Summer Vacation Part III

The beach.  What is it that draws us to it?  Nothing but sand and water (and freezing water at that--the Pacific ain't the Gulf of Mexico).  Still, we were at the beach every day, sometimes twice a day, sometimes thrice a day (you don't hear "thrice" all that often in conversation; it's used every fortnight or so...).  I ran on the beach, we walked on the big, built sand-castles on the beach, and just watched the beach.  Watching might have been the most fun.  We saw one of Eileen's neighbors--I don't recall her name, but let's just call her Dee Dee.  She was quite buoyant.

Ashley and I took this shot.  Not the best picture of the two of us, but so what--we were having a lovely time.

Here's a better shot of Ashley in front of the ocean doing her impersonation of an onion (many many layers).  She never grew fond of the ocean breeze or the chilly water.

Bode loved the beach.  One day, Jamie, Locklund, and Dane took Bode out onto the rocks.  Jamie, Locklund, and Dane are four of Aunt Eileen's 23 grand-children.  I think they are Bode's fourth-cousins, but Bode just referred to them as "the friends."  Well, the friends had a grand time scampering on the rocks, looking for little sea crabs and splashing in the waves.  On these vacations, Ashley and I sometimes feel sad when we see the fun Bode has playing with a crowd of kids.  One day, we saw him around 10 am, then not again until 6 pm.  Little dude could not have been happier.

Bode loved hanging out with the McDermott kids (more pictures of more of the clan in later posts).  He also played with Daddy a few times (when he didn't have better options :-)  Ashley went to Target and loaded up on toys.  Bode has a future in construction.

Yup, that's our boy, just lying in the sand.  It gets everywhere, but I think that's part of the fun.  We did go in the water and splashed around in the waves.  The water temperature was a balmy 65--amazingly, we could not convince Ashley to join us.

I surprised myself and went boogie boarding a couple times.  I stayed in for about 30 minutes.  It wasn't too cold when you were in the water, but when you got out, it took a long time to warm up.  I couldn't get Bode to try it--he wanted to ride on my back, which simply wasn't going to happen.  I guess this means we have to go back :-) or maybe even buy a beach house.  If the current administration can get everyone a cell-phone, why can't them get us all beach houses? :-)

Summer Vacation Part II

There was a nifty park a couple blocks down from Aunt Eileen's house.  Lots of swings, climbing devices, and all other items children can hang and leap from with the grace of a monkey, yet put an adult on this bars and it's a quick ER trip.  Bode played a bit and went down the slides, laughing and just being a kid.  At some point, he saw the zip line.  He wanted to do it, so we got in line and waited.  It wasn't a park-sponsored line or anything like that--just a string of line run from a high point to a low point with a knotted rope hanging from it.  Seems pretty basic compared to the gadgets and video games that enthrall kids, but I think this was more fun.  Here are some pictures.  First, Bode waiting patiently in line.

He needed an assist from Pops to get onto the rope.

After he was firmly in place, away he went.

It was so much fun, he wanted to do it again.  For this iteration, I took a movie.  It was a bit windy, so the sound is horrible.

You probably noticed Ashley and me were both in jackets.  It was brisk in Ventura--these pictures are taken the same day we went to the zoo in Santa Barbara, which is a quick 30 minutes up the coast.  Funny how different the weather can be just a few miles away in California.

One funny parenting story:  While on vacation, I did something I didn't think would happen so soon.  Bode and I had all our clothes in one suitcase.  We weren't very neat--piles of clothes around the room, some clean, some dirty.  At some point, I needed a shirt, so I grabbed one off the bed.  I had a full view of the shirt--it wasn't partially hidden or obscured.  I grabbed it, and started to put it on.  I quickly realized it was Bode's shirt, and it wasn't about to fit me.  But it dawned on me Bode is growing and getting bigger.  His clothes no longer look like washcloths.  We're still a few years from sharing a wardrobe, but our little guy is getting so big.  Hard to believe he starts kindergarten in three weeks.  More CA posts to follow.

Summer Vacation Part I

I can't believe I haven't posted in the month of July.  Fear not.  I'm about to go on a Dickens-like bender.  Hopefully there is enough space on the interweb machine to store everything I plan to write.   My lack of posting should not be construed as lack of activity at the McGuirk home.  Quite the contrary, we just returned from seven days in Ventura Beach, California.  We had an awesome time.  The following posts will not be a sequential recap of our activities, but they should cover everything we did.  We stayed with my Great Aunt Eileen, and the title is appropriate.  She lives in a beach house that is literally a stone's throw (a sea-shell's throw) from the beach.

