The Royal Wedding - Thinking of Betty Lou

I remember being in my parents kitchen back in the Summer of 1981 and hearing my mother talking to my grandmother (Betty Lou) on the phone.  When she hung up the phone, she said out loud to no one in particular...."Who would get up at 1 am in the morning to watch a Royal Wedding?"   My grandmother had told her she was going to get up early to watch it (remember, this was before DVR).  

I remember thinking to myself......I would, I would.......I wanted to see Prince Charles marry Diana, it seemed like an impossible wish to a 10 year old, especially since we didn't have a television in our home.  I know what  you are thinking...NO TV?!?!?!? My parents removed it during the late 70's, they didn't bring one back into the home until the mid 80's when the VCR was introduced and my parents had a little bit more control over what we could watch.   

History has repeated itself, 30 years later I set my alarm and watched LIVE as Catherine Elizabeth Middleton entered Westminster Abbey to marry her Prince.  I couldn't help but think of my grandmother, wishing she was watching it with me.  She would have loved it for sure, we could have sipped Champagne and toasted the newlywed's! 

Westminster Abbey

(Did you just love the trees down the aisle?)

 Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

The ceremony was exquisite, from the music, to the vows and the Reverends speech (I want a copy).  It was worth the few hours of sleep I missed and re-newed my love and faith in Marriage.  I am a believer in Marriage..I recently heard that marriage is becoming less popular with younger generations, couples are choosing to forgo the institution of Marriage....I hope this wedding helps bring back the sanctity marriage offers.

This post is for you Grandma Richardson!!! 

SUN TAX

On occasion, I have been known to complain about my property taxes or my mortgage but then on days like yesterday I realize that there is a reason I pay them, I live 4 blocks from the beach!!!  My family can walk/drive to the beach in minutes and enjoy all it has to offer,  please remind me of this next time I complain.

Tamarak Surf Beach

Finn - Kayla - Todd

My Beach Read, if you haven't heard of Kate Morton...run out  now and get any one of her three books.  The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden or The Distant Hours.  I still haven't had the courage to bring my IPAD to the beach, sand gets everywhere and I mean everywhere.....wonder how Apple can solve that issue?

My view as I take a break from reading.....

Finn beginning to dig a moat around his mother,

good luck with that one!

Todd making the largest Sand Ball ever.....

I sure hope I am not his target!

Water Play

(girls in background)

Uncle Todd and his beautiful nieces

I love this photo, Kirra took it and I wish I could figure out how she was able to get the lightening like this.  Slightly bummed Todd turned on the date stamp....

Striking a Pose

Sunset

Sipping tea waiting for the green flash.........

After we left the beach, we headed home for showers and S'mores!  Not sure how or why this started....Uncle Todd, Kirra and Kayla dancing around the fire.  I think this is the one and only photo I have of Todd dancing.

Kayla seems to be really enjoying her S'more,

has to be the Hershey Chocolate!!

Some say we pay a hidden sun tax in SoCal, if in fact we do., we got our money's worth yesterday!  

FALLBROOK LIBRARY

I may be the only person you know that spends an entire day visiting the library, a library 30 miles away no less.  Let me explain, for two years I have heard about the revolutionary new library being designed and constructed in Fallbrook, CA.   It was finally finished and I had been yearning to see the roof.

Yes, sounds funny...who goes to the library to check out the roof?  ME 

We arrived to temperatures just hitting the low 90's.  Living coastal I tend to forget how much the temperature changes as you move inland.  It felt so delicious on my skin....all that glorious Vitamin D.

Front Entrance

Custom Ironwork Mural

(Nice way to separate bathrooms from Central Floor of library)

Books, books and more books....

Remember what I said about the roof?  This is what makes Fallbrook Library different from the rest, the entire 3,500 sq ft roof is covered in living plants/grasses.  It was worth the drive....even with Finn in the back asking every minute "How much longer?" 

Wouldn't you love this on your home?  So much more attractive than asphalt or tile and if you get bored with it you can always change out the flats of vegetation to something else.....yarrow, ice plant, sea grass.  Not only is the roof earth friendly, low maintenance and drought tolerant....it also works as a sound buffer which is nice since this library's locations sits on a busy corner.  

My husband has been wanting to try out Cafe d' Artiste for some time, he has worked in the area before and kept meaning to try it out.  Well try it out we did and it was fabulous and conveniently located across from the library. 

