Seacliff State Beach - Day trip

This afternoon we decided to go to Seacliff State Beach along Route 1.

The water was cold but just right and the afternoon sun and breeze were perfect!

We let the kids play in the wet sand while adults played Frisbee. Did the usual "norukku theeni" (eat savories) and then came back. There is a "concrete ship" that was built in the early 1900's when steel was in short supply in the US. The ship is in a very bad state and we are not allowed on it anymore. Only the pelicans have visiting rights (you can go till the ship on the pier).

It was a day well spent.

We will strongly recommend this beach for a half day or day trip.

ps. Parking is 10 bucks and they accept checks or cash only. Don't forget to take sunscreen!

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Racco the Raccoon

For the longest time, since Jr. was a child, daddy would tell her scary stories of "Racco" the raccoon who lived in a den and would come out and take bad girls away.

According to daddy's legend, Racco ran a school for bad girls where he would bite them till they behaved.

Needless to say he was a man sized raccoon. The kids have never seen a live raccoon..

So today, imagine our surprise when we had a visitor in the backyard..

Now the kids don't need to be scared anymore. Mommy's wrath is scarier than any Racco these days. They also realized that Racco is just a cat like creature and this poor thing happened to be limping (one leg was almost burnt. They are now very sympathetic to all Racco's.

First Santa Claus resolved itself.

Now Racco is also resolved!

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Looking ahead..

Jr. surprises me these days. She is definitely not a 100% child anymore. She is shy when daddy gives her a kiss. She goes into these pensive stares into nowhere.

Then suddenly a switch gets flipped and she is the giggly kid again who wants to go "uppu mootai" or "yaanai yaanai" on daddy's back. (piggy back ride)

Today I missed the little one's Kindergarten orientation. She went with San and had a blast. Work kept me busy. Have promised myself that going forward will try not to miss these important events.

Time flies. Pretty soon Jr. will be in college and we will be retired.

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Conservatory of Flowers - Photoblog

The pictures say it all, the carefully designed park with its nice ponds, rock settings, people, dogs, the conservatory with its amazing displays, the amazing exotic flowers which are being saved from extinction, not to mention Jr.'s new fashion statement of wearing sleeveless Salwar tops with black pants..

A day well spent. Strongly recommended for a half day or full day trip with kids.

Note:

1. Botanical gardens is free. The conservatory of flowers is 7$ for adults, 2$ for kids 5 to 11. Good news is they accept cards. It is totally worth it. Please note, it is like a sauna in there with a water mist automatically coming in every 3-4 minutes from the roof. Keep your lenses covered. Don't wear jackets inside.

2. Parking is very hard to find. For around 10$ you can park in the underground parking below the California Academy of Sciences and walk 10-15 minutes to the Conservatory.

3. There are three restrooms which are free. One next to the conservatory, one behind the amphitheater structure (between the Academy of sciences and the botanical gardens) and one near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

Note to self : Next trip..take a frisbee and show the kids how to play frisbee. The breeze was just right for frisbee throwing... well, next time!

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Backyard Playtime.. Photoblog

Today was spent in napping, biking with kids (yes, Daddy got back on the bicycle for the 2nd time since the accident... and went on the main road as well!), taking pictures of the flowers, girls, squirrels, and birds in what was a great spring day.

The jasmines are in full bloom and the whole backyard smells divine!

Made some good chai and settled in the concrete steps..

This look on the little one's face is what we refer to as the "theesa kalai".. she must have done something she wasn't supposed to do and that explains that look.. She was moving too fast and I had the camera in manual.

The girls surprise me more than the birds and squirrels...

Need more of these quiet afternoons to lift up spirits...

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