Random May

We started swim lessons this month in Reno. Yes, it's a haul to get down there, but the teachers and facility are great and we get errands done too.

Kenzo was not very happy the first three sessions, as shown here, having one-on-one time away from the other kids because he was HYSTERICAL. 

Of course, he hugs the teacher and says "thank you!" and says how much fun he had....AFTER leaving the pool area. 

Today was our 4th session and leaps and bounds better. 

Phew.

We've been hitting up the Red Hut Cafe after swimming for lunch - complete with a milkshake and seating at the counter.

This is going to be a fattening summer.

Walking to Noah's house from daycare one afternoon. They live so close - lucky!

These boys are such buds :)

Puppet show afternoon.

May 20th. 

Just a dusting, but c'mon........

The starting of my latest never-ending project. 

Shopping for lettuce at Tahoe Tree Company. 

The mysterious little critter in our backyard is so happy with his new salad bar. Dang wildlife.

 Kenzo's turn with the iPhone camera turned at us.
 

Mother's Day

May in Tahoe...blue skies, sunshine, snow, rain, wind...we've got it all, and all in one day! I'm a bit tired of this schizophrenic weather.

At least it was beautiful for our bike ride this day!

The T-ball lessons were cancelled due to lack of sign ups, but we went out for batting practice anyway!

Noah and Matt met us too!

We all went for a little hike in the woods, complete with a snake sighting.

The clouds were rolling in quickly!

Brrrr! Let's get outta here!

Two hours after getting home from the park...

And it snowed the rest of the afternoon.

Sweet Mother's Day artwork made at preschool. 
 

"See, I made this with my hand!"

Kenzo painted a mug for me this year - he was so proud of his present!

We enjoyed an enormous brunch at the Hagglof home, then went home for naps, and finished off the day with dinner out in town. 

Mellow, easy day with Kenzo and Eric. What more could I ask for?
 

Spring time

I've been in a deep, dark post-travel funk...why did we have to come home from London?!

At least the weather was gorgeous for an Easter egg hunt at Common's Beach, and one at our house.

Beautiful last day on the slopes for the season.

Happy to be out on this amazing spring day...a good way to finish off our season!

Put away the skis and broke out with a brand new bike!

Very high stoke factor. 

The bike path along the west shore has beautiful views, but it's kind of sketchy being right next to the highway.

Kenzo hardly noticed.

"All good!"

Perfect spot for this sticker from the store in London.

Just a bit from rollin' with my homey...

 

Back to skiing for a bit...

I made the switch to Head/Tyrolia after being with K2 for over 10 years. Feels a little weird, but it should be a great move!

And besides, Kenzo looks so cute in the new hat.

And I guess we're adding another sport to the list! We haven't taught him anything, haven't watched soccer on TV...must be in his blood! British Soccer Camp in July - here we come!

London - a few videos

The kids logged miles of riding time during our stay. 

This one area with a depressed "drain" in the cobblestones was a favorite 

spot to sit and spin. They thought it was hilarious, as did everyone who walked by. 

Terence's Driving School at Thomas Land. 

Can you believe they let them go by themselves? 

And a final goodie from an impromptu dance party at home. 

The kids were feeling this music!

So many great moments and memories during our stay in London!

London Calling - part 3

See, I warned you...LOTS OF PHOTOS!

Face painting afternoon.

Aarrrgghh!!!
 

And a visit to the neighborhood fire station! 

No, there was no time to take off the face paint.

More yummy eats from the market with a great picnic spot on the Southwark Cathedral grounds.

Another afternoon tea session at home!

Why don't we do this everyday?! Oh right, calories.

Lots of calories.

Crown - check.

Pinkies out - check.

Love it.

More bike riding, this time in gigantic Hyde Park.

Max went without training wheels this afternoon and did awesome! He's not even 4 years old yet. 

Hugs all around.

Despite the "occasional" crying, fighting, whining, yelling, pushing & pouting, these guys got along SO well.  

Another ride just to the south of the Grenside manor. 

Tower Bridge and City Hall just behind Kenzo.

Another dress up day - this time for the London Marathon!

Mustaches on for the marathon!

Kenzo made a last minute change to the old standby: pirate!

Waiting for the runners.

There were lots of paralympic athletes competing, which was so inspirational to watch & cheer on!

Even Scarlet got in the mustache spirit!

With all the road closures for the race, the kids got to ride their bikes right down the middle of Southwark Bridge!

A nice pub lunch.

There were SO many pubs, very close to Nick & Jen's - we tried out most of them.

Pirates welcome at most pubs.

The Clink Museum - London's oldest and most notorious prisons - sits right at it's original site just steps away from Jen & Nick's.

Kenzo was obsessed with the scary entrance.

"Maybe when I'm older I can go there?"

 Another neighborhood gem is the Secret Garden. A quiet spot just next to the Tate Modern. 

Once again, we're not quiet.

Riding through the closed Borough Market.

Jen made a traditional roast dinner on Sunday - yum.

Nick kept us full and entertained with his never ending supply of pre-prepared soups and meals he would pull out of the freezer! Again, domestic goddess!

On our way home. 

Very sad to leave our friends and this wonderful city, but we had an amazing time. 
 
 
 

 

London Calling - part 2

A gorgeous afternoon in St. James Park, complete with gelato after lunch.

Borough Market - literally steps away from Jen & Nick's. Dangerously close and filled with delicious treats of all sorts.

Too close. Too delicious.

Four monkeys in the tub!

Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey...London Eye in the background. 
 

Kenzo was so excited to see his name on this place! 

Too bad we couldn't afford anything in there or in the entire Mayfair neighborhood - so swanky.

We did have a nice Japanese lunch there, so that was a bonus.
 

Goofy kids enjoying the open space at the Tate Modern Museum.

Spider Men ready for the day's adventures.

A bit blustery, but we made the trip to Salisbury for the day to check out the cathedral and market. 

Still a favorite of mine after 26 years. Yes, it's been that long since I went to school in London, vowing to get back there sooner than later.

Even SpiderMan enjoyed it.

In Greenwich to visit the Cutty Sark.

"Aye aye, captain!"

Super cool clipper ship experience.

Churchill's War Rooms. 

Very cool underground, secret headquarters during the war, preserved just as they left it at the war's end.

Still in use! 

But I think this one was mostly used as a urinal. Eeeww.

Proper afternoon tea at home.

Don't let his macho appearance fool you - this guy is a top notch domestic goddess. 

Riding over Millennium Bridge towards the Tate Modern.

 St. Paul's Cathedral.

Waiting for our train to Thomas Land!!

Just over an hour north of London, through beautiful rolling countryside landscapes...










Hard to say who is having more fun on this one...!

Just watching this made me dizzy!

The littlest engineer!

Scarlet was such a trooper as we dragged this kid everywhere!

This park was perfect for these guys - they could do all the rides...and did!

Even driving tractors all by themselves!

So cool. 

And slightly dangerous. 

But more cool than dangerous.

The dinosaur trail was cool too!

Great shot of Scarlet. 

Wonder what she's thinking...

Blurry, but you get the emotion.

He actually loved this ride and was screaming the whole time. 

Or was that me screaming?

What a great day at the park! Small, sweet & just enough for these minis.

Skate session in Southwark Park.

There were some marathon runners in training here. They were too fast to get a photo.

Monkey see, monkey do.

A great picnic dinner in the park.

Such a nice day out!

Nice enough for a wrestle session in the grass.

A moment of stillness.

We soon left this "quiet area" of the park because, well, we're not quiet.

A side trip to the east end for bagels.

This place has been open since the 1920's - according to our guide, Nick. 24/7 through the war, bombing and all.