Point Reyes

For Mother's Day this year we drove 1.5 hours to Point Reyes, hoping to visit the lighthouse there. Unfortunately, high winds caused them to close the steps down to the lighthouse, but we still had some magnificent views. 

Ross and I braving the high winds... 

The lighthouse was down a few hundred steps - with big rails and locked gates - a stark contrast to similar lighthouses in NZ with hardly a wooden railing on one side.

Looking north at beautiful beaches far too windy to actually visit. M could hardly walk in the wind, it was so strong.

After the lighthouse we stopped at nearby Drake Beach for a picnic and play on the long expanse of open beach (not the one pictured above).

It was still really, really windy, but the kids had so much fun playing we ended up staying a few hours.

Madeleine was off in her own world, running, dancing, and singing to herself, as well as rolling in the sand like it was snow!

Ross stuck closer to us since he had a bit more trouble staying upright in the wind, but he too, had fun exploring the sand and little tidal pools.

Time in BC

The kids and I spent two weeks in Abbotsford at the end of April, and while I spent a lot of time with my grandpa in Bellingham WA, my dad got to do a hefty chunk of child-minding... the kids loved it and they had a lot of fun together... eating ice cream...

helping make coffee in the morning...

 taking portraits on windowsills...

 playing with pens in bed (that mommy left within reach - oops!)...

 going to work in the house/office that Grandpa built for them...

 doing some cooking...

 picking flowers...

 trying out the new swing in the front yard...

 climbing ladders...

driving cars...

and sleeping over lunch.

We had beautiful weather and it was fun to see how much the kids enjoyed their time.

Kristin's dog, Polly, was there the whole time, and both kids adore her - she was very tolerant of them taking her for walks (in the house), chasing her, and constantly wanting cuddles.

Another highlight was getting to ride horses at an old family friend's farm. Both kids gave it a try and M didn't want it to end, and neither did I!

They loved watching Wall-E with Great Uncle Gary in the mornings... a very serious event, indeed.

And here is M wearing one of our childhood dresses, made by my Grandma Hoffmann. Being there for so long and knowing our trip home was only a couple of hours was such a delight - it has definitely made the big move from NZ feel worthwhile.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Madeleine!

Celebrating Madeleine's birthday this year was fun because she was so excited for it. She started off the day with one present - some stamps from us.

My sister was here and we all went to Fairyland for the afternoon. Fairyland is a lovely little storybook park in Oakland with beautiful trees, flowers, a little train, puppet show, and animals. 

After her favourite dinner of lemon tuna pasta salad, we had a "3" lemon cake, which she had helped me decorate, and she got to open the rest of her presents.

Ross was thrilled that he had a present sent from NZ as well - and Miss 3 showed him his new book with all the authority and wisdom that she inherently has as a big sister.

Madeleine was happy with her new balance bike, but the torch and scissors she got definitely won out in terms of time spent with them.

I remember wondering what she would be like at this age... and here we are, with a big 3 year old girl who makes us smile each day. She is imaginative and organized, goofy and shy, curious and all-knowing. She loves mothering her dolls (and Ross), playing ball, riding her scooter, cleaning things, drawing, and climbing. She has no fear of heights, but doesn't like wobbly things. She couldn't care less about princesses, but does like hearts, animals, diggers, and cement mixers. She makes up songs about what she's doing, and dances when no one is looking. How exciting it will be to see how she changes over the next year!