Week in Review

With the Dodgers in the playoffs, it's been exciting around here. I was happily surprised to receive this lovely anonymous gift from a "Dodger Fairy" on my doorstep earlier this week! So sweet!

My sister sang at a fundraiser this week with old friends from her Canyon Theatre Guild days. She is so very talented; it was wonderful hearing her sing on stage again!

Cora and I grabbed a free Thursday afternoon and went to Magic Mountain for an hour to ride a few rides. After waiting nearly two hours to ride Tatsu on a recent Saturday, we walked right up to the front of the line on a Thursday! Poor Cora, what will she do in her boredom? 

Meanwhile, Grandma and Grandpa took Violet to Gilchrist Farms for a bit of pumpkin and baby animal fun. Here, she's holding a teeny, tiny bunny!

I was happy to be in the school hallway this week and see that of the 12 ecosystem projects on the wall from Cora's class, both hers and Jake's were displayed. Nice job, smarty-pants kids!

Here's a closer look at Cora's. (Yes, she has a misspelled headline - she said her teacher spelled it wrong, too. Not sure about this; Jake got it spelled right.)

Another bulletin board had up the names of the kids who have reached their AR reading goals - both Cora and Violet met their goals nice and early. My girls are great readers!

Jake and Charlie came over Friday afternoon, and Char had a great idea for a two-ingredient chocolate cake that he'd seen online. It turned out well!

Frighteningly Fun Time

We had fun at Magic Mountain on Saturday, starting with Stace's work's company picnic in the special picnic area on the side of the park.

After eating lunch and NOT winning any raffle prizes - we're on a roll with that, year after year - the girls played the games. Here they're showing off the candy they picked up off the lawn in a version of an Easter Egg hunt.

And, the sack race was exhausting!

Stace played a bit of an underhanded game.

With the picnic on an October weekend, we were able to stick around for Fright Fest. Well, Violet went off to spend time with Grandpa, but the rest of us had a frightful evening.

Before that, though, Violet finally got to ride Gold Rusher, because she's hit that all-important 48-inch mark.

We would have tried some more "big" rides, but with Fright Fest on, it was very crowded and the lines were all long. We'll have to go back on a weekday after school so Violet can ride some big rides.

Later, Kelly, Yass, Jake and Charlie joined us. They'd never attended Fright Fest, and we all had a fabulous time together.

Everyone's favorite witch!

Lorraine Lurane entertained Kelly and Yass with her greatest lines, and some fun new material.

We made it around to most of the scare zones, and we did a couple of rides. It was so much fun!

Tidbits

I love coming upon sweet scenes like this!

On Saturday afternoon, Cora went with Jake and his family to see Venom, a superhero movie about Spiderman's nemesis. So Stace and I went to a yummy Greek restaurant, where Violet had a kids' breakfast for dinner.

Surely this sweet lil' pumpkin is worth way more than $2.99!

Cora and I grabbed an ice cream after her football practice in the week. Check out this single scoop! What a generous portion.

Our Dodgers are in the National League Championship Series!

If they beat the Milwaukee Brewers four games out of seven, they'll return to the World Series. We were all ready for Game 1 Friday night (which, unfortunately, they lost... but they won the next game to even the series!).

Week in Review

Stace and I had a fancy date Thursday night, at the wedding of his co-worker and friend, Phil and his fiancee Vina

The wedding was at a beautiful outdoor venue, nearly 90 miles away from home. We had a lovely time.

On Friday afternoon, Cora met up with other GATE students to take part in an escape room. They didn't quite escape, but they had a great time. Cora wants to do another one sometime soon.

After the escape room, we picked up Jake and Charlie for some Friday afternoon fun. We went to the mall for Menchie's, playtime at the playground, and then a turn each at a new virtual reality video gaming place.

Charlie was super excited about this, and all the kids enjoyed the racing game.

Though Charlie and Violet were happy to watch their siblings race, Cora and Jake went outside to hang out.

The kiddos were fascinated by the turtles. Thankfully, no one joined them in the pond, though I was sure Char was going to end up soaking wet.

Violet took this photo - she loves animals!

We went home and the kids played, and I watched the Dodgers playoff game. This game involved Team A breaking into Team B's playroom fortress to recover a pokemon ball.

Home Again

 And just that quick, the adventure was over and we were picking up the girls again from the airport!

Their trips home were smooth and happy, too. Violet wasn't feeling the whole "take an arrival photo with Mom" idea, so I had to grab her and make her laugh.

 Naturally, Cora wasn't feeling the whole "take a nice photo with the sister you haven't seen in four days" idea, either. This is so typical of my girls and their relationship.

 Not bad. I'll take it.

 Thankful for my dad being able to come with me - the girls flights came in within 10 minutes of each other, in different terminals, so he was Cora's guardian-at-the-gate.

 Cora, I'll force you to take a smiling photo with me!

 Seeing the cats was probably the highlight of the girls' homecoming.

When Stace got home from work, we went out to the place in the mall with the great Taco Tuesday deals, and then had frozen yogurt at Menchie's and some run-around time at the mall's outdoor play area.

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!