Fairyland Part 1~ The Sleepover

So the weekend before last the wee one, my mom and I went on an overnight adventure to a very magical place. Nope, not Disneyland. Fairyland in Oakland. It’s been around for almost 60 years. In fact, it will be celebrating the anniversary in a few weeks. Being a big kid it is one of my favorite places. It has animals, neat old funky buildings, a puppet show, mini rides for the kids, a train, even a whale and a Japanese house up in the sky with a big dragon slide (kids only please).

The adventure began when the gates opened at 5:45. We got to the gate around 5:20 and there was already a good line, but not to fear there was plenty of room for everyone to pitch their tent. We choose a location that was sunny in the afternoon and would be one of the first to receive the morning light. Okay next time we’ll make sure we’re not under a lamp post and in the main line of traffic for the food. But overall our location was not bad. We were not going to place ourselves in the bark under a tree where who knows what tiny creatures would lurk under us or overhead.

Ah here’s our humble abode. Now I must let you in on a small fact. I don’t camp. I have issues that I don’t like open air when I slumber. I like to feel as if there are four SOLID walls around my body. Unless it’s 80 to 90 degrees with high humidity I don’t even crack a window. Size does not matter, it could be a box. So this was quite a big thing for me to do. I am not too proud to admit that yes I did sleep in the middle with a five year old protecting me on one side.

So here’s a basic rundown of the evening. Gates open, rides (train, carousel, mini ferris wheel) open, kids running amuck (thank goodness they locked up the animals before our arrival), then dinner. After dinner there was a puppet show, more play time, a magic show, dessert, lights out and kids running amuck on a sugar high. (Fairyland, uhm maybe next year we can mover the dessert to after dinner, before the puppet show? It’s a bit difficult to calm down 50+ 3-8 years olds when you give them cake and hot chocolate at 9. I‘m just say‘in.)

Overall I had a great time. It is always fun to go to Fairyland and night just makes it that bit more special. We will definitely be going back next year. ( I will even remind myself to bring the extra battery so when my camera dies I'm not running around using the ipod video)

Those of us at the beach house just ask those of you who go next year please don’t let your kids run screaming around at 10:30, 11 PM. And please leave the damn wagon at your tent. No little child needs to go for a midnight wagon run. Maybe save it for college? Wake up time is at 6:30 and some growing children and adults do like to get some rest.

Also it seemed that everyone was having a wonderful time. So why don’t we save that discussion for the next day, maybe the ride home? Little Johnny may like to wake up at 4:30, but he can probably remember the night before without you rehashing it loudly at that hour. If I wanted to hear how much you and your child enjoyed the evening before, I would have invited you into my tent at 9am. Whispering before 7 am is always appreciated. Especially by those who are a bit grumpy from trying to fall asleep with children circling their tent the night before. Thanks.

Hope to see you there next summer!!

Day 1 - Done

So I have a crazy Crazy4 days. Actually it started today. I am proud to report that I survived and enjoyed the circus. The coolest part were the crazy costume people jumping on the bouncy things at the end. It's hard to explain. 7-8 trampolines in two rows on two levels with lots people jumping and flipping on them in time with the music and each other. Add some hula hoops and two large groups of rings, and crazy costumes with lots of bright red, orange and yellow tags attached to body suits and hats for kicks and giggles. I can only describe it as a bizarre mating of trapeze (without the trapeze) and syncornized swimming (without the water) that takes place on a skate ramp (without the skateboards or the ramps, just lots of guys on platforms waiting for their turn to jump in). Confused? Good. Just a nice elongated kip and I'll be ready to tackle day two. Friday the 13th and the fair.

Where in the hell is Summer?

I know you all have missed me. I've been hibernating. This lack of Summer is starting to drive the wee one and I a bit crazy. The mornings have been overcast and the afternoons, well let's just say it doesn't even feel like Spring. I've been wearing long sleeved shirts and sweaters for goodness sakes. I'm going to zip up my parka now and go for another Kip. Thank heaven for heated mattress covers.

Hula Day

IT's HuLa DaY !!!!

Tacos at Oma's

Every few weeks/months, okay every so often, the Beach House gang cruises over to Oma’s (grandma’s) house for some homemade tacos. Well, everything but the taco shells are homemade. But even those are home fried. Salsa, guacamole, cheese, beef, beans, lettuce, onions and some cilantro to top it off. Washed down with some cold ice tea. Oh and who can forget the lemon meringue pie for dessert?

So last Wednesday was one of these occasions. The wee one and I grabbed a couple of her friends whose parents were off to celebrate a birthday and go to a concert and sauntered over to Oma’s. It was a warm summer evening and the sun was beginning to set.

Oma did not disappoint. She had a beautiful set up in the courtyard with two tables. One for the little kids and one for the big kids. Not a bad setting for the evening.

Here's the cottage next to the courtyard. Aren’t these French doors beautiful? Okay I’m a bit biased because I built them. That’s right kiddies I built them. These beauties started off as 5 pieces of redwood and 2 big planes of glass.

Let the feasting begin. Here it’s serve yourself. You make it as you like it. A little or a lot. Don’t forget the music. Tonight it was Johnny Cash.

Isn't this the cutest table? $12 Thrift store find. I've also seen one at Alameda. Perfect indoors or out. So lightweight yet stable. Great for extra plates or silverware. Napkins. It would even be cute in a bathroom or as a nightstand. Put some books on the bottom shelf and some dolls on top and it could go in any little girls room. With a little spray paint it can be any color you like. Of course I highly recommed Spa Blue or Lime Green.

As you can see not much remains on the plates at these get togethers. But there's still some left in the bowls for leftovers. Yummy!!

Time to head to the porch for a bit of recovery before dessert.

So you think you're a rock star? Really?

Guess what greeted me this morning as I dragged my weary non-morning loving body to the kitchen this morning? This!! Just because you get a few pictures on the world wide web does not give you table privileges. Even more amazing is these 2 so close. They don’t get this close unless it’s cold and raining outside. Friendemies?? Do I want to even ponder what they were planning to do with the car keys? Nope.

This one obviously has a short attention span. Here he was back this evening. That’s right. His legs are even crossed as he’s lounging. No shame here.

The weather outside was a bit cold for him after 6. Did I mention this guy suffers from SAD? That's right. He spent most of the morning complaining about the overcast sky. Honey if I had any say in the matter it would rain for a few hours in the morning to water the plants and be a cool breezy 90 for the rest of the day.

Maybe I should hide the car keys.

Fabulous. Now this one wants in on the action. Posing with a parrot for goodness sakes. Do any of you creatures have any shame?

Oops we did it again.

Yeah, 2 of our big boys, Fuzzy and New Guy can be seen on the fabulous design blog Desire to Inspire. Thanks Kim! The little one is so excited. Imagine "That's Fuzzy on pets on furniture" at a very high pitched squeal about 7 inches from my ears. What did you say? Sorry I can't hear on the left side right now.

To see more sweet sweet pictures of pets every Monday check out http://www.dersiretoinspire.net/. Or check it out to see beautiful design every day.