Of Sun, Fog, Coastal Highways and Strawberries

[xtineebee]

 Have just come of several really rotten weeks at work.  Left to my own devices, I probably would have spent this Saturday locked up in the house, watching cartoons and pretending that I was actually going to get dressed at some point and go out, only doing so if actually forced by lack of food.  

The sister, however, was a Good Egg and didn't let me.  She woke me up @11am and invited me to go strawberry picking, saying I needed to get out, have Niece & Nephew therapy, and play in the sun.  I wavered for about 30 seconds, then managed to rally.

One of the great things about living on the edge of one of the largest food production regions in the world is that a good hour or two in the car leads one to *extraordinary* food stuffs.  This time the goal was an organic berry farm on the Pacific Coast about an hour and half away, and actually the drive was the best part of the day.  Nico opted to ride with me and Sebi and we spent the entire time talking about:

• Our mutual love of Baseball (and how we still need to go to a game)
• Nature camps (and how Nico thinks it's not fair that I don't get a summer break so I can go with him)
• Hockey (and how this year we will go to TWO games)
• Football (and how we're going to get Grandpa Rex (that's my dad) to take us to all the Cal games)
• Rugby (and why mummy won't let him play until he's bigger, but that's okay and oh my GOSH Auntie, you played it?!?)
• Nico's growing Karate prowess
• Oceans vs. lakes vs. Bays
• How he needs to read an entire chapter book to earn a Nintendo DS and agreeing that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will be tough but should earn him the device AND some games
• How Voodoo dolls work - and that he may ONLY practice good magic with one if he makes one
• That he is *offically* old enough to watch Doctor Who now, and how much he loved watching it and yes, we must watch it together (Tori has started them with Nine & Ten and they are getting to watch certain episodes - no 'Are you my mummy?' for them yet!)
• How kite surfing is really tough, but boogie boarding is more awesome
• Why Sebi is smelly but wonderful (with spontaneous song & howling time to boot - AROO!)
• Specualtion on why the sea lions all sit on the same rock covered in their own poop
• That when Nico is a teenager he and I are going to Australia to go surfing but I have to promise not to let the sharks get him
• How beautiful the coast highway is and how lucky we are to get to see it (kid has depth, I'm telling you)
• And - best of all - how Auntie is the most fun grownup ever and how I should never ever change and that I promise to always be fun

I now have 3 pounds of perfect sun ripened strawberries, a very happy but tired dog (he actually *bounced* with excitement - a new place with all his fav. people put him in a canine glow, which was totally amusing) and a need for Bisquick so I can make proper strawberry shortcake, although I may just go for heavy cream and brown sugar.  Which, may I say, is the best decision I've been faced with in a month.

All in all, a better option than coocooning, and I hope all have had similarly good relaxing Saturdays :)

Highway 1 - next stop on your left, Asia

Nico giving Sebi a good scritch (after that damn dog took a serious dirt bath - Sunday will consist of BATH TIME)

 

Comments

[durayan.livejournal.com]

Strawberry picking!!! Wheee! (Actually, I prefer peach picking because you don't have to bend over so darn much as peaches don't grow on the ground). But yeah, we do that with the kids. This year's strawberry crop was late, though, so it was hot. And it rained, so my pics were not of children picking berries, but of children wading in puddles. Which was absolutely wonderful, too!

Nico is lucky to have such a wonderful Auntie! Now WHEN does baby number three show up? And why is this ruining movie plans for this fall?

Seriously...WOULD your sister freak out or anything if we showed up in robes at the hospital?

[xtineebee.livejournal.com]

Well now, if people want to come HERE that would be just fine! I'm so used to all you peeps with kiddies to young to leave for a few days, so I didn't consider anyone coming here. Mina is due the week of November 27th, with the possibility of a slightly earlier arrival. If I am not here, i am DEAD and while paying with you guys is awesome, I'm not risking it.

If you came here and showed up to wish Tori well dressed in robes she would be utterly amused and unfazed. Come on over!

[scifinut.livejournal.com]

How old is that kid, again? He seems like a great kid, I love kids like that.

Also, please tell me he's not watching Blink yet either. That episode will ALWAYS terrify me, I think.

Sebi needs more scritches. All dogs do, I think. I'm glad you got to go out and get some fresh berries and enjoy time with the kids and let Sebi go with you. If I had my way I'd be curling up alone today, but I'm having a party thrown for me, not totally against my will. I'm sure it'll all work out.

[xtineebee.livejournal.com]

Nico is 6 and a half and a riot. He's very sweet, does have a bad habit of whining for attention but snaps out of it when confronted on it. He needs a bit more confidence in himself, but all in all is a super kid :)

I'm pretty sure Blink is on the banned list - I haven't had a chance to ask Sis yet. I'd certainly have it on the banned list for Nico for a while.

Hope your party was fun!