In the first photograph, you see the end of the road, and beyond that, the endless Pacific (yes, and some clouds too).  In the second picture, you see the first house directly on the beach (not Eileen's).  The green house (yes, it looks green to me, so no comments about my eyes) is Eileen's.  Beautiful views of the ocean from her windows.  Awesome location, and we can't thank her enough for putting us up for the week.

On Wednesday (I think it was Wednesday--the days all seem to run together as I look back.  I could be a forensic accountant and look at my credit card statement to see when we did what, but that would take something like three mouse-clicks and some password information, and I'm still in that lazy-beach mode where anything other than typing feels like an effort) we went to the Santa Barbara Zoo.  This was a great zoo--not as big as the Columbus Zoo in Ohio or the Omaha Zoo, but very nice.  Here's a picture of Bode, anxious to go inside.

Note the shades.  Somehow, mine are now his, and I'm back to wearing the ones I have had for years.  Funny how that happens.  Just call him Hollywood.  Next we have a cool shot of Bode and Mommy, doing some type of dance while waiting to go inside.

Once in the zoo, we saw lots of animals (shocking)--some big elephants

and a gorilla or two.

There was this neat graphic that compared the size of a gorilla to a human.  I think I'm taller than most of them, but their arm-span is over nine feet.  Plus, the males weigh 400+ pounds, so if it came to a wrestling match, the gorilla has a slight edge over Bode and me.

There were some bald eagles, which, surprisingly, taste like chicken.  Who would have thought a California zoo would have bald eagle on their lunch menu.

The Santa Barbara zoo was similar to most zoos we've been to in that it had a little kid's play area, which is usually the highlight of the trip.  There was this large mound (some would call it a hill) the kids would run up and roll down.  The more experienced parent's brought card-board boxes, which made great sleds.  Bode was lucky to have get one from someone who was leaving.  Here's are some action photo of the little dare-devil.

There was this little penguin names Lucky that was born with a problem with his leg.  The vets at the zoo designed a little boot for the fellow.  Here's a shot of him swimming.  He reminded us of Nana and her booted foot.  Not to get political, but I'm sure the cost of developing the boot for this little feathered friend was in the tens of thousands (especially when you add things like Lucky's co-payment whenever he sees a specialist).  Not to throw stones, but isn't California something like forty billion in debt?  I know, a drop in the bucket, but every little penny counts :-)

Bode really liked Lucky and the other penguins.  All in all, the day was lovely.  We headed back to Ventura in the early afternoon, but I'll talk about that during a different post.  Pleasant day to all.

Bode on a Bicycle

Bode has learned how to ride a bike.  Yes, we are bad parents in that we waited so long to teach him.  However, both in Ohio and in Colorado, we do not live on a street that was/is conducive to learning to ride a bicycle.  This is not to say we live in a heavily trafficked area.  Quite the contrary.  Here in Colorado, we live at the very top of a dead-end street.  Traffic is not the issue.  The large, 10% incline is what is troublesome to a first-time bike rider.  What got Bode on his bike sans training wheels?  Peer pressure.  There are some neighbors down the street.  They have a six-year old and a four-year old.  Bode saw the four-year old riding a bike, and that is really all it took, plus some encouragement (goading) by dear-old Dad.  Here are some action photos.

For the time being, we are staying in the driveway (which is still steep in some areas).  However, we did walk Bode and the bike to the bottom of the hill, where he was able to ride a bit further.  Also, we ate dinner at Grammy's house, and she lives on a nice flat street.  After dinner, we took a walk around the block.  Bode rode the whole way.  He's yet to have a major wipe-out...we have stocked up on band-aids and bandages knowing it will surely happen :-)

Ashley took the below movie.  Not the most thrilling of footage, but those riders who post videos of themselves on Youtube going off 20-foot jumps have to start somewhere.

We are both impressed how quickly Bode learned how to ride.  He did have one of those Stride-Rite bikes (pedal-less bikes).  He learned how to balance himself on that, so getting on a real bike wasn't that big of a difference.  We did have to work on using the bike's break as opposed to his feet, but we think he has that down.

Nothing too exciting in Colorado Springs--hot, dry, and fire-danger is high.  Makes us miss the humidity of the east coast (yes, really).  Pleasant week to all.

Nana and Papa

Ashley's parents are here for a month.  No, they're not staying with us--Harley would probably drive Frank nuts.  They have a camper, and they hauled it up here from Florida and are staying in the Famcamp playground on the Air Force Academy.  Bode loves the camper, and he'd stay there every night if he was allowed.  Over the weekend, David came down with Teddy and Charlie.  The boys love playing together.  Here's a nice shot of Bode and me on a big rock with Charlie in the foreground.

The boys went to a playground and did some running around.  Here is a cute one of Bode.

