A day out at the beach

It's been REALLY hot this week and so yesterday James, Aunty Catherine and myself (poor Daddy had to go to work ...) went to Half Moon Bay for the day. Although we've been to the seaside a couple of times before with James it was the first time that he really enjoyed playing in the sand and he even paddled in the sea!

We had a picnic on the beach. James kept trying to eat Aunty Catherine and Mummy's Cheetos until we got out his snacks.

James stuffing WAY too many snacks in to his mouth in one go!

James had a good old dig around in the sand this time.

Aunty Catherine decided to teach James how to build sandcastles. We didn't have a bucket and spade and so we improvised with some plastic cups and spoons. This was about the most help James was ... a few minutes later he lost interest and left all the building to Aunty Catherine!

Aunty Catherine and James with the finished sandcastle - it was most impressive!

While Catherine was building the sandcastle we saw a couple of dolphins swim by. It was REALLY cool to see. Unfortunately I forgot to take our zoom lens and so the photos didn't come out very well at all.

"Are you sure about this, Aunty Catherine???"

James' very first paddle in the sea wasn't too successful ... I think the very cold water and the shock of the wave rushing at him freaked him out a bit. We took him back down to the sea a bit later and he actually giggled quite a bit at the waves washing over his feet. Hopefully Aunty Catherine has some photos on her camera.

"It's FREEZING COLD, Aunty Catherine!!!"

"Errr ... I'm not really trying to drown my nephew ... honest!!"

I love the way Catherine is looking around for help!!! James was definitely NOT a "Happy Chappy" as his t-shirt says at this point!

A few reassuring cuddles from Aunty Catherine and he soon felt much better.

James and I went down and watched the waves for a while. I love this photo - even if it looks like I have really short legs!!! James enjoyed paddling more the second time around. Hopefully Catherine has some photos on her camera.

First Day - Swimming in the hotel pool in Redding

James seemed to really like being in the pool - we took him in this little children's pool and also the big pool.

Second Day - Mount Shasta

James enjoying the picnic

We went on a couple of hikes. It was much hotter than we had anticipated but the three of us all took turns carrying James and it wasn't too bad. James definitely had the best seat!

The waterfalls that were worth the hike ...

Somebody woke up in a happy mood ... James did really well sleeping in the hotel room

Third Day - Lassen Volcanic National Park

James, Aunty Catherine and Mummy at James' first volcanic feature!

Lake Helen at Lassen Volcanic Park

The fumeroles that Dan and Catherine walked to. James and I had found a nice shady spot to sit and relax about half way up!

My family will recognise this recreated "classic" photo ... there's a very similar photo of me when I was about 3 or 4 but I had a totally bemused, overwhelmed expression on my face!

Last Day - A trip to the Caverns

James loved the boat trip out to the caverns. I think that was his favourite part. We had to carry him up and down hundreds of steps in the cavern so we were pretty worn out by the end.

Inside the caverns. There were even several bats in this "room" which was pretty cool.

Baby BackPack!!

Auntie Catherine is staying with us at the moment and we just got back from a long weekend to Redding/Mount Shasta/Lassen Volcanic National Park. We had a GREAT weekend and look for photos here soon ... once I can decide which of the BILLION photos to put up here! But we realised a few days before we left that we would need a baby backpack if we were going to do any hiking as a pushchair/stroller might not cut it. We eventually tracked one down at REI (thanks Aunty Caroline and Uncle Adrian for signing us up as members!). Here we all are trying it out before we left!!! James seemed to like being up high and liked looking around at everything around him. We did use it on our trip, switching between the three of us. It was VERY hot. If anyone wants to borrow it just let me know. ;0)

James liked being up high - better vantage point for being nosey!!!

He actually seems pretty comfortable in it.

Mummy had a go too. It's all smiles without walking further than around the garden and in less than 90 degree temperatures!!!

Practicing map reading with Auntie Catherine ... not sure who's having more fun!

Big Boy Bath

Now that James has outgrown his baby bath he's been taking a bath in the big tub! So we bought a non-slip mat with fish on it as he's a bit of a fidget in the bath! When I put it in I put James in the bath fully clothed and he just got so excited!!

Shaking the bubble bath as hard as he could ... I love his cheeky little face expression.

He needed to check that all the taps worked ... I was just waiting for him to get soaked but it never happened!

He just loves it when anything is new or different! We've not got a shower curtain (a monkey one!) instead of the doors so that it gives us more space to move around.

Daddy stuck in the tunnel ....

Daddy and James had fun playing with the tunnel yesterday!! Has anyone seen that episode of The Simpsons where Homer gets stuck in the waterslide and they have to remove that section ...?

It looks like Daddy might be able to escape. James thought it was really funny and immediately pounced on Daddy's head when he appeared! I love this photo.

I love the face expression ...

Mr Snoozey

This is how I found James when I went to check on him during his morning nap yesterday! He looked so cute with one foot hanging out that I took a quick photo!

More Arts Academy performance

Erin sent me some more photos and so I thought I'd share them on our blog. Unfortunately she was having some problems with her camera and so they came out quite dark and/or blurry but she fixed them up in Photoshop and it's good she got some close-up ones. I think actually it's the church as photos never seem to come out very well in there!!! Her you can see James making a bid for freedom down the steps. I was sitting in the front encouraging everyone to wave their wings. Thanks, Erin for these photos!

It's a shame this one came out blurry but you can see the little Caterpillar King teetering on the top of the steps and attempting to escape. He lost a trainer/sneaker (what's new!) but that didn't seem to phase him too much - the show must go on!!!

Max did really well on the stage - he watched all those faces looking up at him!

I love Hayley's smile in this one - she certainly enjoyed being on the stage.

Hayley was jumping ... excuse me, flying ... around so much that her mask slipped down. It didn't phase the little performer though!

After the butterfly dance the older children came up on stage to sing "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" and some other worship songs. So we gave the little ones some inflatable globes to wave above their heads. They did pretty well in not throwing them - although I had to catch a few! Hayley and James liked watching the older kids.