Arizona Joys

 Violet fit right into Sara and Tony's family so well, we didn't even talk with her until Sunday night! Obviously this kid wasn't missing home very much; she was having too much fun!

They went swimming Saturday morning - Arizona stays hot well into October.

They watched Harry Potter on the big screen in the backyard for a dive-in movie night.

There was park time, and plenty of playtime at home, too.

Sara took the girls to Build A Bear, and Violet and Alli had fun creating new stuffed friends.

Yes, they do love each other!

They also went to a driving range called Top Golf - Violet loved it! Maybe Stace will have a new activity to do with her.

Violet helped make her own breakfast on Tuesday, her last morning. Alli and her sisters are also on a Fall Break, so they were off school while Violet was in town.

Violet had such a great time with these dear, dear friends of ours. Sara and Tony, we can't thank you enough! Can't wait to spend time with you again, next time!

Pacific Northwest Adventures

Cora had a great weekend with Aunt Patty and Uncle Bill, and loved being in the Pacific Northwest in autumn. The weather was turning a bit brisk, perfect for hiking, and she even got to experience rain and blackberry picking again!

Cora also was spoiled with her own gorgeous bedroom and big comfy bed, like a proper grown-up guest. She felt so loved, and really enjoyed herself.

 A neighbor's overflowing apple tree provided a fun activity on Day One. Cora picked loads of apples, which she and Aunt Patty turned into an apple pie. Wish she could have brought one home for us!

 They also spent time with cousin Will and Anna, and their dog Oakley, and went out hiking together.

 One of their walks revealed this sweet nearly hidden stucture.

Cora was fortunate to be in the Northwest during salmon spawning season - and with some rain on Monday, the creek nearby filled enough to encourage the salmon to do their thing. 

It was just chilly enough to enjoy a warm fire. What a lovely scene! Cora ate well, of course, as we always do with Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty. And she was able to help create some yummy things, including soft cheese. They also watched some movies.

Aunt Patty took Cora into Seattle on Monday, where they hit a couple of highlights, including Pike Place Market. I've been so many times, I hadn't considered the fact that Cora hadn't been there since she was a very tiny girl. We have so many fun Seattle things to look forward to on our next family trip!

Don't let that sweet smile fool you -  Cora found the famous gum wall to be entirely disgusting.

I've given Cora my old phone, and though it doesn't have service, it works as a camera and a communication device, through email and a Facebook Kids Messenging app. We video-chatted every night through the app, and she was able to share her photos with us as soon as she was back on WiFi. 

What an adventure! Thank you, Aunt Patty and Uncle Bill!

Weekend Together

 What did Mom and Dad get up to while the girls were away? On their first full day, it was cars, cars and more cars.

We took a lovely walk Saturday morning through the canyon to breakfast at Granary Square. On our walk back home, we passed the senior-living home, and an antique car show was taking place.

 Stace enjoyed checking out the offerings, and he and the owner of this 1920s Model A had a nice conversation.

 Later, we went into L.A. to make our long-awaited return to the Petersen Automotive Museum.

We started the afternoon with a bit of luck - right outside the museum's $15 parking structure, we found street parking with a meter with loads of time left. For a quarter, we parked for the rest of the afternoon! (This kind of makes up for the $32 I spent at the short-term lot at Burbank airport the day before...)

Great Scott! It's the actual DeLorean used in filming Back to the Future!

Stace checked out this gorgeous 1964 Porsche 901, which was later to become the iconic 911 when Peugeot objected to the maker using a "0" as the middle digit.

After returning to SClarita, we went to the Newhall Press Room, a newish wine bar/restaurant on Main Street, which has become a happening place to be. Lots of new spots for a beverage and a meal, and cute shops, too.

We had drinks and dessert, and my dad joined us. He and my mom are firmly in Fright Fest season, so my dad has a lot of free time when Mom is witching it up every weekend.

On Sunday, we went up to Montecito for the night. We stayed at the adorable Coast Village Inn, where we had such a great stay a year ago for our anniversary.

We checked in, got settled, and went to dinner at Los Agaves, which has become a favorite of ours. Then we wandered up and down State Street, though since it was a Sunday night, it was relatively quiet.

We enjoyed a simple (but complimentary!) breakfast the next day, and took a walk down Montecito's main drag.

Then, just because it was gorgeous and we had an hour before checkout, I took my coffee to the pool to relax in the sun on a cozy lounge chair.

We then checked out and got out our bikes.

The hotel is perfectly located to ride down to the beach on the bike path.Such a perfect day!

We had lunch at the wharf, listening to the Dodger game.

Then we rode further north to watch the surfers at the point, still listening when Cody Bellinger hit a home run to put the Dodgers ahead. They were playing the Rockies in an extra regular season game, to determine which team won the the division. Both finished the year Sunday with the exact same record.

Well, the Dodgers won Monday, and move into the playoffs in a good position.

We then rode back to our car and headed north to Goleta, to Moss Motors, so that Stace could buy MG things without having to pay shipping.

Then we went back to State Street for ramen - we'd walked past this place the night before and it sounded yummy. After a McConnell's ice cream, we hit the road.

Such a lovely time away! And strange to come home to no girls! But we had talked to them both and knew they were having a great time.

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!