Zoo-Doo

School starts again next Wednesday, 

so today we celebrated the end of summer break with lunch on the sand at Padaro Beach Grill in Carpinteria 

and a trip to the SB Zoo, 

where Jac and Donovan persuaded Pop that they were really, really tired - and Jac’s foot hurt soooo badly -

First stop - always- sliding on the ant hill

that they needed him to pull them in the wagon rather than walking. (Can you see my eyes rolling?? 😂)

 The most recent baby is a girl!

I was afraid the heat - low 80’s - and our afternoon arrival meant the animals wouldn’t be active or would be hiding in the shade, but we were lucky and saw most of the ones we like best. The lions were lying almost against the viewing glass; the meerkats were running around; and the bald eagle put on quite a long vocal display just for me and Donovan. 

We got to the giraffe feeding area a few minutes before it opened and were treated to the young males mock fighting in front of us. Whacking each other with their heads and necks has to hurt but it was hilarious to watch. 

The other highlight was that the bachelor gorillas were active. One was close to the viewing glass, as interested in the kids as they were in him. 

At one point, he wandered off, then came running fast back at the glass and spit a huge stream of water directly at where the kids were standing. 

Big reaction from the kids as the gorilla ran on by. I bet that’s one of his favorite activities and the kids’ reactions reinforces the fun. It was awesome. 

And of course we ended the day by adding to the stuffie collection. Leo chose chopsticks and candy, 

while Jac got an axolotl tshirt and a fox she named Lollipop.

Donovan chose a stuffed axolotl and a wolf, named Cotton Candy and Shadow.

All in all, a very pleasant day. 

Not What I Planned

 Do you see it?

We went out to take pretty pictures of Jewelbox and didn’t realize until much later that it was… the back side. Such pretty seams. 🙄 Trying again tomorrow…

Finally finished this table runner - it just needed the outer border sewn on - so it can go to my longarmer pal this week. Final dimensions are 23.5x76.5”. It’ll be all ready for next Independence Day, rather than too late for this year’s …

This is not the project I planned to start next, but it kept calling to me. All the fabric  is from my stash and the finished quilt will be donated to my quilt guild for Quilts of Valor. 

Note to self: restock Kona Rich Red.

This hibiscus loves the back yard - it’s put out a new bloom almost every day since hubby brought it home. So pretty…

Dinner Date

We’ve tried to arrange time to get with Breanne and Garrett all summer, 

but their boys are busy with sports and camps,

Can you tell a short person took this? Jac has a unique angle on things. 

so when Breanne said they had a day free, we jumped on it. 

We met up halfway, 

at a seafood restaurant in Calabasas, 

that also has a pond outside for turtles (and one lonely koi). 

So great to see everyone and catch up*.

 Turtle rock

We just need to do it more often!

Jac snagged my camera and took most of these photos. She has a good eye!

* Travis was selected for one of three spots on a club baseball team, out of 125-ish applicants. Whoo!

Happy Dance

 A crummy, 1 a.m. photo because I am soooo pleased to have this finished. 

I’ll try to get better shots tomorrow. Whoo! Happy, happy, happy dance. 

Little Things

We’ve had a growing list of little jobs that needed pro help,

so yesterday, while Donovan expanded his Lego village,

the electricians cut holes in the walls 

to install outdoor outlets in two spots,

upgraded our Ring doorbell (the new ones are soooo much nicer), replaced a track light in the kitchen 

and added a ceiling fan to the upstairs bedroom playroom

with a remote control the littles just can’t leave alone. 🙄

Then today, with fashionista Jac to supervise, 

the plumbers came and used the same hole under the sink to install an outdoor faucet*

so we’ll have water for flowers and - more importantly to Jaclyn and Donovan - water for them to play in. Gotta keep the littles happy…

*  We haven’t had a water source on this side of the yard since Matt took a pickax to the pipe (accidentally) back when he was in high school…

Progress!

Donovan was willing to play with yesterday’s Lego’s all afternoon, 

so I got the first 8 rows of the Shibori Jewelbox completely sewn together

Stacks of finished blocks

using the blocks I made yesterday. 

Once he went home - since this part takes concentration - I got the remaining 10 rows up on the design wall. Hoping to have time to sew it together this week in between sessions of Grandma’s Awesome Summer Camp. (Only 16 days til school starts!)

Pika, pika!

Grand Boy

Donovan’s spending the day/night with us while his parents take a short trip for Matt’s birthday. 

Donovan and his BFF Cheyenne

Big D was a bit sad he didn’t get to go too, so we had to cheer him up, right? Starting with chocolate chip pancakes at Gary’s birthday breakfast*

then a trip to Target for new Lego sets,

which he happily spent all afternoon putting together while watching his favorite show (Pup Academy)

and munching his way through his favorite foods - potato chips, waffles, apples, grilled cheese sandwiches and a chocolate mug cake all to himself (mostly). 

And since he’s happy as long as I’m in the same room, I got a bunch of work done on the Shibori quilt. Whoo!

He’d have been happier if Jaclyn was here to play with, but I think he still had an overall ok day. 

* August is a big birthday month for us, with Gary’s today, Matthew’s tomorrow, then Leia’s and John’s later in the month.

Old Faithful

When kids are bored, pull out the tried and true - volcanoes!

Food coloring*, baking soda, 

and a giant bottle of vinegar. 

Can you say, “kaBOOOOOOM”?!

Three hours of play (and peace for me and Pop.)

* They had as much (more?) fun with the food coloring as they did with the explosions. They ended up filling my biggest pots - and soaked those beach towels - with colored water/soda/vinegar stew. Making (messy) memories! 😍