Week of fun

 We met up with Melanie and Heather in Burbank this week; first at the mall play area, and then we headed to Ikea for browsing and lunch.

Heather will be a big sister at the end of October! Melanie is all aglow; hopefully we can get together a few more times before their second little girl joins the family.

 Sliding Heather's precious Monkee was fur for a few giggle-filled minutes.

 Later Tuesday, we got our weekly ice cream treat. Both girls carried their kitty purses: Violet's Hello Kitty bag was a gift from Nan and Pop, and Cora bought herself the pink and black bag with her own money from Target.

She was very excited about it - "It fits my purpose and my interests," she said enthusiastically, apparently parroting a phrase used by her first-grade teacher.

Back to School Night was Thursday, when Stace and I got to meet Cora's teacher and learn how her class operates this year. We are impressed! And, Cora's already made an impression: she is one of six in her class to already have learned every 1st grade sight word. We were so proud and amazed when we saw her name on the wall as a "Clever Cookie," in August!

Cora had a day off from school Friday, and when Violet went to nap, Cora played in her secret hideout in the playroom, and promptly fell asleep! Shocking!

On Friday evening, we went to Scooter's Jungle for a bit of family fun, in someone else's air conditioning. It's hot!

Then we headed to Wendy's for dinner. Earlier in the week, we all wrote down a dinner choice on a slip of paper, and drew a name from a hat. Violet's pick won out. Frosties - yum!

Summer without the Roberts

It's been 10 weeks since we last saw our dear friends, the Roberts. I found this photo a couple of weeks ago; it's from one of our last days together, when Ave and my girls had a tea party while I packed for England and Genia packed for their big move. 

Genia and John and the kids are settling into their new life in Montana, and we are adjusting to life without them living down the block. It hasn't been easy; Stace has to get his own beer when watching the kids play in the front yard. But, I am glad to say I shed most of my tears between January (when John got the job) and June, when we said good-bye. 

We're getting used to seeing a different truck in their old driveway, though I still half-expect to see one of them when I'm coming home up the paseo from the pool.

Cora and Violet still talk about Ave, Johnny and Owen nearly every day, and Cora in particular has had her sad moments of missing her best friends. (The Union Jack ring she's wearing is a friendship ring Ave left her as a gift.) Today, she said she "can't handle it" anymore.

When we first returned from England, the girls sent a package of gifts, along with notes and paintings. Periodically, they think of other things to give their friends, like a toy car or train for the boys, or a piece of jewelry or lip gloss for Ave.

When we were having mango the other day, Violet commented that Owen likes mango, and she wanted to send him some.

A couple of days later, we had a similar conversation.

Violet: "Do we have any mango? I need to cut up some mango."

Lisa: "We don’t have any mango."

Violet: "I need to cut up something for Owen."

Lisa: "We can’t send mango to Owen."

Later that day, obviously still dwelling on the subject, Violet came out with: "I don’t know what Owen does for me. Does he make me a dollhouse?"

Earlier this month, Violet told me, "Yesterday, Owen heared a blue bunny, a BLUE one."
I called her a chatterbox, and she replied, "No, I'm not. I never boxed anyone!" After laughing, she added, "Ave and Johnny got their boxes on their head! They're a goofball." 
Owen also shows up in Violet's dreams. Recently we heard her in the night yelling about it being "HER kitty"; in the morning she told me she dreamed Owen helped her find a red-and-white kitty toy that was hers.
And randomly, Violet told me today that she needed "a map. A map of Montana!"
 

Between texts, Facebook, phone calls and email, Genia and I are keeping in touch well. It's not as good as chatting over coffee and muffins after school dropoff, while Owen and Violet bicker play; but I'll take what I can get.

It's harder for the children since they can't play together in person, but they have had a few happy phone conversations as well. (After speaking to them on the phone, Violet said, "I had a competition with Miss Genia!")
Cora's enjoyed emailing Ave and Johnny, too.

I kept our summer pretty busy to help distract us, with lots of activities and playdates with other friends. That's why we had Cora in summer camp, though in the end we probably could have kept her home and she would have enjoyed the free time. We are all so grateful for Chris and David next door; Cora and Violet love playing with them, too.

We're also thankful that Cora's off school for a full week in November; we will be heading to Montana to celebrate Thanksgiving in Billings!

Weekend work and play

With the addition of a second car into the garage, some things had to go.

The extra guest mattresses went to the playroom - Stace says this isn't their permanent home. The lawnmower and other lawn equipment went to the patio, while we waited for the right time to build a storage shed.

This weekend, Stace shopped around and decided upon this perfectly sized plastic shed, for which he made a place next to the trash cans. Because that area floods when we get a heavy rain, he used gravel and bricks to build up a base to keep water out.

Our helper extraordinaire proved to be super helpful once more. She moved all the bricks from the driveway to the backyard, brought back the shed pieces, and helped screw it together too.

