Tiny Mini Golf

If you've ever had to keep two-year-olds entertained, you probably know how difficult a task it can be.  They tend to get bored.  So, even though I was admittedly skeptical when Jenn suggested that we take Max and Charlotte mini-golfing down in the Arroyo Seco last Saturday, I went along with it, figuring that we had nothing to lose, really.   But, as you can see, it was a terrific plan!

16 February 2013

16 February 2013

They might not have really understood the concept of the game, but it should be pretty clear that we all had a great time!  And I appreciated their unique perspective on mini golf.

I just wish that I had known that we wouldn't be able to retrieve our golf balls after sinking the final hole of the course.  Charlotte was very confused -- as was I -- and rather upset about that ... until she noticed the squirrels playing in the trees nearby and the sparrows waiting to eat the scraps of our lunch.

Sometimes, entertaining a two-year-old isn't as hard as it seems after all.

--- Shawn (for Jenn and Charlotte and Max and Lucy and Rufus)

Seasons Greetings from Chico, California -- Part II

So where did I leave off ... uh, three weeks ago?  Ah, yes ...

We were supposed to stay in Chico for just a few more days, but we wound up spending another week there.  Clearly, Charlotte and Max, enjoying a puddle following lunch, were having too much fun to leave!

26 December 2012

We got to spend extra time with Tio Johnny and Tia Wren and Max and Charlotte's cousins, Natalie and Patrick.  And that, naturally, was a lot of fun.  Max and Charlotte really enjoy playing with them; I'm pretty sure it's mutual.  Patrick showed off his vehicles one evening.

29 December 2012

Patrick shows Charlotte his swank electric jeep (above), as Max Luke Dukes it over the hood.  We didn't leave the garage, so there wasn't any driving around.  However, there was just enough room for Patrick to give Charlotte a ride on his little motorcycle.

29 December 2012

Charlotte, playing in Grandma Judy's backyard, does a pretty good "Dumb" Donald impression, which is impressive because, not only is she not at all dumb, I'm pretty sure she's never even seen a single episode of Fat Albert!

30 December 2012

Girl cousins!  Natalie and Charlotte enjoyed playing together, too.

30 December 2012

Natalie, Patrick, Charlotte and Max and their parents and Grandma Judy visited a playground in downtown Chico before enjoying lunch on New Year's Eve.  Charlotte and Max displayed their skillz on the slide.

New Year's Eve 2012

New Year's Eve 2012

Charlotte poses with Abby at Patrick and Natalie's house on New Year's Eve eve.

New Year's Eve 2012

But we did eventually have to head home.  On the way back we stayed at Harris Ranch.   The feedlot smell notwithstanding, we had a nice evening.  Charlotte and Max woke up in good spirits.

2 January 2013

2 January 2013

In fact, it was so nice that we're probably going to stay there on our next family road trip up to Chico!


Lucy and Rufus didn't come with us.  There wouldn't have been room in the car for them, even if we'd tried to make some for them!  So they stayed in Riverside County, where they romped and played and were made (more) beautiful before they came home to us.

6 January 2013

I have to say that, despite myself, I though that the road trip was a lot of fun.  I'm really looking forward to doing it again!  And, if I know my children, I'm sure that they're looking forward to our next road trip, too ... if only for the hours and uninterrupted hours of Curious George!

--- Shawn (for Jenn and Charlotte and Max and Lucy and Rufus)