Up, Up and Away!

Cora and Violet took off on perhaps their biggest adventure yet on Friday, when they each flew solo to visit people we love very much.

The girls had a four-day weekend for Fall Break, and Cora went to Seattle to spend time with Aunt Patty and Uncle Bill, while Violet flew to Phoenix to see Sara, Tony and the girls (especially Alli!).

I booked their flights out of sweet, small Burbank Airport, and we found the process so easy. We paid an extra fee for them flying as unaccompanied minors, and this allowed me to walk them through security to their gates. On the other end, Aunt Patty and Tony were able to also meet them at their gates. So, the girls weren't wandering alone around airports!

Cora was a bit nervous before boarding her flight. Would she feel sick? What if she threw up? And she knew she'd miss me. (As grown up as she is becoming, it was actually nice to think she'd miss her mama!)

Good-bye, sweetheart! See you soon! The unaccompanied minors boarded first - you can see another boy Cora's age walking behind her.

When Cora's flight was airborne, Violet and I walked around to her gate. Her flight was delayed, so we grabbed a bite to eat and a drink, and looked in a shop before sitting to wait. This girl, if she felt any ounce of nerves, didn't show it. She's been counting down the days until she could hang out with Alli!

Bye! Don't forget to write!

I was so happy and relieved to get this gorgeous photo of my big girl from Aunt Patty, as Cora came out into the terminal in Seattle. She had a good flight, and was so happy to be with her aunt and uncle.

And Tony graciously shared this smiling face with me, after her picked her up in Phoenix. Let the adventure begin!

Cro Magnon Day

 Cora took part in one of the 6th grade traditions at her school on Friday: Cro Magnon Day, which culminates the grade's study of early humans.

Cora was eager to dress up, and her leopard-print dress was perfect for the occasion. Add on the vintage mink stole borrowed from Auntie Mel, and Cora made an awesome cave woman.

The kids could choose their own "clans" for the day's activities, so Cora and Jake got to hang out together. Jake is to Cora's right - in the amazing wig.

The first activity involved "hunting" for paper animals strewn/taped all over the playground.

 Another activity - another one I helped with - involved excavating a site-in-a-box, with bones, rocks and charcoal hidden beneath layers of dirt.

Cora has always loved archaeology, so she really enjoyed checking out the skull her group unearthed.

Jake was clever enough to bring their bones over to the skeleton, to better determine what they were. I didn't notice any other kids doing this among the three class groups I helped with.

The kids had three activity stations - in their own classroom, they participated in a game, and in the third room they did an art project.

After completing the activity stations, the kids had a big snack in the park. Here are Vivian, Cora, Sophia and Violet.

Same girlies, with Cami and Sophi bookending the group.

Such a fun day!

A Marvelous Time at Mountasia

Cora had a blast at Charlie's 10th birthday party Wednesday, at Mountasia.

We've been to Mountasia for mini golf and for the batting cages, but with the party, Cora was able to also do the bumper boats, go-karts, laser tag and the rock-climbing wall. It was a lot of fun smashed into a few hours.

Cora was disappointed to not quite make the height limit to drive the car alone - I had to drive for her. It was especially annoying since Jake is basically the same height as she is, but he could fluff up his awesome curly hair to be able to drive alone.

On the other hand, if Cora had been tall enough, I wouldn't have been able to LAP everyone and win, over and over. I was very proud of myself.

Cora and Jake agree that air hockey is the best arcade game.

Up she goes!
I forgot to get a good photo of Charlie, the birthday boy! Oops. Thanks for inviting Cora!

Weekend Fun

When we have a free afternoon, Cora asks to have Jake and Char over to play. Last Friday, Violet's friend Caitlyn was planning to come, too, but she got sick and wasn't able to make it.

We had pizza at our little park - like the good old days when the girls were preschoolers - and were surprised to be joined by an egret!

Violet and I sneaked closer to film the egret's encounter with a squirrel on a tree, as the squirrel yelled at it.

Then we were shocked to watch the egret reach for and gobble down a lizard, legs and tail hanging from its beak. It was a real-life nature show right next to the community pool.

Then we cooled off in the pool. It was another 90-plus-degree day, and the water felt fabulous. Violet and I also spent time in the hot tub, watching the egret through the fence lizard-hunting. It ate at least three more while we watched.

I love this pic of Cora and Jake.

The kids watched the first Iron Man movie - Jake hadn't seen it and it's Cora's favorite. Cora loves Iron Man. She has Iron Man stickers on her main school accordion folder, and she'd put them on her water bottle if it weren't for the dishwasher.

That night, we met up with Grandma and Grandpa at Menchie's for a belated birthday celebration for my mom. Cora played around near the fishpond while we finished our dessert, and then she and Violet played at the play area. I sense the need to soak up the days/months/years(?) left that Cora will be wanting to play at play areas. (sniff!)

On Saturday morning, Stace took Cora to her early morning football game, and Violet and I left a bit later.

As I locked and shut the door, I realized too late that I hadn't grabbed my keys! We had food, coffee, water, reading material and my purse (money and phone), but no keys. Instead of football, we ended up having a lovely morning walk to Granary Square, where Violet got a drink.

On Saturday evening, we went to a party at our friend Liz's house, for her birthday and her son Christopher's birthday. A good time was had by all.

