Keeps Me Smiling

Death Valley Delights and Amazes

2017-04-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

The vast openness of Death Valley put me at total peace driving into the heat. I loved every moment of our visit there, from the rolling hills and endless roads to the subtle landscape of sand dunes, salt flats, and colored canyons. The contrast to urban living is striking, which is part of its magic. It's beautifully nothing and something at the same time. I can't wait to go again (in the winter!).

Fields Full of Poppies at Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve

2017-04-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

Walking along a field full of poppies is an amazing way to start off spring break. We stopped at the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve in southern California on the way to Death Valley. This super bloom year was astounding. There were poppies everywhere in glorious bright orange, swaying in the breeze. I could have stayed for the entire afternoon - but the wild west was calling!

A Walk Along the Cliffs of Moher

2017-01-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Paddywagon Tours, we were able to drive across Ireland from Dublin to the west coast and back in a single day to fit in the Cliffs of Moher before we ended our UK trip. We were lucky to have a bright sunny day with brilliant views along the coast and countryside. I couldn't imagine trekking all the way out here to greet fog atop 700 foot cliffs, and was thankful our visibility was crystal clear. Or, should I say "emerald" clear?

Exploring Castles in South Wales

2016-12-29T14:14:00.000-08:00

A sunny day in south Wales (which is rare) delighted us with castle views near the Gower Peninsula. We found horses, dragons, bridges and moats. Maps of the area have plenty of castles to explore, but check times on the web before heading out. Opening times during the seasons may vary. Pictured here are Ogmore castle, Caerphilly Castle, and Castell Coch. And let's not forget Dave the Falcon from Perriswood Farms.

London Lights Up At Night

2016-12-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

From Oxford Street to Bond Street to Big Ben and Covent Garden, London shines during Christmas time. During our last trip to the U.K. we stayed in London over the Christmas holiday. We were lucky to see London in all of her decorated glory. I'm not sure when I will be back in winter, but these memories London at night will most certainly last.

The Magical World of Harry Potter at Warner Brothers Studios London

2016-12-24T17:18:00.000-08:00

Fancy a trip to Hogwarts, anyone? Fans around the world excitedly awaited entry to the Harry Potter Studio tour outside London. We caught a tour bus from Victoria Station, drove about 45 minutes to Watford, and entered this magical world for a day in mid-January. Dressed up for winter, the studio tour delighted every single member of our family. We were undone. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so my description is simply this: if you have the opportunity - just GO!

Tate Britain Art History with Kids

2016-12-23T08:50:00.000-08:00

We started our UK trip at the Tate Britain. Located along the Thames, it was a nice walk from our location in Pimlico to the gallery. We prepared for the visit by watching several Khan Academy Smart History videos that highlighted famous works of art in the gallery. It was stunning to see Lady of Shalott and Ophelia in person after listening to their meaning on the videos. This engaged the kids so much more than if we walked in without context.

The gallery is organized chronologically by rooms, so it feels like you are walking through history. At night, the building is illuminated with a pink glow. It was an enriching first stop to kick off our time in London.

Manzanita Lake and Subway Cave

2016-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Our last camp trip of summer was small but mighty. Two days in Lassen's Manzanita Lake campground were a hit in terms of friendship, sports, exploration and creativity. This mellow and beautiful lake is at the west entrance to Lassen National park, and it's an excellent water craft area for paddle boards and kayaks.

Because we went during the Olympics, our crew made up all sorts of Olympic events, such as synchronized paddle boarding and sprint rowing loops. We even handed out medals during the campfire.

15 minutes north of the park entrance is Subway Cave, a lava cave that really does look like a subway. Heading in with a flashlight was too easy for these girls. So we did lights off, and explored by hand. Do not try that at home (Mom almost fell!).

Treasures of an Old California Mine

2016-07-05T22:01:00.001-07:00

Over 4th of July weekend we went camping in the Eastern Sierras. The bonus was a Jeep ride to explore a deserted California mine. It's called the Chemung Mine, which may not have been gold, (possibly silver or ore) but the history is unclear so it's hard to say.

Weathered wood, bullet shells, rusty nails, tattered roofs and gigantic gears were easily accessible without any crowds or tourist centers. We took our chances walking around, which was thrilling for older kids who don't usually get to do dangerous things. I was fascinated by the 100 year old nuts and bolts holding the beams together, reflecting a century of accomplishment.

