Eucalyptus Grove Holiday Photos with Sierra Solis Photography

It's crazy what one talented lady with a camera can capture in the span of 20 minutes. Sierra did an amazing job capturing our constantly laughing, constantly on the move family. I especially love the photos of the boys together. Thank you, Sierra! 

Blueberry Picking at the Temecula Berry Co

We kicked off Mother's Day weekend with a visit to the Temecula Berry Co to pick farm fresh blueberries. Our drive started gloomy but by the time we reached the farm, the sun was out in full force and we had a nice sunny afternoon of berry picking. The farm is very clean and the plants are well maintained. To Parker's disappointment, there wasn't a bug in sight! This year's berry season opened on May 5 and the bushes are currently laden with big blue berries to pick. They are so ripe they basically fall into your hand once you touch them. After picking berries, we stopped for lunch at Burger Lounge and little man napped all the way home. Scroll down for pics and links to the recipes we've made with our berries! 

Temecula Berry Co

http://www.temeculaberryco.com/

39700 Cantrell Road

Temecula, CA 92591

Mom tips:

- Blueberries are $6 a pint. Cash or check only. There is an ATM onsite in case you forget. You pay after you pick.

-Bring quarters to purchase goat food. The goats are very friendly. 

-As always, sun hats, sun block, water and closed toe shoes are recommended. 

-Backpacks are not allowed. They will hold your backpack at the check in stand where you pick up your buckets if needed. 

-There are less people picking from the bushes behind the barn. Make a left once you enter and you will see what I mean. 

[Blueberry dance, dance, dance.]

[Teaching the kids which berries to pick was part of the experience. We kept saying "big and blue!" and then laughing afterwards because we're mature.]

[We picked 2 buckets of blueberries and ended up with approx 3 pints of berries.]

So far we have used our berries to make blueberry muffins, buttermilk banana blueberry bread and lemon blueberry oatmeal bars. What are your favorite blueberry recipes?

Discover & Taste the Sweetness of Spring at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company

Visiting the Carlsbad Strawberry Company has become a tradition in our family. We really enjoy visiting the fields and filling up our buckets with sweet, red berries. Now that we are growing strawberries in our raised garden bed at home, I have an even greater appreciation for the time and effort it takes to grow these beautiful strawberries. This year's visit was a little windy and overcast which was perfect for berry picking. We spent about an hour wandering through the rows of berries and teaching Parker the proper way select and pick the berries (no long stems). The field was more crowded than I remember it being in years past but there were plenty of strawberries to pick and space for everyone to spread out. If you have never visited the strawberry fields, check out my mom tips below. Happy Spring! 

Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Canon Road, 1 block east of Interstate 5
Open 9 AM - 5:30 PM daily
http://www.carlsbadstrawberrycompany.com/

Mom tips: 

-Cost $20 for a large bucket and 2 admission tickets.

-Don't forget to apply sunblock and wear a hat. 

-Backpacks, bags, purses are NOT allowed in the fields. 

-Wear close-toed shoes or galoshes.

-The fields can be muddy. Pack an extra pair of shoes to change into after you are done picking.

[If you want the berries but don't want to put in the work, there are flats for sale at the stand.]

[Parker was so excited to start picking be practically ran all the way to the field with his bucket.]

[Showing off a BIG one.]

Tide Park Beach

A couple of weeks ago, while my hubby was downtown enjoying Comic Con, my friend Giao and I took Parker to Tide Park Beach in Solana Beach to beat the heat. I found Tide Park Beach listed on Red Tricycle's list of family-friendly beaches in San Diego. This beach is a true gem. There was ample free parking in the cute neighborhood by the beach entrance, most of the patrons were surfers and locals walking their dogs and there are tide pools at the north end of the beach to explore. It's a great spot to visit...at low tide. We were lucky that we happened to time our visit right because two hours after being at the beach, the tide started coming in and we had to migrate to the stretch of the beach that is right by the stairs! 

[Be prepared for a glute workout! The stairs are steep.]

[Parker is so lucky to have an auntie who is as loving and patient as Giao! I have the best friends.]

[Exploring tide pools. There isn't much sea life but it was still fun to touch small anemones and collect rocks.]

[Styling King Neptune.]