Only in So Cal

Only in So Cal can you go to a track meet on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and spy snow capping the mountains in the distance,

then visit said mountains, while it's actually snowing.

We really lucked out when we decided to take the kids to the snow. They've been wanting to go all winter.

Wait, it's spring now.

It's actually the middle of April.

Whatever.

They were delighted beyond comprehension when the drizzly rain turned to flurries of flakes.

And even more excited when it got thicker and thicker.

I heard things like, "This is the best day ever!!"

and

"I've never seen real snow in the sky in my whole life!!"

That makes it worth it.

We brought Cole along with us. He had a nice ride in the back of the truck.

This is what he did within the first 5 seconds of being in the snow:

Don't eat yellow snow.

This is what the kids did within 5 seconds of getting out of the car:

It snowed and snowed. It was clean, fresh, powdery (sounds like a deodorant ad) deep, and fun.

And cold.

It was Cole's first time in the snow and you'd think he was born in it. I don't know if I've seen him happier.

A nice couple wanted to take a picture of us. Here we are trying to call Cole to come in the picture. He had no interest in stopping.

Since Madison didn't participate in the track meet (it was a 2-day Invitational that we don't do because it goes on Sunday), she got her workout pulling the sled around.

The kids would walk to the top of the hill with the sleds and Cole would follow, then they'd sled down squealing and laughing. Cole would bound down the hill after them each and every time, making sure they were alright, then follow them back up the hill.

Over and over again.

The truck sure comes in handy.

Back home to unload our snow, build a snowman, and have a snowball fight.

THEN . . . it's off to go surfing. Switch out the sleds for the boards.

Only in So Cal.

Catching Up

Track has begun.

It is super fun.

It takes over our lives.

I'm helping out with both Ashlyn and Christian's teams this year; it is Ashlyn's first year to run. Technically, she is too young, but with us all four participating, and me helping out (and John being the President), she's now a Gremlin Girl.

We practice four days a week (with the younger two only doing two days) and have meets on Saturdays.

There are 275 kids in the Club (which is the max amount) ages kindergarten to eighth grade, we even have a waiting list. That has only happened since John became the president. Once the kids are in 9th grade, they go to the High School team if they want.

Putting on an event like this with over 500 children, plus all the adults, takes a lot of peoplepower. We have wonderful families that volunteer and truly live in an amazing community with great kids and great parents.

My friend's dad said when observing this meet for the first time: "This is Newbury Park's best kept secret! Seeing all of this participation, and these little kids giving 100% is really special."

Christian (white t-shirt) running neck-and-neck with his BFF Harrison.

It was a cold and drizzly day, which made it sort of miserable for many people. We heard lots of cries of "Let's cancel the meet!" And others from out of state say, "What? We always ran in sleet, snow, 110 degrees, whatever!" Californians are such weather wimps.

The kids spend a lot of time on the field waiting for staging, then for their event. The kids are so great, they automatically entertain themselves and Ashlyn is learning the fun of hand-clapping games.

It was her birthday so her coach gave her a sticker and made the team cookies.

Then the sun came out and it was gorgeous. People had to hurry and put on sunscreen.

When we got home, it rained again. Rainy days are perfect for playing the new Wii Just Dance game that Ashlyn got for her birthday.

A rare treat: Kim Thomas and her family came into town for Spring Break. They were spending it with her mom in O.C., but came up to have dinner and family night with her besties. We had a great time reconnecting, playing Do You Love Your Neighbor and seeing the kids all interact. Kim, Marie and I have been BFFs for twenty+ years. It's always wonderful to get together. And Marie ran to get her salmon sweater so she could match for the picture.

A beautiful spring day perfect for walking to school with friends. This is up the little hill at "our field" that has a view of their school. The friends thought that was pretty neat.

Ashlyn was in the Peter Rabbit play at school and had the part of Mother Rabbit. Perfect for her. We were laughing because she kept yawning during it. She must have been warm up on the stage in the costume, and it was the 2nd performance that morning. Mothering must be so exhausting!!

So cute!!!

For Christmas, Brooke received voice lessons, and has been taking them every other week this year. She had her first recital this last week and sang "My Favorite Things", accent and all.

It was very strange not having Easter along with Spring Break. I felt like we had to rush and dye eggs at the last minute.

On Good Friday, we had the day off so took a hike to "our bench" and enjoyed the view.

I love Spring!