For an hour or so, the girls had great fun in the empty shed playing house, or "daughter," as they call it. Violet is always the daughter, Cora is always the mom.

The finished product; the green waste, recycling and waste bins fit perfectly next to it.













Somehow, not long after playing in the shed, we heard screaming from the bedroom. Stace rushed in to help - after grabbing the camera first, of course.
How does one get stuck in a laundry basket, anyway?

The highlight of our weekend was meeting our new niece via Skype: sweet Olivia Grace, beautiful and tiny and all of 6 days old on Sunday. We can't wait to hold you in person!

Congratulations again to Dean and Jenny on their precious daughter, and to Euan on becoming a big brother!

Week in review

 We're getting into our new school groove, with Cora now in school until 2:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Our neighbor Toni, Chris and David's grandma, has been kind enough to bring Cora home in the afternoons, so Violet can still get a decent-length nap.

On Fridays, Cora's out at noon; it's such a treat to still have lunch together once a week with both of my girls.

Violet's preschool program and Mom2Mom don't start until September, so Violet and I are doing our own thing each day until lunch- and naptime. Morning walks, the park, grocery shopping, house-cleaning - the normal stuff.

On Tuesday morning, Miss Carol offered a storytime, and Shannon and Sarah came along, too. The theme was "A Bug Hunt," and the girls listened to bug stories, made bug hats and then hunted for bugs.

 After the story, Violet had a haircut. As her curls have grown longer, we've had more trouble brushing through them, and she actually asked to have it cut.

 More manageable, and she still has her sweet curls.

 This week Cora (finally) earned 20 marbles, enough for a treat. Since she's gotten into Legos, I got out a new-to-her bucket of Legos for her to play with. She was thrilled.

It literally took Cora all summer to earn the marbles, because she'd get close to 20, and then lose three or four at a time by being mouthy. Stace and I were wondering if marbles were still a good motivator, but her joy over earning the Legos seems to have answered that.

Cora's homework project for her first full week of school was to make a "Flat Cora," a paper doll representing herself. Her school models the project on the Flat Stanley book series, and in the spring the paper dolls will be mailed to other families.

So far, Cora is doing well with school each day. She's had more good mornings than bad, and she's enjoyed having lunch at school with her friends. This transition seems to be going a lot easier than getting used to school last year.

Camarillo Day

 Nearly a year ago, we made plans with our friends Rob and Michelle to visit them in Camarillo and go with them to the Camarillo Air Show.

Fast forward till last week, when Stace flew to England to be with his Nan, and our ideas about the Air Show went out the window.

But, amazingly, Stace flew home Friday night and got such a great night's sleep, he was happy and excited to head out to the airplanes on Saturday.

At top, we have the unmistakeable Mustang, powered by the mighty Rolls Royce Merlin engine, which is famously used in the Spitfire.

With this Mustang's cowling removed, the Merlin engine is on show.

 Here's a late-model Supermarine Spitfire waiting on the flight line.

 This is a modern air race plane, with a lovely classical design.

 A variety of tractors were also on display, including this lovely restored Ford.

Stace and I had a great afternoon together, watching the flying and the aerobatics. The weather was lovely, about 80 degrees, compared to the toasty upper 90s at home.








Michelle and Rob weren't able to go to the Air Show with us, but Michelle was generous enough to invite Cora and Violet to come over for the day.


They both had a great time playing with Brooke. They had lunch, played outside on the swing Rob built, watched a movie, and created beds for fairy houses.Brooke's friend Kambria also came over for a bit. Later, Rob took them on rides in his go-kart and modified Barbie jeep, with the super-fast high-powered battery.

Later, Michelle served us all dinner and dessert. She and Rob have become special friends to our family, and I'm glad we can see them even though they've moved out of the SClarita area.

Family Times

 While I was in England, I was able to spend a little bit of time with my nephew Euan.

Along with my parents and Jenny, we went to Nine Springs park and then went for a swim in Yeovil Pool.

My mum takes care of Euan on Thursdays, so I was able to spend more time with him then, around visiting my Nan at the hospital. He helped me and Pop finish off the new fence we put up down the side of the garden.

Euan will very soon have a new sister or brother. Jenny is less than two weeks away from her due date.













I was greeted at the airport on my return home by my lovely family. Cora and Violet had made me a "Welcome Home Dad" sign complete with a helicopter and meerkat.

It was so nice to give them both a big hug, as I missed them dearly.

