Bulldog Jog

Today was the Bulldog Jog, a fundraiser for her school.  Since she switched schools midyear, she also got to participate in the color run at Vallejo Mill.
She started off with lots of energy, then walked for a bit in the middle, but finished with a big burst of energy.  She ended up doing 1 1/2 miles in around 20 minutes.

Slowing down in the middle.

Burst of energy in the last few minutes.

Surfing and skateboarding

Today we went to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve just north of Half Moon Bay (and past a surfing beach with lots of surfers but not much actual surfing).  We did not see any signs for it, and just before we came upon a parking lot, we were sure that we had gone the wrong way. (Before we parked, because of the lack of signs, Dave called it "an undiscovered gem", but by the crowds of people, I would hardly consider this place undiscovered).

Low tide, at -0.6 ft was at 9:50 am, so it was a perfect, warm and sunny day to go.

Taken from bluff above the beach.

We saw sea anemone, starfish, and hermit crabs.

We could see harbor seals in the distance, but humans were kept at a distance (only a small section of the beach was open to the public)..

Later in the afternoon, while the boys went to an anime convention at school, Laura practiced skateboarding.

Oakland Museum of California

We reserved tickets from the library to visit the Oakland Museum of California on Sunday.

Laura with an elephant seal in the natural history section.

Benjamin enjoyed playing the land management game in which you earn points by adding land to wilderness areas.

The California history exhibit has several areas where visitors can express themselves on relevant topics.

Can you find Benjamin's?

Benjamin has deep philosophical ideas.

The Silicon Valley exhibit had some fun buttons to play with,

The kids even had something to say about 1960s-70s

"It was great, my brothers were not born yet."

Benjamin, the conformist, writes "I was not born yet", and hangs his above all the other comments.

Not to be outdone by her brother, Laura persuades Joshua to put her comment higher than Benjamin's.

The Hollywood exhibit was especially fun.

Spin the wheel to find out if you will become a successful Hollywood star, make a living as a screenwriter or spend the rest of your life waiting tables wishing for your big break.

Laura designing Hollywood fashions.

The boys get a chance to be a Foley artist by adding sound effects to a film clip.

On our way home we were treated to a beautiful rainbow.  You can almost even see a second rainbow to the left of the main one.

Another Summit Conquered!

Laura started reading a book titled: No Summit out of Sight: The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits

So, after the kids climbed Tolman Peak, Dave said that they should try to climb seven summits of the East Bay.  Dave has wanted to hike up to Mission Peak for months.  Like Tolman Peak, they did not make it on their first attempt with Wendy and Dennis.

Saturday was beatiful, so Dave was determined to finally make it to the top.  He could not force the boys, so the rest of us explored Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon which is only open to the public a few days each year.  Exploring a wetlands right in the middle of Fremont sounds cool, so as soon as I noticed the Chemistry Family Day there, I signed us up.

Laura at the top of Mission Peak

Benjamin's Chemistry DayWorksheet

Joshua helping Benjamin--Benjamin wanted to earn enough points for a prize (an airplane).

Great place for a picnic!

Biking Over the Dumbarton

Today I went on a bike club ride to Palo Alto.. I finally biked over the Dumbarton Bridge!

Niles to Sunol and back

Grandma was almost as excited to take the Niles Canyon Railroad as the kids' 6 year old cousin would have been had he had the time while visiting last month.  So after my morning bike ride, I gathered up the kids (Laura from religious school and the boys and their bikes from robotics club).  Meanwhile Dave managed to make everyone lunch in spite of having forgotten to buy bread on his morning shopping trip.

We rushed over to the Niles station to make it to the 1:20pm train to Sunol.

In Sunol (population 913), we met up with Sheryl and Peter, spent a few minutes exploring the bustling metropolis of Sunol (population: 913) and used the port-a-potties (no sewer system in Sunol according to station ticket sellers). "If it takes you more than 5 minutes to walk through downtown Sunol, you are walking too slow."

Sheryl and Peter accidentally went to the wrong station (a common mistake), so we met up with them during the stop in Sunol.

Dave, Grandma, Benjamin and Laura opted for the standing only open air car on the return trip.

The train leaving for its last round trip of the day.

Wildlife Preserve and Arboretum

Saturday, April 7, with the return to school haunting the kids, we are enjoying Grandma's visit, but still forcing the kids to spend time outside.  Friday's rain cleared up, so we headed to the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge in Fremont.  This time we took the Tidelands Trail.

In the afternoon, we decided to check out the Shinn Historical Park and Arboretum here in Fremont.  The house was not open for tours today, but the garden was beautiful.

Forcing the kids to go outside during spring break

Thwarting the kids' carefully laid plans, we made then go outside over spring break.

On Saturday, March 31, Iyer invited us over for dinner and cake to celebrate his sons' birthdays.  Our timing heading home worked out perfectly for us to pick up Pranita at the airport. when she arrived at 10:40 at night.  The next morning, after introducing her to guinea pig Penny,

we had to return her to the nature center..  Since we were in the area, we also showed Pranita the Hayward Japanese Garden.

In the afternoon, while the boys were at their robotics club meeting, we gave Pranita a bike tour of Niles, including the Historic Nursery Park.

Monday, April 2, we all biked around Quarry Lakes with a stop for a picnic lunch at the beach.

On Tuesday, April 3, we took Pranita to the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge in Fremont and then a local Indian Buffet for lunch.

This afternoon, Laura showed Pranita the skate park.

On Wednesday, April 4 we went to the Oakland Zoo.

Thursday, Grandma and Jerry arrived and the weather turned cooler.  Pranita and I managed to get in a bike ride to Quarry Lakes in the morning. Then we spent time with Grandma and Jerry in the afternoon, including swimming in the hotel pool.

Friday, was cool and rainy.  Pranita had to leave for the airport early in the morning.  Grandma took the kids to see the Black Panther movie and then swimming in the hotel pool.