On Monday we went to eat lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant with some friends. Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the Riparian preserve to just blow off some steam. The kids played a few minutes on the structures, but then we walked some paths to check out the wildlife. We saw baby birds, bunny rabbits, and a blooming hummingbird garden, with a few buzzy hummingbirds in residence.
Walter likes to race along the wall as fast as he can.
Adele was very particular that she had to start at one end and the other end was the finish line.
Little girl being fast
Gordon wore that headband all day. He also declared the end that Adele called the finish line was actually the starting line
Adele checking out the peek-through
Gordon climbs through
One of many bunnies we spotted while we were there.
We walked a different path, which led up to this pavilion on a high spot. We could see down to the water. Also, the cactus you can see behind Walter was home to two bird nests -- a gila woodpecker and a starling. We got close to the cactus to hear the baby birds and we kept seeing mommy woodpecker bringing them food.
Walter and Adele checking out the signage. In the supports of the pavilion was another next. We actually got to see those babies birds sticking out their little heads, with open beaks, as their mommy brought food.
Our day started at 6:20am. Since the kids woke so early, I rushed them through breakfast and we went to early church. We came home for me to eat breakfast, then out the door again. Adele and Walter rode their big wheels to a playground behind our house. I set them up to dig sand and play with sidewalk chalk. Gordon stayed home to play toys. After about 45 minutes, Gordon came out to join us. I ran back home to make sandwiches for the kids and brought them over to the playground for a picnic lunch. Eventually, they wanted to go home. Jeff and I ate our lunches, I cleaned up the kitchen, then we got the kids into their swimsuits. They rode their big wheels to another nearby playground where they played at the splash pad and on the play equipment. Then home again for a few tv shows, dinner, and then bed. They were lights out early tonight!
Adele with chalk
Walter playing with his little trucks in the sand
I guess Gordon was being pretty cute at home while we were at the playground
Chalk drawings taking shape
Chalk hands!
I'm not sure what the big discussion was about.
That's a hummingbird at the tip of the tree. That bird hung in that tree almost the entire time we were there. It chirped at us a few times, too.
This huge butterfly(?) moth(?) came to drink from the flowers. It was very colorful and we were able to get a pretty close look at it.
Adele and Gordon refueling with a snack after some serious splash pad playtime.
Walter had parked himself in the sun trying to get warm.
The kids got Daddy to push them on the swing for a long time.
The other day, Gordon put on quite the concert for me!
Adele and the cat are starting to bond. Really, it is just nice to see the cat being more comfortable with the kids who aren't Walter.
Today was an absolutely beautiful day. It was in the low-to-mid 70's and a little windy. The kids had preschool in the morning. When I picked them up, I brought along a picnic lunch. We joined our friends, the Silversteins, at their neighborhood playground for a while.
Eating a picnic lunch
I was so proud of Gordon for being brave and crossing the bridge. He's normally very tentative with things like this.
Walt was happy to cross
I finally got Walt to try the fireman's pole by himself. Once he did it once, he couldn't wait to go again and again.
Walter getting ready to swing himself out.
Walter sliding down the pole
Adele climbing up to see what her brothers are up to.
Kids love things that spin
We headed home and had a quick snack. Then we set out on an adventure exploring the paths that snake through our neighborhood. We walked for a long time and just were out enjoying the weather. It was a lot of fun.
At a crossroads in the path we picked up close to the house.
These paths snake through the entirety of our neighborhood. They seem to hug the space they had to leave for runoff water.
Sometimes the path won't do and you have to cut across the grass.
The kids love how far ahead they can run. Plus, they like the feeling like we are on an adventure. They get bored pretty quickly when we just walk on the sidewalk in front of house after house. But, this was fun for them.
We stopped for a while at a little pavilion/bbq spot for a rest in the shade before we turned around to go home.
Our hibiscus and gardenias are blooming on the front patio. They look and smell amazing.
These blossoms were at the playground.
I got a photo of the boys with this orange flowering bush. We have a number of these same bushes in our backyard, but they aren't anywhere near this size yet.
Adele and Walter kept asking 'higher, faster.'
These two rode their big wheels to the playground so we could throw frisbees. They got bored with that, so decided to attack the equipment. Dad and Gordon joined us soon after.
Adele stayed with Jeff while the boys and I went to explore the biking/walking path that led out the back of the playground. Walter kept saying that we were on an adventure. And Gordon kept asking to hold Walter's hand.
A short video from frisbee play earlier. The kids love these big, nylon frisbees we found for a few dollars at Walgreens. And we have this big grassy area just up the street. A great place to throw!
