Classical music in the Marina

We met Dave after work in Marina Del Rey where they were playing a free concert of classical music in a park. We got some takeout mexican, and had a picnic.

Behind the boats, you can kind on see, they are dong a water show to the music.

mmmmmmm!

Great Barrier Reef Expedition

The library had a Great Barrier Reef expedition, and Ryder and Olivia were selected to model some of the diving gear.

Ryder modeled the wet suit. hee hee!

Olivia modeled the SCUBA backpack, and was very proud of her little brother (and herself). Here she is rubbing his cheek in praise.

After watching a really cool slide show, they got to feel some imitation coral.

Then Olivia got to model and entire SCUBA set up. Ryder just wanted to watch by this point.

Ryder's New Bike

After lamenting that Olivia had a bike, and where was his, we ordered a bike for him off amazon. (which, by the way, is fantastic here in the states! you can order anything from shoes to kitchen accessories to face cream.)

ryder inside his bike box

Ryder on his new bike at the beach. its called a strider bike. like a big kids bike only with no pedals. the idea is that he will learn to balance while 'striding' rather that relying on training wheels. and its made of wood! aside from the long seat extension that is in a suggestive area, its been great!

Biking with his big sis. already after only 4 bike rides he can balance and roll along for quite a distance. The other day, as we were coming, home he rolled down a small hill for about 15ft with our putting his feet on the ground for balance!

A musical diddy from Ryder

Last night after getting his teeth brushed, Ryder burst into song. A new version of the 'farmer in the del'. It went as follows:

'Mommy likes beer,
Daddy likes beer,
Hi ho the dairy-o,
Mommy and Daddy like beer"

Totally random and out of the blue. Dave and i were nearly on the floor laughing. and we're not big beer drinkers! really! we're not!
:)

Breakfast at the beach

Ok, so these are just some gratuitous shots of us having breakfast at the beach.

When we all got up, we packed up cereal, milk, bathing suits and beach toys and biked the 2 minutes to the beach to find a nice spot.

and what a nice post it was!

after breakfast, we played....

and played....

and played.....

and played....

and made dorodengo's. ryders new favorite beach hobby that his daddy got him hooked on.
(google it)

We stayed at the beach from 9:30am till 2:30 pm. It was a good day.
The beach has become such a regular part of our life down here, i'm going to miss it so much when we leave!

Toilette Papper Rolls

After diner when the kids still have lots of energy, we've been taking them out to the big hill beside out house to roll toilette paper tubes down the hill. The kids like to see whos roll will go the furthest.

Yoga at the Library

The library does different free classes for kids during the week. Here they are doing a yoga class.

It started out well...

..but then Ryder decided it was more fun to lie on mommy.

Olivia stayed forcused :)

Ryder rejoined for the final meditation.

Visit to Glendale

We went to Glendale last weekend to sleepover at our friends Nicki + Steve again. It was lots of fun, but sooooooo hot!!! like 40 degrees hot!

Ryder riding Leo's scooter

They took us to a little place called 'Travel Town'. I was full of old train engines and train cars that the kids could climb on.

Olivia, Ryder, Leo and Tommy in an engine.

Jumping in a passenger car

Daddy buzzing with energy in this high heat.

A great little train that you sit on top of. It drove on this tiny little track, and went all over. Through tunnels, over bridges. We really fun little ride!

I love this picture. Olivia is so hot, her face was pink!

After the train ride, with Leo. If you look at the back you can see the little box cars we were sitting on stretching out behind the train.

Like I said, it was so hot, the kids couldn't keep their clothes on. Look at poor Olivia on the couch.

Dave was pretty hot too. Too hot for words! haha!! JK ....not really :)

Hollywood Bowl

Dave got us all tickets to go to the Hollywood Bowl to see Tegan + Sara (Olivia's favorite band), The New Pornographers, and Death Cab For Cutie. It was awesome! The kids loved it! The Bowl was a great venue. You could buy wine and beer and bring in your own food and snacks. Everyone was just lounging on the sides of the walkways snacking and sipping and chatting. Very chillaxed!

Olivia, showing her enthusiasm, in all its glory.
Rock and roll!

A rare family photo.

Rock and roll!!

We could just glimpse the Hollywood sigh over the hills.

Tegan and Sara on stage. Waaaaaay down there.

The kids couldn't really sit still the whole time. They started wrestling.

Then they passed out.
First Ryder.....

Then Olivia.

4th Of July

We rode over to Marina Del Rey to watch the fire works, found a spot on the side of the water and settled in to wait for the the fireworks to start.

Olivia's New Bike

My friend Nicki bought Olivia a new bike. She is very pleased. We bought her a new helmet and took her cruising along the beach bike path.

With her new gear outside our place here in Venice.

Locking up her bike, all by herself, at the grocery store.

Biking along the beach path.

Again with the posing.