Finding Summer

Living through the summer gloom here can be a bit challenging. I used to always tell people the fog wasn't really that bad. That was before I was home full time. I have since realized that the fog really can be quite a downer. Especially for some one like myself who loves the sun and warmth and lives for anything to do with water.

I spent the better part of the winter figuring out how to enjoy our summer this year. Paige & Jimmy are not in school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and I wanted to make the most of those days with them. Alyssa is walking and much easier to tote around now. She will enjoy our activities just as much as the other two. Once May came around, I was chomping at the bit to get out into the warmth. The weather, however, had other plans, since it rained well into the beginning of June! Ugh.

First stop: Burton Park, San Carlos
This park is awesome. It has a beautiful play structure for the kids with rubber surfacing, a huge sand box and a beautiful grass area. Now the biggest hit for us is the sprinklers! We pack swimsuits and a picnic lunch for an incredible morning of fun!

Alyssa joining in the fun!

Jimmy's big smile shows how much he loves this place!

Jimmy and Joey running through.

  

Second stop: Washington Park, Burlingame

Another wonderful park. No water feature, but it does have a sand box with a little faucet. Huge playground with rubber surfacing and 3 different play structures for all ages. Great lawn area with lots of shade and nice pathways for bike riding. A favorite for us about this park is we will get on Caltrain in South San Francisco and ride it to the Burlingame Avenue station. Washington Park is right across the street. Then when we are ready for lunch (or brunch) we head over to Stacks or Steelhead Brewery. Get back on the train and we have all had a great day!

Big brother loves his baby sister.

Relaxing, waiting for the train.

Third stop: Rinconada Pool, Palo Alto

This place is AWESOME!!! So far we have been to this pool twice a week and we definitely find the sunshine here. The community has a huge wading pool that is shaped like a flower. Two of the five petals are 3 feet deep, the other 2 are 1.5 feet deep and the last is zero depth (beach entry). There are sprinkles that shoot all over the pool. There is a big mushroom sprinkler and one of the 3 foot sections has a small slide. My kids are all comfortable in the water and Paige can stand throughout the whole pool. I am very comfortable taking 3 small children to this pool by myself. They can't get enough of this place, even little Alyssa. She is proving to be more of a fish than the other two!

Alyssa enjoying the water.

Paige humoring me for a photo.

Paige showing off her skills of jumping in.

This child spends more time under the water than above!

They were all very reluctant to take this picture, which is why no one is really looking!

Fourth stop: Our Backyard

Though they are few and far between, we do get some warm and sunny days. That is when the sprinklers come out! We also have a huge, blow up 10' x 5' swimming pool, but that hasn't made an appearance yet. The sprinklers are always a huge hit. Whether it is foggy out, we are fully clothed or just in underwear...we never get tired of the water here in the Miller household.

Oh is it foggy? That's ok, I will just use my umbrella.

There are a few more stops on my list for the summer and I am looking forward to them.

1. Stulsaft Park, Redwood City - has a sprinkler water feature. 
2. Raging Waters, San Jose - Always a huge hit...for the little kids and us big kids! 
3. Aqua Adventure, Fremont - This place is a mini water park for kids with a couple bigger slides for the adults. We are anxious to check it out.
4. Silliman Aquatic Center, Newark - This is an indoor water park that I can't wait to check out.

Stayed tuned for more sun and water filled adventures of the Miller's!