We owe a big thank you to Conductor Andy (our friend Meg's father) who's a member of the Southern California Live Steamers.  He spent a Saturday giving our kids and friends private rides for the entire afternoon. It was so nice of him and the kids enjoyed every, single, moment of it.  First up, the rules of the day, after which, the rides the commenced.

 

Into the tunnel with the obligatory horn whistling.

 And then through the yard.

All kids big and small got to ride it.

With lot's of breaks along the way.  There was a picnic area in the center of the track which is where we spent the day with plenty of shade, tables, and swings of all sorts.

Conductor Andy even let the big kids drive the train.

 

It's sometimes hard to see it when you're in the thick of it, but every now and again when I look at pictures like this it makes me smile. Only a few short years ago there were no little ones and just us adults.  Unfortunately we don't get to see our old friends that often these days as our kids lives are taking over ours, but it's wonderful to get together with them when we can.  Especially when I look at how our world has and continues to expand.

As always, Winston, the biggest kid of them all, is a hit.  At one point I think he had at least 5 kids hanging from him.

Wrapping the day up with a big ice cream cone.  Yes Reghan, it will drip on you.

Meanwhile on the home front, we had crazy hair day at camp and the kids were very specific on their look.  I think Heath was channeling Flee circa the 1990's.

Ashlyn had a Luau day at camp and had a 7 year old paint her face.  Pure talent.

A cozy sleep over with my baby.

Tortilla has made a friend over the past few weeks and they "visit" almost nightly which is always entertaining to the kids.

Reghan and Heath's camp had a blow up water slide up for the day.  When they began to let the water out, it ran into the sand area which prompted a mass attack from whoever was near, including Heath.  The most perfect way to bring wet sand into my clean car.

 

Lately my early morning home workouts have had some helpers.

 

We're getting ready for soccer season and practice for Heath's first year is starting on Thursday.

Speaking of sand in my car, it was time for a much needed day at the beach.  As always, the water at Zuma Beach was super clear and the weather was perfect.  Not too hot, not too cold. 

A comfy lunch.

Hey - where's Reghan?

 Oh, there she is, our sand creature.

 Lot's of sand castles and sand cookies.

 A brief break before heading back out.

 Leave it up to our kids to make a gigantic seaweed pile.

Then hit the waves.

Some of the seaweed came home with us so Reghan used it to create a backyard luau. (in case you can't see them, those are solar powered hula girls on the ground in front of her, aka, her back up dancers)

Concluding with our ballerina Ashlyn playing us a song followed by some dancing.