Week in Review

Oh, these cats. Love them so much!

We had another rainy weekend - this has been our most wintry winter since Stace moved here! Lots of rain, and consistently chilly temperatures (for SClarita).

My parents took the girls to a movie Saturday, while Stace and I went out with our Mom2Mom friends to Claim Jumper.

On Sunday, we went to MB2 Raceway in Sylmar, where we'll have Cora's birthday celebration next weekend. We have bought Groupons for the girls that will help the party come together, and I wanted to activate them before her birthday. Plus, MB2 was offering $12 races on Super Bowl Sunday, and that's a real bargain.

We took Cooper and Wylie with us, because Pam's mom is sick and she was with her. 

Cooper won their race, but the kids weren't about to let him hold the winner's perch without a fight.

I had a froyo date with Violet on Wednesday after school, while Cora attended her first GATE Musical rehearsal. We then went to the library, where Vi checked out the next Wings of Fire dragon book.

It's awesome to have her reading big thick chapter books now, instead of the comic books she's preferred in the past.

Cora came home buzzing from rehearsal - she put the CD of the songs into the computer immediately, and started singing along. This girl loves her school musicals!

Birthday Disney Fun

These special ladies have meant so much to me over the years since we became close when our 6th graders were in kindergarten together.

And a few years ago, when we started making our Disney trips together with the kiddos, our friendships grew. So what better way to celebrate my birthday with them than to do it at Disneyland?

Because of out-of-state trips for both Jen and Sue, the best dates for us to make this happen were Wednesday and Thursday of this past week.

We headed down midday Wednesday and got checked into a lovely hotel walking distance from the parks.

We started out at California Adventure, where we had a snack and then wandered for a bit, before riding the Incredicoaster.

Next up was a meet and greet with Frozone, a character from the Incredibles.

We then rode the Toy Story ride, before heading over to the Animation Academy. After drawing Mickey Mouse, the parks were closing, so we went out to find dinner. We ended up having a meal by an outdoor fireplace at the Disneyland Hotel.

After a fabulous hotel breakfast Thursday, we walked to the parks, but got caught in a rainstorm on the way.

The timing worked well for us to do some indoor activities - we watched the Frozen stage show at noon, then did another Animation Academy, and then it was time for our lunch reservation.

We had lunch at the lovely and elegant Carthay Circle, where we met up with Daisy Duck in the lobby.

Cheers to forty years!

Such a lovely meal in a lovely venue! (And we see you, Mark the server, photo-bombing us!)

We all had the salmon, and then I was able to pick out a dessert for my birthday, compliments of the house. Our whole experience was fabulous - and then Sue amazed us by paying for it all. Such generous friends I have!

Later, we went over to Disneyland, where we rode Thunder Mountain, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo an Pinocchio. We also met up with Boba Fett...

...and Chewie!

The t-shirt I'm wearing was from my friend Emily, who made her own 40th birthday Disney trip back in May. She, in turn, had received it from a friend of hers. Now I have to figure out who to gift it to!

The three of us had such a great time together... maybe next time, we'll even take our kids with us!

Tidbits

Violet has needed a few fillings in recent weeks, so we've been back and forth to the dentist's office. But, we love our dentist, so it's been almost fun. This week, they were decorating for Valentine's Day, and we realized that Violet matched their walls. They took a similar photo of her, and put it on their Facebook page. Violet is famous!

We had a gorgeous warm day Sunday - the first warm day in a while - so we rode our bikes down to the new Starbucks in Granary Square. The Starbucks that had been in place for over 25 years - SClarita's first - moved two doors down into the former Hallmark spot. It's way bigger.

The girls were also crafty over the weekend. Pioneer Club held its annual drive-in movie night, and Violet was eager to make a car. She designed it herself and worked on it for hours. She did a great job!

Meanwhile, Cora taught herself how to wire-wrap pieces of  sea glass to make earrings.

Violet's completed car - right-hand drive!

She had a license plate and bumper sticker on the back, along with the racing stripes and a working trunk.

Cora also decorated some frames we've had lying around - just need to print some photos up for her to put in them. She wants pictures of her with her friends - so classic tween/teen!

Cool new earrings, Cora!

Disneytastic!

Another Disney trip! This time, Grandma and Grandpa came with us, and we met up with Elaine and Vivian.

We took a trip on Autopia, and I had the craziest driver!

Also, the sweetest driver.

See Cora and Vivi in the back, and Violet and I ahead of them? This was on Space Mountain.

We also rode Big Thunder Mountain - you gotta love Thunder!

Cora and Vivian had a great time together! They ran ahead to rides and rode together ahead of us, talking the whole time.

After dinner, we went on the Jungle Cruise and enjoyed the Tiki Room.

We checked out the new eatery next to the Tiki Room, the Tropical Hideway.

On our way out, we lucked into a very short wait to see Mickey Mouse himself. It was a lovely day together!

Long Weekend

 It's always great to have a long weekend when you return to school after a break.

The girls had a three-day weekend to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and we enjoyed the time together.

On Friday, Jake and Charlie came over in the afternoon for a Nerf war, and later Cora went to their house for dinner while Violet came out with me. She treated herself to a cookies and cream boba drink - her new favorite treat.

 On Saturday night, we went out to a new pizza place that features a "beer wall," where you get a wrist band and then can try as many beers, wines and ciders as you like, paying per ounce when you're finished.

It was fun and delicious! The girls entertained themselves by taking selfies and laughing at themselves.

 We went for a hike, or at least a walk, on Sunday afternoon. Cora was interested in this burned out tree stump.

 And on Monday, Stace had to work, but my parents came with me and the girls to the Ronald Reagan Library, where we checked out a traveling exhibit on the Pompeii finds.

 It was fascinating - highly recommend seeing it if you can! What gorgeous things from just after the time of Christ, preserved perfectly in the ash that destroyed the town and thousands of lives.

 Just look at that jewelry! We'd proudly wear it now!

It was a stunning January day. So thankful for days like these!

Christmas Break Wrapup

A few more details from our fabulous three weeks off school...

Cora painted this gold mirror blue, and then glued the marbles and crystal accents to it. She is so crafty! She'd been wanting a mirror in her room for when she's getting ready in the morning.

We started a game of Monopoly - no tears! Amazing! The game might continue all year long, as we pack it up at night, take a photo of the board, and then start again another night.

Cami and Melanie came over to play Gang Beasts and Rocket League with the girls.

We met up with friends at Sky High Sports, the trampoline place. Violet was a champ on the ninja course monkey bars!

Sleeping in was a favorite activity... with cats, of course.

We went to Colleen and Rigo's for dinner and board games - love these friends.

And we went to Placerita Canyon with Pam, Cooper and Wylie.

Whew! What a break! But all good things must come to an end. On to regular life in 2019.