The Fish

Jaden finished his last session of swim lessons today and got to go down the waterslide--we're talking water park style: windy and fast!! He can swim!

Later this afternoon, we headed back to the beach for some more boogie boarding:

We found Beckam kickin' it on the beach making sure he had adequate sun protection!


Baby Magic (SPF 50) is our sunblock of choice!

Usborne Books

The first day we were in Monterey we ate breakfast at this cute little cafe called Lou Lou's on the Pier. I met a lady there with two little girls, one of whom is Jaden's exact age (Nov. 2001). After breakfast we all played on the beach. When it was time to leave Jaden wondered if he would see his best friend tomorrow so I asked if she lived in the area. She did and happened to be having this book show the next day, which she invited me to. Books are the last thing I need but figured I'd use the opportunity to get better acquainted with her.

Since I took both kids, my concentration on the presentation was compromised quite a bit but I did see some things I was really interested in. I'm totally against impulse buying so I asked if I could take the catalog home to peruse it before placing my order--wow, I should've just gone with those impulses, my pocketbook would have been a little better off!

We received our order in one week and those books have been such a hit in our family!! Jaden's enjoyed them so much that I just wanted to share in case anyone is interested. I'm not trying to sell them for any other reason than that Jaden loves them so much and I thought your kids might, too. Here are his fav's:

Puzzle World (you have to help two kids accomplish their mission by helping them find certain things along their journey (i.e. pieces of their costume, tool and supplies, etc.)) This one is available in many varieties: Puzzle Island, Puzzle Farm, Puzzle Town, etc.

Big Book of Things to Spot (they have to find a certain number of a variety of different items on each page, which has helped Jaden with number recognition). It's also available in different varieties: Animals to Spot, Things to Spot Long Ago, etc.

Children's Mini Encyclopedia, On The Moon, Stories of Pirates (book on CD), First Numbers, Chocolate Island, Night Animals, Ted and Friends, Don't Be a Bully Billy, etc....

My sister was in town when they arrived and decided to take the catalog so she could order some, too and show some of her friends. My friend Kim, the Usborne Rep. ended up setting up an e-show for her so that people could just place their orders on-line.

Here is the link, if you want to check it out: www.ubah.com/HOS60477

Cape Town, Africa

Grandma Kip (micah's mom) has just been called to serve a mission in Cape Town, Africa!! We're very excited for her. She feels very blessed and like the Lord treats her so wonderfully. She leaves Oct. 16 and will be there for 18 months, returning in April 2008.

This is an email from Micah, which includes a link to the area:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

All I can say is . . . WOW! What an experience that will be.

How about a trip down there in late July or early August of 2007? Going as a group would be tremendous.

I'm still not sure how far we'll have to travel to do a safari, but the African Penguins, Mountains, and Beaches look great!

It will also be the home of the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

Congratulations mom, looks like you're in for a treat.

Perpetual Motion.

Coincidentally, this is their favorite toy in the house. Beckam gets in it and says, "whee. spin."

Beach Bums

I must admit I do feel guilty living in this weather when everyone else I know is suffering elsewhere. It is truly unbelievable.

We live only a short walk from Fisherman's Warf and the bike path, which stretches along the coastline of three towns! It's a great way to burn energy and is a great work out especially considering we live up a rather inclined street from the warf and our apartment is up an even steeper driveway. Thankfully Jaden is riding solo now! Pulling the bike trailer with just Beckam begins to feel more comparable to pulling a Ford Festiva.

Lover's Point is a favorite spot. Thanks to some good friends who moved to Arizona and handed down a Boogie Board to Jaden, he thinks he's on his way to the pro circuit. He's fascinated with scuba diving and really wants to go but has had a hard time understanding why he has to wait! He's also decided he wants to own a rafting company (I think so he can have access to rafts and kayaks at his wim). He's put in numerous phone calls to his Uncle Darron, owner and operator of River's End Rafting and Adventure Co. to find out when he's coming and if he can bring some rafts.

We've had to eliminate one of Beckam's naps and require that he be more flexible with the one he does take because there's just too much fun to be had in this town and, hey, we're only here for so long.

Our Extended Summer Vacation

We've been in Monterey for just over a month now with one and a half left to go. Time passes too quickly! In the five weeks we've been here, we've had six sets of weekend guests and had so much fun showing off the sites of Monterey many of which can be seen from our balcony!

We enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day weekend with my dad and Sandy. My dad was getting such a kick out of this monkey at Fisherman's Warf, or wait, was it Beckam's reaction to the monkey. Beckam wanted so badly to meet this furry friend, who equaled him in size (but not weight). He would climb down from my arms to get a closer look but scurried back up each time the little thing came near. He watched as Jaden confidentally climbed up and sat next to "Harpo" with his arm around him but when Beckam's turn came he hid his face and clung to me. When we finally turned to leave after saying our goodbyes to "Harpo" Beckam refused to go, grunting angrily and lunging backward toward him. Again, we gave Beckam his dollar so he could shake the monkey's hand. Again he refused. So we tried once more to leave and this time Beckam reached for my dad, took the dollar from his hand and urged me toward Harpo, finally allowing me to squat down next to Harpo as he quickly handed him the dollar while I shook his little leathery hand. It was so fun to see how persistant he was and what courage it took for him to meet Harpo! We met birds that day, too. Jaden is ever so brave per usual where Beckam tends to be a little more cautious--whew!

Here we go...

I was just getting ready to email some recent photos and then decided it would be so much easier to view on a blog!! So I finally did it (Stina!). I'll get to posting!