The Alm Family

First snowshoe trip of the year!

We went snowshoeing with our friends last weekend.

We started with both three year olds in their own snowshoes.

The boys plotted our route on the map.

The adults decided we wanted to try to make it to the summit, so the kids were all loaded up.

Noah promptly fell asleep.

When I asked our friends to pose for a picture, this awesomeness happened.

When I asked Victor and Noah to pose for a picture, this happened. Hrumph.

Victor and Noah heading up the ridgeline.

That in front of them is the peak.We made it partway up, but the wind was crazy cold as it whipped over the summit, so we didn't quite finish the climb.

Super mom!

The view back down.

Overall, a super fun time!

A trip to the playground

We celebrated Martin Luther King Day with a viewing of the inauguration. Noah liked the big party and parade. His favorite part of the festivities was all the beautiful buildings.

After the celebrations died down, we headed out to the park.

I like that this park has a super fast slide. Parks are too "safe" these days and don't let kids have the thrill of flying down a super tall, super fast slide and being launched off the end. This park still lets them have this experience and Noah absolutely loved it. He went down that slide and sailed off the end into the sand at least 10 times in a row. Great fun!

Ladybug Hike

We went for a hike with friends in Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.

The shady parts of the trail were still icy.

I love that there are Redwood trees in Oakland.

I'll tell you what, this is not what people think of when they hear Oakland, CA.

Look what we found!!!!!

Overwintering ladybugs!

I posted this photo on the East Bay Regional Parks Facebook page and they made it their cover photo!

This is what happens when you stand still for too long.

Yes, he licked the tree.

We hiked for 4.5 hours and Noah didn't need to be carried. I think this was his longest hike (albeit very slow) on his own two feet yet!

Noah and Mommy Week of Fun Part 5

For the final fantastic capstone adventure of the week, we invited some friends to join us for a tour of the Mt. Diablo Recycling facility. It was pure awesomeness.

The fun started in the parking lot while we watched the mulching operation.

A truck full of garbage cans!!

Mounds and mounds of recycling.

There was an educational presentation where the kids learned about recycling.

They practiced identifying recyclables.

Next we spent some more time watching the operations out in the sorting yard.

I wish the glare wasn't so bad. It was super cool to watch "Big Blue" sort the recycling into all the different varieties.

Next, we needed to get suited up to head out to the sorting room floor.

Look at all those recyclables!

Some trucks came in and duped their loads while we watched.

The parents had a lot of questions to ask, and the kids just liked watching.

After being sorted, everything was put through the bailing machine and was made into cubes.

Forklift Noah was pretending to help load the waiting truck. The recyclables are shipped around the world for processing.

After the tour, we headed back up to the classroom and each kid got their own recycling can to bring home. Noah wants me to type here that the toy garbage truck in the classroom was broken.