Birch Aquarium

last wednesday we took the day off from school and went to the Birch Aquarium at La Jolla. it was in the 80's at the coast and quite a beautiful day. here are some of the things we saw:

A sea cucumber:

an enormous lobster (11+ pounds):

hermit crabs that tickled:

seahorses:

sea stars:

abalone:

lots of jellies:

some weird fish:

we also stayed to play in the water tables. we raced boats over and over again!

then we watched the sunset and went home!

it was a fun filled day and a great break from our daily routine.

winter in SoCal

so it's been in the 80's for the last week. all of the windows are thrown wide open. the kids are barefoot outside and in shorts. life is peaceful and good at the moment.

i hear so many stories of harsh weather, unfathomable cold (-58*F??? how do people survive?), and flooding and the likes. i tell you, i'm perfectly content to keep my weather, thank you very much. i'm thinking of having the garden tilled so i can start my garden. my roses are in bloom. i have a vase of wildflowers on my table. i have a tan. life is good.

the only (very minor) down side is that my cast stinks. it always stinks these days. i'm very ready to be able to shower without a plastic bag on my arm. some day...

15 weeks down, 5 more to go.

I'll get to it eventually...

it's not easy keeping up with all that i'd like to keep up with. for instance, i really wanted to take Christmas pictures of the kids. i did that this week, after Epiphany...well, at least it's done! the laundry needs to be folded, i need to do some more school with the kids, i should tidy the house before my parents arrive. or, none of the above. it's 80 out right now. we're having my favorite january weather of all. bright, clear blue skies, sunny and delightfully warm. it's time to trim my (blooming) roses and turn over the garden. time to enjoy the windows being wide open and the warm breeze ruffling the papers on my desk. time to relax and be thankful for the many blessings in my life.

this past week, i also saw my surgeon for a checkup. after 14 weeks, he finally said the words i wondered if i would ever hear...you're healing. the second surgery and my good behavior (who knew doing nothing would be so hard?) have done the trick and i am finally on the road to recovery. i have another 6 weeks in the cast, then hopefully i will be allowed a removable splint. i get dreamy when i think of being able to take a shower sans bag over cast, or swimming or simply the opportunity to soak in the hottub. life is good, just different from normal!