If You're Happy and You Know It...

Clap Your Feet!

Cuesta Park

So we finally got to try a new park today! It is one of the closer parks although I didn't know of its existence until recently when we accidentally stumbled upon it after a shopping trip.

Cuesta Park is HUUUUGE. There is lots of parking available, one lot close to the picnic tables and another closer to the playground. There is lots of green grass space to fly kites or play tag football and several well built picnic tables with barbecue grills.

One gripe I have is that the playground is separated from the picnic tables by a small hill. Although there is a swing-set nearby for those kids who can't sit through their meal without having to run off and play.

The Lonely Swingset

The hill separating the playground from the picnic area is clearly labelled "No Food Beyond This Point." This is my second gripe - there are signs everywhere around the playground discouraging you from eating there. Heaven forbid you get the munchies and eat outdoors!

The Forbidding Hill

A bench by the playground reminding you not to eat while you sit and watch your kids play.

The playground itself is awesome. There are two sets, one intended for older children and one for smaller but my girls happily play on both. It is big, but not so big you can't keep track of your kids from one spot.

It is both shady and sunny with patches of trees in large bricked planters for the kids to climb on and play Tarzan or Little House in the Big Woods.

Plus there is some really fun individual equipment.

Baby Bouncers

The Balance Beam

Meghan's "Cactus Forest" which is some type of toroid trampoline.

And my favorite: The Green Ladder of Parental Heart-Attack!

Although I for one encouraged my kids to climb it from a distance until Adelaide managed to crest the top. But I saw other paranoid parents trying to get their terrified and weeping children over the thing.

After three tries, Vivian and I managed to find the spot from which we could see most of the playground.

I really like this park. I think it will be my new favorite. The gripes I have are small - separating the two areas, no food allowed, and the bathroom is just a little too far. But the pluses are numerous. Lots of space, quiet area, playground far enough from the road, shady AND sunny, and simple yet fun playground equipment.

Bonus - there were nice people there who helped Adelaide play and swing while I was tied up nursing Vivian. That always makes us busy moms happy.

257 Cuesta Drive, Mountain View, CA

"A Bay Park"

We went to what Kyle called "A Bay Park" that he and the girls allegedly saw on a bike ride. Only after walking for five minutes did I find out that this park consisted of a trail, lots of spiders, plenty of pebbles just the right size to get into your shoe and NO playground. On the way back to the car we had a discussion on vocabulary.

DESPITE that, it was fun. We all had a good laugh, saw lots of birds, picked a few flowers and even found a large snail shell displayed here by the delighted Meghan.

393 Carl Road, Sunnyvale, Ca

Bouncer Chair Buddies

Occasionally we just take pictures. Here is one day while the girls were playing with Vivian.

Rengstorff Park - Just For Funsies

I guess Rengstorff Park is my official favorite park. I haven't explored many other parks recently because we've been busy.

This toy was the favorite of the day. They kept coming back to it. Meghan even had me spin her so she couldn't walk straight a few times. Addy preferred not to have help with it.

I find it is a bit of a relief when the kids start figuring out how to play on the swings by themselves. Now if only she could figure out how to pump her legs..

I wish Blogger would let me upload movies because I have a hilarious video of Meghan running on this rolling log toy.

Sand Sand Sand. Always Sand.

And this is what Vivian does at the park.

Utah Visitors

Sadly I didn't take many pictures from the Baby Blessing visit. So if anyone would care to send me some I would appreciate it.

On the Boxcar Train

After shopping at Costco the girls have fun playing with the boxes. This day the boxes were a train.

Time-Out Addy

I don't know why I take pictures of my kids in timeout. I guess it's because sometimes I find it funny and it will make great blackmail material later.

Addy's Birthday

The ToolBox was the big present of the day. Addy loves trying to fix things and figuring out how they work. And no, I don't know why Addy has a wet bottom in all these pictures. Her birthday was a little haphazard this year.