Week in Review

For the first time since we planted these succulents in the mailbox planter years ago, this plant has bloomed! I didn't know it did this! Four huge clusters of small bright yellow flowers. Kind of pretty, kind of crazy looking!

Spring break is over and the girls are back to school. I've been busy with little things - going through books to get rid of some and make room in the closet, milling flour for bread, and going to a WR PAC meeting. Stace has been busy with the bifold doors for the new room, so we can close it off into a guest room.

A very momentous day - Cora got her driver's license Tuesday!

She got her permit and started practicing regularly ten weeks ago, but because she's over 18, she could take the behind the wheel test when she felt ready. And, she passed it with only a few minor points off!

A whole new world has opened up.
 

Vi and I took a walk at Quigley Canyon, and came across what looked to be a baby rattlesnake - the more dangerous kind, because they don't regulate how much venom they emit when biting. 

But after our walk, we saw it again when we came back through. I did wonder if it was a rubber snake, to scare people, since it hadn't moved at all, and it wasn't in the sun. Who knows? 

The wildflowers in Rocky's field are beautiful!

After sorting out the car insurance, Cora drove off to school for the first time on Thursday. Wow - we're here! She can stay at rehearsal until she's ready to come home, no more parent waiting in the parking lot...

Also this week, Vi and I met up with Melanie and Ellie to have an early birthday lunch for Violet. We went to an Asian restaurant and market in Koreatown, not too far from the Wiltern theater.

We ate so well! And we picked up fun things to bring home from the market.

Cora had a big Saturday - she drove herself to her vocal lesson, and later drove to Rowan's house for her birthday party. A group went to Pirates Dinner Adventure, in costume. Cora loved it, and even had fun hanging out with the group afterwards at Rowan's house. 

Cora is 18!

 Cora decided to have a few friends join us for go-kart racing at MB2 Raceway, where she also had her 12th birthday gathering.

Joining us where her school theatre friends Mackenzie, Rowan and Lucas. Stacey is joining them in this photo, as they were the group that did two races.

In one of the races, Stace had the fastest single lap time among the nine racers (although is overall average time placed him fourth, just a hair behind Cora). In the other race, with 10 racing, Cora placed best of their group, though behind a few other racers we didn't know.

The kids also played laser tag, and unfortunately Lucas fought a wall, and the wall won. Hence the ice pack and bandage (not shown).

It was actually really affordable to rent the axe-throwing bay, so they had fun with this while they waited for their turn on the racetrack.

Cora does very well at this.

Violet and Stace had a turn on the air hockey table after Cora and her friends.

We then took the kids to In-n-Out for lunch.

In the evening, the family came over for dinner and gifts.

Lucas had given Cora this Disney doll, but Ellie was a more appreciative recipient.

Cora loved these beautiful Celtic-style earrings from Nan and Pop.

Time with Ellie

Eloise is now 5! She's been in TK (transitional kindergarten, for those kids turning 5 during the school year) this year at her elementary school, and she loves it. 

Her birthday party was postponed until Saturday because of the L.A. fires, which forced some of her friends to evacuate. 

Stace, Violet and I went to her party, while Cora had a Wolves show. Mel had a houseful of 4- and 5-year-olds! Here, Ellie is wearing the coat Violet wore when she impersonated Queen Elizebeth for a school assignment. I thought Ellie might like it for dress-up for a few months before she outgrows it.

Violet and Stace helped with the pinata.

On Sunday, Melanie and Nick dropped Ellie off with us, so they could see Cora's show. We took her to Quigley Canyon for a walk and some nature time.

Ellie was brave and tackled the log bridge.

The horse came near to say hello! A friend gave Ellie a Bluey camera for her birthday, which she had lots of fun with. She took about 3,000 photos on our walk. It's a camera like one my girls had at the same age, with little games, too.

She's always a good girl with us, and we love spending time with her! She's a chatterbox, too.

First Week Home

I must admit, being away from our little guys (ad our big guy) for three weeks was tough! And, clearly, the feeling was mutual.

Though when we'd left it was June Gloom and not terribly warm, we returned home to crazy hot summer weather. 

We spent the first day and a half resting and unpacking. Thankfully, Stace was able to be home on Monday to recover, too.

Tuesday was Nick's 40th birthday, and Melanie arranged a lovely party 

Nick's friend brought a Polaroid camera.
 

We were out of food, after being away so long, and my inspectors were eager to check out what I brought home.

Cora has a fancy-dress party coming up, so I got out a few dresses for her to look at. Seb found one of my old bridesmaid dresses to be a great nap spot.

The kittens would love to be hunters. Winston loves bird-watching, and Evie really wanted this lizard on the patio door track.

Stace's return to work this week went well, and Cora was able to play D&D a few times. I was happy to catch up with my friend Kelly on Friday, getting dinner with her.

Cora's 17th Birthday

 Our Cora Rose is now 17. She celebrated with friends from her new high school D&D group, who all joined her for an escape room and then pizza at Vincenzo's. Basically, very much like last year's celebration. And, the teens escaped! We also got birthday treats together after school at 85 Degrees, an Asian bakery the girls like.

I wish we had a better photo, but sometimes I have to take what I can get. This was on her actual birthday.

On Saturday, we had the family over for a meal from Stone Fire, Cora's favorite, with a slice of carrot cake for the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday, Cora! Last year before adulthood - oh my. We all love you so much!

New Year's Day 2024

 Our New Year's Eve was pretty low-key. My parents came over for nibbles, and we all got tired and the girls went off and did their own things, so Mom and Dad left before the actual New Year was struck. 

Stace and I didn't even officially stay up all the way - I happened to be awake, but in bed, reading. But, that meant we were in better spirits to take a New Year hike. We went to a new-to-us spot, the Golden Valley Ranch Open Space, which is a little further east from Placerita Nature Center.

It was a gorgeous, gorgeous setting and day.

Later on New Year's Day, the family all came over to celebrate Ellie's 4th birthday! She was so cute, entering the house in her 4-year-old glory, in a princess dress and birthday hat.

Cora brought Seb out, as he still generally hides with others here, so she could gently pet him.

Melanie brought over a homemade lasagna, and it was delicious. She also brought birthday balloons, and included me. 

After Mel, Nick and Ellie went home, we played a card game with my Mom and Dad.