Yosemite Spring 2016

2016-04-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

This is our third year in a row spending spring break in Yosemite. It's a great time of year because it's possible to get a campsite mid-week, and the waterfalls are usually in full swing. This being an El Nino year, the falls were doing their absolute best at drought busting! Some highlights of this trip included making it midway on the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, and climbing 700 Mist Trail steps near Vernal Falls the next day. My only regret is that the Pacific Crest Dogwood trees had not bloomed yet. But as you can tell by the blue skies, they were budding and well on their way! As always, I can't wait to return.

Shrek: Preparing for the School Musical

2016-02-17T14:28:00.003-08:00

We waited years to participate in the school musical. Some type of hesitation always came up, usually about the massive time commitment. But this year we had a plan. It would be a family commitment, known well in advance, and we would dive in and meet the challenge head on. So schedules were re-arranged, sports were put on hold, and full days (and weekends) were endured. The kids jumped into their roles, and hearing them sing songs at home was an added bonus. I was tasked with set and stage production, and am enjoying the process so far. We turned our carport into a set painting studio, which makes me think...why don't I paint outside more often? The big performance dates are yet to come. Will I still be standing two weeks from now? Let's hope so, because I certainly don't want to turn into an Ogre.

Winter Break 2015

2016-01-03T22:57:00.001-08:00

It feels like we fit in a year's worth of fun into two short weeks of winter break. From decking the halls to skiing the hills, our minds are filled with a flurry of memories. We cut the tree, braved a storm, welcomed friends and family, baked cookies, rode a train of lights, cooked a traditional Christmas dinner, visited cousins, celebrated the New Year (via Squaw Valley Torchlight Parade!), and discovered new backcountry on our favorite mountain. Now my feet are up, and I'm already missing 2015. It was a fantastic year!

Nutcracker: Behind The Scenes

2015-12-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

A major highlight of this holiday season was participating in our local production of the Nutcracker. My youngest daughter had two roles. She was the youngest dancer in the opening party scene, and she was also the mini-shepardess in the variation scenes. Parents were required to volunteer, and my role as chairperson of production was to oversee set up and tear down. The floor, also known as the Marley, was taped down tightly across the stage. The backdrops were hung with shoe-tie knots for easy release after the production. Stage hands used weights and pulleys to manage each scene of the ballet. Everything, inside and out, was just magic. Thank you, Ballet America, for motivating dancers throughout the years.

Thanksgiving 2015

2015-12-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Our trip to visit family in Southern California this Thanksgiving was a blast. Spending time with my husband while "Nana" had the girls was an added bonus. After turkey and fixings in Ventura, we continued to Goleta for a cousin visit. Up in the hills of Santa Barbara is a natural rock playground called Lizard's Mouth. A stunning ocean view greets you after scrambling boulder upon boulder. The setting is simply fantastic for kids and families (as long as kids are careful!). The kids also enjoyed putting on theater performances for the grownups. P.S. If you ever happen to be near Goleta, don't miss the butterfly grove.

Ballet 2015

2015-11-30T20:54:00.001-08:00

So much of this year's ballet experience has been focused on 1) making Basic 3 dance level, and 2) participating in the annual Nutcracker ballet. In fact, my daughter has been talking about Nutcracker for an entire year, starting the very day after last year's Nutcracker ended! She has accomplished so many of her goals, and dances happily at all classes and rehearsals. We are more excited than ever for this year's upcoming performance. Congratulations to our "party-girl and mini-shepardess".

AYSO Youth Referee

2015-11-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed watching my daughter volunteer as an AYSO Youth Referee this soccer season. In addition to her regular U14 team commitments, she also took certification training for the U8 and U10 leagues. Many of her Saturdays involved a referee match in addition to her own game. Aside from the cool uniform, she gained more knowledge about the rules of the game, and asserted leadership skills while making calls and providing the younger players with direction. My favorite part was watching her interact with the adult referees at half time to review how the games were going - just like a true professional!

Tuolumne Meadows

2015-09-17T17:29:00.001-07:00

High above Yosemite Valley (at 8,600 feet) along Highway 120 is beautiful Tuolumne Meadows. We were fortunate enough to get a camping spot with friends over Labor Day weekend. Granite is prolific, and friendly enough to try rock climbing for the first time. Tuolumne River is a perfect place for kids to play, skip rocks, and find fish. Because of the high altitude, the weather is very cold at night even in the summer months. Visiting is most successful packing for both winter and summer in a single trip. The road is closed most of the year, so summer is one of the only times you can drive over the pass. Next time you think about heading to Yosemite, don't forget the alpine meadows - they are divine!

