Family Kiss

Grandma and Grandpa left yesterday but not before enjoying one last family kiss from their favorite grandson.

The Butterfly

Spencer's latest obsession is the butterfly. Not the stroke that Michael Phelps, the multiple gold-medal-winning Olympian, has perfected but the winged creature that flutters around your garden. It began when his grandparents, in an effort to distract Spencer out of a fussy mood, had the bright idea to imagine that Spencer was a butterfly. How do you play Butterfly? First, you spread out Spencer's favorite blue blanket. He lies down and is wrapped up in a "cocoon" from which he emerges a butterfly. Then he skips around the house flapping his "wings."

Over and over again he wants to play butterfly. I have a feeling we will be playing butterfly long after Grandma and Grandpa have returned to Milwaukee. If only I could take him to the Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum but there won't be time before the exhibit closes. For now, we'll have to settle for reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Fly butterfly fly.

Roasting Marshmallows

After pretending to roast marshmallows the last couple of days, inspired by the story Curious George Goes Camping, Spencer was able to experience the real thing courtesy of Grandpa who had the idea to heat the marshmallows over the grill. Spencer watched as Grandpa twirled the marshmallow on the stick around and around until it turned soft and golden. Then Spencer tasted the gooey goodness that is roasted marshmallows. His expression said it all. Delicious!

A Fraiche Celebration

We celebrated Grandma's birthday at the highly touted Fraiche. It lived up to the hype despite the long wait to place our order. Our meal was delicious. Happy birthday Marge!

Terra Cotta Warriors

With the Olympics opening tonight in Beijing, we figured the timing was right to view the Terra Cotta Warrior exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. The Terra Cotta Army, created at the behest of China's first emperor, the boy king Qin, is considered the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World. This is the largest exhibit of its kind ever seen outside of China. The army, consisting of soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats and animals, was designed to enforce Emperor Qin's rule over the afterlife. For two thousand years, the army remained underground until its' discovery in 1974 by farmers digging a well. That archealogical find unearthed a treasure trove of knowledge about an ancient period of China's history.

While we were waiting to purchase tickets to the exhibit, I noticed what I initially perceived to be a Terra Cotta Warrior statue in the lobby. When the statue waved, I realized my error. The man in the costume looked so authentic it was uncanny. He even moved slowly and deliberately which only enhanced the illusion. His presence made waiting in line much more entertaining, adding a nice touch to an impressive exhibit.

Zooming to Zuma

It was a perfect day at the beach, sunny and breezy. The smell of salt in the air. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Spencer hand in hand with his grandparents dipping his feet in the ocean. All of this and more made the long drive up to Zuma Beach in Malibu worthwhile. Spencer and Grandpa took a long walk along the shoreline while Grandma and I soaked in the view and the rays. Later I took Spencer in to play in the surf. He loved every moment, even when a wave washed up to his chin. On the way back, we stopped at The Reel Inn for fish tacos and fish and chips. Yum!

Let the Spoiling Begin

The grandparents have arrived.

The first thing Spencer wanted to do was build a tent where he listened to his new favorite story, a puzzle book of opposites, read by Grandpa.

Later, ever the boy scout, he helped shine a light on Grandma's magazine with this trusty flashlight. Why Grandma needed help reading in broad daylight only Spencer knows.

We dined at everyone's favorite Mexican restaurant, Paco's.

A wet hug before bed.

Seaside Lagoon

In the South Bay community of Redondo Beach lies a place known as Seaside Lagoon, an enclosed, family-friendly water park. It feels like you're at the beach without the seaweed or the waves. The water was the perfect height (it came up to his knees) and temperature for Spencer. He immediately plunged in and didn't emerge for two hours, dividing his time between wading around the water-fountain islands and playing with a water toy brought by a friend. The water toy worked like a bicycle pump except that its' purpuse was to suck in water which could then be sprayed out in a stream. It was covered in foam like a pool floatie. Spencer loved it!

When it was time for lunch, we headed over to Ruby's, a 1940s inspired restaurant with red vinyl booths, white formica tables and Coca Cola posters from the era. The waitresses all wear red-and-white, pin-striped uniforms. The hamburgers and french fries are divine. There was a Ruby's Diner in my hometown growing up. It was THE place to go as a teenager besides the mall of course. This was Southern California after all. Spencer enjoyed putting stickers on the cardboard boat they gave him and watching colorful fish swim by overhead on the track that circled the restaurant. As a special treat, we shared a blueberry shake. A delicious end to a wonderful morning.

The Pinata

With Spencer feeling better, we ventured to the park this weekend where we came across a birthday party in progress. Spencer was transfixed by the pinata but then who wouldn't be. It was shaped like a pirate's treasure chest. One by one, the children lined up to give it a whack. The pinata swayed back and forth, back and forth, until one of the parents would stop its' motion and pass the baton to the next child in line. The designated child would don a pirate's hat and take another swing. Eventually a hole appeared tantalizing all with the promise of candy inside. Spencer waited to see what would happen. "Mica, Mica," the children and parents shouted, hoping the birthday boy would be the one to send the treasure chest tumbling to the ground. Arghhh! With one last blow, the pinata fell to the ground spilling its' treasures. The children scrambled to gather every last bit of candy. Spencer was mesmerized. I think I know what he wants for his birthday.

Fever in the morning, Fever all through the night

Last night was a sleepless one in our household. Spencer woke up every couple of hours and when he was up, so were Mommy and Daddy. He seemed warm but we attributed his temperature to the general heat in the house. The ceiling fans seemed to merely circulate the hot air, not cool things down. We opened some windows at one point hoping that would help.

It wasn't until this morning that we realized Spencer had a fever. He was very sad because we were supposed to visit some friends this morning but he soon felt better when we read books in Mommy and Daddy's bed. Spencer and I napped for a while but he woke up, mumbling about about an elevator, when I had to move my elbow from his back. He's been lethargic all morning and even appears to have lost his appetite which means he must really be sick. Sweet child. He keeps trying to make himself better through sheer force of will -- as if saying he no longer has a fever would make it instantaneously go away. If only it were that simple...