Top Gears

It turns out our LG might just have some engineering skills!
At our 2 visits to Curiodyssey he spent most of his time playing with the gears exhibit.  Kids are able to arrange gears on a big magnetic board any way they like, then turn the gears and try to ring a bell.  It gave us a great idea for his birthday gift, and he is now the proud (and busy) owner of a 150-piece gear set.

WG watched him play with it for a while, but soon got bored. The queen isn't interested in HOW things work, she just wants to make sure they DO work!  :)

Luckily, the pool is open again, so the kids can get their daily swim on.  Throw 'em in for 2 hours, let them get some energy out, and they sleep like rocks!
Usually.

We've also learned that because of our Curiodyssey membership, we get discounts/free admission to dozens of other museums all over the country.  We're gonna check out the Tech Museum in San Jose this weekend, then the Chabot Space Center in Oakland, maybe next week.

In fitness-related news, I'm happy to report that the weight has been s-l-o-w-l-y coming off.  It may not be quick, but at least it's leaving!  I'm pretty sure the tapping has A LOT to do with it.
And, because of the tabata workouts, I'm getting back into shape.  THIS is happening pretty quickly!  The other day we took the kids for a hike, which ends in an uphill climb. The last few times we've done it I'd been huffing and puffing at the top. But this time I did it with no problem.  Yay!

Although I skipped my regular workout last night and went for a much-needed solo walk. After a long day and meltdowns from both kids, I needed to Get Out Of The House, ALONE!!!!!!
And on my walk I met a VERY sweet, very friendly cat.  The combination of exercise, fresh air, and 10 minutes of kitty time did me a world of good, and I came back home refreshed and ready to be Mom again.

Tomorrow is yoga, and I'm looking forward to it to a degree that may not be healthy.

I'm also reading a really fun book: "Paris in Love" by Eloisa James (she writes terrific romance novels AND is a Shakespeare professor!).  She and her family lived in Paris for a year, and she kept a diary.  It's lovely!
I also watched 2 French movies in a row on cable last Friday: "Paris Je t'Aime" and  "Confidentially Yours," which just happened to be on, one right after the other, on different channels.
I went to Paris with my family when I was 10.  I have yet to go back, but I'd like to.
But the films and the book make me realize that I miss being in a city and need to get there more. I mean, really, we live 15 minutes south of one of the most beautiful cities in the world!  I gotta stop taking it for granted!

But I promised LG a swim this morning, and I have a phone conference this afternoon.  So San Francisco proper will have to wait at least another day.

Have a good one!
P.S., Fun and Interesting Fact of the Day:  Keats once wrote a letter to his brothers in which he told them that the new slang for going to a tavern was "hanging out."  Who knew?!?!