Labor Day Weekend

This week, Stace and I went to Back to School Night at the girls' schools - our last for Cora! Thankfully, the timing worked out for us to make it to both schools and meet their teachers. Didn't think to take a photo, though.

On Saturday, Stace helped at the Tiny House, and in the afternoon, we went to Ventura to cool off. Cora wasn't enthusiastic about joining us, but frozen yogurt from Surf 'N Yogurt on the way home helped ease the pain.

We found this tiny beach umbrella while Stace was cleaning out the garage; we brought it, not knowing how tiny it was. We got a good laugh out of it! And, it was still helpful, a bit!

My parents came over Sunday evening and brought dinner, and we went to the pool. Cora wasn't able to be with us, as she had a prior scheduled D&D game. Forgot to get a photo again!

Then, on Monday, we celebrated Labor Day by joining Colleen and Rigo on a bike ride in Ventura. We parked at Marina Park, where we'd gone Saturday, and rode to lunch, along the waterfront, and into the town.

We even caught a gorgeous sunset! 

Just kidding... this was a selfie spot along Main Street at an art gallery. We had to be home before sunset because we had to pick up Cora after D&D!

Afternoon coffee with great company, in perfect weather.

Thursday Away

 It's been a normal summer week - some at home days, some days with shopping and lunch out. Both girls have been working on their summer school classes - Cora's college statistics, Violet's health class.

On Thursday, Violet and I got out of the heat and headed back to the coast. We are so, so blessed to have this escape hatch relatively close. 

We researched Ventura hikes, and went to Arroyo Verde park, which has lots of nice trails. It was still warm, but we were able to be outside. There were lots of flowers, and some wildlife, like a colorful skink and a snakeskin.

The trail was warm enough that we decided to go to the beach with our lunch, and it was cloudy and noticeably cooler just a few miles away.

Violet had a blast watching the baby ground squirrels near the water's edge.

We then went to Main Street, did some shopping and got drinks for the ride home. It was a lovely summer day with my younger teen.

July Fourth Weekend

 After a few temperate July Fourths, this one was a hot one, and it already felt hot when we got on our bikes to ride to the parade route. Thankfully, we found my parents and Ellie, who had a shady spot. 

Still, little Eloise was feeling too hot and bothered to smile for a photo.

Stace and I rode home (the girls hadn't come with us) and we went to the neighborhood Independence Day BBQ. I felt bad for the volunteer HOA board members manning the grills, but the food was good!

Later, after we rested and tried to cool down, we had the family over, and my friend Kelly. Mel brought chicken thighs, which Stace grilled. 

In the evening, my parents and Mel, Nick and Ellie went to see the fireworks at the mall. 

Cora didn't want to see fireworks at all, and Violet wanted to find a quieter, less crowded spot. So she, Stace, Kelly and I went to the Ironhorse Bridge trailhead, and it was a perfect location. 

We stood on the bridge and watched the Magic Mountain show to the west, and then, as we walked to the car, the city show to the southeast. We weren't alone, either, as there were groups here who had clearly set up hours earlier. Perhaps we've found a new tradition.

On Friday, we decided to flee the heat and meet up with friends in Ventura.

Rigo had left before 7 a.m. to snag a beachfront spot for their trailer, and he managed to park in such a way to save us a spot, too. 

Our friends Lynnette and James were visiting from out of state, so it was great to see them again and see their girls. 

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Colleen and Rigo's, and we all hung out again.

We brought a nectarine crisp to Colleen's house, cooked in the barbecue to save heating up the house. We also made the same dessert for July Fourth. Our nectarine trees are overflowing! And with the heat, they're ripening too fast.

Nectarines on nut butter on toast - with homegrown fruit, home ground nut butter (almond and peanut) and home-baked bread. I just need some chickens and a couple of goats! (Alas, the HOA won't go for it...)

Weekend Fun

This weekend, Stace's work held a company picnic again at Magic Mountain, for the first time in a few years. The girls didn't want to come along, so just Stace and I went. Why not, it was free! It's always nice to see the people he spends so much time with, anyway.

We had a lovely barbecue lunch, and on the right here, the DJ was playing music and helping lead games for the younger people. It was definitely fun if you had younger kids, with limbo, hula hoop and water balloon contests.

We walked around the perimeter of the park, and stopped for a minute to listen to this Western trio who were very good. We didn't ride any rides because the lines were long. It had taken a long time to get our car parked, that's how crowded it was. 

That evening, I went to a theatre "senior showcase" at Cora's old school, with some of the kids she used to perform with. Cora was at a birthday/graduation party for Dani, her Chicago costar. 
 

On Sunday, Stace, Vi and I took Liana with us and went to Ventura for the annual California Strawberry Festival. This has been going on decades, and I remember going as a child. I thought, since we were free, we should make our kid go, and form those kind of lifelong memories.

We bought a flat of strawberries for $10 - always buy at the end of the festival for the best deal!

It wasn't something we need to return to, but it was nice to be out together for the day. There were carnival rides for little kids and teens, though my girls didn't want to go. There was also a big arts and crafts fair, and we bought a few things. 

I'd say we all enjoyed seeing the artwork.

So many strawberry food and drink items! We tried a few. 

Ventura Boat Parade

Stace, Violet and I went with Colleen, Rigo and Liana to Ventura Harbor on Saturday evening for the Christmas Light Boat Parade. It was our first time going, and it was a nice evening out. We waited in a long line to get dinner, but it worked perfectly as a window table opened up as the boat parade started.

Fun with Nan and Pop, Part II

We took Sue and Gord to Quigley Canyon for a walk, and then to The Master's University's Trophy coffee shop by the baseball stadium. It's nice doing those little things together!

A ride in the MG... Stace also enjoyed taking his parents out in his TT.

We had a weekend day in Newhall, so Pop needed a photo opp in front of Pop's fancy ice cream shop.

We got treats from Loaf bakery, and took them to Hart Park. It was a gorgeous day, so we walked from Loaf to the park.

We also spent a day in Ventura, walking around the Main Street antique shops and getting dinner at Andria's fish and chips.

On their last night with us, we went out to dinner at Stone Fire. We exchanged gifts for Sue's birthday, and Stace's too, a little early. 

Melanie had given me a similar vase for Mother's Day, where you put flowers in to create hair for the face. Sue loved it, and we managed to find a similar one in a little Newhall boutique.

Stace is making sure his Mum can smell his new watch, a beautiful gift from them for his upcoming 50th birthday.

We loved having Nan and Pop with us!! Thanks so much for spending the time here. 

Ventura Cooldown

We had a very hot Labor Day weekend, so we headed back to cooler Ventura, where we met up with Colleen and Rigo, and a few other friends.

Stace and Liana worked on sand castles.

It was a beautiful day!

Violet took a nap, and then got out the boogie board. (Cora stayed home for some quiet alone time.)
 

Prepping stones for skipping...

Stunning sunset

The close of a lovely day!