Emma has been listening to Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery daily and it is set in Venice. Thinking about travel and boats is a constant for me as we are transported to their watery landscape of gondolas traveling the canals. We received round trip ferry passes from the summer reading program and were eager to use them. The ferry is quite unlike a gondola but it is so fun none the less.

The sea lions have begun to return to Pier 39 (from the Channel Islands where they mate) and we were able to view about 250 of them piled on the docks. There is also a sea lion museum sponsored by the nearby aquarium. I read Emma ocean themed books that feature sea lions while she did a marine life puzzle. There were posters all around about how omitting single use plastic can be the biggest help keep the oceans cleans. Look, I told her we are already doing our best work by trying to reduce the amount of plastic we buy! Now if I can just convince her that straws are not as fun or necessary as everyone seems to make them. ^_^