Go Fish

Have you had enough of our vacation photos? Well people, we’re almost there! We’re on the last week of our seven week trip! And there is so much to catch you up on in Manila but for now back to vacation land and beautiful Cali.

While in the U.S. we managed to see people fishing off a pier in Staten Island, San Francisco and Capitola. Adam loved watching the fishermen. We had to tear him away each and every time.

In Capitola, I decided it was time to ask the fishermen if we could rent a pole and let Adam try fishing off the pier. I figured it would be a fun activity during Malcolm’s nap and even if we didn’t catch anything the experience would be worth it.

And with this view how could you go wrong. Not a bad way to kick off our last week in California.

Adam was pretty excited! He literally ran up the pier.

We headed into the bait and tackle store and rented the smallest rod they had with some squid for bait.

It took us about 10 minutes of trying to set up the reel to realize we had no idea what we were doing. So we found the oldest fisherman on the pier and asked if he could help set up our rod for us. He was great! He had been fishing in Capitola for 50 years and had the magic touch (there’s some foreshadowing for you).

I told him we probably wouldn’t catch any fish. I mean does anyone ever catch any fish off a pier and I didn’t want tantrums to ensue when we had to leave three hours later without a fish.

But Adam was sure that we were going to catch loads of fish. I was already planning how I would bribe him away.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, Adam’s confidence worked! All of a sudden we caught a fish! An itty bitty one but the old fisherman told us we could keep it and eat it!

Not only did we catch fish but we had this view the whole time we were fishing. And because we’re in California sea lions were swimming around in the water the whole time.

I loved that Adam was into fishing 110% to the point where he was totally fine cutting up and baiting the squid. No squeamishness whatsoever!

This little guy was eyeing our fish the entire time and kept tried to steal our fish.

We caught tons of fish! They may have been teeny but we were excited to cook these guys and eat them.

And when in the states I figured what the heck. Adam had his first ring pop.

I’m not sure if the it’s the ring pop or the fishes but this was one super happy little boy. Sometimes on vacation we get so caught up on all we want to see and do that we forget to stop and enjoy where we are. As the boys get older I’m continually amazed at how they bring us right into the moment and remind us to slow down. Sometimes it’s because we physically can’t move as fast with all the stuff little kids need but sometimes it’s because they want to do something so simple and basic. My impulse is always to say no and keep moving but more and more lately I find myself stopping and realizing that there is no reason to say no and this is exactly what I want to be doing!

We got home just in time for this little one to wake up. He was just as excited to see the fish and get them ready for dinner. Thank goodness Maria was there because none of the rest of us knew how to clean fish.