First Day of Second Grade....Hookie style

I think it's easily justified that we missed the first day and a half of second grade for that awesome California trip, no? I really don't understand why the kids go back to school for the half day Wednesday and Thursday before Labor Day weekend. It really throws a wrench in our annual california trip. So we bent the rules this year and will consider this each year as long as we don't get in too much trouble. It really was a great way to end summer with a bang.

It's hard to believe my babes are in second grade. They remain in separate classes. Both are looking forward to returning to school. This year, Zachary is placed with Mrs. Payack and Jacquelyn is placed with Ms. Mustone. Zac is happy to be in class with his pal Tyler and Jacquelyn is pleased to be in class with Rebekeh. They will continue to take karate and swim lessons all school year. Jacquelyn is interested in trying out gymnastics. We have joined the YMCA so other intermurals will be fun to try. Mimi and Papa will continue to take care of the kids on Wednesdays. They keep the kids busy with trips to the library, walks to the playground, museum trips and Boston excursions. We anticipate the need for a friday babysitter as I continue working at 3 days/week and Chuck can no longer swing being home for the kids school release time. He's too busy at work. He has moved to a new store again. This was a welcomed change. He now manages the Fresh Pond Cambridge store. He is an expert at adjusting to constant change. Frankly, I don't know how he does it with such ease.

As the school year begins, I have hopes and aspirations for my children. I hope they continue to enjoy school and learning. I hope they grow in the areas where they lack confidence. For Jackie, this is reading. For Zac, this is making friends. I hope I can be the wind beneath their wings and help them be happy second graders. I feel a pang of anxiety for them, starting up a new year with new challenges. They seem to be taking it all in stride, so I guess I should to.

California Dreamin'

All the leaves are brown,

And the sky is gray.

I've been for a walk,

On a winter's day.

I'd be safe and warm,

if I was in L.A.

California Dreamin'
On a winter's day.

I'm catching up on my blog entries on a cold driving rainy fall day here in New England. We are past the glow and magic of peak colors and the shades of browns have taken over while other trees have shed all their leaves giving us a preview of winter. The weather-lady said it was the perfect day to stay indoors and nap on the couch with a blanket. Taking her lead, I'm on my couch, with my laptop and lazy cat TomTom reminiscing about our California vacation over labor day. This blog entry took forever to put together due to the voluminous number of photos shown.


It had been two years since our last trip to California. We try to schedule our vacation around Chuck's annual corporate meeting being held in Newport Beach. We were able to visit with Mickey Mouse and the Disney gang along with many of the Arnold family and friends along the way. We jam in as much visiting as we can in a week's time.

First stop out of the car rental, is In and Out Burger. Chuck longs for some of the food establishments he cannot get on the east and we make our ritual visits to them when on the west coast.

Chuck's taste buds are saying, "I'm home."

Gramps makes a special effort to leave plenty of his homegrown lemons and oranges for his east coast grandchildren to pick.




We stayed with Gramps for the start of our vacation and much of the family were there for a dinner gathering, including a distant cousin.

Aunt Arlene and Jackie

The kids with cousin Amber. Arlene and Amber made a special trip to So. Cal. to join us for Disney.

The kid's with Penny and cousin Amy

Gramps and Aunt Joann

The Arnold gang

All the cousins.....minus Bryon, who is in New York, Robby and Brad's kids.

Grampsy

At Disney in "A Bug's Life" with cousin Amber and Aunt Arlene.

Grampsy with his sister, Aunt Molly.

Thanks to Aunt Arlene, we were able to go to lunch at club 33 at Disney. It's a 5 star restaurant with a lovely atmosphere and delicious food. We were really stylin' at Disney this year.

Peeking into the restaurant.

Pictures on the balcony, overlooking the park.

We had a perfect day at Disney, temps in the 80's rather than hitting 100 Degrees like years past.

Robby surprised us by meeting up with us at Disney. He also visited us when we were staying in Newport and took Zac out golfing. Zac was so happy to hang with his cousin and be able to golf.

Robby and his Mom Aunt Joann

Main street Disney

Zac really wanted a Mickey watch as his souvenir.

Jackie was thrilled to pick out Marie for her Disney keepsake.

Jackie was so happy to run into Minnie.

Jac n Zac were on their feet for 12 hours trying to keep up with Aunt Arlene who has marathon powers to play at Disneyland. We finally gave up trying to keep up with her and made our way out of the park with two very tired children.

The kid's are looking at the city of LA view at Grampsy's house.

We made our way to Newport Beach as Chuck needs to attend his corporate meeting and the kids and I get to enjoy some R and R.

Surfer dudes, palm trees, beach buggies. Yup, we're in California.

Sun, boardwalks, arcades, boutiques, out door cafes and surf shoppes. Yup, we're in California.

Myself and the kids went out to dinner with Robby as Chuck attends dinner at his meeting. The kids really look up to their all their big cousins and it is such a gift that they enjoy spending time with the little ones. This was the first trip we had some quality time with cousin Robby.

First time on a dial up phone.

We spent the afternoon hanging around the pier waiting for the sunset. A chilly fog rolled in, but the sunset still peaked under the cloud cover.

We spent the night at Aunt Joann's. 'Fancy Auntie' spoiled the kids with gifts, cupcakes, play and a ride in her convertible.

We had lunch with Grandma Helen and Papa Klim.

After lunch we were off for an afternoon swim at the Johnson household.

The Arnold twins with the Johnson triplets and older sister Kelly.

Van, Kyle, and Amy were share the same birthday as Jacquelyn and Zachary.

Eric, Carole, myself and Chuck

103 degrees

Next stop that very day is dropping the kids off to Aunt Kristin's and Uncle Fred's for a sleepover.

Next day visit to Helen and Klim's for lunch.

Typical view of valley living tucked in the high desert mountains

Alex, Katie, Jack, Amy, Jac-n-Zac

Zac with cousin Jack

Another afternoon swim at Fred's house.

Our last night in LA at "The Grove" and outdoor mall. We went out to dinner with Gramps, Aunt Joanne, and cousin Crystal.

Some hollywood star must have been there, because the paparazzi were scouting out the Grove. I requested a picture of them.

Cousin Crystal with her pup Penny. She is in law school.....and I think of her as our very own Legally Blonde.

City views of LA from Grampsy's balcony.