California Dreamin'

The kids and I are in California in the East Bay. We're staying with our friends the Slacks. I am not sure how they can stand 4 people invading their lives, especially since they are empty nesters and 3/4 of us are under 10.

Our trip down here was fairly uneventful. We left Thursday at 3pm after camp. It was just in time and we missed traffic. We listened to 5 hours of Peter Pan on CD. Even I had a hard time getting through some of the dryer parts. But not one of the kids complained. There was no TV the whole day.

At 9pm we stopped for a bite to eat and time on a play structure. Everyone decided to continue on. Well an hour later everyone was melting down and I made the final decision....Motel 6 for the night. Coulter was disappointed that we were not staying in a place that had room service. Can you say SPOILED? After I thoroughly checked the room for bed bugs....we all went to sleep and slept HARD. We were out by 9 and went to IHOP for breakfast, what a treat.

Once on the road the kids decided to watch a show. But about 30 minutes in the changed their minds, they liked the books on tape better so they could look out the window. I was thrilled. I like the stories but more than that I like the company. Why am I the only one that sees things outside the car....no more!

We arrived in Martinez at 2. The kids immediately changed into their swim suits and I got to work with Nancy getting ready for her art gallery opening the following day. We made 3 salads that were fabulous. Everyone was doing what they wanted. What fun.

Saturday we finished getting ready for the party. At 2 the kids went to the neighbors to play and we went to the gallery. The opening was very successful with about 60 people in and out, maybe more. Afterward Nancy had a party at the house for about 20 people and almost all the salads went. I thought we'd be eating salad all week! We stayed up too late and had a fine time.

Sunday morning we got up and the kids and I decided we'd go into the city. My plan was to go to Golden Gate Park. At 1 there was a concert in the park that I wanted to see and I really was looking forward to having lunch with a friend of mine from 4th and 5th grade, Katie. We found each other on Facebook....go figure. I had passes to the Academy of Science so I was able to get us all in and we went to lunch. We were able to hear the concert during lunch so that was nice. It's hard to really talk with 3 kids running around and having to go potty and all but I was thrilled to see her. We talked, as much as we could, and had a nice time. She and her partner are having a baby early next year so she could have a little glimpse into my world and kids.....

We parted ways and the kids and I explored the Academy of Science. It is amazing. The kids loved it and I loved watching them explore and learn. The best part of the whole thing was the store, or at least that's what the kids thought. They all got a small thing.

We spent a little time walking around the park and then were off to Chinatown. The kids couldn't stand the idea of being in the city and not going to Chinatown. We went to our favorite restaurant and then to the park to play. The kids burned up energy and I planned.

To close out our day we drove down the steep hills. We'd pull upto the "edge" and scream, "IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD" then we'd take the plunge. We did it over and over and laughed the whole time. We made it home by 8:30 and fell into bed.

Today we're taking the BART into the city. We'll take the cable car to Pier 39 to catch the Bay Tour Boat ride. We'll do the Aquarium and probably go to Chinatown again via cable car. Those are always a hit.

We're having fun. More to come.....