And on Sunday, we had Kelly and Yass over for dinner and a movie - summer is over, but our dinner and 80s movie nights live on. We enjoyed a Michael Caine comedy about Sherlock Holmes.

Here, the kids (and a couple of parents) are watching funny YouTube videos. That's a frequent activity for the girls, who don't really miss not having cable.

Tidbits

Cora normally rides her bike to and from school, but on this day she walked, because we were going to Disneyland from school.
Just look at that sisterly love! Or is it a headlock? You decide.

Cora and Jake worked together on this clay shark sculpture, and Cora painted it the other night and gave it to him to keep. Their friendship is so sweet; it's been a while since Cora had a best friend.

Violet is still enjoying her tumbling class. She's making progress on front and back handsprings, and the other day she climbed all the way to the top of the rope, to the cheers of all the parents.

Watch her go!

We celebrated our friend Jen's birthday the other day at Brewery Draconum. It was a warm afternoon with lovely friends.

Fun at the Fair

If Disneyland wasn't enough amusement on Friday, we met up with Kelly, Yass and the boys at their church carnival on Saturday afternoon. The kids had fun on all the rides, and ate enough sugar and junk to last all week.

Kelly's dad runs the carnival at the Catholic church near our old condo, and Yass and Kelly handle emcee duties for the entertainment stage near the food area.

We cheered them on while we had our dinner, which I promise consisted of more than blue slushy snow cones.

Violet and I tackled the giant Ferris Wheel after dinner - last time I was on a Ferris Wheel must be the London Eye in 2001! And this was Violet's first time.

It was great! This girl is so loving and sweet. She has no problem sharing her affection and warm feelings.

The views were awesome from the top.

After another set of rides, the kiddos were starving... for spun sugar. And then popcorn. And for Char, fried butter. Because it wouldn't be a carnival without deep-fried things you've never imagined could be deep-fried.

It was a ton of fun!

Another Disneyriffic Day!

We took off Friday afternoon for Anaheim, to one of our happy places.

This trip, the girls were most excited about riding the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, since they now have seen both Guardians movies several times. It all makes so much more sense now!

Instead of getting them one charm each as a souvenir, they each picked out something from the Guardians shop. Violet chose a baby Groot, while Cora got a cool new Iron Man pin. She loves Iron Man the best.

A Bug's Land is being transformed into a Marvel area, which Cora is of course super excited about. She has really embraced the Marvel Universe, since watching the films this summer. This partition wall blocked off the construction site, and Cora loved the Stark Industries logo - that's Iron Man's company.

A Bug's Land is being transformed into a Marvel area, which Cora is of course super excited about. She has really embraced the Marvel Universe, since watching the films this summer. This partition wall blocked off the construction site, and Cora loved the Stark Industries logo - that's Iron Man's company.

We then met up with Sue, Sophia, Jen and Trent in California Adventure.

I love Disney days with these ladies!  It was a hot afternoon, so we relaxed with a cold one in the Redwood Creek area.

It was a hot afternoon, so we relaxed with a cold one in the Redwood Creek area.

We next went into Disneyland, where we rode Indiana Jones - Violet's first time! Yay! And we also got onto Pirates of the Caribbean. After dinner, we rode Space Mountain, which has been rebranded as Ghost Galaxy for Halloween, with spooky ghostly images flashed around throughout the darkness.

We hit California Adventure once more before we left, so that the girls could do the Animation Academy. This is a favorite activity, too. 

Then, we chose the single-rider line for the Cars ride, which we hardly ever do because of the lines. 

It was a fabulous day, as usual! 

Tidbits

I am helping in Mrs. Breneman's class on Thursday afternoons, and this week I was lucky enough to be in class when Violet gave a PowerPoint presentation on herself. (All the kids created one about themselves - Violet isn't that egotistical!)

She said her favorite foods were pasta, ice cream and bacon; her hobbies are Legos, Roblox and reading; and her favorite vacations are to Hawaii and England. Good girl!

Cora's class led the school's Morning Ceremony this week. When she told me it was her day to help lead the flag salute, I texted her 5th grade teacher to ask for a photo, since I wasn't going to be on campus. Thanks to Ms. Packer!

Cora said that very few of her classmates were interested in leading the ceremony, and she was one of a small handful to volunteer. Big kids! Too cool for school?

On Friday afternoon, the girls went with my parents and Nick and Melly to the L.A. County Fair. The girls had fun, and here are checking out an exhibit on Route 66, which goes right through Pomona, home of the fair.

The girls spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa's, which was nice because Friday happened to be our 15th wedding anniversary. Yep! 15 years! Pretty cool. We had dinner at Piccola Trattoria, a nice Italian place tucked away in Canyon Country.

The food was delicious, and since it was a special occasion, we splurged  with dessert (even though we already had half our dinners in boxes to take home since we were full!).

On Saturday, Cora had her first flag football game with her new team, the Panthers. They battled to a scoreless draw, and Cora had several key flag-pulls.

Later, Jake and Charlie came over to watch Infinity Wars, the newest Marvel movie. Thanks to Auntie Mel and Uncle Nick for adding their latest addition to our collection of their Marvel DVDs!

Meanwhile, Violet spent Saturday evening with Caitlyn, for her 9th birthday party. Here are the handful of kids left at the end, when Cait opened her gifts and the girls went wild with the tissue paper.