playing catch up... July

This post is long over due and because it dates back to July 23rd, I've decided to add small captions w/groups of photos to sum up our past 2 1/2 weeks.

It all began at Super Franks in Pleasanton where we girls met up w/Elilah and her kiddos for a play date! Their director is a certified teacher and leads a program that helps with Kindergarten preparedness through organized play, music circle, story time and craft time. The area also includes games, activities, ride-on toys and a kiddy-sized inflatable slide. There is also a mini gym toddler-level obstacle course and a plasma car raceway, which we didn't get a chance to see.

Here Sierra enjoys the playdoh table in their safari adventure room. At about 12pm the instructor stops play near the inflatable area to have a story time. Marissa, Sierra & Arabella took part in the fun! Sedona claimed "this stuff is for babies"! OH MY - didn't realize that old age stuff started already, how sad. I think she secretly wanted to play :) Her are pics of Sierra, Marissa & Arabella enjoying the mini carousel at the arcade area. Their taught town village upstairs featured playhouses, dress-up, toys and a slide. Here Sedona, Marissa & Arabella hurry to fight a nearby fire!

Our next day the girls and I hung out at home making crafts. Here they are gluing pieces of pre-cut paper to design their own hot-air balloon.

A few days later, I don't know what possessed me to return to the jungle fun & adventure, oh wait a free entry and left over prize tickets - AGH!!! I don't understand what sane person would return to this place, it was worst than my first visit. Marissa even had a few choice words! First, more than half of the games upstairs were out of order and/or not awarding the correct amount of tickets. Second, an approx. 10 year old girl (sitting at top of slide w/feet dangling at the exit of slide, kicked my forehead as I came barrelling down. Thankfully Sierra is small otherwise she would have been knocked-out. Unfortunately Marissa was behind me, what felt to be at about 100 mph, kicking the back of my head w/both feet. AGH! 3rd, 2 girls kept asking me for money - where the hell are your guardians? I'm not a token machine, and its rude to ask a stranger for money! BLAH, BLAH, BLAH I could go on for hours about how horrible this place is, but I don't want to bore you all! This game was out-of-order, but Sierra was still able to toss the balls into the buckets - she was very excited! Despite the problems we enjoyed a couple hours, leaving exhausted, bruised, and with shitty prizes! :)

A few days later, the girls and I met up w/Melanie and her kiddos at Contra Loma Regional Park & Swim Lagoon in Antioch. The lake's swim lagoon also has a sandy beach which the kids loved! Melanie & I researched their membership prices which are awesome, a family of 4 and 1 dog for an entire year can enjoy all of California's regional parks, swim areas, and parking for $95.00.

WAIT! I almost forgot - the month ended w/Brian's band, The Distraction Fit playing at the make-out room in San Francisco! Our good friends, David, Brittany, Melanie & Verne came to the show. Afterwards, we ended-up at Fentons Creamery in Oakland for some sundae nightcaps! FUN TIMES!!!