Grandparents Visit

 Grandma Penny and Grandpa Dave came for a 2 week visit after they had already been to Hawaii for a week. They are the summer tourists!  While I decided that we would have a lazier visit this time with less running around, that is not apparent in this blog post. While we did do a lot of things and saw a lot of sights, we also spent a lot of time sitting on the back patio and floating in a pool.

 Of course we saw a Dodger game!  We were there for 4 hours, and it was only the seventh inning. Dad and Lyman agreed that we could leave after the stretch so that we could be home by midnight. Milo insisted that he didn't fall asleep, but this picture shows otherwise.

 Another day we went to the Discovery Cube where we found Clifford and about 10 summer camp field trip groups. Live in the LA area? Don't go on a weekday in the summer.

 One of the best days was at the Science Center. We went for the Endeavor, but everyone wanted to see the Scrolls too when we learned thy were there. Well, there are 10 little postage stamp pieces of scrolls there and about 100 pots from the same era. There is a free Netflix documentary about the Scrolls that is more informative.

 The best part was this 3D movie about modern day Jerusalem and the three cultures who live divided there: Jews, Muslims and Christians. It was an amazing movie- a real education. The theater was full with all ages from 5-95 and silently attentive during the whole show.

 Another night, we celebrated a belated Father Day for my Dad at this Brazilian barbecue place we love. We also went there for Lyman's birthday if you recognize the dance costumes. We just stuffed ourselves with food, wine and music. It was great.

 One afternoon, we went out to visit some old pals of mom and dad's who have moved near here. Milo had a grand time since they are doting grandparents too and had lots for him to play with including this electric car. He's pretty sure our backyard patio is big enough for one of these too. Then one evening it was putt putt with Dad and Grandpa while Mom and I sat on the patio as the gardeners put in our own fake turf.

 Of course, the martial arts class continued while they we here. Grandma watched a few classes, and he also worked out a lot while he visited.

 One of our favorite things to do this summer has been to go to the water park with our pals. This time, we took Daddy, Grandpa and Grandma who couldn't believe she was there for 6 hours and how much fun it was!  We came home sun drunk, grilled another great dinner and sat out on the patio. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Summertime

 It's summertime!  Milo went to camp just a little bit in the beginning when I had to work for for a while, but then we were FREE!  Mostly free to spend a ton of time together, but also to settle into our new home and hang out with friends. We met a pal at Home Depot to build a craft, and we saw a lovely lady play a beautiful harp at the library.

 With our pals, we went to an outdoor movie night of Lego Movie and indoor movie of Inside Out. Outdoor movie was a little nuts, indoor movie was very civilized.

 For Father's Day, we headed to the beach to eat outdoors with sand under our feet. Milo and Lyman played some catch and caught some waves. I didn't go in past my knees, but these guys were happy to go in all the way in what I considered pretty cool water.

 Check out this cool guy! He loves having a break from school, homework and schedules. The dry summer weather has been terrible for his asthma and allergies, and the summer has also brought many doctors' trips, but he is a trooper not letting it slow him down. He even takes 5 medications in the morning and night with no complaint. There is nothing to complain about that! 

Before and Afters

 In our new home, we have done a few projects that have made it even homier and happier. The kitchen had this terrible faucet that barely cleared the edge of the sink basin with tight hot/cold handles making getting even a little water a pain. Now, we have a lovely faucet with a pull out sprayer and rubbed bronze finish to compliment the wood work and window. It wasn't easy. Our pal Davy thought it would be a snap, and offered his help but then discovered a mess under the sink of poor previous work and an imminent leak. Cue the landlord and handyman to fix the mess underneath, avoid the leak and install the new faucet. We did have a nice lunch with Davy and Jen that day though!

 Milo's room has a nice big window that faces the side yard. Now he has blue drapes that keep his room even cooler and dark at night.

 His room now has a charming rug that will keep his toes warn in a few months and cut down on the noise now.

 Lyman's office has really come together with a fun rug, desk, shelves and lots of room to play.

 I really loved the light that filled our home, but then it got HOT!  I was panicking about the power bill from the AC, but all is well now with these light filtering drapes in the dining room...

 these blackout drapes in the living room which we pull shut whenever we're not home or in that room...

 and these blackout drapes in our bedroom which we also leave closed most of the time as this room gets a ton of sun. My mom was a huge help in hemming- BY HAND- the drapes in the dining and master bedroom. She's incredible. Also, my Dad helped support the curtain rod with a bracket in the dining room, and he whether sealed the front door!  I think we'll save a lot of money and greenhouse gases this way.

 The backyard is all together now with the dirt being covered by a swatch of synthetic turf, wood chips and several shrubs and plants that will hopefully mature and fill quite a bit of space.

 The best addition to the yard is the grill you can kind of see in the picture. Lyman assembled it all by himself with a little help from Dad holding things still or my smaller hands fitting in screws. We love having a grill and try to cook most things outside when we can. Lyman can make a whole meal- meat, veg to grilled fruit that is so yummy! What a treat this home is for us after so long in our condo!