Steve's Birthday weekend

Steve turned 37 last Friday. We had hoped to go camping at Limekiln but the fires rearranged our plans. The campground was closed. So instead we got a babysitter and went out to a nice dinner just the two of us. Steve wanted a yummy italian meal so we went to Cafe Roma. We got the classic meal....wine (lovely sangiovese) bruschetta, salad, raviolis, tiramasu and cappucino. We remember all our meals from our Italian adventure. It was a great time and fun to get out. Of course we were too tired to do anything else so we came home before nine. We are definitely official old farts.

Gavin was still up so we got to reassure him that we weren't leaving him since he has a crying, hold on to daddy's leg meltdown before we left. Poor Ashley (our babysitter).

The next day we drove up to Sandollar beach so Steve could at least get in his surf and sand fix for his birthday. The view was picturesque, nice breeze, looked like a great day....until we got down on the beach. It was pretty cold in the shade and the wind was kinda kickin in. Not too bad but then add in the swarms of crazy nat/flies. You couldn't see them from far away but there were millions of them. They were hovering everywhere. The only saftey from this pesky things was to be low to the ground. That doesn't work when you have a two year old. The thought of lounging on a beach low to the ground is a distant memory. I have to grin and bear it.

Steve made his way out into the blue ocean while I fought with bugs. Gavin and I walked along the beach and he found lots of rocks. I tried to find a place where the flies would not touch me. Luckily, the flies move quickly and if you zone out, you don't see them. Eventually they subside and I am able to enjoy myself. I was definitely taking one for the team.

Gavin ended his afternoon with tug of sea kelp war and ring around the seaweed. He had a blast running around all the hippy drunks that stumbled onto the beach from the jade festival that was happening on the other side of the road. Luckily, Gavin didn't see them lighting a doobie or flashing their "units" on the beach. He just walked by and said to them "Hi guys". They all stone-ily laughed.

Sunday we headed to the Pumpkin patch to get some pumpkins. They enticed us with 3 bouncy houses. Gavin was in heaven. He had no fear. He didn't mind the old kids who paid no attention that he was half their size. He would just turn to them and say "Don't do that to me". Gotta love it. The pictures will show how much fun he had. He inherited the tongue out when concentrating gene from Steve. Now almost every hour he says "can we go to the pumpkin patch?"