Best Pop

Pop made a dirt pit in the backyard for Jac and Donovan and Jac is beside herself with excitement. (Still needs a bit more fill . . .)

He also bricked (re-bricked) where the too-tall tree used to be so I’ll have a nice area to sit and watch them play. And watch the lizards try to run them off. Can’t wait to see that contest! 

And he took the girls to the beach, just because they wanted to go. And didn’t make me go (I’m not a beach fan.) Definitely a top contender for Best Pop Ever. 

Deal Breaker

For the next three days, Pop and I get this,

along with lots of hide-and-seek,

 Where’s Donovan?

while his parents get this.

Pretty sure we got the best deal - 

IF Donovan sleeps through the night. 

He kept Mary up last night from 0330-0630.

That’s definitely a deal breaker on “best deal.”

Famous Last Words

Leanne: “I don’t need to wear my bathing suit. I’m only going to get my feet wet.”

Anybody surprised she got more than her feet wet?

Beach Day

While I took a couple of quilts to my long-arm pal’s temporary digs,

Pop took Jac 

and Leanne 

to the beach.

By himself.

He said it went pretty well 

until a few drops of water

landed on Jac’s face and she had a fit.

Thank goodness for big sister and sand castles.

He’s definitely in the running for Best Papa ever.

But he’s also crazy.

Day Drive

Hubby’s 20-year-old “baby” has been under the weather for a few months - the valve seal had to be replaced - so it’s been awhile since he’s had her out for a spin.

But today was sunny, we had no baby-grand responsibilities and heck, we’re retired!, so off we went, 

up the coast for lunch on the beach in Santa Barbara. Gorgeous!

Baby also failed her smog test for the third time, so back to the shop she goes on Monday.  Poor old girl. 

Lunch Date

Matt went camping this weekend, so Mary and Donovan 

joined Pop and I for a quick jaunt to Santa Barbara for lunch on the beach. 

A friend told me about this cafe a few months ago, 

saying it was where the locals go for good food and ocean views.

 Donovan’s first corn dog. He was not a fan.

It definitely delivers on both. 

Having a table on the sand also gave Donovan the freedom to run around and play. 

He was lovin’ life even before the Best Grandma Ever pulled out two new dinosaurs 

and Mom demonstrated how to bury them in the sand. 

Donovan even made a French fry-loving friend.

Such a good day.

Beach Cake

We checked two more items off Addy’s California must-do list 

with a morning visit 

to Channel Islands National Park 

and the adjacent beach in Ventura,

and lunch at In-N-Out. They don’t have that in Colorado!

Then we counted the minutes until it was time to pick up Leia and head to our next adventure - cake decorating at Duff’s CakeMix in Tarzana. 

Leia loves baking and watching shows on Food Network, so this seemed like the perfect surprise for her upcoming birthday. I knew she’d be thrilled.

What really pleased me was how excited Addy was 

and how much fun she and Rachel had decorating their cakes.

Duff’s supplies everything you need,

from the cake or cupcakes, to fondant and buttercream frosting in a rainbow of colors, tools, molds, instruction and more. 

We spent almost 3 hours playing and could easily have stayed another hour or more.

If they had been busy, our time would have been limited to 1 hour - and there’s no way we could have finished these masterpieces in that short a period. Glad we timed it so well!

P.S. It tasted good too!

Beach Day

Addy had two requests when she came to California.

The first was to visit the beach.

PopPop and Auntie Rach took the girls there today

for a bit of boogie boarding and giant kite flying,

so that box is checked.

No picture of our new beach tent, but I'm told it worked very well.

And Addy's second request? That's tomorrow's story.