SC Has a Bouldering Gym!

Late last summer I started hearing rumors about a new climbing gym in San Clemente but paid no heed to the rumors as the concept of an actual climbing gym in San Clemente seemed way to far-fetched. Then while we were in Mammoth back in late August/early September we camped next to a guy who was friends with the owner and he confirmed those rumors. The kids and I came back from Mammoth and went straight to the gym and had non-stop fun for a month straight (Eden & I both had memberships for the first month due to a really good promo). Since the promo ended and I cancelled Eden's membership she has not been back. But it was a really fun month and we got in quite a few really fun days in that block of time. The month of October has brought a new passion for Eden - surfing...more posts on that to follow. Meanwhile I have continued climbing at the gym whenever I can and I can not begin to express what a gift it has been for me. It's nice to move my body in a way that I enjoy and in a way that makes me truly sore. It feels like it's been such a long time since I have been able to exercise my body in this way. And though I have historically harbored a deep distain for climbing gyms (especially bouldering gyms) I value our little gym and am grateful beyond words for this place. 

The below pics are from Eden's last visit to the gym with her long time friend Merek. I can not put into words how much fun it was to take these two big kids to the gym without the distraction of Zi or Merek's little sis Kate. It was just so much fun to focus on them completely and all that they could do - and they were amazing! Merek, who really hadn't climbed much at all before, climbed to the top and down at least 20 times. And Eden was in full-blown show-off mode - running around showing Merek all that she could do - she was seriously doing climbs and moves I had never seen her do before! 

Doin' a dance

It was nearly impossible to coax them down from the top...that part was scary, but they listened well enough and stayed safe.

Who's taller? (:

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs...

Sometime over the spring and summer Zion became super interested in bugs. So for his birthday I got him a bug encyclopedia. For weeks the kids poured over this book devoting countless hours to its contents. Then Zi single-handedly caught a butterfly with his bare hands outside of swim class. He was so proud of himself and so in love with his catch. But I scolded him because he broke the butterfly's wing - he was able to clearly see that the butterfly would never fly again. Since then he has sort of lost his zeal. I'm happy to say that the butterflies of the world are likely eternally safe from Zi's squishy hands but I am sad to see that his interest has died a bit along with that butterfly. 

Eden dictated this sign and asked me to place it on our door.

A Fun Day Out in Irvine

For all of the traveling that we do, when we are home, I try really hard not to leave San Clemente. Really, when everything we need is right here (beach, pool, home, friends) it's super hard to justify leaving. When we do leave I try to make the most of it and squeeze as much into our time away as I can. A couple weeks ago we went up to Irvine to visit Jon at the fire station. On the way there we climbed at the gym and on the way home we stopped at the Irvine Spectrum (an outdoor mall). I have actually frequented malls so rarely with the kids that as soon as we got there Zi excitedly proclaimed: "Look Mom! It's a PARADE!" 

Once Zi finally got his turn to climb at the gym he went straight to the top - something Eden had been hesitant to do all morning. As soon as she saw him do it she proceeded to do it three or four times.

This is a pic Zi took of Eden that I sort of love.

I love this sequence of Zi and Eden climbing under the roof and giving each other pointers. They really are such an awesome team. 

In this pic the kids are looking at a pic of Zi climbing in Tuolumne that the gym had been displaying on their TVs throughout the gym.

Station 06

Station 06 is a pretty special station. It has what is called the Tiller Truck and the Heavy Rescue. It's an enormous station, brand new and beautifully built. The kids love to visit this station and see all of the giant trucks and ride bikes around the enormous driveway.

Irvine Spectrum

I can not believe how much fun the kids and I had at this place. It truly was consumerism at its best. But its something that we really never do so I have no guilt over it at all. I realize that our kids are pretty darn spoiled in a way that most kids aren't (that I do have guilt over). But it was fun to spoil them in this more conventional way for a change. And they were in heaven and incredibly appreciative which made it even more fun!

Waiting to go on the Ferris Wheel, we also rode the little train around (which I didn't get a picture of).

The kids spent forever in this little splash area. It was nice to have nowhere to be so I could let them.