California! part 1- Flying and Redwoods

A few weeks ago we went to visit my sister and brother-in-law in California! Their new place is just lovely, with Vineyards and Redwoods just up the road (with one in their front yard) and snow and the cutest little town. And did I mention wineries? Actually the two best parts: an entire basment just for guests!! and roadtrip distance from the California coast. It really doesn't get much better than that.

This was our first flight with Micah, and we had two flights - Austin to Denver, then Denver to Sacramento. There was a lovely view! On Friday we went for a hike at Big Trees State Park, just up the road from my sister's house. It snowed a lot while we were there, but it was so beautiful and a nice last winter for us, who came back to Spring in Texas (followed three days later by Summer).

Naomi Knows Alot

Naomi pointed at the Agatha Christie book I was reading today, "Mama, what's that book about? What happens?"
Me: "Oh. Um, well, uh...someone dies and they try to find out why."
Naomi: "Oh, you mean like a mystery?"
(Wow, you mean that's all I had to say?! And where did she learn that?)

Micah was drawing on the kitchen counter with a pencil.
Mark: "Micah don't draw on the counter. Hmm, where'd he learn that?"
Naomi: "I think he learned that from me."
(Yup)

Grocery Shopping

We found a new grocery cart today, and Naomi and Micah thought it was AMAZING. Normally I don't go in for the kid carts at the store (read: avoid them at all costs and don't let the kids even see them)- they usually just add on this big plastic seat to a regular cart, and it makes it heavy and impossible to turn. But, at the HEB near Naomi's school, they had a newer one that is compact, easy to push, and has STEERING WHEELS. Micah thought it was cool he got to sit next to his sister. Naomi thought it was cool to steer the cart.

Washington-on-the-Brazos

Last weekend was the 175th Anniversary of the Republic of Texas. (You were remembering that, right?) Well, it gave us an excuse for a quick road trip to the state park that houses Texas' original capitol. They had a big to-do and alot of reenactment types (Naomi was bummed we missed the cannon fire). The hit with the kids was the old toys at the Farm they have onsite.

Naomi's Skirt

I bought this black and white bird fabric from IKEA for some pillows for my sister, and Naomi decided she wanted some for a skirt. And then we decided it needed painting.

She got full reign of the fabric paints...

And voila! A skirt!