sand sculpture contest

We rode our bikes to Crown Beach where they were holding their annual sand sculpture contest.  Maddy wanted to take her shoes off and wade in the water.  Daddy was wearing regular shoes so, much to my dismay, I had to follow her in.  I love looking at the bay and living near it, but I am horrified to actually touch the water, even with my feet.  It was low tide so the mud was exposed and it was looking rather yucky, but Maddy didn't care.  She was having a blast, so I tried not to let it bother me. 

Maddy was so inspired by the sculptures that she wanted to make one of her own.

filoli (local beauty, part two)

Grandma is in town for the weekend and we wanted to take her somewhere low key and special.  I've had Filoli on my to-do list and this weekend was the perfect opportunity to visit.  Filoli did not disappoint.  The weather was beautiful, the grounds were gorgeous, and best of all, Maddy behaved throughout the entire two hour tour of the house and gardens.  She was so good, in fact, that daddy treated her to an afternoon at the pool afterward.

Filoli, built in 1917, used to be a private residence but became part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation when it was donated in 1975.  Nestled in the hills of Woodside on the Peninsula, Filoli is open to the public to view its extensive gardens and the first floor of the home.  To learn more about Filoli, visit their website here.

local beauty

Last weekend, on Memorial Day, we wanted to do something special, but not too involved.  We missed the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th birthday bash the day before (too crowded, fireworks were too late), but we managed to cross the bridge to wish it a belated birthday.  Then, we proceeded to go to the Marin headlands to visit Point Bonita's lighthouse.  We crossed through a tunnel and then a mini foot bridge to get to the active lighthouse.  The picture of Maddy with the bird was taken in Sausalito after we had lunch.  He ate right out of her hand.  

    

ballet shoes

Daddy:  "I have bowel issues."
Maddy:  "Daddy, why do you have ballet shoes?"