8-5g6InfAzxU7Ra_2KUnd8eNpVcrkN2qMHBN8SGNJF91XTR2yCqvDOw/s1600/IMG_2852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxm5vasaIoNjhf6FglmFQWkqV_GL4xzmcuVw2q2z2gjr5VLk8pQ0aNcGio0p14lPqOepXUfZFpgRCg-XMlDor8-5g6InfAzxU7Ra_2KUnd8eNpVcrkN2qMHBN8SGNJF91XTR2yCqvDOw/s400/IMG_2852.jpg" /></a></div>And it was a short walk from the ice rink. So they both had spaghetti and I treated them to Oreo shakes afterwards. <br />
<p>Somehow, our little adventure seemed to take up the entire day. I was so thankful that they had fun...and that I'd gotten to have fun with them.MommaWriterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179471737837620160noreply@blogger.com0