Laura's 12th Birthday

On March 15, we had a hailstorm in warm, sunny, California.

(Or perhaps California is freezing over.)



All day yesterday, Laura said that it her 'last day being 11'.  So finally turning 12 makes her feel much more like an adult.

Celebrating Laura's birthday.

Today's activities were in honor of her birthday.  We started off returning our two rented nice to Sulpher Creek Nature Center.  Laura is excited to try renting a rat too, but we persuaded her to forgo getting another pet so we could enjoy our planned adventures for the day.

The mice enjoyed the playground Laura made for them.

We saw a group of turkeys wandering around the parking lot after we returned the mice.

Out next stop was Indian Rock Park in Berkeley.  The park is one of a several build on a large outcropping of volcanic rock.  stairs have been carved into the rock to provide a safe path to the top, but of course Laura was excited to scamper over the rocks and perform death-defying stunts.

Out last activity of the day was Playland-not-at-the-Beach in El Cerrito.  We arrived just as magician Fabulous Frank was starting his show.

Laura helped with one of the magic tricks.

This museum contained a collection of carnival games and pinball machines that were free to play (after the cost of admission).  The kids even got tickets which they could redeem for prizes.