Praying Mantis

 We hardly ever see these.

Next time bring a zoom lens

Went out on the kayak. There were ALOT of frogs this time.

A big one and a small one

Two Recommendations

Recommendation for family fun:

1) Borrow, rent, or  buy a motorhome, or campervan.

When the kids were growing up, I would complain to my husband that I felt really  conflicted between going out and staying home. On the one hand, I very much wanted to go out, because hours with small children can make a person crazy, and on the other hand, going out involved so much in the way of preparation, that it really seemed too overwhelming to actually produce a fun day.

As a for instance, when the kids were potty training, I would often be overwhelmed with anxiety. I'd have to pack so many things in case of accidents, and then exert so much worry in case of accidents, that getting out of the house just seemed like it might not be worth it after all.

Then came the idea of camping. Taking our whole home with us. This really was the ticket when it all came down to it. And as I have seen many families of all abilities, of all sizes, of all ages, enjoying camping, I see it as a real solution to making getting out and having fun possible at the same time. Especially when you camp right on the beach. Camp overnight at friends' homes.

2) Get an Instant Pot.

Instant Pots were all the rage one Christmas a few years ago. No matter what website I was on, there it was, trending as the #1 gift idea. So, I succumbed. Didn't really know what to do with it though, so we kind of let it sit unused for awhile. Then this summer came along, and we were too hot to cook, and we didn't really think going out to eat was feasible. So I learned why Instant Pots are great. You can put any meat in it, with a cup any kind of watery sauce (not creamy sauce), program it to cook for 25 minutes, and you will have great food without effort and without heat, in less than 1/2 hour.

We have used store bought BBQ sauce to make pulled pork, and all different varities of premade and homemade sauces to make chicken mole, puerto rican pork and eggplant stew, chile verde, chicken curry, and chili, and taken it right out to the patio to eat in practically the same amount of time that it takes to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

Ping Pongery with Mookies

Pineapple Sleepover Party

We had some friends over for the first time in months. Weather was great, and they were able to stay in the pool pretty late.

Seafood Dinner

When she was very young, we'd walk to the local aquarium Cabrillo Marine (since we could). And many times after spending the afternoon there, my preschooler would request fish for dinner. She said the smell at the aquarium made her hungry. So her love of seafood goes way back.... All that to say my kitchen smells like a restaurant. The kid's making fried calamari for dinner this evening. 

Patio Redo

Our very own Toy Story

A year or two ago I was cleaning and found Sally and wondered aloud where on earth was Jack. I was told we had given him away and I was inconsolable. But they were wrong, thankfully. He was here all the time.

Reunited with Sally at last

Jack in action

Other world chips

When we went to Star Wars Land, Kat was delighted by a snack at Ronto Roasters - "alien" meat jerky in a bag with these awesome brown-other-worldly-crispy things unlike she had ever tasted before in her life.

When she told me she wished she could have these things again, I actually had to think about what she could be referring to. So now we have pork rinds in our house. A snack that we have never had here before.

122/79

My blood pressure reading this morning is the lowest it's been in forever. Must be all the sleeping in, and the kayak rides...

Terrible picture of a frog

Frog in a hidey hole