Duck Days Are Coming!

Some words of warning ...this is a blatant attempt at encouraging you to come visit the Bay Area. As such, we only highlight the fun stuff we want to remember in our "Bay Area Fun" journal one day. We actually do have minimal trials, challenges, worries and woes but we'll have to capture those in a different way :)

Here's the run down of our eventful past day(s)...

INCREDIBLE Valentines Breakfast. Fancy table, fancy plates, goblets, candles, deep red Camellias and red & pink Azaleas from our yard (they're blossoming like crazy right now), a smattering of pink and red M&Ms, a mound of crepes, berries, bananas, buttermilk syrup, injectible cream, raspberry hot chocolate (b/c it's "cold"), OJ, and even the most delectable homemade Egg McMuffins (as requested by the kids). It was glam.

Benvenuto Giro Di California! My clueless friends asked if we were riding in this race. Ummmm no. After breakfast on V-day we packed up and cruised up to Sac town for the grand fete. If you know nothing about this race, you can learn more by clicking here. It's basically the U.S. version of the Tour de France. We're totally into it--the kids are even starting to recognize those famous riders.

In stages, it starts in Sacramento, goes across the Golden Gate Bridge at one point, and ends in Pasadena. All the world renowned riders are here...Lance Armstrong, Dave Zabriskie, Floyd Landis, Fabian Cancellara, Levi Leipheimer just to name a few. We own bikes, but aren't really like these bikers.

There were fun fans, cowbells, huge calves and thighs, off the charts cool bike gear, mass media everywhere. Nate and John joined the fray and personally welcomed Lance back with chalk.

Old Town Sacramento. After the race we cruised around Old Town Sacramento and had a grand time. Many unique candy shops. Many unique (non electronic) game shops. We passed by the ever incredible California State Railroad Museum and vowed to return one day when we have more time and well rested children.

With California Duck Days right around the corner, you can bet we'll be back up to Sac town soon. I'm sure some of you already know this, but who knew we've got the “Wetlands Festival in the Heart of the Pacific Flyway” right...here...in...our...backyard! We're having a hard time deciding if we should hit the "Local Owling" workshop or the "Bat" workshop. And to think, it's all kicked off in 6 short days.

New Homework Incentive Plan. We have a new incentive plan for Nate and John and their homework/test taking abilities/desire issues. Smart kids. Still working on desire. The end all goal of this incentive plan is for both of them to earn 22,000 points together.

It goes like this--on any test given at school, if they get 70%, they get 10 points (this doesn't happen often). If they score 80%, they get 50 points. 90%...100 points and 100%...200 points. As a special bonus, if all homework is done before 6 p.m. they get 200 points. They are tested every Friday at school in math and reading/spelling. With "the homework bonus", they are well aware that there's a potential 2800 points to earn (between the two of them) EACH WEEK! Points can never be taken away, under any circumstances. Once they are earned they are earned.

When they get 22,000 points, they get a $150 gift card to share. Let 'em dream. Per point, that costs us less than one cent per point! Much cheaper than a tutor, it's self motivating, and much less time consuming for us. The good news, it's been working for about three weeks now. If they focus and work, they'll have 22,000 points in 7-8 weeks. If they act like goofball hyena/orangutan crossbreeds 24/7, it might take years.

Pre-school Rockin' As Always. Liza is loving the rotating mom's pre-school. She gets really excited when the previous mom/teacher drops off all the gear--signage, bags of props, trinkets, you get the idea.

Kid Hangout. Nate & John are loving all the friends and seriously act like brothers. Oh, they are. They scheme. They tease. They argue. Now that Nate has his cast off they pound on each other. Sometimes it's like they're The Odd Couple. But then, before we know it we find them helping each other, no longer intentionally interrupting each other as they do homework, being adventurous, sharing, even consoling. In those moments, it's like we have Bo and Luke Duke living in our home. Magic.

Wicked. We celebrate our anniversary in late January b/c you just can't celebrate it when we're around the mega family at Christmas time. Julia planned the whole thing--she bought some super cheap tickets to Wicked at the Historic Orpheum Theater and I have to say, it was Wicked good. It's a must see if you haven't seen it.

Caroline is sitting up, smiling, eating solids, socializing, and blossoming before our eyes. She's a peach.

The Bay Area is beautiful in February. You would love it. The hills are velvety green. The yellow flowers on the hills are starting to blossom. We'll even make some Valentine's cookies for you. It's chilly and rainy and the air is fresh and clean.

Make your plans!