On Monday, we all went to the zoo.  The kids love feeding the giraffes.  Look how big that tongue is!

Next time we need to remember to bring a whole head of lettuce.  The zoo sells five pieces of lettuce for two bucks.  Seems like a scam.

The zoo upgraded their elephant exhibit.  Still doesn't seem like a large enough area for elephants to be happy...

The Cheyenne Mountain zoo has probably the most scenic view of all zoos in the country (not that I've been to more that three of them, but as I blogger, I feel qualified to give an expert opinion on anything).

Near the play area was an old, wrecked airplane (or some sheet metal painted as such).

The peacocks get to run wild at the zoo.  Charlie managed to p*ss one off :-)

We stopped at the leopard cage.  For the longest time, we couldn't see anything--some folks concluded the leopard wasn't even in the cage.  Fortunately, I used my tracking skills, honed by 18 years in the military, and located the beast.  Despite the photographic evidence, Nana still couldn't see the leopard.  Those spots do work.

The tiger was very active, probably because he lives right next to the eatery.  I could smell the food cooking, so I can only imagine what the tiger must think.  Thank heavens this fence was between us, or I would have been his lunch.

No trip to the zoo is complete without a ride on the carousel.  We need to time this better, because we always seem to do this after lunch.

We had a lovely time at the zoo.  Afterwards, we treated ourselves with a trip to Jersey Mikes, our favorite sub shop from Dayton that finally has a franchise in Colorado Springs :-)  This past Sunday, I ran the Garden of the Gods 10-mile run, and finished in 71:50.  I ran this same race over 10 years ago.  My time was 79:45.  Thus, every ten years, I drop seven minutes from my time.  Imagine how fast I'll be when I'm 50! Pleasant day to all.

A Week Off

Ashley and I took the week off from work.  Did we do anything exciting and fun?  Depends on your definition of those things.  If by fun you mean "not working your job" then yes, we had loads of fun.  If  by fun you mean some type of exotic vacation, definitely no.  We stayed in Colorado Springs, goofed off, sat around, went to lunch, played with Bode, and a bunch of other odds and ends.  The one thing I failed to do was update the blog, so this post is going to be a smorgasbord of pictures and different events.  First up is a picture of Bode and Harley dog.

Bode's relationship with Harley has really grown.  He's very nice to her, and she seems genuinely excited to see him when we get home from school.  Boy's best friend.  A couple weeks ago, we went out for brunch to the Broadmoor for my 40th birthday (yes, I'm old).  It was a beautiful day, and we got this nice picture of the three of us.

As usual, we ate too much.  Waaay too much.  At my age, I need to start making better decisions about what I eat.  Afterwards, Bode wanted to play in the fountain.  Fortunately, we managed to keep him from diving in.

Bode is in a little soccer group this summer with a gal who lives down the street.  Coach Maran played soccer in college, and she has some fun games for the kids to play.  It's not really soccer--more like fun activities that the kids associate with soccer, meaning when they hear the word soccer, they'll think fun. Or so that's the idea.  Here are some pictures of Bode running around.

Nana and Papa (Ashley's parents) are in Colorado Springs for a few weeks.  We went to the zoo on Monday.  Stay tuned for pictures.

Party and Swimming

Today, Bode attended Abby's birthday party.  Abby is the youngest girl in Bode's preschool class, and according to her parents, is very relieved to finally be five.  The party was held at a local bouncy house store.  The kids were thrilled.  Here are some pictures of Bode doing what he does best.

Bode and I raced through the obstacle course.  He won, although I don't think I tried as hard as I could have.

After some hard playing, it was time for some cupcakes and ice-cream, all with a Mickey Mouse theme.

After stuffing their bellies, we wanted to get a picture.  Unfortunately, as soon as the kids were back in the play area, they all took off on the obstacle course.

We managed to get the herd back together for a nice group photograph.

Bode had a lovely time at Abby's party.  Afterwards, Bode had a swim lesson.  You may recall Bode is a Dolphin (Level 4).  There are eight stickers which he needs to earn to become a Seal.  Before today's lesson, he only had two of them.  He's really starting to do stuff that looks like swimming--moving his arms, sort of breathing on the side, and doing the racing start from the side of the pool.  Of course, he hasn't quite mastered some of the fundamentals.  Here is Miss Jade showing Bode how to best alternate his arms.

Here's a movie of Bode putting together is entire swim arsenal.

After the lesson, Miss Jade said Bode earned three more stickers.  He's up to five on the Dolphin Level--three more and our little guy is a Seal.  Amazing!

Not much else going on today.  I had my 40th birthday and received lots of lovely presents.  Tomorrow, we are going to the Broadmoor for brunch.  Thus, we are fasting until then :-)  Pleasant day.