South Florida in February with Preschoolers

Presidents Day weekend we took the boys to visit their grandparents in South Florida. Jonathan's parent bought a condo last year in Hollywood, Fla. on the beach, and wanted the grandchildren to visit. With the El Nino rains we were getting in California, the family looked forward to a milder weather break.

We got milder weather, but it was Spring like in the 40s and 50s at night, and in the 60s and 70s during the day. I packed for Spring, although the temperatures were similar in the Bay Area, we were decidedly more bundled at home.  The one thing I didn't anticipate was the wind. It did feel slightly warmer, and I only regretted my packing decision on the first full day when we explored Fort Lauderdale.

We arrived early in the morning off the red-eye. The boys were so excited to see their grandparents, they couldn't go to sleep. So they played and watched the sunrise, while Jonathan and I crashed. Then we took them to the beach. The temperatures were warm, but the wind got to Caleb who had a bright red wind rash from the sand on his legs. The boys loved the beach, and collected coral and shells.  They napped in the late afternoon, and were in bed early. A totally mellow and relaxing day.

The next day we took the water taxi in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. We bought day passes, and the family package made it affordable for the five of us (Jonathan, the boys, my mother-in-law and me). The boys loved the boat ride. We stopped off on Las Olas Blvd., a major shopping thoroughfare.  On Las Olas we bought sandwiches, bread and a wonderful dessert for later at Gran Forno Italian Bakery. Everything was divine.

One very bizarre thing we encountered on Las Olas Blvd. were the ducks. In South Florida they have big flocks of Muscovy ducks. These ducks have turkey faces, rough bubbly red skin. Caleb was enthralled. I wondered if this is where turducken comes from.

I've written before that we love the mini-vacation. This was only a four day trip, but we had a great time, and it was a nice break in February. Next week I'll write about the flights, and the trip to Lion Country Safari.

A San Joser in Santa Cruz

Last Saturday we took the boys to one of the beaches in Santa Cruz. From San Jose on a warm day the trip can be as little as 30 minutes, or as long as two hours. It really depends what time you start out.

Since our boys are notorious early risers, we were able to get on Highway 17 by 10 am. We left Santa Cruz at 2 pm, missing traffic on both ends of the trip.

The last time we went to the beach was April. At the time we didn’t have the right beach accoutrements. All we brought was a beach blanket, snacks, change of clothes, SPF 50 and some beach towels.

Our little Caleb is a pale little flower, and although he was lathered in SPF 50, and we did prevent him from getting sunburned, I really did worry about the sun.

So, we went right out and stocked up on beach things at Target. We now have an umbrella, and four beach chairs (two for kids). We are still learning, so next time we’ll bring our cooler.

We are new to going to Santa Cruz, although I can see us making the trip several times during the summer to beat the heat. For this trip we went to the beach by the Boardwalk. There is plenty of parking, either on the street (bring quarters) or in the parking lots (about $10 for the day).

In the future we will venture out to Natural Bridges or Capitola to avoid the Boardwalk crowd.

It was an incredible day. Our beach gear was perfect, it enabled us to comfortably spend three hours there. There were also three seals hanging out close to beach as well.

I may be an overly concerned parent, but I insist that our boys hold our hands while playing in the waves. The California beaches have a really strong undertow, and it is possible for them to be swept out to sea. I don’t think I’ll loosen up on this rule until they can swim. Xander is in swimming lessons right now, and Caleb will start next summer.

We also were able to get Caleb to play in the waves for the first time. He is not yet three, and is scared of the “big water.” We didn’t force it, but allowed him time to get closer and closer to the water. I have a great photo of him with his foot in a bucket of water … he wanted to play in water, but was still too scared of the ocean. Once he finally splashed in the waves, he loved it …

He had a major meltdown when it was time to leave. My rule of thumb with two year olds and meltdowns is that the intensity of the meltdown is equal to how good a time my preschooler had… So Caleb had a fabulous time.

On the way home we stopped by the Falafel House on the way out of town and had a late and yummy lunch. The boys napped the whole way home.

We had a lovely day, and I’m certain that we will head back to the beach the next 90 degree day in San Jose.

California Dreamin' - A Tourist in My Home State

Since our major plane traveling for the summer is done, I thought I’d start a series on touring California with small children. We are lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the region is rich with activities for the little ones. Whether going to one of the many beaches, playing at one of the Children’s Discovery Museums, visiting a zoo, or riding a train the Bay Area has it all, and some of it fairly cheap or free if you know what you’re doing.

The economy hit me close to home, and I now have the luxury of four-day weekends with my boys. My husband and I are not ones to sit around the house, so we have tons of day and weekend trips planned all summer… big and small.

Last weekend we took the boys for a beach day in Santa Cruz (I’ll write about that on Thursday), and if it is warm this weekend we’ll probably explore another beach in the area.

This summer I will also write about our home away from home… Los Gatos. At least once a weekend we ride the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad at Oak Meadow Park and we eat breakfast at the Farmers Market there on Sundays. Xander especially likes playing in the fountain in the Los Gatos Town Plaza.

We also have our tickets for a Day Out with Thomas at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton at the end of the month. We haven’t been to Roaring Camp before, so I’ll be sure to write a review of our experience.

We have a family membership to the San Francisco Zoo (a very thoughtful gift from a good friend of ours) and we intend to take full advantage of it. A day in San Francisco also means a trip to the Farmer’s Market in the Ferry Building, and takeout from Out the Back Door, part of San Francisco’s amazing Vietnamese restaurant the Slanted Door.

I also want to take the boys camping. This will require shopping for a bigger tent, but it should be fun. We’ll either head North to Lassen Volcanic National Park, or South to El Capitan State Park in Santa Barbara – we are still figuring that out.

I may have also talked some of my mommy friends into writing about their summer and fall trips too.

So for me, staying close to home doesn't mean an end to our travel adventures.