Snow Day

The last few years, our girls have been very happy to stay home. Neither enjoy large crowds or long car rides, and many places we used to go regularly we just haven't been going anymore.

So, when Violet said she wanted to go out and see the snow, I really wanted to make it happen! 

For weeks, it wasn't advisable to go up to the mountains, because there was just too much snow and the residents were struggling to get out themselves. Then, the roads were cleared but not the "parking areas" for us "snow bunnies."

But this past weekend, we hit the sweet spot, and drove out to Wrightwood into a Winter Wonderland.

Behind us, those slopes belong to Mountain High Ski Resort. We were across the canyon and main road, up near a (closed) campground it might be nice to return to in the summer.

We were able to take a nice snowy walk, and found plenty of snow to throw and make snow creatures. Violet hadn't wanted to sled, so we didn't get the sleds down from the upper shelves, but no need.  We had plenty of fun, smiles and laughs just as it was.

(See Violet's hand on Stace's head? His head was cold in this pic!)
 

Violet created a snow ostrich.

To end our afternoon, we had dinner at a restaurant in town and wandered through some of the shops. It was an altogether lovely day out! 

(And no, Cora didn't want to come.)

Week in Review

 I started the Labor Day holiday weekend with an unexpected night out - Christina was going to a concert by a local band that does classic rock cover songs, and ended up with extra tickets. I was able to tag along, and it was so much fun!

When it's 5 million degrees out, this is how we have to enter and leave the house. DON'T leave that door open too long!

Our anniversary was this week, and we celebrated with dinner out at a very yummy sushi place. 

I babysat Eloise over the weekend, and brought her up to our house. She was such a good girl, and had fun on the slide.

She also enjoyed her favorite game, of throwing her animal friends over the little opening to the kitchen, from the hallway. Her screeches of delight were fun to hear.

Table... Check!

Cora and Stace finished their project, a table for the GAME ROOM purpose-built for playing Dungeons and Dragons (though other games could also be played thereon!). 

With Cora's ideas and Stace's design, they put the framework together.

Checking that the size would work well...

More progress... I'm happy to brag that the idea of using laminate wood flooring over the framework was mine. 

Trimmed and done!

With storage within the center...
 

...for our other board games.

Stace, again, is so impressive in his ability to dream up a project and see it through to completion.

Quarantined Weekend

With our regular fitness routines disrupted, we've been trying to take walks together. Stace and I found these encouraging painted rocks on the paseos on Saturday morning.

 Easter is next weekend, and I thought these tiny painted egg pebbles were adorable!

 We took a bike ride to get boba from a new-to-us place on Lyons, where there used to be a Starbucks a few years ago. The drinks were yummy, and at $4 per, a decent deal compared to our usual boba stops.

It took several weeks, but the girls finally had the idea of using their free time to make a fort in the playroom. Kind of sadly, Cora didn't have any interest, but Violet convinced her to help.

One nice thing through this weirdness - the girls have actually been getting along very well. They seem to be enjoying each other's company more, perhaps because they're stuck with each other!

 Sunday was Palm Sunday, and I saw the idea on social media for believers to hang palms from their front doors, since we can't celebrate together at church.

 Later on Sunday, we went to the park to hang out and play. Stace brought a new plane he and Violet made.

Girls played a bit of soccer, and then Violet and I took a walk.

Oh, and if you notice this is the same hoodie-and-leggings outfit Cora wore Saturday, it's because it's her Quarantine Uniform. Seriously. I have to sneak it out of the bathroom while she's showering, in order to wash it.

New Lunchtime Fun

Our school has a new exciting program for the kids, sponsored by the Foundation that I serve as treasurer. We're calling it Cardboard Playground, and it's a chance for kids to play like kids - with creativity and imagination, without extra adult direction.

A company brought out large cardboard boxes and fabric bolts, strong tape and plastic cutting tools and screws/screwdrivers.

Violet had fun, with Victoria here, but who are those kids skulking in the box behind them? (Char and a fourth-grade boy.)

The fun will take place every other Thursday at lunch time, and I plan to help out whenever possible. Now that Violet is older, my volunteering has become limited to class parties and special events, so I'm glad to have a reason to see her at school.

Sunday Beach Day

Stace had the brilliant idea of loading up the bikes and escaping the heat for the cooler bike paths of Santa Barbara. Basically, we recreated a bit of our date/getaway weekend last October, and parked the car in Montecito and rode to the harbor. 

We even ate at the same Japanese restaurant on the wharf. It was so yummy, and the view was perfect.

The tree at the harbor was calling to Cora... and she called to her dad to join her.

On our drive home, we were craving Padaro Beach Grill. While we waited for our food, the girls played hide-and-seek.  Do you see Cora, hiding behind the trash can? Violets about to find her!

Cora's turn to count. Run, Vi, run!

Someone got a hold of my phone!

Family and Rec Fun

Back in Somerset, we had a lovely day with Nan's Auntie Heather and Uncle Ron - Heather being Big Nan's youngest sister. We hadn't seen her since Big Nan's funeral, and this was the first time they had met Cora and Violet.

We went out to lunch, and it was wonderful catching up and getting to know each other better.

On our way back from lunch, the girls were begging to stop at the Big Rec to play. With a 12-year-old heading into junior high, who knows how much longer we'll get such requests, so we made the most of it.

On Wednesday, we  met up with Uncle Pete and Auntie Doreen and other Kingsbury folk at the monthly ploughman's lunch at the church. 

Cora and Violet spent some time out in the church yard, and came back for dessert. Violet helped me play the game "beetle," and did a lot better than I did.

But, thanks to my poor score, I won the prize for worst finish! Yum!