Tag Archives: emma clover

Puppet Fair at Children’s Fairyland

September 4, 2023Postschildren's fairyland, emma clover, fairyland, oakland, puppet show, puppets, susan magnoliasusan

We recently visited Children’s Fairyland for a Puppet showcase. It was an amazing day and the perfect opportunity to return to a favorite place. The line up of puppet shows was so wonderful and we also saw the children’s theater perform. Emma is now interested in joining them!

We watched the “Three Dinosaurs Gruff” performed by Randal Metz of The Puppet Company, “Jack and the Beanstalk” performed by the Children’s Theater, “The Frog Prince” performed by Fratello Marionettes, “It Could Always Be Worse” performed by Children’s Fairyland and A Bob Baker Marionette variety show.

“The Frog Prince” was the highlight of the day. maiki snapped a picture of me with the frog on my head. 🙂

There were many puppets presented from the archives. This is the dragon from “The Dragon Who Wasn’t.”

Kreepie & Batty are from “Tricks N’ Treats” which is my favorite puppet show from all the years visiting Fairyland. It is halloween themed and so funny and well written. We watched it for one season when Emma was small and have quoted it ever since.

Our last visit to Fairyland was for Halloween before the pandemic began. Emma Clover was already too tall to go on the carousel. We feared it may be the last time inside our neighborhood haunt with our maturing child.

Emma Clover was ecstatic to be back inside the park and raced around showing me her favorite details.

August 2023

August 25, 2023Postsalameda, beach, emma clover, gene, maiki, susan magnoliasusan

Warmer weather has finally arrived in the bay area so we have been visiting the beaches in Alameda.

Emma is growing so tall! Here she is next to maiki for comparison.

We finally went out on a date for my bithday.

We went to Almond & Oak. I will return for the foccacia.

We took Gene on a grocery tour of Berkeley. Monterey Market was the true winner.

whale watching in Pacifica

July 26, 2023Postsemma clover, Pacifica, susan magnolia, whalessusan

Pacifica is beautiful and has whales. It was brought to my attention that now was a good time to see whales so we had to check it out.

Pacifica in July is still foggy and gray. Looking for gray colored whales against gray skies and oceanscape is harder than I thought. We did see lots of fins and water spouts and a clear whale tail.

We went on the pier and walked all the way out. There were loads of fishermen out there!

We ended up at in a 50s style diner for lunch because my beloved Camelot was closed.

Eventually we caught on to the idea of sitting in the car and whale watching where we felt so much warmer! We could see dolphins playing in the surf.

in July

July 24, 2023Postsbeach, emma clover, emma summer, gardens of lake merritt, geese, lakeside park, maiki, oakland, oakland municipal band, susan magnolia, swimmingsusan

July is concerts in the park, non stop swimming pools, learning to ride a bike, park afternoons, beach days, garden visits and celebrating friends.

summer adventuring

July 6, 2023Postsemma clover, maiki, oakland, summer, summer vacation, susan magnoliasusan

Summer vacation so far has been action packed. We began with our L.A. trip and that was so special. Our family hiked in the redwoods and took trips to San Francisco for the Cal Acamedy of Sciences and Japantown. Next Emma had a three week stint at A.C.E. camp (half day) with Hacienda Peralta. The 4th was spent watching the Oakland Municipal Band in Lakeside park. We visited the Alameda County fair and Emma has swim lessons for all of July!

The next month will hopefully include some warm weather for free swim, homeschooler park days and a more relaxed vibe. Sundays afternoons for concerts in the park are the leisurely style we live for. I am looking forward to lizarding a bit and laying down on a blanket to just look up into the trees.