Another Summer in SLO, Part 12 {Donuts and Water Play}

While Daddy's away, the girls will play!  We headed down Saturday morning to our favorite donut place in Arroyo Grande.  It was so close to where we stayed last year, but it was a bit more of a drive from up here in SLO.  I couldn't believe it, but when we walked in, one of the girls who worked there said, "You guys made it back!"  We scarfed down our donuts and then headed back up to the house to change and head over to Jacob's house for some water play.

➹ Last year, Olivia wore this same dress to the donut shop! ➹

➹ That's the face of a little stinker! ➹

After we left, I took the girls over to Trader Joe's to pick up a few things.  Right next to TJs is a cute little toy store.  The girls spied some watering cans outside and really wanted them.  I promised them that we could get them if they were good in Trader Joe's.  Thankfully they were, and so we headed over with three bags of groceries to the toy store.  I had about zero desire to unbuckle my wild child and browse the toy store, so I stayed outside the door and sent Olivia in with the watering cans and some cash.  She had some doubts that she could do it, but she did and as you can see from the picture, she was SO excited that she made her first purchase.  Next time, I think she's going to have to do it with her own money!

Katie came over Saturday evening to hang out with the girls, but they were seriously so rowdy, trying to outdo each other and impress Katie, that I didn't get any pictures.  We were all pretty wiped out on Sunday, so we spent most of the day watching Netflix and cleaning up.  I definitely needed that!

Another Summer in SLO, Part 11 {Avila Valley Barn & Strawberry Picking at Rutiz}

One of the things on David's SLO Summer Bucket List was a trip up to Palo Alto to hang out with his friends.  When our babysitter text to say she had to cancel her plans for watching the girls on Saturday night, I looked at the calendar and realized that after this weekend, we would only have two weekends left -- 4th of July weekend and the weekend we would be packing up and leaving. I took the cancellation as a sign from God, and sent David up to Palo Alto for the weekend.

Sometimes the best offense with being a single parent is being active, so we stuck with our plans to go with friends to Avila Valley Barn and Rutiz Farms on Friday.  It was a busy day {especially since we went back to the barn after picking strawberries so we could stock up on blueberries, plums, and taffy, and also to reward Sydney for staying in her bed all night with a pony ride}, but it was so worth it.

I took a TON of pictures {are you surprised?!}, so here we go:

➹ Getting ready to head out on a tractor ride to pick some peaches. ➹

➹ Lunch and treats! ➹

➹ Sugar high was totally worth it just for this picture! ➹

➹ Jacob kept asking Sydney for some of her ice cream and she happily gave him lots of bites. ➹

We barely got a small basket full of strawberries at Rutiz because we ate more than we deposited, but, ohhhhh, were they good.

➹ Who knew plastic farm animals grew on strawberry vines. ➹

Aaannndddd, back at the barn!  I bribed them with taffy for just a few more pictures!

➹ Smallest pony ever ➹

➹ And, of course, she had to ride too.  Denim skirt and all. ➹

You guys, I'm almost caught up.  Thanks, in large part, to The Magic School Bus on Netflix.

Another Summer in SLO, Part 10 {Bailey's Birthday Party and Farmers}

Before we came out here, we got an invitation from Kendall to attend a 6th birthday party for her sweet dog, Bailey.   Kendall was in charge of all of the activities and refreshments, and she planned the perfect party!  Sadly, we've had to leave Magnum at home with Nana and Poppy, so he couldn't make the party, but lots of Kendall's friends did!

Kendall had snacks, face painting, a movie, cupcakes, and even a game for everyone to play.  It was the perfect doggy party! 

➹ Playing Doggy Doggy, Where's Your Bone? ➹

After the party, we headed downtown for Thursday night Farmers Market.  We weren't able to meet up with Katie last week, so of course, that was priority one for our girls.  They think the world of her, and it's like walking into a candy shop every time they go into her store.  This time, she gave the girls hair chalk, and let me tell you, we've been having lots of fun with it!

➹ I told her, "No trying on clothes this time.  It's NOT the fashion show night."  That lasted about 30 seconds. ➹

➹ Pink hair, don't care. ➹

➹ Purple hair, don't care.  So proud of this girl letting us know when she needs to potty and holding it until we can find a store or restaurant with a public bathroom.  ➹

➹ She is perfecting her fruit eating skills! ➹