Well, it appears we are on the up and up over here. The Coxsackie virus did more traveling this year than we did. When E started feeling better we re-packed our bags and got the heck out of Dodge and went camping. Well, it was more like luxury camping at this great place called Costanoa. We got in on the "Full Moon Special" and enjoyed a few days exploring the tidepools and giving ourselves a little rest and relaxation. E met several wonderful older kids who took him under their wings and let him kick around their "offical" World Cup Soccer balls and chase them around the grounds. I think we developed lots of hope for our future. There are a lot of good little people populating this earth. Hopefully, they aren't populating the earth with Coxsackie as we write.
This place was just what we needed. We had a Swallow's nest outside our cabin, and E would watch it very intensely. By the time we were to leave, the baby swallows were poking their little heads out. The moon was a treat all nights. It was big and yellow and just amazing. Ezra saw lots of starfish and crabs at the tidepools. Of course, he preferred the rocks on the beach just above the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. We have a bag full of rocks that we'll turn into some form of holiday gift. Prepare yourselves.
We decided to go to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on our way home, and I think we are still debating whether it was a good idea. It felt like way too much stimulation after being in our serene campground. Ezra loved the ride called Convoy. Yup, you guessed it, a ride that consisted of mini-semis that had Pepsi plastered on the sides. It went around a circle twice and there was a pretend steering wheel and horns to honk. After it ended he would repeatedly give us the ASL sign for "more." It was hard for him to understand that we had to get off and get in line again.
We hadn't been to the Boardwalk in a while and had forgotten they pipe in music throughout the park. At one point, The Pretenders "Don't Get Me Wrong" came on, and E stopped and danced. We couldn't resist stopping and dancing with him in the middle of the park. Heck, there is no pride when it comes to being a parent. We secretly hope that he will always be a free-spirit, dancing to every tune he hears anywhere and everywhere. We imagine it will be us Moms that will try to model this behavior, and Ezra will be yet another kid embarrassed of his crazy parents.
As we mentioned, Ezra is signing quite a bit. His Auntie Oona will be proud to know that he signs "all done," "thank you," "elephant" (sound effect included with that one), "shoes," and he is learning more each day. We think he will be able to sign "help" soon. And, yes, he is signing "more." The ulitmate usage of the "more" sign happened after Momma Jess finished playing a song on the ukulele, E then signed "more." Momma Jess feels she was paid the highest compliment ever. Our boy is pure sweetness.
Okay, one last tidbit about E. When we got back from camping, we didn't want the fun to end, so we went to the Discovery Museum and had such a great time, we are now members. This boy was *so* happy. There was this little exhibit of frogs where you pressed this button and bubbles came out of the frogs' mouths....and, good golly, it was like the most amazing thing ever. He kept running back, pushing the buttons, and yelling (We're not kidding about the yelling) BUBBOOOLES! He said "bubble" with such exuberance, we Moms were about to fall down laughing. This boy has passion. We only wish we had a sound bite of it. Here is a picture of him in mid-bubble.
We wish everyone a happy August. Bubbooools!
