New sport - Lacrosse and Parkour

We bought some lacrosse sticks for the boys a couple of weekends ago.  Maybe they might enjoy it? After a little while, Graham and Charlie were actually able to throw it but obviously catching was a bit tricky:

Nice form, Daddy!

But after a little while, the boys side tracked:

And side-tracked:

And side-tracked... Graham is getting really strong! 

Charlie is not quite there yet but definitely better than before:

We also started the boys in a new thing called Parkour.  Well, we haven't signed them up yet officially.  This was a test class and 2 minutes into it, they were already loving it!  They were working on their handstands and also going around an obstacle course:

Monkey bars in the back and learning to balance:

A sloping wall - Graham had no issues getting up there:

And even Charlie got up there on his first day.  Proud Momma moment!

Coming down was a bit tricky.  Graham took a while but after a few big breathes, he finally jumped down. So proud of him!

Charlie needed help getting down the first time and he opted for the stairs towards the back/wall instead.  Still an accomplishment for him as he didn't need any help after that.  He didn't have any issues jumping down from this wall:

Wheeeeee...!!! Graham LOVED this swinging rope!

A fun day for the boys.  Wow, looks like we just up-ed our game from just climbing trees after school.  Hmm... but the trees were FREE!!!  Oh well, maybe one or both of them will become our next Ninja Warrior!!! :-D

Kite flying

We finally bought some new kites for the boys.  We actually wanted to buy lacrosse sticks for them and well, actually ended up buying more things - as per usual!  On the way to the park, we take a detour and spot peacocks on roofs!

I wonder if these home-owners mind?  I heard the peacocks can be quite a nuisance and also quite loud.  And I am sure they poop and eat the plants too???!

Someone made their own Peacock Crossing sign.  Too funny!

We find our way to Founders Park - which is named in honor of the city's founders who led the effort to incorporate the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in 1973.  Such a pretty view from the balcony of Trump National Golf Club, which is just adjacent to the park:

We decided to have lunch at the golf club.  A bit pricey but since we were already in the same area:

Fancy formal dining room:

Interesting looking mirror...

Alrighty, down to business for some serious kite-flying!  Graham's airplane kite was sort of leaning to the right so it took some time to get it up in the air:

Charlie's little butterfly kite is so tiny, you can barely see it!

A glimpse of Graham's kite and a hawk nearby:

Charlie got tired of kite-flying and wanted some attention from Daddy instead:

More of the spectacular view from the cliff:

Another dad and 2 kids show up and funny enough, the other boy has a very similar airplane kite!

2 hours later, we are still flying the kite.  Graham is now an expert kite-flyer:

Charlie is somehow thinking he might get airborne as well?  It is a super windy day!

We finally pack up the kite and head down towards the beach.  Oh, we almost lost the kite as Graham accidentally let it go while we were reeling it in. Phew!

Family photo op time!

Seems like there is always something to look at in the tide pools:

I wonder if we can eat these???! :-\

Pretty landscape and rock formation:

Charlie is in his own little world:

Graham in his own little world:

Some brotherly time:

Both looking very relaxed! :-D

We spot a couple of cruise ships on the way back.  Some day!

One last family photo op.  Oops...!  That one didn't work:

Here we go! 

 Can't believe we spent almost 5 hours out here today!

Random photos

These photos are definitely pretty random.  Let's start with a bunny cloud?!

Graham brings home some homework from school and he decides to draw his "Fluffy" on the back of one sheet.  Too cute!!!

I am roaming around San Pedro and come across a couple of antique stores.  Hmm.... fancy kids' potty back in the day??!

Bobby finally caved in and bought pork roll!  We actually bought it in Phoenix during one of our trips out there and brought it back to California.  Cheaper there :-)

Thumbs up from Graham and Charlie!  Once cooked, Charlie called them "clovers".  Who knew that it actually does look like a clover once fried up :-D

I recently started a self defense class called Krav Maga and I also tried out Kick Boxing.  Gosh... didn't take long for me to bust out the ice!  And 2 weeks later, my elbow still hurts too.  Grrrr....

Here's Charlie and Mommy enjoying some time in the hot tub.  My body really needed it!

Another random photo - Charlie's creation with two of my 1lb weights??!!  Pretty creative!

That's it for now! :-)

Quick plant update

So Bobby told the boys that if they put their ears to the pumpkin, they can hear it growing.  I can't believe these kids actually believed him!!!

Here is our pumpkin!  I don't think it will grow any bigger. It was getting some scars at the bottom where it was being placed on the balcony, so I made it a "bed" of soil, like it would be laying in the garden :-)

The bell pepper plant has flowers!

We are growing tomatoes, and carrots, and also kale.  Fingers crossed it will all work out! I just spotted some aphids yesterday. First spider mites and now aphids???! Blaaahhh!!!!

Looks like Graham's succulent is taking a rough turn as well.  We are down to one last stem actually of this succulent.  The ones on the side are all dying out. I can't figure out if I am watering it too much or not enough :-\

And this other half didn't survive either - the one that toppled over. I just tossed this one into the trash:

Gardening can be so easy sometimes and other times, it is just a complete failure! Oh well!  Perhaps I am just so jealous of the collection of succulent by the library.  So pretty! It's like a Christmas tree!!!

Just amazing how flowers grow：

Okay, I am envious!