Baby Names

NO I am not pregnant, but I had an interesting conversation with the kids about baby names. The question was "If you had boy/girl twins, what would you name them? Here are their replies:
Sidney - Cindy and Will
Maren - Goldilocks and Nugget
Wells - Jack and Jill
Paige (cousin) - Max and Olivia

Sand Dollar Beach

Our friends James & Beth Carlson have a tradition of camping in Big Sur, CA. The last two years we have joined them along with a few other families. We have loved the experience every time. In Big Sur, there is a beautiful beach called Sand Dollar Beach. One of us even found a tiny sand dollar. The kids had a great time making sand castles and playing in the water. I made my first attempt to boogie board. I loved it. I loved the crashing of the waves and trying to push against them as they tried to over power me. I think the taste of the ocean is one of the worst tastes around. YUCK! Wish I would have taken a few more photos while we were there.

First Day of School

Sidney, Maren & Wells are now all attending the same school. What a relief. Last year they attended two separate schools on separate sides of town. If the freeway is worn between the two exits on both sides of town it is definitely because of me. They seem to be well adjusted to their new situation in life. Dean and I are spending more time than ever together. I didn't realize what great babysitters my kids were until they were off to school. I miss you guys!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Dean!

Baby Dean is now two as of August 21st. Can we still call him "baby"? We celebrated his birthday with a small family party. I decided to make a FIRETRUCK cake for him. Can you tell? He seemed pretty thrilled with his PINK BUS.

Coast Oil Gas Station, Shame On You!!!

Yesterday Dean and I went to get a smog check done at COAST OIL SMOG CENTER at 1611 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, California 94596. The attendant at the smog check station told me it would be $138.00. That seemed high to me so I asked him if that was a normal rate for a smog check. He said YES. "You have an SUV and if it passes the smog check then we will also charge you $13.00 more to submit the information to the DMV." I didn't have much time because I had to pick up the twins at Kindergarten so I told him to go ahead and do it. As I left I called Jon on my cell to tell him about the experience. He told me that $138.00 was outrageously high and he was going to call around to find a better deal. A minute later he called and said that another company a block away would do it for $48.00. I immediately turned around and went back to the smog check station and said "Sorry, I found a better deal for $38.00 (I heard Jon's $ incorrectly, apparently to my advantage) a block away. They can take me now so I need to take my car and leave." They then offered to give me the smog check for $40.00 then and there. They did the test and let me leave for $40.00. I was polite and kind even though inside I felt very sad that they would treat me this way. They seemed a bit sheepish and apologetic as I left on my way. I am DISGUSTED by their ethics and hope they turn over a new leaf.