 

Todd and I both started our meal with homemade Butternut Squash Soup. I moved on to the special of the day, a Chicken Buckwheat Crepe in Mushroom Sauce".  It was worth every calorie I consumed.  Todd and Finn had panini's, enjoyed but not as good as my Crepe!

Todd & Finn Cafe d' Artiste

(ever present IPAD) 

If you get the chance, check out the Fallbrook Library, it is worth the visit.  They offer a more modern approach to library services (teen lounge, live music courtyard, e-books).  This library is part of the San Diego County Library System, I was able to sign up for a library card which can be used at County Library's all over San Diego County and to think.....I only had access to Carlsbad libraries in the past! 



FLOWER FIELDS

How do you know it is Springtime

in Carlsbad, CA?

 Ranunculus in Full Bloom
Carlsbad Flower Fields

Whenever Todd and I get the chance to have lunch together during the week, we always end up here.  There are benches above the fields where you can sit and enjoy the view. 

This time of year you can see the Carlsbad Flower Fields from I-5......its hard to miss them.  Don't forget to look for them when you drive through Carlsbad. 

                 

They don't last long.......better hurry! 

FRIDAY NIGHT FAMILY

Friday night we spent a spontaneous evening with Devon, Pato and Tiago.  Coincidentally, it happened to be Devon and Pato's 9th Anniversary (dating).   

I know you are all thinking the same as me, when is it going to be a wedding anniversary?  Being the oldest sister, I did ask.  I am still waiting for an answer, I am hoping sooner than later.....doesn't a wedding sound fabulous?  I am in the mood to shop for a new hat.  

Back to our evening, we had dinner at Fidel's followed by dessert & coffee around the Village Fountain.  If you have children the Carlsbad Village is the perfect place to let your children run wild while you sit and relax by the fountain.  

Booth Buddies

Aunt Tiffiney comes prepared, I carry my I-Touch and IPad at all times.  You just never know when they will be needed.  The boys played Angry Birds while the adults chatted and sipped Cerveza and Margaritas.

Electronics put away, time for Rice and Beans. 

Tiago and Finn both love Mexican food. 

Fountain Time

Todd and Pato enjoying their coffee and desserts.  We don't get to spend too much time with Pato, he is always working so it was extra special having him along.  Tiago was thrilled to have both his parents participate in his Friday fun.

Finn in Motion

Tiago Grinning

Sisters

Another cool part of the Village is the live music from Coyote's Bar & Grill.  We watched and listened from the balcony while the boys danced and showed us their new moves.  Break dancing seemed to be the dance of the night. 

It was hysterical....

I kept waiting for Finn to start spinning on his head.

MONDAYS

What I miss most on Monday's............

US!

IPAD 2

We walked into Finn's school

and what did we see?

Mrs. Bailey with her brand new IPAD 2! 

and yes that is Finn hiding behind her.

I immediately ran back to my car for my IPAD so we could compare them.  Her's was definitely slimmer but I didn't notice too much of a variance with weight.  However, she does have the Camera/Facetime and a dual processor core.  Sigh....I was excited and envious at the same time.

Mrs. Bailey was so excited, it was a gift for her entire family.  Don't you just love family gifts?  Especially when they are IPAD's.  She had already downloaded apps geared towards Pre-K and phonics to use in the classroom.  I didn't want to leave, I wanted to stay and play with the IPad 2 in the classroom!

FACELIFT

(Old Grip Tape, removed with Putty Knife)

Finn's skateboard is a hand-me-down from his cousin Kayla.  It's been in his possession for at least two years, used frequently.  What this means, it has seen it share of wear and tear. 

While skating in our culd-de-sac, our friend and neighbor (Lori) noticed the condition of Finn's deck and said "I have the perfect gift for you".  Her son's friend is a local known artist (Mouse) who makes custom skateboard grip tape using his own unique designs, she gave one to Finn.  Finn thought it was totally cool, especially that the image was Joker from Batman.

Todd immediately removed the old grip tape and sanded and prepared the deck for the new design.  Finn watched the entire process in awe, Todd was upgraded to Super Hero status.  

This is the new grip tape before Todd attached to the deck.  A little gruesome for me, but Todd and Finn assured me it was the coolest grip tape ever, a one of a kind.  What do I know?  I'm just a girl.

Finished Result

Skateboards are not usually allowed in my house but Finn just couldn't part with it yet.  He held on to it all night.  Now I just have to get the image of Heath Ledgers Joker out of my mind!! 

