Hostel or Hostile

O.K. So I'll be completely honest. I had my reservations. I had images of what a hostel was supposed to look like, smell like and sound like. Yes, I imagined hippies sitting around smoking well, you know what I thought they would be smoking. I imagined a dirty little place with metal bunk beds and community bathrooms, kind of like camp but worse, way worse. I imagined people in green jump suits walking around making sure my lunch was organic, vegan and "waste free." Boy was I wrong. Once I finally found the place, settled down and had an attitude adjustment I was completely amazed by how wrong I was. The hostel we stayed in was an old army hospital building that's over a 100 years old. Right up my alley, even though I thought it was going to be super creepy at night. It wasn't. Our very kind, relaxed naturalist did an introduction meeting and told us we would be starting our hike and our first stop would be the visitor center. Great, let the hiking begin because everyone knows how much I looooooovee to hike. Well, lo and behold, this is the visitor center, an old church from the 40's with a steeple and an American flag waving proudly in the breeze. Yes, please. It wasn't even a hike either, more like a little walk.

We sat under this very "wicked" eucalyptus tree while he continued our discussion on nature. Yes, the naturalist referred to a tree as wicked. I thought that was outlawed, especially in Marin of all places. It's not native, therefore it's baaaaaaaaaddddd... Whatever. I don't think the Australians would call this tree wicked. I think it's beautiful. I have to say though, I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion we had. I always appreciate a balanced viewpoint.

The visitor center had wonderful exhibits that could be touched and explored. Oh, and it had coffee, hot, free coffee. How did they know? One of my favorite visitor centers so far.

Here's the front of that beautiful old church. This was my view as we discussed trees and the land we were about to explore. This area was used by the government as a base. A "blessing in disguise." Since the government owned the land it was easy to change hands to another department of the government to be used as a reserve, a protected area. Glad that happened.

Now, we would start our hike. I figured it would get bad now. Again, wrong. We came across this sign. I smiled. How would you avoid frogs on the road while in a car? Very thoughtful though.

Our sweet naturalist drew this map for us. It's where we're going and in what order. Absolutely love it!

We walked to a little area that is protected by brush and trees and the girls were given nets and frisbies and told to explore. They found bugs and all kinds of critters.

Oh, and that naturalist I keep referring to? His name is Eric and the girls loved him. He was so patient and kind and when each girl took her turn crying for one reason or another throughout the day, he would stop and offer to help. I was moved by his compassion and his desire to teach in a gentle way.

This was my favorite plant-the lizard head bush. You can see for yourself why it's called that. I like things that make sense.

Each girl had her turn to learn about a plant and then tell the other girls about it. A professor walk. Genius.

Learning was fun that day. Being together was fun that day. Being outdoors was fun that day.

We learned to listen to trees. You can hear the water rushing through the branches of this one. It's a very thirsty tree. You guessed it, the "wicked" tree. I loved it.

And what is this jewel that I see before me? A beach? Oh my. Absolutely beautiful view from the hilltop.

While the girls and other adults traveled on down to the beach, I had to stop and take it all in, with my camera of course.

My girl was excited to get to the beach, even if she was bundled up. Hey, it's a California beach in February. It's what you do.

Wait, what's that? A jellyfish? Are you sure you want to run barefoot on the beach now?

How could you not?

All I could do was stand there and take pictures it was so beautiful.

The girls had fun running from the waves. Hurry!

Although, once she saw the jellyfish she drew a circle around her feet and stood in that spot.

Again, more beauty.

This was the view on the way back. We didn't go back the way we came and I love that. I don't really enjoy hikes that take you back the way you came. I prefer loop hikes. Who am I kidding, I don't really like hikes but I liked this one.

There's our hostel in the back corner. What an amazing day. I was wrong on so many levels and for that I am so very thankful.

The entire experience was wonderful and I am so glad I had the opportunity to enjoy it. In our quest to teach our children new things, we are also allowed the opportunity to grow and learn as well. I did that on this trip.

1 Mission Down, 20 To Go!

We had a free day and what does a homeschooling mom of three who has way too much on her plate do when she has an unexpected free day? Well, she goes on a field trip of course! It's not like she could use the day to get caught up on schoolwork or anything. That would be silly. Actually, after 11 years of homeschooling, I do realize that it is silly. If you have a chance to take your kids on a field trip, you should, especially if it's something of interest and your kids will learn something from it. So, we packed our lunches and headed to the nearest mission, Mission San Jose. Mission San Jose is actually in Fremont which is only about 20 minutes from our house without traffic. Of course, this is the Bay Area, so we ran in to traffic. None other than a terrible accident. People need to slow down, me included. After about an hour, we arrived at the beautiful mission.

