Califorrrrrrrrnia!!!

Oh wow, do I miss my friends, family, and old stomping grounds! 

I sometimes wonder how the HECK I ended up in BFE, Texas (usually, I ponder this most intensely after a trip to easy, breezy SoCal).  This trip was no exception.

Sunny weather, laughing with my friends, coastal breezes, a baby shower, Legoland, Jack playing with his California cousins, and...NO BUGS!!!  (OK, kinda lied about the "no bugs" part - there were lots and lots of snails, but snails are A-OK because they stay on the ground and move slowly). 

Of course, my camera spent most of the trip in my purse, but I did manage to capture a few moments with my iPhone.  Here is the quick rundown of our trip.

Jack on the airplane.  This kid loves airplanes.  As you can see, he was dressed appropriately.  I actually flew out two days early (my first time to leave Jack overnight - I was SO looking forward to a full-night's sleep in complete peace, and wouldn't you know - that never happened).  Charles and Jack joined me on Wednesday.  I was very proud of Charles - the thought of flying alone with Jack, who has the lungs of a soprano and isn't afraid to use them in enclosed and public places, was daunting to say the least. 

He actually slept for much of the trip.  The only time he caused any distrubances was before the plane took off (you know, when it's all quiet and no one is talking and the plan is being taxied to the runway).  Jack yelled - repeatedly - "Take off, airplane!!  Hurry up!!  Airplane take off!" 

This is the view from my Dad's house, where I stayed the first couple of nights (where my supposed nights-of-peaceful-sleeping were to occur) and where Jack, Charles and I stayed the first couple of nights when they arrived.  The deck looks out over the beach.  Also wonderful about this location: you can walk to the beach (duh), you can walk to Starbucks (YAY!!  which reminds me - on the last day of our trip Jack actually pleaded with me, "No go in Starbucks, Mama!!"), it's a short drive or medium-length walk to my brother and sister-in-law's house, and there are no bugs (but lots of birds that poop everywhere, to be fair).

Jack got to spend lots of time playing with his California cousins, Max and Hana.  In most cases, he would never wear a mask, but when he saw Max wearing one, he suddenly had to wear one, too.  Here he is as Spiderman.  Very threatening, to be sure!  It's pretty amazing how kids want things that they would normally NEVER. EVER. EVER. want, only because they see another kid enjoying it.  It made for a great photo op though!

It was pretty great to be so close to my brother and sister-in-law and their two kids, as well as my sister and one of my Eternal BFF's - who all live in the same apartment complex.  I mean seriously, I can let Jack play with his cousins and Auntie Polly while I run up and see Sara's new crib (she's due in 6.5 weeks and counting!).  How freaking AWESOME is that??  Jack's most frequently used phrase of the week: "Jack go Max's house!!"

This is at my Dad's house (AKA Papa and Gran's house).  I do not have a kid that sleeps better at night if he is busy during the day.  No.  Not even close.  I do hear these children exist in some alternate universe, but my child's sleep does not seem to be impacted in the slightest by his activities during the day.  Sure, he looks all exhausted and passed-out here, but let me tell you - it took about an hour to get him here, and he was restless all night - and this after a VERY FULL day at Legoland followed by an afternoon of playing with his cousins.  Yeah, that's right...going on rides, running around an amusement park, spening 45 minutes splashing in the splashing park - and he still doesn't sleep.  In fact, I think his adrenaline was so high it actually made sleeping more difficult.  He was talking about riding trains and helicopters and bi-planes for days after his trip to Legoland.

We spent the last few nights in a hotel.  Over the last few weeks, Jack has discovered and developed a very strong passion for Lightning McQueen and Mater (from the movie "Cars").  I was trying to get some stuff organized here and plopped him in front of the TV to watch Cars with a Capri Sun and a bag of Lucky Charms-like cereal.  I admit it.  I was jealous.  This looks like a pretty sweat deal to me.  Surrounded by hotel pillows, watching your favorite movie and stuffing your face full of sugary treats while an ocean breeze blows in...yeah, I'll take it.  Instead I was cleaning.  Because somehow, over the course of a couple of days, we managed to trash our hotel room like a bunch of drunk rock stars.  Minus the alcohol, which makes it even worse.

Oh, yeah.  Me and The Torso.

So the real reason we went out to California this time of year was for Sara's baby shower.  I was technically hosting it with Valerie but being several states away, she did all of the work.  So I was very happy to contribute when she asked me to pick up some balloons on my way out there.  So Jesika and I pulled into Albertson's and saw this monstrosity - a balloon in the shape of a baby torso - and of course, we had to buy it!  Here I am posing with it.  I am very glad I took this picture before the shower because it appears our balloon-guy didn't fill it up correctly or something - it was halfway empty post-shower!  And the shower was a huge success.  I seriously cannot believe that Sara will have baby Ally in her arms in the next couple of months!!  And I also seriously cannot believe that I am having a GIRL!!!!!  Which I know because Sara hooked me up with not one, but TWO ultrasounds.  Woohoo!

So there you have it.  My week in sporadic iPhone pictures taken when I remembered to take pictures. 

And now, I must return to readjusting to Texas life.