Bay watch

 Yesterday we checked out the Monterey Bay Aquarium, including the fantastic jellies.

 Touching live stuff.

 A dance party!

  

Amalia, the fish whisperer. The creatures in several of the exhibits would follow her hand and face along the glass. (I didn't tell her they probably were hoping for food.)

 

Lily didn't have as much luck.

 

 My precious pearl.

 Feeding time in the kelp forest.

One of the girls' favorite activities was drawing jellies on a computer and then "releasing" them onto the wall screen. Lily's is the colorful one; Amalia's is blue and white. We drew a lot of jellies. And by "we," I mean "they." Let me know if anyone would like to see more drawn jellies. Lily made sure they were emailed to me.

Fireworks at the winery

We spent the Fourth of July evening at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Gorgeous view, lots of great food, and a fun atmosphere. 

 

Walking into the winery.

 "Free" popcorn!

 And cotton candy.

 

But you have to wait for it.

 Killing time until the fireworks by dancing to the cover band, The Cocktail Monkeys.

 Patriotic shirts courtesy of Grandma Carol.

Killing more time running around on the Paul Masson stage, which also happens to be a great concert venue.

At the Shire

We had to drag the girls away from Woodside after spending the afternoon with Amy's niece and nephew.

 Dane is just about the sweetest 2 1/2 year old I've ever met.

 Piper turns 6 next week--a month and a day older than Amalia.

 Climbing monkeys.

 All boy.

 Hanging out.

 Amy and Dane.

 See!?! Adorable.

 After the park, Amy and I treated the kids (and ourselves) to frozen yogurt.

 Lily pushing Dane on the amazing swing in the Kalinowski front yard.

 Amalia spinning herself dizzy.

We even got in some dog time.

Getting mushy

During a round of "Would you rather" at summer camp today, Lily's friend asked her, "Would you rather live the rest of your life without getting to eat mush [fried cornmeal mush, which I made recently for breakfast] or without watching TV?"

She'd rather give up TV.

High praise indeed.

Still Impressed... and not

Once again, Lily dove right in to a very exotic dish I made this evening - Corn, Black Bean & Mango Salad. I am quite sure I would have turned my nose up at age 8 as Amalia at age 5 did tonight, but Lily had been prowling the kitchen as I prepped the salad, remarking how yummy it smelled, and did not appreciate when I placed the finished salad in the fridge to chill. Here are the visuals to dispel any doubt about just how un-kid-friendly-looking the dish is, followed by the similarly unfriendly ingredients.

3 cups (6 ears) fresh white corn off the cob, pan roasted

2 cups peeled & diced fresh mango

3/4 cup finely chopped (I used rings for flavor only) fresh red onion

1 cup diced fresh red bell pepper

1 seeded, ribs removed, minced fresh jalapeño

2 x 14.5 oz cans black beans (rinsed & drained - I used seasoned beans)

1/3 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp freshly ground sea salt

1 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper

***

To balance things a bit, I will add one amusing note from today:

[Setting: Post-archery practice & swimming lesson; 90° F; at 7-Eleven® getting Slurpees®]

Lily: Dad, can I have free chili and cheese?

Me: What?

Lily: See? It says "Free Chili & Cheese" right here.

Me: Oh, that's only free on the nachos, but you have to buy the chips. Do you want nachos with chili & cheese?

Lily: No. I just want the free chili & cheese. Can't I just do that?

Me: Let's just go with the Slurpee®, shall we?

Bazooka

This is, by far, my favorite camp song of the summer so far.

A new bow

Lily has been taking archery for about 9 months--now going to twice-a-week practices--so we figured it was time for her to get her own bow. Doesn't she look thrilled? She's really happy, deep down inside.

Stringing her bow (unwisely without shoes). She refused to narrate so I doubt she'll be the next YouTube how-to star. (But you can hear other household noises, like Amalia's movie and Andy doing dishes and talking to the contractor, in the background.)

And unstringing it.

 Lily with her fully assembled Matrix Jr. 16# takedown recurve bow.

Her first competition--a fun outdoor "bug shoot"--is next month with her archery school. (And, no, she hasn't seen--or read--The Hunger Games.)