Then later in the evening, we made our first backyard campfire. We were waiting until it was dark enough early enough so we could still have a reasonable bedtime. The fire pit was a housewarming gift from a relative. (Hey EP, it might look different to you, and that’s because it is. The first one was just huge for our patio space, so we exchanged that for the one in the photo.) We roasted marshmallows, which Claire decided she didn’t like. She likes them uncooked. And she likes chocolate. And graham crackers. Just not all together in the form of a s’more. Mmmmm, I enjoyed some!

Claire was learning about heat radiation and how to figure out the safest distance.

This evening I was puttering in the garden, and I gasped when I saw the flower below. I was beginning to wonder if they’d ever bloom. Claire calls them Morning Glorias. It was the first batch of seeds we planted right after we moved in. I see a ton of buds on the vines now, so we’re in for a full bloom soon.

Now they are in the tree, fluttering about.

We watched them dance as we sat on our porch eating icy pops.

I made the ones on each end.

They rotate in the breeze, and they sparkle!

We live so far away from the din and havoc the comes with living in an urban area like Silicon Valley. About five miles from our home is the entrance to the Santa Teresa County Park. (There’s a trailhead about a mile from our house, but I went to the main part this time.) We see the hills from our home, so today I took Claire for a little hike. We wanted to see what nature had to offer.

Summer in California is the season of drought, dust, and death. The grasses turn “golden” (i.e., tinderbox dry and brown), and there is no rain for about five months. It is certainly not California at its prettiest. (I’m partial to the emerald green hills of the rainy season.) Here’s an example of the “hills of gold”:

And the poor parched ground:

Nevertheless, nature knowns no season. It always exists. It’s always interesting. So we headed out on a trail…

Even during summer, flowers manage to bloom.

The view from on high is expansive!

But we also had to keep our eyes sharp for other things.

Looking around reveals interesting shapes…

And glimpses of a bird soaring high in the sky (that teeny dot in the blue is not dust on your screen!).

Then we were treated to a surprise! A turkey vulture perched on a dead tree, I guess airing its wings. It sat still for several minutes like this!

Once it flew away, we returned our attention to the path.

We found a branch covered with lichen. Such interesting colors and textures!

And we also found some pinecones and hardened pine tree sap. We brought the rock of resin home for later exploration and research.

At the end of our walk, we ate a snack at a picnic table. On the way home, I asked Claire what her favorite part of our adventure was. She said it was “sitting and looking.” It was so quiet and breezy there. A lovely Monday morning.

Then sort! Later on Claire had her Little People friends play among the shells at the beach.

Then she decided that today was Space Bunny’s birthday (a little jingly rabbit toy she’s had since birth). So we got out construction paper, scissors, and glue. We made presents, cupcakes (with sprinkles!), and a cake with candles.

We also made paper flowers with marker, paper and pipe stems. Then Claire held the bunny and everyone sang happy birthday. Everyone had fun, and soon enough it was time for dinner and an evening walk, then bath and bed.

And thanks to the Frugal Family Blog for the inspiration!

I took file folder and cut out a 5″ by 7″ window. Then I decorated them with markers. Then I took a gallon-size heavy duty zip-top bag and put in the following:

1/3 cup of mineral oil
1/3 cup of color A
1/3 cup of color B
A dash of glitter

Gently press the bag so all the air is pressed out and seal. With packing tape, seal the zip-top. Then I taped the bags inside the file folders and taped the folders shut. If I’d had quart-size bags it might have been a bit easier — in that case I’d have used 1/4 cup of each item.

The inspiration came from this post.

With the fish, I prepared the materials and gave them to Claire. She put the bits of paper on. I forgot about putting the eye and the smile on, but no biggie.

With the sun, I cut up the pieces; Claire painted the plate and the smile. After it dried, she put glue on the rays and the sunglasses and told me where to position them.

She’s not quite three, so these projects are mostly a collaborative effort. But we have fun, and she’s starting to do more on her own. Here’s a happy child: