Another week, another post!
Saturday, The Goose had another birthday party. P's parents had one of those classic SOCal backyards, small, but enclosed, and intimate and surprising. They had a gazebo and an outdoor fireplace. Plus, they had amazing food and highly entertaining princess/knight cosplay! They were from the swordfight place in downtown Burbank. They had a fun little story to tell, and seriously, I was floored by the professionalism and swordplay.
I'd like to show you a cute picture of The Goose and her pal S, but they were too busy gnawing on their candy bracelets to pose.
That evening Evan and I went to the 25th anniversary and vow renewal of some
newish friends. The company, food and party was awesome, and the couple walked down the aisle to their friends singing "(I'll Stop the World and) Melt With You." They exchanged seriously darling vows while hummingbirds flitted overhead and hoo boy, I sobbed.
newish friends. The company, food and party was awesome, and the couple walked down the aisle to their friends singing "(I'll Stop the World and) Melt With You." They exchanged seriously darling vows while hummingbirds flitted overhead and hoo boy, I sobbed.
We sat at a table with lots of friends and plenty of comic book legends. I tinkled and fixed my face in the ladies' next to and chatted with an actress from my favorite movie from the 80s. I took notes while chatting with a wine-executive-married-to-a-movie-guy who gave me tons of great things to do in LA with kids. But most of all, I was so grateful for the friends that have entered our lives in the past year and made us feel that not only are we lucky to be living in LA, but that LA is lucky to have us.
Sunday. Open house for The Goose's new class. I didn't even bother checking out the 4-5s class, and then I heard a rumor that they sat at desks and were quizzed on letters and numbers. Luckily, my fears were squashed.
Check out the treehouse office in the back -- it has desks, rotary phones, typewriters and a tube leading down into a post box.
Oscar channeled Clark Kent. Seriously, friends? When he came up to me with his camera, I had no idea who he was. Not who he was trying to be, I DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM.
This one, I could see from miles away. We hugged friends, chatted with new parents, and gritted out teeth and took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. Sigh. At least here in Burbank, the CEC is pleasant, clean, and serves watery American beer.
I grew up calling these things lollypops. So when I see this sign at Chuck E Cheese, I tend to get a little bristly. Who you calling sucker?
First day of school. She had a ball.
While looking for a pencil for homework, I found this one. I thought for a moment, and remembered it was from our library. Sigh.
Back to school night. 3+ hours of cramming my adult-sized butt into tiny
tiny chairs. Here's Arlo's self portrait in his classroom.
We had a brief rainshower -- the first rain in over four months. The Goose was ready.
And a rainbow afterwards!
Next weekend: Labor Day. Everyone at the Farmer's Market is jealous of my helper.
We went to Ikea (with everyone else in the world) and bought "homework stations" for the boys. Desks, storage containers, lamps, etc. etc. It was exhausting. And then we needed to clear out space in their room for their "homework stations" and make room in the garage and the den for all the crap we moved out.
I took a break with The Goose and we decamped for El Capitan. The Goose twirled in line above The Muppets' star on Hollywood Blvd.
The Secret of the Wings. Totally predicable. Totally charming.
We had a great view of the organist.
The Goose was thrilled when Tinker Belle and her new friend Peri Winkle came out and did a dance. And then it snowed in the theater, and The Goose was enthralled, and I was super duper happy I brought her.
Labor Day! Let's go to the fair!
Holy bejebus it was hot. 100 and above.
Here's the The Ax Women Loggers of Maine, chopping and sawing through regulation-sized logs. Oscar LOVED them.
Oscar in front of the Tonga structure, just like the diorama he made in third grade!
See this beer? It cost nine dollars. IT WAS WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY.
Hey look! It's a portrait of Queen Elizabeth made of kernals of rice and poppy seeds!
I love the gardening sections. How much do I want my backyard to look like this display?
To the pirate section!
The Goose is spinning to find out her pirate name. I think it was Peg Tooth Bart.
Oscar and The Goose and I went on the huge Ferris Wheel.
It was very very high. I don't like heights, but I really hate roller coasters. So I swallow my fear and go on Ferris Wheels and every time my stomach drops to the floor, I focus on my kids instead of the outside and take a couple of deep breaths.
We ducked into one of the Arts buildings. It showed all the prize-winning breads and cookies and quilts and pottery, and I looked in vain for the grange exhibits. Grange exhibits -- dioramas made of flowers and plants and grains -- seem to be a East Coast thing. But! Here in LA there is the competition of the TABLE SETTINGS!
Fahrenheit 451 themed dinner.
You need to plan the menu, set the table, and site where you got everything from. As I was marvelling over this table, the ladies next to me perused it for a bit, and then commented: "I don't get it."
Voting themed dinner party: whistle stop backdrop, dems on one side, repubs on the other. The menu was displayed half-tucked into a ballot box.
Best of show: Gone with the Wind.
HOW MUCH FUN would it be to do one of these tables? Even though my table would be surrounded by ladies that would say "I don't get it"?
Asian-themed food -- burgers made of teriyaki beef or ginger chicken, sandwiched by rice "buns." BRILLIANT!
We did not go on this ride.
We didn't go one this ride either.
Instead, I bought a fried twinkie.
No way no how Mama.
Mmmm...
Blaaarrrrgh.
But then, on the way out, we bought them all cotton candy, and Arlo proclaimed to the sky:
THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!
On the way home, we drove by mountains with snowcaps. It didn't make us feel any better in the 100+ degree heat, but it was pretty!
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