WE HAVE A WINNER

The Gilroy Garlic Festival had it's first KIDPALOOZA Talent Show. Here is the winning number:




She won a pink cowboy hat and a $100 Target gift card. So there you have it.

TOO YOUNG FOR HARRY

The kiddos are still a bit too young for a book as big as Deathly Hallows, but that doesn't mean they aren't devouring their own books every chance they get. Besides they would have to wait a while for the 2 copies of Harry #7 that we have. G is reading one and I am reading the other. Get in line, kids.

What are the Kiddos reading now you ask? Well, let me show you:



Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks For Levi



Me and the Pumpkin Queen for Maddy




Also, The Spiderwick Chronicles are in regular rotation for Maddy-girl.

Tricky Mindtrap Puzzles are a treat for the whole family. At the dinner table, in the car, wherever!

Favorites of all time? There are too many to list. Here is just a sampling:

The Missing Piece is Levi's all time favorite. So very sweet and laugh out loud funny for kids and adults alike.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy Watching my daughter get so lost in a book was a dream realized. We've given this book as a gift multiple times because she loves it so much. (Not her copy, mind you.)

Flotsam No words, just delicious illustrations that "reward close examination" (as Jen from Jen Robinson's Book Page would say). Conversations abound when his book is open.

The Cookie-Store Cat This sweet story about a cookie store and the cat who lives there has been a family favorite for years. The best thing is all the recipes for the cookies mentioned in the story! Our favorite is "Father Eugene's Scotch Chewies."

We all have wants. I tend to indulge book wants more than some others. Here are the new fascinations of the moment:

The Aurora County All-Stars is the book Madigan wants next. This one is so new it is not yet in the catalog at our library. We'll see if we can't hook her up with a new book. Maybe for our vacation.

Levi likes DK books on all science-y and scary topics like Sharks, Dinosaurs, Bugs, etc... but if you can hook him up with a Glow in the Dark Sticker Book about Night Creatures - that boy will be yours forever!

What are your favorite childhood books?

PHOTO EVIDENCE

Levi is riding his bike - here is the proof!

(In this photo there is also proof that Levi's helmet strap was a little too tight and his solution was to unclick it. My attention was on his riding and not his helmet, as I didn't realize he did that until I saw the pictures. Nice. Way to be on top of things, mom.)

This is his new bike. It is silver with black and with bright green and orange. He says, "I feel good. I like it. It's fun for me."

So there you have it.

RAT-PATOTIE

This is Remy. He is a rat in Paris. We went to see his movie. He is a wonderful chef and has inspired us to try to cook some new dishes. None of which is ratatouille. Blech!

In the event you haven't seen it I recommend it, it is fun. It is a little long, but worth it.

DUDS!

Maddy ran a couple of miles with Daddy and Mac tonight. Who is this kid and where did she come from?


Also, Maddy got a couple of cute summer outfits. She looks great in the dress and will be wearing the shorts to camp tomorrow. (The clothes thing is the thing she gets from me.)




And Levi got a couple of tank tops - hopefully to address his major farmer tan. Have you seen those arms? It looks like he's wearing a peach t-shirt when he's not.

Sakes alive.

UNDER THE BOARDWALK

OK, above the boardwalk, but whatever.

Here is the beautiful Bear Creek Way gang: Madison - 12, Emily - 7, Madigan - 9, Levi - 6, and Dylan - 10. Madison and her mom are visiting from Missouri so our 3 families took time to have some fun at the totally famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. (I've just been told that I cut of "Laughing Sal's" head, which was in Madigan's estimation, the whole point of the picture. I tend to disagree, but will mention "'ol Sal" just to apease my daughter.)




Here is Levi, honing his putting skills with a round of putt-putt golf.



Oh, photo op. How I adore thee.










Bumper cars - the ride that starts all sibling arguments at the boardwalk!




And here we have the convertable that Jan drove the girls to the beach in. FANCY!

We'll be going back as a single family unit as Levi didn't have much of a chance to ride his rides. And under no circumstances will we be riding the Log Ride.

Don't ask.

ON A BICYCLE BUILT FOR ONE

Levi is riding a bike!

You heard that right, folks. He's riding a bike. With no training wheels or anything! This is a pretty huge accomplishment for mountain kids. No flat areas. You have to schlep your bike to the flatlands to ride. It's a chore!

So anyway, he is riding as far as 40 or 50 yards on his own! Holy moly! That is half a football field!

Wait, maybe it was 40 or 50 feet. I'm not sure. But I'm sure it wasn't inches so it really has to be feet or yards.

Regardless, my baby can ride a bike. Life is good!

WORKING FOR A LIVING

The kiddos had a work day today. First, the Zamora Dogs were washed on the deck. The dogs did not really enjoy this. The kids can't seem to recall if they had fun. Regardless, there will be less summer dog smell for a while.

Here is a picture of the disgusted (though less smelly) dogs:

After that, dad and the kids washed the car! My car! Holy Moly! I think I'll have to make a delicious dinner and be nice to them now!

Here you'll see Levi scrubbing the tire:




And Maddy rinsing:











Good times. Hard work. Even if they don't love it, i really appreciate it all. They are great kids and they help to take care of our family.

GARDEN PARTY

We went to Bonfante Gardens with pop and G on Tuesday and had a delightful (though not at all cool) day at the park. This amusement park is just our speed - pretty slow. No crowds, awesome BBQ lunch, restrooms and cold beverages everywhere. Nary a depressed or angst-ridden teenager to be found. And the best part is - the kiddos can ride all of the rides! Rock on!

Here are Maddy, Levi and G floating on the little river ride.

Pop and Levi in a cool 50's convertable.
Maddy and I on the Banana split. (We're in the front.)

Here is G on a coaster, one of the 7 coaster rides we took that day! FUN!

And lastly, here is Levi's loot - an eagle and a snake. Named Commander and American, respectively.