Project Surf Camp 2019

Today Jonathan, Christian (11) and Scarlett (7) participated in Project Surf Camp in Morro Bay, which is a wonderful organization that offers surfing lessons for special needs kids and their families.

Until today, the kids have only waded in the shallowest waters closest to shore. But today all three of them stepped outside their comfort zone ... And it was an AMAZING experience!

Scarlett had fun being the center of attention with her set of volunteers, and enjoyed herself until she got too cold on this chilly, overcast day. 

Christian was a natural and surfed the entire time! It was so fun watching the joy on his face as he stood up on his surfboard and headed to shore over and over again! He has told us numerous times that today was his favorite part of summer!  He's asking for another lesson! :)

And Jonathan got in on the action, too! It was so fun watching him hop on that surfboard and come to shore with Christian!!

As for Mommy ... I stayed warm and dry on the beach, loving every minute of watching my cute lil' family surf!

Truly an awesome day and a fabulous experience for the Three Luceros!! 

WE LOVE CALIFORNIA!

Fourth of July - 2019

Although these pictures are seemingly nothing remarkable ... They really are!

In the 11+ years we've had children, our family's experience with the Fourth of July has been watching the show from below (in the scorching heat) - usually from quite a distance. Some years, we didn't watch fireworks at all.

Yesterday a sweet friend invited us to the annual neighborhood 4th of July gathering around the corner. Though we've lived here for a year, we still consider ourselves to be "newbies" and don't know many people. Last night we met many new people from our small neighborhood, and connected with a few familiar faces, too. 

It was so cool watching Christian (11) and Scarlett (7) play with sparklers for the first time ... And watching the fun small firework displays on the street as we did when we were kids long ago. 

The icing on the cake was there was more than one party on this long street, and at least two groups had incredible fireworks the shot high into the sky. I am talking about professional fireworks that did all sorts of fun, fancy stuff ... Wow! 

Because of extreme fire danger, our tiny town happens to be the only one that still allows fireworks around here. so I don't think those particular fireworks were actually legal... But they were so amazing to watch and quite a surprise! (The arrival of the firetruck as we were walking home confirmed that those glorious fireworks were, in fact, illegal.)

Morro Strand Beach

The cool thing about being "locals" is knowing where to find uncrowded beaches!

The beaches in south SLO County are VERY busy during the summer because they come with shops, restaurants, etc.  But up closer to our home, the beaches are much more mellow. :)

Because of "microclimates," we never know what the weather will be like at the beach. It might be a cloudless, hot day in Templeton ... but overcast and chilly at the beach.  We were pleasantly surprised with a warm, clear day today! :)

A Quick Drive to Monterey

At long last, we were able to take a short road trip, because we placed Chloe in "doggie daycare."

We drove up the famed Pacific Coast Highway, but it was overcast and foggy for most of the drive.  On my side of the car, however, I was able to see the lush, green hills with wildflowers, huge trees, etc.  

The drive was a bit too curvy for my taste, and thankfully the kids slept through most of the drive, because Scarlett would have surely been nauseous (my poor kid).  But the drive was lovely and I'd be happy to do it again on a sunny, fog-free day.

We met up with Jonathan's friend and his wife for lunch along Cannery Row and then had to return home to pick up Chloe.  Not many pictures from this trip, but ... I was mesmerized by the vibrant blue color of the water in Montery Bay!   It is so much brighter than our coastal water somehow.

(Side note:  Chloe didn't do well with other dogs today.  It is sooo disappointing. If we cannot board her, we cannot go anywhere for longer than 5+ hours.)

A Future Man of Leisure

Today was Career Day at school.  Christian wasn't sure what to dress up as (because truthfully, he wants to be a Super Hero when he grows us).

Christian regularly tells us he wants to be a millionare and own a mansion when he grows up.  So I suggested he could be a "Man of Leisure" for Career Day.  He readily agreed!

Ah, I crack myself up! :)