BIRTHDAY CUPCAKES

Last year Finn wanted Dinnosaur cupcakes to take to school......this year, he wanted Worm cupcakes.  I am scared to find out what he will want next year!

Hungry Anyone?

Got Worms?

These do not look appetizing to me, but I am not too old to understand how these must look to a  5 year old....gummy worms in cookie crust dirt.....oh and lets not forget, homemade buttermilk frosting!

GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL/DISNEYLAND

For those of you living under a rock (Geico humor), Finn's birthday is in March.  We decided as a family to head to Disneyland for a few days to celebrate his 5th birthday. 

During February and March, in-park hotels offer a 40% discount to SoCal residents.  (I also used my AAA membership for an additional 10% discount).  What this means?  We spent two nights at the Grand California Resort Hotel & Spa and 3 days in the park!  It was worth every dollar spent.

Our room came with a bunk bed for Finn along with a balcony overlooking Downtown Disney.  When we checked in, there were balloons for Finn along with themed Disney chocolates and a signed photograph to Finn from Buzz Lightyear.  He still asks me how Buzz knew were were going to be staying at the hotel.  My answer....MAGIC.

Todd on the balcony, enjoying pistachio's while listening to a live Jazz band playing below.

We used the hotel pool everyday we were there,

it was heated and had two slides!

Todd already in the pool waiting for Finn to take the plunge.

Second morning found us relaxing in the Hearthstone lounge before Magic Mornings began (hotel guests are allowed to enter Disneyland 1 hour early), everywhere we went they were children friendly.  Why can't it be this way everywhere? 

Finn and Todd entering the Matterhorn, I was in the bobsled behind.  Only complaint Finn had was the Abominable Snowman with glowing red eyes.

You can't visit Disneyland without riding the Teacups....Todd and Finn made me sick!  Note to self, skip the Teacups next visit.

Tarzan's Tree house

Finn's favorite, you can tell by the smile on his face

One of the benefits of staying at an "In Park" hotel is that you can head back to the hotel in the afternoon to relax and refresh before heading back to Disneyland for evening entertainments, relaxing to Finn and Todd meant heading back to the hotel pool for more water fun.

There goes my oldest child......AKA Todd, a few weeks later I am still trying to figure out who had more fun, Finn or Todd.

Finn going down the Toddler slide, he had to try out all the slides to make sure he wasn't missing out on anything.

Finn loved the balcony view as much as the rest of us.  There is something secretive about watching people without them realizing that you are......must be Big Brother Syndrome.

Finn waiting in line for Indiana Jones.  This was Finn's first visit to Disneyland where he was tall enough to ride all the rides!

Finn loved Dumbo, so did I.  One of my favorites!

Our third morning was spent relaxing in the main lounge enjoying Mocha's and Lattes by the fire before heading out to the park.   Staying at the Grand Californian Hotel spoiled us, it is going to be hard going back without staying at the hotel. 

Finn and Todd on the Jumping Jellyfish

Our third day was spent exclusively at California Adventure, the park directly across from Disneyland.  Another benefit of staying at the Grand California is the private entrance into California Adventure....it made it so much easier and you instantly feel like a VIP. 

The rapid adventure looked amazing. Finn wanted to go again...I passed on this one, I didn't want to spend the rest of the day walking around in soggy, wet clothes!  Can you spot Finn? 

Wonder who Finn is waving at? 

A California Brown Bear?

                        Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

I had to drag both Todd and Finn off of this structure.  It even had a zip-line down below for the children.  Finn would have spent the entire day zip-lining. 

Batman sliding down a California Redwood

The green army men put on a little show with rifles and song!  Finn wanted to follow them throughout the entire park. 

In the past I have not been a fan of California Adventure, my heart remained true to Disneyland.  This visit changed my mind, they've added a few more shows and there was more interaction with live characters throughout the park.  World of Color is worth it alone!  I must not forget Soarin'....I can't wait to go back, next best thing to flying my own Piper Cub.

Every vacation must come to an end, time to say goodbye to the Happiest Place on Earth.  While I proceeded with the checkout process, Finn relaxed in a child size Mission rocker and watched a Disney movie that the hotel plays continuously.  

If you ever get the chance, stay at the Grand California.  They went above and beyond to make sure we had the most enjoyable time, and the extra care provided for the younger guest was phenomenal.