L set up the chairs and invited the guests out to the stage area. Once everyone was seated the show could begin.

She sang and danced, with a few of her favorite invisible friends to help her out.

She ended the show with her usual bows and “Thank you, thank you, everyone.”

We went to the Nevada County Fair, which had loads of rides, games, food, music,  animals and exhibits.

 
After watching her fearless cousin tackle walking on water in a big bubble, L had to give it a try!

We had a wonderful visit, can’t wait to see everyone again!

Next we walked through the park toward the lake. There were loads of wild blackberries along the paths…and a cool stream with shady spots for some lucky ducks.

Our favorite pink sparkly paddle boat was waiting for us at the lake. My copilot was intrigued by the sailboat, and we also saw some surfboard paddlers…they did not fall in or get wet the whole time. Looked like fun!

What a super way to cool off!

Yesterday was pretty hot so we went to the beach to cool off. (p.s. madame picks her own outfits…I don’t know anyone else who would wear a long dress to the beach!)

We had a walk downtown while we were waiting for the tide to go out…

First beach we went to was the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in search of a red octopus…but we were blocked by the sea lions on vacation. (Look closely at the second pic and you will see about 50 of them.)

Here is a great video of the red octopus we were looking for:

At the next beach we did see a purple starfish (aka sea star for you sticklers!)

Here are L’s new color changing sandals…they turn blue in the sun. We lost half of her favorite pair of skipping shoes in the airport last week, so had to get new ones. These are pretty neato!

We always find bits of shells that look like letters…it is pretty easy to spell her name.

(This is part two of our weekend reunion with old friends…see part one here.)

The next day we got together again for a barbecue. Madame was excited to visit again after getting to stay up late to play the night before…she said she dreamed about the marble run.

The guys lounged in the backyard while the kids played and our hosts cooked…sushi and barbecue.

The weather was perfect, sunny but not too warm. After dinner we strolled over to a nearby park.

Did I mention their almost grownup kitten, Smores? She’s so cute!

“O-pus and starfish are having a seaweed wedding underwater!” -The Kid explaining why her octopus bucket and starfish shovel were all dressed up.

It was another hot day in the valley so we headed up to the cool foggy city. We stopped at the de Young to see the Balenciaga exhibit before it closed.

Auntie led us up to the observation tower, where we were treated to superb views of the city on this clear day.

Next we checked out the Balenciaga dresses…my favorite was the pink one at the entrance, but as no pics were allowed, you will just have to imagine it. There were so many wearable, beautiful dresses…I wanted several! There was one room of all black dresses and suits…in dark nightclubby lighting, so it was a bit hard to see them, esp. when being tugged by a toddler who loves to tour museums at breakneck speed. Also as we departed I noticed a sign that they had a Jean-Paul Gaultier exhibit (could be upcoming? can’t find it anywhere)…and this Dior dress…sigh…maybe next time. There are lots of great things still to see, we will be back.

When we were up in the tower we spotted a pool with lily pads, so when we got back to ground level we checked out the pool and surrounding gardens. The pool had turtles! There was a family of different sizes, and one particularly cute baby turtle.

The kid and auntie gathered some daisies and dandelions nearby.

After this we strolled through the plane trees and fountains (last time the fountains were dry, so this was a welcome change) and madame was particularly entranced by the smaller fountain which undulated.

But the day wasn’t over yet…next stop, the beach. Auntie took us to a beach that was loaded with sand dollars…it was a nice, calm, gentle day for waves, and we walked barefoot along the beach, gathering sand dollars. What a beautiful day!

We ended the day with a visit at Auntie’s, rinsed off the sand and played with Luna and the kitties. The kid was very proud that Omie let her pet him, now that she has a gentler touch. Having thoroughly tuckered out Auntie, we headed out for the local Trader Joe’s for some travel snacks for the long drive home.

We loved their cart escalator…we could watch it for hours! This reminded me of London…the escalators down into hidden food halls…were they at M&S or Selfridges? They also had the little shopping carts for kids which our kid loved pushing around the store (and into my shins..ouch).

Thoroughly happy with our day out, we cruised back to the (finally) cooling off valley.

“Wubie is dressed in his best catsuit and cat shoes.” - The Kid

Yesterday it was blisteringly hot in the valley, so we escaped to the cool coast.

First we went to the beach, built a sand castle, and played in the waves…

Then we decided to take a drive down the coast to see the sights. We saw a lighthouse, surfers, lots of little beaches that we had never been to before…

and ended up at a u-pick strawberry patch. The patch was organic, with a neat little store that had tasty treats and a cool place to sit or play.

The kid loved picking strawberries. She kept going back for just one more strawberry. It was like a treasure hunt!

After our long day out she still had energy for more, and asked ‘can we stop at any other cool places we see?’ It felt like we were on vacation…even though we were right near home.

When we got home she was very proud of her basket of strawberries and told her Daddy all about it. He too was excited about the possibilities of playing tourist in our own backyard, and we decided we will try more of these day trip adventures near home.

“Mommy, where’s my goggles?” – Lucy preparing to cook

The youngest member and I were invited to a party at Filoli, an after hours stroll for members.

Madame handled her first garden party with aplomb. She enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres, particularly the crackers.

She waited patiently to go in the house,  listening to the barbershop quartet.

She was excited to go upstairs (usually not allowed, but open on this special occasion) and see the rooms up there.

In the ballroom she entertained the guests with some impromptu ballet to accompany the piano player.

She enjoyed herself so much, she didn’t want to leave…even when her tuckered mom was ready to go.

“Shhh…I’m baking.”
— Lucy, while making banana bread with her mom (and wearing apron and chef’s hat.)

Part 2 of the summer pic series…more beach, boating on the lake, painting with auntie, and playing at the park.

“Phalaenopsis, phalaenopsis…pretty flower, pretty flower… “(to the tune of Frère Jacques)
— Lucy’s song after visiting the orchid farm

We’ve had a pretty mild summer, a few hot days here and there. On the hot ones we head out of town…to the foggy city or to the cool beach. Here are some snaps from our summer so far, mostly beach pics. Stay tuned for part 2…