Sophie's Field Trip

I am so happy that I have the ability go on the kids field trips. I am always amazed on how many fathers go on the trips. Normally I go one a year for each of the kids.

Sophie's latest field trip was one I couldn't miss - The California Academy of Science in San Francisco. It did mean taking the bus with 60 kindergartners; however, I really enjoyed my time with Sophie.

I was really surprised on how much Sophie enjoyed the museum.

She really enjoyed the stuffed animals. Hmmm...

There was a live African Penguin exhibit though, and we got there at feeding time. The kids were enthralled by the acrobatics of the the animals.

They of course enjoyed the Aquarium. I was surprised at the quality of the exhibits, it was on league with the Monterey and Long Beach Aquariums. It definitely was much better than the Aquarium of the Bay down at Fisherman's Wharf. We spent much of the morning there.

Each tank was broken up according to the different Pacific Coast environments, including a touch tank for the kids to touch the animals.

Of course Sophie had to see the Jellies and the albino alligator.

We later went back upstairs and saw the natural science section that explained the Galapagos Island and variation.

It was nice to spend time with her and her schoolmates. We had an hour and a half there, including lunch. So it ended up being a whirlwind visit. Lunch was fun too!!

After lunch it was time to get back to Concord and the long bus ride back. 1 hour in your standard school bus.

Actually, this trip to San Francisco was pretty interesting. I was amazed on how many of the kids on the bus had never been to San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Trans America Building.

Most of the kids had never been across the Bay Bridge.

One of the kids saw Coit Tower, turned to her dad and said, "Wow, look, there is the Tower of Pisa." Then the father explaining what it actually was.

San Francisco is only 21 miles away from Concord. I guess I have taken it for granted, especially since working there for the last 10 years. Or taking the kids in to the city for walks along Crissy Field or Fisherman's Wharf. Or going to Ocean Beach, driving home through the Presidio and Sea Cliff, and along the Embarcadero.

I feel soo privileged to be able to take the kids on their field trips.

Our Vegetable Garden

On the south side of our house we have an orange tree and a lemon tree. Other than that, it becomes a weed patch and and a place for the opossums and neighbor's cats to take over.

So this year we thought we put this area to some use. We took one afternoon and weeded. The orange and lemon needed some pruning so we cut it back a bit.

I wish we had taken some before pictures, it looked pretty much like a jungle.

This is something I have always wanted to do with the kids.  I have always enjoyed planting.  I think it goes back when I was little.  My earliest memories was planting tomatoes with my grandpa Hugh.  This continued with helping him plant the grapes he would latter make into the best grape jelly.

I also remember in 2nd grade planting summer squash.  It was the first thing I had grown on my own. It was followed by crookneck squash. I remember how proud I was eating them for dinner that summer.

 It wasn't until we moved to Yucaipa that we truly had a real garden.  We planted corn, squash, beets, potatoes, Swiss Chard, Brussel sprouts.  We also planted strawberries in the front of the house.  We also had two peach trees.  I remember the homemade peach ice cream as well as canning a lot in that house.  We even had chickens and fresh eggs from our Rhode Island Reds.

So I am so happy that we have a house that we can do this as a family.  Everyone was involved.  The kids are such hard workers, Emma especially did an awesome job weeding.  I terraced the hill so that we could get the most of the area. 

Of course we planted tomatoes, zucchini summer squash, crookneck squash, and strawberries. We also planted peas, corn, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, and pumpkins.   It is going to be a fun summer project; however, it is something the kids are really looking forward to.  And I can't wait to the kids faces when we see the results of the efforts we put in.

It is going to be a fun summer!!