Clarity

Song - I'll Follow the Sun by Paul McCartney

"I firmly believe that nature 

brings solace in all troubles."

 --Anne Frank

All Aboard

Song - Tilden Park Merry Go Round


This week I had the opportunity to spend some time with my niece's children, June & Cal.  It was a fun experience to get to know them better now that they are 7 & 8.

Monday we spent the day at Tilden Park in the Berkeley Hills, where the kids got to feed some animals.  Aunt Jeanette was assuming there would be "pellets" to purchase but everyone else visiting was very generous in sharing their celery & lettuce!

Just look at that tongue......then look at that happy face on June!

I think Cal got slimmed on this one!

Can you tell that I asked them to pose for this shot?

Cal is giving the goat a "double treat"! It's all about choices.....

They got to see cows, chickens, ducks, bunny rabbits, geese, goats & sheep.

Then we headed over to the 100 year old Merry Go Round nearby.

The woman who sold the tickets told the kids that the chickens went the highest so for all of their rides, they always choose the only 2 chickens on the ride. 

 

The roof over the carousal ride.

The sea creature

The reindeer

Mr. Lion

I think it's a troll

Mr. Toad

A thoughtful giraffe

A wild zebra and sweet doggie

Then we had lunch and of course being an "Auntie" I had to buy them Cotton Candy!

After cleaning up -----(cough - Sticky......cough - blue mouths) we headed to the steam trains to ride ol' number 4.

It was fun to see all of the parents & grandparents & one Auntie looking like little kids for just a moment in time as the train wound it way through Redwood trees, over bridges and through tunnels.

At the end of the ride, the kids were able to talk to the conductor and ask questions like weather he steers it or not.

And what makes it go.....

Cal had spotted a turkey while on the train but no one else saw him for awhile until we caught him trying to cross the street!

Heading back home we decided it was time to relax and cool off in the pool.

Drip.......drip.......ahhhh.....

June is such a free spirit.  So while Cal pushed her around the pool, she was able to relax with her upside down goggles!!!

Mika was on guard the entire time they were swimming

The kids were very sweet with her and encouraged her to go swimming or ride on the raft but did not force the matter.

When they ended up in the hot tub she really had her work cut out for her!

They left to head back home today.  I miss them already but Mika is sound asleep and snoring by my side.

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around--and why his parents will always wave back." 

- William D. Tammeus