Pineapple Express '14

What else happened in December ... oh yes - rain! After too many years of drought, especially after this past Spring that almost never was, we welcomed rain from a Pineapple Express.

I think we received some delayed water shipments, because the storm on December 11th dumped so much on us in a short while that roads, freeways, storm drains, and creeks were overwhelmed.

From Kent Porter in the Press Democrat

For the first time ever up here, school was cancelled for both kids/districts. Really, it was because the roads were compromised and people weren't sure about landslides later in the day. Regardless, I am so glad James does not take the bus. Some kids were waiting in the rain for 30 minutes for buses that never came - that's how close his school district cut it.  I actually called him in sick first, because his lack of eating after his procedure plus his anxiety over getting spots of water on his clothing just made staying home the better option that day.

James' sister's school waited too late, in my opinion. I was almost in the car with her before getting their cancellation message. Some parents had already dropped their kids at school and had to go back and get them. Oh, there were MANY unhappy parents that day ... which is why both districts announced that same afternoon that schools would also be closed the next day (Friday).

While I was glad my husband could be home with the kids, it was a bit sad to be the only one in the family who did not get a Rain Day off. Still, I did get an earlier start (and finish) than usual. I even got to do what the locals do when we get Rain -- head up to Memorial Bridge and take some pictures while sipping some Flying Goat coffee.

Memorial Bridge, under construction - yes, the workers were there & working - almost at flood stage.

On the railroad bridge, watching the park flood. haven't seen *that* in a while!

Five 'til Midnight: Favourite Things

The airport, airplanes, and helicopters are all still favourite things and destinations for James. We are lucky to live near a small regional airport that allows us to easily watch aircraft take off & land. Sometimes we watch from the car. Other times we check out the action from just outside the airport itself. Other times ... we head to the museum that is located right down the street:


James loves bike riding. He has outgrown 2 trikes at home, so finding out that the second preschool has not only larger trikes but a large riding ring around the playground has filled us all with glee. James at times cannot contain his joy -- he must howl!


Water. Rocks. Add James. Prepare for a long afternoon of rocks being thrown in the river, with intervals of James wading in the river to find more rocks. Lather, rinse, repeat. Hey -- he's looking like a southpaw, suddenly!

Take Me to the River

My mom and I took the kids to play in the River this morning. My daughter has been there before, but this is James' first time playing in the water. He really liked feeling the water on his legs and getting cooled off on a hot morning. He threw a few rocks, and really got into a game with his Nana. He stood upstream and emptied a bucket of water on himself. Then he'd laugh and throw the bucket into the current, where it would be carried downstream and scooped up by Nana. Lather, rinse, repeat!

He was really looking around and taking everything in. He called out "bird" when a backbird landed nearby on a log. He went "Qak, qak!" at the ducks flying overhead. And when his sister exclaimed "fish!" he did too. He sang his "walking, walking" song as he plowed through the water. He also loved walking through the trees and grasses to get to and from the beach. I am so proud of the way he totally jumped on board and explored everything around him. And how fortunate that he seems to have grown out of eating rocks!

Up until his nap time, I kept hearing the occassional exclamation of "Wah'er! wah'er!" I am looking forward to summer!