A Surprising Trip Home

I've been having happy reunions and sad goodbyes with my family for ten years since I took the leap and began my Californian adventure.
Over the years the goodbyes have become harder. Ten years ago my Nan, Mary, came to Valencia for my wedding and then visited again the following year. Over the years as we have all aged, Nan's health has declined. She now lives in a nursing home and has trouble walking. In the last few months she has had minor heart attacks and lung problems. At the beginning of August, Nan went into hospital again. She had had another heart attack and had difficulty breathing.
On Friday, I received a call from my Mum and Dad that I have been dreading for years. It was time for me to go home and see my Nan. Her condition had worsened and things did not look good.
I booked a flight to London and flew home without Lisa and the girls on Saturday, arriving on Sunday. My good friend Andy drove me home from the airport to Martock.
I visited Nan at the hospital and to my great surprise, her condition had improved; she was sitting up in a chair and looked really pleased to see me.
She is an incredible lady. She is strong and determined, wanting to meet Dean and Jenny's new baby when he or she is born in a few weeks. She never complains about her situation or feels sorry for herself. She is an example to all her family and we are incredibly proud of her.
I spent the next few days at the hospital chatting to my Nan about everything and anything. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to tell her how I feel about her, how much I her love and how grateful I am for all the things she ever did for us.
On Thursday it was time to say farewell again. It was a very emotional time. I hope and pray that this was not our last goodbye. I hope she continues to surprise us all. If this was our final kiss goodbye, she knows how I feel about her, and I know how she loves me and all of her family.
On Friday night I was back in Valencia following a lovely welcome home from my beautiful wife and gorgeous girls at the airport.
My thoughts remain with my Nan, who I hope will be able to go home soon, and with my Mum, Dad, Dean and Jenny.

Me and Nan, June 2013.

First Grade!

 Here she is -Cora Rose, the first-grader. 

She's proudly showing off her backpack - at her school, the kindergartners can take only a lunch bag, and they'd carry home their homework folder. Having a backpack is a big deal.

 Yes, like all parents, we think, "How did this happen?"

Cora was very excited for her first day on Tuesday.
We found out Monday night that she is in a class with the first-grade teacher all the parents love; plus Chris and Sophia are in the same class.

She woke up really early, around 6:20, and quickly remembered what day it was. She shouted "SCHOOL!!" and hurried down the hall, pumping her fist.

Our morning continued smoothly, and seeing old friends once we got to campus made it all the better.

 From left, we have Gianna (who was in Chris and Johnny's class last year); Sophia H., Cora and Sophia M.

 Here is Cora introducing herself to Mrs. Vasquez, who went down the line to speak to each child individually.

 Bye, Mom!

Unlike last year, we had no tears, no anxiety, only smiles as Cora went into her new classroom.

And then, Violet and I were off to the PTSA's annual welcome-back breakfast with our friend Shannon and Sarah.

A bit of housecleaning, grocery shopping, lunch and a quick nap for Violet, and it was time to head back to school.

Cora was just a little bit happy to see us.

Then, she was quite decidedly unhappy that I had walked to pick her up. It was warm, yes, but not too hot, in my mind. But, Cora had already had lunch recess outside, and she'd been standing it the sun as she waited for dismissal.

On Day 1, that was her main complaint about 1st Grade - it was too hot. (Kindergarteners got out at 11:35 last year, before our heat really takes off.)

 We had a sleeping Violet by the time we got home - adjusting her nap so much earlier so we can pick up Cora will be just that, a big adjustment.

And of course, being a Tuesday, we had ice cream as a special first-day treat.

At Summer's End

Summer is about over - and by that, I mean Cora's break from school, of course. 

The season will continue a while longer, and of course living here, the heat lasts into October. At least we can go to the pool and the beach after school.

Anyway. Cora, Chris and David went to Camp Clarita for the last two weeks of summer, and on four of those days, Violet went to camp, too.  Cora enjoyed camp, and even went on a field trip to the Santa Barbara Zoo.  Other than the field trips, her camp day went from 9 to 4, with swimming daily after lunch.  She says that her days were too long, and she wished she could have seen me more. Maybe we'll give it a miss next year.

Violet, meanwhile, loved every day of camp with Ms. Diane and Miss Emily.

On the last day, Violet (pictured here with her awesome handmade mask and crown) said how sad she was that camp was over. She is so ready for Terrific Tots!







Cousin Alison flew down to visit Bill and Patty for a week, and she and Aunt Patty stopped by for a few hours on our last day of summer break. She helped the girls make this glitteriffic creation from a palm frond.





One one of the too-few occasions when we were home all day, I brought out the laundry basket full of wet clothes. This little one insisted on pausing her playtime with Cora to help out.

I'll end with a couple of "isms":
The night before her camp field trip to the zoo, Cora was very nervous and tearful about being so far away from home, for so long. (Her drop-off time was 7:30 and they weren't back until 5:15.)
The next evening, I asked how it went.
"Oh, it was really good! And I'm not even being sarcastic, like I usually am," she replied.

And, here's a snippet from breakfast a few weeks ago:
Cora: "Violet, what do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be an engineer."
Violet: "I want to be a doggy, in a doggy costume."
Cora: "No, not for Halloween, for a job."
Violet: "I want to be a doggy. I CAN be a doggy."