Monday, February 18, 2019

Necessities Wrapped in the Joy of Little Boy Love

February 1-15, 2019
Valencia, California

February begins with a rare visit with the other grandsons. Maximus and Mason are Nick's sons (Bill's oldest, our number two). We meet them in the park on a cloudy and chilly day, but with all the rain we're having Maximus is very ready to get some time outside. He and I take Tessa for a walk around the grounds while Mason and PopPop hang out with the parents. A quick lunch, and too soon this time with them is over. Hopefully there will be more in the next few weeks.


Maximus, age 2

Maximus with Daddy on the big-boy swing.

PopPop and Mason getting to know each other.
Saturday it pours rain and we forego The Accidentals house concert down the hill. We're big fans so don't mind that we "donated" the price of a couple tickets to this talented trio. Still bummed we didn't get to see them again.

Super Bowl Sunday the rain continues, but we make the drive to our good friends in Lake Elsinore for the game. We're meeting up with more high school friends there as well.

Lousy game, good commercials, enjoyable half-time, and really, really great time with our friends. We return home not long after the game ends. More rain but the traffic isn't too bad. 


We love getting together with these life-long pals. Jodee, Kevin, Bridgette, Anna, Jimmy, Bill, Donnie, Marc and Maggie.

Sharing laughs over stories old and new.

Bridgette and Anna find something more interesting than the game.

Lizzie shares my opinion.

Maggie and Tessa share some cuddle time.
The next couple weeks blur into dentist and doctor visits, lots of time with Ezra, a surprisingly quick visit to DMV, an afternoon with friends, and lazy days inside while we get more rain. We enjoy dinner with Travis (Bill's number three, our number five) and Emily who married last June. Ezra joins us as they are his favorites.


Chuck E Cheese on a Monday because we can :-)

Dancing with the big mouse. Afterwards, Ezra is the only one who thanks Chuck E. Love this kid!

Loving the clock "ride".

Always crowded, but our DMV moves people quickly.

Cold but sunny day at the playground.

Such a happy boy!

Ezra having fun with his Auntie Em.

Travis wonders where Ezra gets all that energy!

On Saturday Ezra, Daddy and I pick up his new big-boy bed from IKEA. He doesn't know how long the line will take :-)

Practicing patience.

Later we get pics of his fun new bed.

Complete with "under there" play space!

Another day playing outside.

You're getting too big sweet boy!
Bill's former boss reaches out to get together at their lovely home in Burbank. They're retiring in a few months and want to pick our brains about the RV-life. I naturally forget to take any pics while there, but we enjoy a very fun Sunday afternoon with Rick and Sue.

Back in October I broke a tooth that was annoying but never caused me any problems. Then a few weeks ago I noticed that the tooth next to it had also chipped off. I swear I don't eat rocks! Tuesday I get my first crowns. My dentist is amazing and although it's a lengthy process, the procedure is pain and stress-free. One more thing off the list!

Friday we drive into Hollywood for lunch at the iconic Canters Deli. I have wonderful memories of eating here with my mom over several years. When we walk in I nearly start crying as the smell is exactly how I remember it! Even better, my borscht, knish and stuffed cabbage taste the same as well. Prices have increased to the ridiculous, but I'm so happy we made the day trip for this tasty memory.


No changes in 50 years!

Cold beet borscht - heavenly!

Hmmmm....

Early preparations for the Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland.

Hollywood and Vine where Lana Turner was discovered, and where I met Sammie Davis, Jr.
We're both getting hitch-itch, but having so much Ezra time around all our necessary appointments makes our stay in one place enjoyable. I already know how hard it's going to be to leave him this time :-(


Table cars with PopPop has all three of us laughing. Life is good.



23 comments:

  1. Omgosh he is getting so big! Glad you made it back home for a visit! ❤️

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  2. Oh, man...so bummed you missed the Accidentals! They sure have received a bunch of love since their gear was stolen in Tuscon. Ezra’s bed is awesome! 😊👍

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    1. I was really bummed too - they offered us free tickets for next time but I told them we'd gladly pay. The music community and their fans have really responded to their bad experience. He's a lucky little boy!!

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  3. We've all fallen in love with Ezra and his smile. He is so thoughtful to say Thank You to the Big Mouse :-)) I bet it must be very hard to say your see-ya-laters to your little charmer.

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    1. We can't wait until he can spend some time with us on the road - next year!!!

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    2. How fun will that be?! Ron says he's cute too :-)

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  4. He's growing up and is so incredibly cute! Aren't we all having the strangest winter weather!

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    1. It's really fun to spend time with him :-) This is definitely the coldest and wettest winter we can remember here!

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  5. What's not to like about a Jungle themed bed, did it come with jungle recordings? Your Grand-Boys are AWESOME!, and glad you have the opportunity to enjoy their company. It's an old joke, but I've told our daughter many times "If I knew the grand-kids would be so much fun, I'd had them first!'

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    1. He makes plenty of those noises on his own :-) They are great boys, we're so blessed. Agree, they are somehow more fun!!

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  6. Lots of memories to carry you when you do hit the road again. The grandsons are so cute. Ezra certainly appears to have such a wonderful personality. Love all his facial expressions. The fluffy dog made a "little" appearance! Not enough!! Just saying:)

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  7. Looks like another great memory making visit.

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  8. Rain and cold seem to be the thing in Tucson this winter too...really weird weather! Ezra is absolutely adorable. And so are Mason and Maximus. What a fun time you are having and all the memories you will have to take with you! Love those beautiful smiles!

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    1. What a crazy winter in the west! We're loving those smiles :-)

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  9. These kids are growing so fast. LOVE Ezra's bed! Bummer about your teeth. OMG, minis are back in with platform shoes. Wonderful to collect memories during family time.

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    1. The retro clothes were put together a bit differently than my day, but still so much the same!!

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  10. Just from your photos I can see how much Ezra is growing and changing...it goes by so fast, doesn't it? "Practicing patience," LOL!! Maximus and Mason are absolutely darling, too.
    Looks like you're storing up plenty of wonderful memories of family and friends to hold you over till next time—and creating plenty of wonderful memories for them, too. :-)

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    1. We have bad hitch itch, but it's still going to be so hard to leave this time!!

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  11. I know what you mean about the line at IKEA!! That Ezra is the happiest kid I've evern seen. He always has a beautiful smile on his face, always excited or amazed. That kid will do well in life. So glad to got to spend time with the other beautiful boys, too. Safe travels when you do hit the road! Love you guys!

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    1. Love you too!! Ezra is definitely a happy child and so much fun.

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