A long but rewarding week

So, I got the opportunity to go to Camp Arroyo with Garrett's 6th grade class as a chaperone.  We drove out to  Livermore from Cabrillo Monday morning and arrived at beautiful Camp Arroyo.  It is right in the middle of the Livermore wine country and is just gorgeous.  I would love to go back to just tour a bit.

Camp Arroyo itself is just amazing.  It is beautifully situated in the hills with open space all around.  The camp is an environmental education camp and it really walks the walk.  All the buildings are built using renewable resources and energy efficient design, including passive solar lighting, southerly facing sun rooms and open space.  The camp also really focuses on teaching the kids about their footprint on the earth.

My favorite part was meal times, where the kids had to collect any leftover food to be weighed as ORT.  This really made the kids aware of how much food they waste.  Great exercise.

I was the chaperone for a boy's cabin and I hit the jackpot when it comes to kids.  I truly had the best behaved kids in the class.  They were delightful in every way and I hated to leave Wednesday.

I then had to drive to Sacramento for work.  I found a wonderful restaurant in Gold River for dinner and ended up eating there both nights I was in town (something I seldom do).  It was called Il Forno Classico (www.ilfornoclassico.com/) and was located very close to both the office and hotel.  


They had a wonderful wine list and delicious food.  The wine was the true seller for me, with very nice wines available by the glass (pricey, but a nice option when purchasing a $100 bottle doesn't make sense).


Friday, our family reconvened in Pacifica, with Garrett returning from Camp Arroyo.  We had a nice evening and watched The Blind Side last night.  

Off to 6th Grade field trip

I am heading out tomorrow for two days and nights with about 57 6th graders.  While initially apprehensive, I am now really looking forward to the trip.  I think Garrett is pleased I am attending and it will be nice to have some time with his buddies. 

The weekend was bus with soccer and baseball - Kenz had a tough game against Allianza from SF.  While the Stingrays won, the other team displayed the worst sportsmanship I have seen in a long time.  I told Kenz she could play like she was playing her brother. 

G had a great baseball game with more poor sportsmanship - only this time from his team.  They won but it was ugly.

Greg is back from his trip to Ashland and weekend at Sea Ranch.  He had a great time with his mom in Oregon and with Bob and Danny.  Even came home with some abalone.  Yum yum!!

Mother's Day

So Mother's Day ended up being a wash.  While I got to spend the day with my kids, it wasn't the day I dreamed of.  I owed Garrett a trip to a paintball course for his birthday.  We have been trying since February to get he and Jordan together for a trip to Vacaville.  Yes, Vacaville is pretty far to go, but there are no closer places.  So we loaded up the car and headed to Vacaville for the day.


McKenzie and I ended up shopping all day at the Outlets.  We had a great time and spent too much money.  However, my car is very small, and along the way home, Garrett decided to poke McKenzie in the eye with a plastic sword.  I yelled and the rest was down hill.


Oh well.  Today is another day.

Mother's Day Prep

Mother's Day is right around the corner, bringing to mind the joy of my two kids.  While motherhood is certainly the hardest job ever, there is no better.  Garrett and McKenzie are the greatest joys ever!!  The challenges and heartaches are so far outweighed by the warm hugs and sweet kisses.  From softball, soccer and baseball, our Spring days are full, not not nearly as full as my heart when I spend time with them.  I am so glad they made me a mom, and I hope I can live up to their expectations, and mine.