P.S. I can't resist linking to our video of campground fun on the tandem bike.

Taylor Swift 1989 World Tour

2015-09-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

What can I say? Not only was this concert a highlight of summer, it was also a major memory I'll always have with my girls. Months later I've finally organized the photos enough to publish a blog post, but the experience is fresh and may never fade. Thank you Taylor!

Lake Geneva

2015-09-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

We were fortunate to head out to Wisconsin and visit my husband's family in August. Lake Geneva is an idyllic setting with a walking path that circles the entire lake. One of my favorite things to do, aside from enjoying the cousin extravaganza, is walk and gaze at the scenery. A summer thunderstorm set the sky ablaze one afternoon. It was a magical moment in the midwest. Three cheers for family reunions!

Mom's Summer Job

2015-08-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

This summer was a little different from past summers - I was able to go to work! I knew a contact who needed a fill-in at an app start up during July and August. With older kids, now 10 and 12, it was easy enough for me to participate. In fact, the experience helped me and the kids gain some independence. While I was in the office, they held down the fort. The first thing they choose to do was bake chocolate chip cookies. It feels like they have been baking ever since. They also dusted off old toys to entertain themselves, and created plenty of doll furniture out of recycled cardboard. Maybe "back to work" had some silver linings for everyone.

Swimming 2015

2015-08-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Our swim team during summer of 2015 (and beyond, since she swims year-round) turned out to be a highlight. After returning from Italy we went full throttle into summer swim meets. Her favorite stroke is breast stroke, and she placed respectably in the league's final meet of the season.

Venice

2015-08-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Our youngest daughter loved Venice. I think it was because of the masks and the window shopping. Venice is magic, and is a wonder to experience, especially the first time you set foot in its maze. The walk from our hotel to St. Marks Square was only 10 minutes (if you could do it without getting lost). For our last weekend in Italy, Venice was an ideal setting. Dinners under awnings, visions of masquerades, and music in the streets will be scenes with us always.

Treasures in Tuscany

2015-08-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

From the rooftops of Italian hill towns to the city center in Florence, Tuscany has sights to amaze and inspire. We spent a week in the middle of our trip at an agriturismo villa in the Chianti region of Tuscany, which is about midway between Siena and Florence. This location was ideal for day trips to Volterra, San Gimignano, Florence and Pisa. Climbing the towers, enjoying the local art galleries, and wandering the streets were all perspectives that enriched the trip. Showing the kids the statue of David, and the leaning tower of Pisa that really leans? Miracoloso!

Volterra

2015-08-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest parts about touring medieval hill towns of northern Italy is that they are not just medieval, they are also ancient! Volterra is a walled city set between Florence and Sienna in the rolling hills of Tuscany. We went as a day trip while spending a week in Tuscany this past summer. Known to me only as "the vampire town where one of the Twilight films was shot", I was pleased to participate in a much richer history than expected. Beyond the castle tower and town square were several museums with ancient Etruscan artifacts. Etruscan tombs, pottery, coins and jewelry were mesmerizing in their detail. Just as astonishing was the Roman theater outside the city wall. Maybe it is this type of experience that puts Italy on so many travel itineraries. The more you look, the more you discover.

The Ancient City of Pompeii

2015-08-11T22:25:00.002-07:00

We spent a day trip traveling from Rome to Naples to explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii. There is a fast train from Rome to Naples, so the travel time was only a couple of hours there and back. Starting at the Naples Archeological Museum is an ideal orientation to the story of Pompeii and the lifestyle over 2,000 years ago. The museum displays frescos, mosaics and artifacts saved from the massive excavation of the city, including the famous Alexander Mosaic.

The city itself has four entrances, so the sheer scope is a surprise to first timers. Stone walls and streets greeted us upon entry, and soon enough we were peering into homes that are so well intact, it's hard to imagine they are over 2,000 years old! We crossed over large stone crosswalks that Romans built to stay above the street level to avoid treading on animal droppings from horses and carriages. We saw temples and bath houses, urns and plaster casts, and pipes for plumbing water. The advancements of this ancient civilization were right before our very eyes. Our daughter, who had just completed the 6th grade curriculum for ancient civilizations, was amazed by the experience.

My favorite room was the Villa of Mysteries, the ancient Roman Villa with colorful, well preserved murals that hints at a cryptic and magical story. Rick Steves has a great audio tour of Pompeii to help you figure it out!