From Titans to Whiskeytown

We left Thursday around 11 to go on a short trip. First we went to Jedediah Smith Park to look for the Grove of the Titans.

 Brad found Chesty Puller!

Then I found El Viejo! Then we bushwhacked behind this huge tree to find the others.

Brad had to check his information to see which tree was which. It was really exciting to go on this special "treasure hunt" through the redwoods.

 That night we stayed in Medford. Friday morning we got up, did some shopping and headed down I-5 toward Shasta.

Then we made a detour to go see some waterfalls.

Lower Falls in McCloud

On the mile hike to the middle falls.

Middle Falls

Then we drove to Burney Falls

Then we drove the hour into Redding. We stopped at the Sundial Bridge first.

 Then we got some sushi, DQ and checked into our room at Red Lion. Here is the self proclaimed "Tiny Princess." We watched The Hobbit, and went to sleep.

Saturday we woke up and headed out to Whiskeytown Dam.

We stopped about an hour later to take a break and enjoyed one of the many creeks running through the mountains.

 

NorCal February 19-21, 2015 | My new trip on Roadtrippers.com!

Miranda's Rescue

We started volunteering this week at Miranda's Rescue in Fortuna. It's an amazing animal shelter that rescues animals from all over the U.S. It's like a farm with huge areas for the dogs to run around and a really cool cat area. They also have birds and horses. They let us walk little dogs so even Claire got a chance to hold the leash. The dogs were so happy to run with the kids, and Ruth showed her animal lover side. She's very good with animals, especially the dogs.

The big white and grey cat ended up settling on Claire's lap. At first she was happy, "it's on me!" Then she was a little nervous, "It's ON me." Then she was done, "IT'S ON ME!" She didn't know how to get it off of her, the cat was so happy snuggling in the sun.

Dress Up

stuff we do and say

 Will and Claire were both puking all night last night. They both slept with Brad in our bed. When he got up this morning to get ready for work they started jumping on the bed and shouting, "we're sick! We're sick!" I think they're gonna be fine.

Yesterday Ruth was eating an Apple and discovered she has a loose tooth. She showed me the spot of blood on her apple, to which Will replied, "oh, real blood! Let me see it!"

Ruth has been wanting to wake up early to read scriptures and stretch. Brad got her an alarm clock, but she broke it. Now she wakes up in the middle of the night trying to get us to wake up because, "it's morning time." No Ruth, it's 1.30. Go. To. Bed.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove

happy days

Found this in Will's bed

White Christmas?

Lava boy, Lasso girl, and uncooperative Bat munchkin

Homeschooling in Humboldt

 While Ruth is at gymnastics and on-site classes I've been doing a lot of schooling activities with Will and Claire. Having Ruth away for a few hours has been nice to really focus on these two and do activities that they want with out big sister taking over!

 The weather has been amazing recently, so the kids and I decided to head down to the bay.

 The work of children. It drives me nuts when I hear parents stop their kids from climbing trees or doing other "dangerous" things!

Claire has decided that she really doesn't like rice and beans or noodles. So I thought maybe some "cooking" time with beans and noodles might change her mind. She absolutely loved it and actually tried to eat the beans and noodles...and then faked that she liked it even though it was obvious through her gritted teeth that it was nasty!

 Of course, once Ruth and Will heard what was going on in the kitchen, they ditched their dice game to come cook too.

Interviews

Ruth Will Claire
Color red orange green
Food salad Ice cream ice cream
Game trouble sorry duck duck goose
Toy skateboard, remote control helicopter TRex my baby
Show star wars and raccoons documentary star wars and incredibles bunnies
Ruth likes her helicopter fireworks
Will likes play outside toys
Claire likes balls kitties
Mom likes chocolate your tab your vacuum
Dad likes to ruin Christmas his hotel socks
Dad's job goes to work and runs numbers he does work all day at his hotel go to work to 'nother place
Moms job nurture us take care of kids and play with kids vacuum

Will and Claire have recently started playing together all the time, which has made Ruth pretty jealous. But Will's friend Boston prefers to play with Ruth because "she's pretty." Ruth has lots of friends at her classes at Alder Grove charter school, who all fawn over her when I pick her up and drop her off. She is also excelling in gymnastics and is learning new tricks every week in her hot shots class. Claire has been talking lots and sings all the time. Recently during a game of trouble she was singing "trouble is awesome." Will is a blossoming reader and is constantly telling me what two single digit numbers add up to. He is still totally in his dinosaur phase but loves legos almost as much.