Nu Doo

Amara asked to, "Cut my hair like a boy. And I want bangs."  Wanting to support her independence I let her go for it. I have to admit, I was very nervous about cutting her hair short but was very surprisingly pleased by the results. My girl looks fabulous!

Amara hasn't stopped fixing her hair since she got it cut several days ago! She is constantly combing it, putting it in barrettes and pigtails and looking in the mirror. She loves it when others notice her new do. I have reminded her that the most important thing is that she likes it but the external confirmation has been very sweet to watch her take in!

Ridge Trail-Evening Hike

 

I love the ridge trail above our house. The trail provides many things; Quiet beauty that feeds and nourishes the soul; Hills that get the heart rate up and blood flowing; Solid earth that helps me to ground and center; Views that inspire and remind me of the vast creativity of Great Creator. Each time I hike up the hill to the trail I see something new. I love to walk solo or with my family. It is a blessing to live in a place so beautiful.

Lupine and Poppy blanket the hills.

Sweet birds sing out greetings.

The field in distance is part of Amara's elementary school. How fun to see the school from this perspective.

View of the North Bay (with the refineries to the right.)

The refineries in Rodeo. A little too close for comfort.

The North Bay

View towards Mt. Tam. The fog, which is common here in the Bay Area, is starting to settle in for the night.

Wild flowers and wild weeds are sprouting up, spreading across the hills.

It seems we always catch a glimpse of our turkey friends!

California Poppy. Our state flower. Here three poppy take in the last of the days sun.

We found this magnificent oak tree complete with swings!

And we had to stop for a swing.

Havana wasn't too keen on the swing. She preferred to push it.

Ms. Monkey preferred to swing!

There was even a rope swing! 

View of I-80 looking West.

Running home! ("Good exercise," as Amara put it!)

Off the Beaten Path

We started out together for hike up the ridge trail

Havana didn't want to walk.

Amara couldn't stop exploring.

Rocks are the current favorite thing. Especially "shiny ones."

When Havana wanted to go home, Amara and I continued on. But this time we went off the trail to see what we could see!

We found turkey feathers.

And neighbors yards (we had to hike down a steep hill to reach the other end of a trail to get home.)

A friendly dog.

Striking views.

Narrow paths.

Live turkeys.

And eventually we made it home to find Havana and Papa!

Glamour Girl-Part II

 

I took Havana for her first visit to the nail salon this past week. Havana brought her own polish from home ("I love pink") and got her toes and fingers painted. This was a big deal for baby girl because she has expressed wanting to go (on the once a year visit I make!) but she has been too young to sit still. When I asked her if she wanted to go get her nails done she lit up.  And when we were done, she proudly called her Papa and shared her news!

Our House Guest

Amara and Ms. Sparks