Our Daddy

These kids hit the ultimate jackpot when it came to daddy. He truly is the best of the best. I know increasingly just how fortunate I am to have him as a partner in parenting. He's the fun one, of course. He has strong principles and a way of teaching the reason behind the rule. He finds patience further along the path of frustration than I am yet able. We love love love Collin and wish him a happy early Father's Day and birthday (as we'll be traveling an epic road trip route--yet more proof that he is the man of my dreams!).

Spring Break Going South '19 (Palm Springs and Grandparents)

Palm Springs enchanted me. I loved the whole of it. Old celebrity houses--the architecture!--wide palm lined streets, alternative vibes. It was a place I'd happily return to eat and thrift away.

We walked around the cutest little botanical garden with native plants all around. I love when plants are labeled and sometimes we play the game of 'what would you name this if you had discovered it?' For example, this one below is called 'old man' but I think Eddy's idea of 'Yeti cactus' is even better.

Hand made signs proclaiming to be the first or best or oldest = my jam.

There was a lot of good thrifting to be had in AZ and in Palm Springs. I enjoyed myself very much. the others kindly let me go to 100% more shops than they would have preferred.

Wacky yard in Palm Springs. It was like a gargantuan game of Eye Spy.

On our way toward Orange County we stopped for five minutes at the Cabazon dinosaurs. It was mega windy and kind of weird. America, sometimes I love your crazy ways.

We arrived at the Newport Temple parking lot about an hour before the grandparents would be done with their temple work. We realized that was just enough time to pop across the bridge to Balboa Island and grab a Balboa bar. Yum! I still think the ferry is the proper way to approach the island, but I'll accept the ease of the bridge for times like these. If we had a spare 5 million I would absolutely think about getting one of the cutest cottages on Balboa.

And then it was time to find Grandma and Grandpa! So happy to see them!!

We had them all to ourselves for a day. It was really nice to hang out at the house and relax and spend time with them. The boys enjoyed playing on a true instrument (what a difference from ours, ha!) and with Grandma's toys. Eliza made a puppet of Grandma's Raggedy Ann doll and taught Grandpa some hand clapping games. Henry was held and kissed. It wasn't nearly enough time at their house, but we sure loved being spoiled by their attention!

Spring Break Going South '19 (Tucson Desert in Bloom)

When I was a mid teen I spent a couple weeks over the winter in Tucson with old family friends. They told me of the desert in bloom in spring time and I have had visions of it ever since. That was a magical winter for me. It's when I first met Abu, the Arabian stallion who became my first love. At the end of my visit Peg sold him to me for $1. My parents drove me down after I turned 16 with a horse trailer to collect him. And all my horse dreams came true.

Returning to Tucson with the family was fun! Our friends from Boston had been living there for the past five years and showed us all the best parts--the Sonoran Desert Museum, the Art Museum, John Wayne's old western sets, watercoloring, food, sunset. We had a really great time, even if we were melting in the spring heat.

The desert in bloom was spectacular.

Remembering riding Abu in the washes was beautiful.

Continuing friendship the best of the best.

Spring Break Going South '19 (Arizona Road Tripping)

Getting on those Route 66 kicks. The little town we stayed in was the inspiration for Radiator Springs from Disney's Cars. It was adorable--part tourist trap, part genuine small town Main Street USA. (I love both of those.) We ate a mediocre meal at a diner and I was giddy with nostalgia. There is nothing like hearty no frills food in a diner setting to remind me of my Papa. I remember that he liked diners. The cracked seats, the friendly but busy waitress, the Hershey syrup milk shake, the greasy chicken fried stake (Collin ordered), the iceberg side salad, the clanging in the kitchen when the swing door opens. Ahh. Perfect.

Then we found the real cars and I would have taken a million more pictures. How cute are they?!

Eliza lost her first tooth in Williams, AZ. It was a little traumatic at first, but she braved the scary step to being a big kid.

We drove out of town and headed south. I'd starred a few places on the map I was curious about and luckily we had time for several of them. First stop, Walnut Canyon. I was enthralled at Mesa Verde when we visited when I was a kid. Maybe someday we will get there. In the meantime, this place was pretty amazing, with secret cliff houses in the canyon walls. We had to earn the reward just a little, with a steep stair hike down and back up. I think the kids' imaginations were sparked by trying to figure out how they would have lived in these homes. Climbing cliffs, fetching water from the river far below, making things out of resources, learned about the plants for medicine. Maybe the children even played hide and seek--epic version?

Driving further south we noticed the change in the color of the rocks. Look how gloriously russett they are! We put on our suits and waded in the water at Slide Rock park. The water was cold and one had to be brave to slide down the natural rock slides. Or jump in, as Collin was crazy enough to do.

The areas for clambering up and down the rocks were favored by the children. (Eddy was annoyed I'd take him away from his play. Or maybe because he wasn't holding Henry? I don't remember now. Both of those are equally likely.)

I'd like to return to discover more of the beauties of the Sedona area someday. The scenery was spectacular!