August 29, 2010

We have been in Ventura the last week, renting a house by the beach for our vacation. The first day, Sabine got knocked over by a wave so she has been kind of scared of the ocean since. But yesterday she stood in the wet sand for the first time since then, holding Dad's hand, letting the water wash over her feet. Vivian has used this time to learn how to ride her bike! She is really great at it. Yesterday she rode around for about 2 hours, 1st with Dad and then with Mom. She & Dad stopped at a restaurant for a fish taco. We've also gone fishing, played in the sand, went into town and had dinner at a restaurant, and Sabine and mom went to a kids' museum which she really liked. The highlight was last night when we went on a boat ride and saw a whale! The boat was supposed to only go around the harbor but they'd heard there was a whale nearby which is very unusual for this time of year so we went out into the open ocean. The waves started rocking the boat and you both just laughed and laughed-- you weren't scared at all (unlike some of the adults on board!). Then someone saw the whale and we went outside to see. Several times we saw its fins on its back and saw it blow air and water up, and a few times we even saw its tale which was the most exciting. A whale's tail looks just like it's supposed to, it's funny. Then you girls danced to the music and then we went home. 

Aug. 17, 2010

Tonight you girls are having a slumber party in Sabine's room. I carried the top of Viv's mattress in there. Right now I'm listening to you on the monitor; you sang songs together for awhile, now Viv is reading S "Go Dog Go." 

Aug. 16, 2010

Hi girls,
Yesterday we went to the Ventura County Fair. We went last year too but I think Sabine was too young to really remember. We took the train this time which was fun and easier for Dad since he didn't have to drive. You girls watched TV most of the way; Sabine got very sleepy from the motion of the train. Soon as we got there we went on rides; Vivian's favorite was the Wonder Wheel-- Dad was more scared than she was! Sabine went on some helicopters and other stuff with Mom and laughed and screamed and just loved it. Daddy took you both on the long slide and you went again and again and again. We had lunch then Viv did some jumping on a bungee jump thing while Sabine napped in the stroller. We saw some cowgirls roping steers then went on more rides. Vivi liked the haunted house; Sabine liked the carousel. Later we took the train home. Next week we'll be back in Ventura at the beach for a week.
Things have been very busy as Mommy is setting up Wallaby. We've been having a fun summer with Viv in camp 3 days a week-- first Summerkids, then art camp-- and Sabine doing stuff with Cassie. Luckily it hasn't been too hot.
Vivian's reading is getting much better and her drawing is now better than Mom or Dad's. Sabine is singing very well. Sabine's favorite thing is to ride the plasma car fast down the slope of the driveway while Mom or Dad or Viv runs along side her. Viv's favorite thing is probably setting things up or playing pet store or drawing.
Tomorrow Dad will take you to the natural history museum and we'll have a picnic on the lawn.
We love you lots.