Four Fun Days

We've crammed much into the past four days.

There was the ballet for young people on Saturday. Afterward, the dancers met the children in the lobby. XX was gathered into many graceful arms and though she was subdued (for her), I received quite a few whispered comments that my daughter was clearly born to the stage.

There were also racks of costumes and tables of tiaras for the kids to try on. It wasn't too comfortable for XX to put these on over her "fancy dress," the one she wore to Brad and Steph's wedding with loads of tulle underneath, but she managed. Guess who had to be shooed out at the end?

She loved trying on the "big girl costumes" but I guess it wasn't a perfect day as I heard her tell Daddy, "I didn't get to go on stage."

On Sunday, there was a birthday party for one of her ballet friends.

Lots of little girls, a fairy, lots of balloons and that all important crown. XX wore the crown the rest of the day and into the next. She and I got in the car afterwards to start a short road trip; Daddy got on the plane for some work. As she says, "It's sad Daddy can't go with us, but he's working for money so we can go. What a nice Daddy we have."

On Monday, we did the Aquarium. The weather was gorgeous and we did a fair amount of watching the seals, gulls, pelicans and egrets move around out in the bay.

There were penguins. We watched the feeding and XX eagerly waved her hand to ask a question. To her disappointment, she wasn't chosen, but that didn't deter her. She wanted to know about the penguins' fins/wings/arms. What were they? She went up to the docent afterwards and got her answer. (Wings that function as flippers. Length too short and feathers too small to fly.)

There were touch pools, crafts, microscopes, enrichment sessions. We watched the otters' enrichment twice.

She "needed" to take home a small stuffed otter. One of the otters at the aquarium had been found recently, separated from her mother in the ocean. This hit XX hard. She's saying now that she is her otter's mother. She also got an otter for one of her best friends.

I think XX saw even more when she had the camera in her hand. She got down on the floor to take photos of turtles, panned across to catch some of the fast-moving tangs, twisted and turned for the jellies.

Sleep wasn't too long in coming that night.

We started off a bit rocky on Tuesday. Warning light on the car dash is worrisome. Especially when out of town and ESPECIALLY when John is not with us. Luckily, it was not much and a kind man at a local Jiffy Lube fixed it quickly and for free. It was nothing to him, everything to me.

I had grand plans for one more activity before we drove home. Choices #1 (kids playground) and #2 (local museum) were closed on Tuesdays. I settled on a nature preserve on the way home. We drove on winding roads (wished John were there to enjoy with us) to see a sign on the front gates that this, too, was closed on Tuesdays.

We opted for the closest beach. Surely they couldn't lock these down.

And Serendipity raised her beckoning arm.

We found a deserted beach. The waves were high and roaring. Only a few surfers braved the water. We wished Daddy were with us. He would have been exhilarated by the crashing water and the resulting spray.

In a small inlet, we found about 35 otters. We watched them rest and groom and later, wake up and play. We wished Aunty Kimba were with us. She's our nature lover (especially when they're adorably adorable).

There were seals, 15 - 20, who called out loudly. We looked overhead to see 20 pelicans float past in the most perfect of V formations. I didn't know they did this. The goofiest looking birds are magnificent as they drift effortlessly en masse. Though my camera was out, I couldn't stop watching to take a photo. Still, I will remember this sight forever.

And XX got to collect shells. She had a grand time picking up everything. I am not sure there are too many whole shells, but they are all pieces of art in her eyes. Each was examined and crowed over.

We're looking forward to our next misadventure!

Rewind

A quick rewind through the past few weeks. How did the time go so quickly?

There was a trip to the zoo with one of XX's favorite friends. The two are boy/girl counterparts: both are always "on," always joyful, always running at two hundred percent. I think there are actual sparks flying when they see each other. As he has just transferred into her classroom, they are together daily once more. They press their hands against the glass when saying goodbye, yell to each other, blow kisses. It's adorable ... and a bit frightening.

XX and I got to spend an afternoon with Steph. Girls' day. We ate, laughed, did a little sightseeing, watched a little tango, did a little shopping -- a wonderful time!

There was XX's second haircut.

