Highlights
- A visit to the Reagan Library and Titanic exhibit
- Evan turns 3!
- A family trip to Long Beach
As is the case whenever Gran and Grandpa come to visit, we do lots of fun outings together as a family. This May/June visit was no exception. In their last few days before heading back to Oregon, we took a trip over to Simi to visit the Reagan Library and the Titanic exhibit going on there. It had been abound 10 years since we’d been, and we knew the kids would get a lot out of it too. And of course, it’s a “school” field trip for Calan. He’d recently been learning a little about U.S. presidents and some of the history there. A lot had changed at the library since we last visited. The kids loved exploring various rooms and the little sets created to show Reagan’s historical highlights. They took it all in, even if they weren’t understanding what everything meant. There’s a lot to cover in this large presidential library, so to a young kid it must feel like big city museum. So many different rooms and corridors leading to the next interesting stopping point. The big hits of course were the large hangar with Air Force One, the Marine One helicopter and other vehicles that made up President Reagan’s motocade. Getting to board the helicopter and plane was pretty exciting. We had lunch there too, so the kids got to enjoy some of their favorites such as a burger and fries, along with plenty of healthy snacks that were packed for our trip. At the end of our visit, we toured the visiting Titanic exhibit. It wasn’t quite what we expected as it focused a lot on trivia and artifacts taken from the big movie, but there was enough there to pique Calan’s interest and fire up his curiosity about the ship and its story. After the long day, we were all ready to get back home.
Fast forward to the end of the month, and you have our first big visit to Long Beach since last year with both Mama and Dada and the boys. Medically, this visit was a first because it was the start of the process for Evan to get going on his own treatment. On this trip, it was primarily about both boys getting their big blood draws done. They did great with getting poked and waiting around at the office. Exploring stairwells is always a perfect way to kill some of the waiting time. The second part of the trip was meeting with Dr. R to go over Calan’s plan as we get closer to peanut “graduation”. On the way home, we stopped at Red Robbin (Calan’s request). Unfortunately as is the case most times there, we had to wait a really long time for the food. Luckily, we were at a mall so we had fun exploring the mall for what felt like hours, only to come back to what amounts to mediocre food! We were happy to finally get something to eat though, and get back on the road after a the big day.
Last month, we found our “dream” basketball court set-up for a pretty amazing deal on Craigslist. With the help of Grandpa, we were able to drive to Beverly Hills and pick it all up. It was a lot of work getting it, but well worth it. With the professional type hoop and the court surface to go with it, the system easily runs $8,000 or more. So, getting it for under $1,000 is beyond a bargain. Also, with so many extra court tiles, selling that surplus will pay for half the cost as well! Needless to say, we have a huge project ahead of us. For now though, the 6′ backboard, 10′ post and all the tiles will be stowed ready on the side of the house while we get to work demolishing a quarter of the yard. Lots of plants and bushes needed to go along with the old wooden structure (pergola?). When we bought the house nearly 10 years ago, we received a $1,500 allotment toward replacing this structure. I guess we’ll finally put it to good use! The timing is right too, as the wood is so rotted that the whole thing could be pushed down without much force. The kids helped where they could, especially Calan who loved the destruction part of it all. Painting and trimming out an unsightly shed was also something they were excited about. Phase one is done after just a few weeks. Now it’s on to ripping out grass and soil to get the ground ready, getting ball blocking nets in place, and the cables to hold the lights and shade tarp up. You have to it right, if you’re going to do it at all, right?
Calan
Some highlights to Calan’s first official summer month of 2017 included: starting a new season of flag football, getting back to swim lessons with Coach Lynn and doing a week long basketball camp with Josiah (through YAC). While these sports kept him active, he used his school and downtime to do a lot of reading. Mostly, this was the first few books of Harry Potter. The speed at which Calan can read these novels is pretty impressive, so it didn’t take him long to cruise through the pages of these thicker books. Also on the reading front, we kicked off a summer book club series with Josiah, Carson and Augustine. The first book chosen was “Shivers”, followed by a book about the Titanic. In fact, after seeing the Titanic exhibit, we all got pretty interested in reading and learning more about it. As a grown-up, you kind of reabsorb the meaning and all the facts that surrounded the big ship and of course its tragedy. As a kid, you wouldn’t think it would be that interesting beyond just a ship that sank. Calan, however spent lots of time reading stories and talking about the Titanic facts and events that lead up to the sinking. He was just as fascinated as we were. For school, Calan continued to progress with his math. In particular this month was long division and dividing decimals. He continues to show a knack and patience for difficult math problems for his age, often taking the initiative to both create and work out “fun” problems.
Notable quotes this month:
“I didn’t really learn anything new. It was just review for me.” Talking about his week long summer basketball camp he attended.
Kitty likes to swing her paws at your feet and ankles when you walk by sometimes. One time Calan was slowly scooting by her and said, “Kitty is about to “clap” my foot into pieces…that foot clapper!”
Evan
This year, Evan recognized that it was his birthday more than ever before. When we went in to get him up in the morning, he promptly let us know about his special day by saying “It’s my birthdaaaay!” As with both boys’ birthdays, they are always made even more special because Gran and Grandpa are visiting. This year, we wanted to do something together as a family outside of the house but nothing too crazy. With June Gloom filling the skies, we headed for the perfect option around 9:30: Blueberry picking at the farm in Somis. The weather was just right, and everyone had fun searching for good blueberries and raspberries right off the plant. Before we left, Evan and Calan fed the animals (goats, alpacas and sheep) raw carrots. After Evan’s nap, we all celebrated with a honey baked ham and some REALLY good homemade chocolate cupcakes (complete with big chocolate chips, frosting and sprinkled…and of course, allergy safe!). Following the delicious meal, we gathering in the living room and helped Evan open his birthday presents. Calan was really good in helping Evan with unwrapping and getting the gifts ready to play with. He loved all his gifts, included a Daniel Tiger board game, book and T-shirt, a Dr. Seuss dinosaur book and cool backpack, a new green ball and his very own toy vacuum (that apparently actually sucks!). Evan enjoyed the whole afternoon and evening, along with the usual balloons he likes to play with. It was fun talking to him at bedtime about him not being two anymore, and how he was three now.
Notable quotes this month:
Dada: “What did you get? (At his birthday party )
Evan: “It’s for me!”
Dada: “Right, it doesn’t matter…just that it’s for you.”
Evan, you’re three now so that means you’re going to be five in two years. “Yes, and you’re going to be 10 in six weeks. ”
When Evan was about 18-months old and would hear a plane go by he would simply say “pane”. Now at three years old, when a plane goes by he says, “I think I hear an airplane.”