Today, as soon as the kids finished their swimming lessons, I brought them home, had them change, fed them lunch, packed some sandwiches with us, and then headed toward Berkeley Marina. I've been wanting to take the kids to this really cool playground for a long time. It's called Adventure Playground, and it's all built by children and adults. The staff there provides the children with tools, paint, and boards, and you just need your imagination to create whatever you want. As I saw my kids use their minds and hands, I couldn't help thinking this was a great sons and fathers outing. Gillian and James focused mainly on painting whatever they wanted and wherever they wanted.
Jefferson chose his fort and then made plans in adding something of his own. He first hammered a slide, and then hammered some steps on an existing slide. He proceeded to paint his creations. I could tell he was having the most fun.
Gillian, besides painting, occupied herself by trying out a variety of playground games.
James would sometimes follow Gillian, sometimes Jefferson, and sometimes would prefer to be on his own. He is developing very fast these past months. It has been unexpected to me, but I'm glad he is finding his own voice and mind.
I know they all had fun. We'll definitely be back.
After they created all they wanted for today, we left the playground, and then went for a stroll along the beach. The view was very beautiful and the children had a wonderful time going in the water and climbing rocks. Later, they told me that they liked the San Francisco beach better, because this beach had a lot of tiny rocks on the ground. They preferred smooth sand under their feet. I said I'll see if I could accommodate them next time.
I took this pretty picture of the boats on the dock as we were driving back.
After baths and more food, the children helped me fold about ten loads of laundry. These were made of sheets, towels, many changes of clothes a day what with the swimming lessons and the daily activities, and last week's already washed, but not folded laundry. Gillian helped tremendously, and James made sure every single item of his clothing was folded in perfection, asking my opinion about each one of them. Jefferson, on the other hand, wasn't much interested in laundry, so he kept playing. At one point, he put on Elijah's socks and kept dancing an Irish jig. Gillian followed him, and I was able to take a picture after they had somewhat calmed down.
When I asked the children to come and helped me, Gillian responded that she would love to help, but only with one condition. She wanted to listen to Louis Armstrong's music. As if I wouldn't grant her wish! While we were working, we noticed Charlton always trying to get to the CD player where the music was being played. When he got our attention, he started to clap to the music and move his body up and down. We kept laughing and he kept dancing. Who would have thought folding laundry could be such fun!