I was taken by how large it was. Well, of course it was large, it had to house a lot of people, some willingly, some not so willingly. We'll save that for another conversation, not my happy little blog. Besides, my girl wanted to run and dance on the sun washed steps. She's smart.

The wall had fallen down in an earthquake and was never truly rebuilt. The absence of the wall does allow you to peer into the gardens as you walk by. It makes you want to see more.

Signs clearly marked our destination. I appreciate that.

Local history, that's what I really like. Make it mean something. Ranch San Ramon, doesn't get closer than that.

You would never be able to tell that my beautiful children have been raised in church by this picture. Nothing but absolute respect for the house of God.......um....well.....

The inside of the mission housed many artifacts, this one caught one of my children's attention. Just what he needs, his very own branding iron.

Apparently people were much shorter back then. My almost six foot boy didn't fit through the doorways very well. Watch your head!!

Ah, Father Junipero Serra. I've heard so much about you and that would explain the small doorways.

It was a long walk my friend, but you made it.



The beautiful fountain in the gardens. Time has only made it better.

Oh, the chandeliers inside the big church! They were gorgeous!!

They almost seemed out of place for a wooden and stucco church but they were just so beautiful.

This one feels so "beauty and the beast" to me. Loved it.

The view of the church from the back. Very fancy.

I had to take one more.
And these are my lovely sons who just really appreciate that I want to take pictures of them on beautiful historic grounds. I kept reminding them that we could be home doing math.....

Palm trees! Now they make great photographic subjects.

And the famous El Camino Real bell marking this very historic route in California. All in all, it was a lovely day and my dream of seeing all the missions has begun. So, 1 mission down, only 20 more to go!!!

She turned 8!

If you know me, you know I like parties to have themes, especially birthday parties. It helps me decorate and plan. Well, I let the girl choose the theme and surprise! She chose a cat theme. I know, you're not surprised. She loves cats. I wanted her party to be pretty and super cute so we went on Pinterest and got some great ideas. We decided on a pink and gray cat theme. Purrrrrfect. Oh, and Cookie the cat decided that he should be invited too and well, he does match the decorations. We had pink and gray cat cupcakes and my favorite pink foofy punch. It's made with 7up, pink lemonade and pink sherbert. When you pour the 7up over the pink lemonade and sherbert it fizzes! Love it and it tastes so yummy. We made cat sleeves for the cups with gray and pink paper. Breanna made cat masks and I made cat ear headbands for her guests. So fun.

Of course all the food had to be cat themed as well. We came up with these cat face shaped sandwiches. Celery for the eyes and carrots for the nose. Sweet.

To add a little something to the table we made these little felt cat faces. One for each corner of the table. Felt is so fun.

The food table was fun to put together. Tuna fish sandwiches in the shape of fish, cheese and crackers with the cheese cut out like mice, rainbow fruit shishkabobs, goldfish crackers, peanut butter and jelly cat face shaped cookies. Graham crackers for the ears, chocolate chips for the eyes and nose. Again, yummy. The plates were super fun to make too. We just made cat ears and whiskers then glued them to the plates.

These cupcakes were created with homemade marshmallows for the ears (thanks, Kerri!), chocolate chips for the eyes and m&ms for the nose. Adorable.

My dad wanted her to have flowers for her party. So sweet.

Oh, Pinterest. You are so wonderful. These rainbow fruit shishkabobs were super easy to make and they really added color to the table.

Of course she wanted to play Pin the Tail on the Cat and so we did. She drew the cat and made all the tails with bows. Oh my heart.

My baby turned 8. She is more than I could have ever asked for or imagined. She's more than I could have dreamed of. I don't think she's even aware of how happy she makes me. Don't get me wrong, I don't find my happiness in my children, they just bring me joy. Each of my kids fills a very special place in my heart. Marcus is the fulfillment of my dream to become a mother and to have a son, Justin healed my heart after losing a pregnancy and he gave his brother the gift of being a brother, and Breanna, well it's pretty obvious what she does. She fills my days with pink and beauty and joy. None is more special than the other but each is special in only a way that they can be.

Gifts, that's what they are. I treasure each day with my children and I know it goes so fast. I live it. I see the calendar days flip by. Sometimes I have to take a second look at my children because they are growing so fast. I enjoy each day as it comes and at the end of the day I am so thankful for the time with them. In a few months, I'll have a 13 year old and a 16 year old. Yikes! I wonder what theme they'll want for their parties.............