The following week, our family took a little road trip. We went to a lovely museum where XX learned about food chains, volcanic happenings and fell in love with a giant rock (rather, volcanic rock formation) who spoke to her on "Rocky" phones.

Then we met up with Steph again who was, as usual, working hard. After some chocolate gelato, she let us watch, or rather, hear sound check for Kaskade's show at the Palladium. XX was a little concerned when she heard the "walls would shake." She asked if it would be like Haiti. We assured her we would all be fine and so she was able to enjoy it. Her comment: "It's not that loud."

Later that night, we went to pick up Brad. I think he was probably in the air longer than the time we got to spend with him, but we all appreciated his willingness to come meet up. XX couldn't wait to see him and enjoyed every moment.

After seeing part of Kaskade's midnight show Friday night, Brad and John were a little zonked the next evening. XX wondered why her brother was not letting her sleep on her own bed, but was fine picnicking on the floor until he opened his eyes.

Next was also a school trip to a local pumpkin patch. I was gratified to see that when the teachers asked the kids to sit to listen to the farmer, XX and two of her friends were the first to comply. I don't think this is always the case at school.

School is rough these days; that's for another post. There have been great strides everywhere else, school will follow.

XX continues to be a great help. She takes in mail and newspapers for neighbors, brings in garbage cans after pick-up, takes care of the dogs, reminds us of everything and keeps us on our toes. Never mind the vacuuming!

These days especially as the holidays approach, always feel as if we're in fast forward mode. It's been wonderful to put on a few pauses and just enjoy.

Volcanoes, Mid-Autumn and Friends

Whether it was our recent trip or something XX has learned in geography, something triggered a few conversations about volcanoes. So we decided to make one this weekend.

The mountain looked pretty good. Boris certainly thought so and had himself a quick bite before we shooed him away.

It didn't quite explode as violently as we'd hoped, but it was fun all the same. XX added baking soda and vinegar until we ran out, and watched eruption after eruption.

It was also Mid-Autumn Festival this week. Unfortunately, I didn't read the mooncake label ingredients carefully enough so took some made with peanut oil to school. They were sent home to XX's disappointment as she'd been looking forward to serving them to her friends. Still, she had a hefty slice after school and thought it was wonderful. It's a good thing as I have enough in the freezer to last quite some time now (especially since she's the only one who enjoys them).

We read some books (which arrived a day late) and made a lantern this weekend. XX thought it would be great to make a red rabbit lantern, but had to settle for a plain paper sort. Maybe next year I'll get it all down correctly.

We did go out for Chinese food with our special friends, Chrissie and Paul, who happily put us on their road trip. It was a loooonnng overdue get-together. Chrissie hadn't met XX and I hadn't met Paul so obviously it had been a good while since she and I had seen each other.

Chrissie and I find pretty much everything humorous, even, appallingly, when it seems no one else does. As it turns out, Paul is also of this breed and, of course, so are XX and John. The five of us had a great time and can't wait to join up again, hopefully near Christmas time.

At the restaurant, XX did a great job of understanding and responding to the Mandarin-speaking server. So great, in fact, that the woman assumed I also spoke so asked me some questions in Chinese. Shockingly, I understood. I even responded in the most halting of babyish Mandarin. The woman nodded ... and kept her Mandarin directed at XX after that.

We planted some winter veggies so XX is looking forward to Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, red cabbage and carrots - orange and red. We didn't find any broccoli, but I think we'll have to hunt some down so we have the entire array of XX's favorite cruciferous crunchies. She definitely has a heart smart appetite!

The hot weather returned for a last blast of summer so we also had dog washing (after which Boris promptly went to roll in the mud), grilling and eating outdoors, and swimming.

Life is good.

Weekend Fun

We had a great time at the Chicken Festival. XX wanted her face painted as a green cat before we left, and then wore an equally festive outfit with her light-up shoes and two ribbons in her hair. Blending in is not in her repertoire of tricks.

It was a bit of a job keeping the skirt up, but she managed.

There were swings.

And slides.

A bit of waiting in line.

And of course, chicken.

We had what would probably be an anti-climatic Sunday to most people, but not to XX: we picked, cooked and ate eggplant from our garden.

And just think, the Eggplant Festival is coming up soon!