Mama Joins The Crew In California and Nan's 92nd Birthday

Part of the master plan of Elijah going to Disneyland with my parents was for me to fly to California to collect him and also have a short visit! As a former Los Angeles resident I miss so much about the city, not least of all THE WEATHER and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf chains! That in and of itself is enough of an appeal for me to want to go back but add in that I get to see my parents (Granmumsy and Pop), Aunt Shula and my Nan and pick up my sweet boy after being away from him for 4 days, I was ecstatic about this trip! 

One of the nicest aspects of the trip was getting to see Nan for her 92nd birthday. When Nan moved to California so she could be near Aunt Shula, whom she had designated to make medical decision for her before her dimensia set in, I was not sure if I would get to see her again. Traveling with three small children is no easy feat and so when this opportunity was presented, seeing Nan was a major highlight. She was not sure who we were but I saw a light in her eyes briefly return as she watched Elijah play and dance and run with joy. My mother said that was the best gift we could give Nan for her birthday and I know she is right. It is really quite beautiful where she lives though and it makes me feel good to know that she has a lovely garden and beautiful weather in which to sit.

Three generations....four were there but we have some camera shy folks in the family. 

Our silly happy Elijah.

Elijah enjoyed our time at Aunt Shula's house. There were lots of fun things to do! He loves harvesting fruits and veggies (I have GOT to get a veggie garden going at home!) and there was chalk to play with, instruments....lots of the things Elijah loves doing. 

Love that smile

And that laugh!

Apparently we are really funny. 

Handsome like Pop

Elijah's foot. Mama's foot. 

I had never seen so many different colors and shades of chalk! Really cool set, Aunt Shula!

Elijah tried to counter his doughnut consumption by doing push ups. 

Not bad for a little guy!

And now the well earned doughnut!

Mmmmmm

A little gardening in Aunt Shula's crocs

Handsome boy

Harvest time!

We were able to make a quick trip to the beach a couple hours before Elijah and I headed home! This boy LOVES the beach! He is definitely a water kid and as you will see, there was no walking ALONG the ocean for Elijah.

 He could not wait to get to the ocean!

It was so much fun getting to focus solely on Elijah for a few days!

One of the three sweetest boys I know!

 Kisses!

 We need to go to the beach more.

 The tide was coming in and he had so much fun letting the water "chase" him.

 Cute little footprints

 Elijah doing some of his now famous "moves"

 Such a sweet smile.

 Claude Pepper?

 My bouncing boy.

 He just got a kick out of watching the ocean run over his feet.

 Doing some kicks!

 Such a little ham

 There he goes!

 Yeah...I pretty much should have taken those pants off.

 "Okay buddy, time to go"

 One more ocean run.

 He made this one count....

 ....and found it hilarious.

 Drying off for the drive back.

And just as we get to dry sand, my very wet little boy "falls" flat body into the sand and laughs his tail off. Never a dull moments. 

It was an awesome trip and a fabulous week for Elijah! He kept everyone in stitches as always. One of the anecdotes I have to share is during the plane ride home. Elijah never meets a "stranger". He thinks everyone is his friends. (Something we are really going to have to work on for safety reasons as he gets older.) The airplane was no exception. He was sitting in the window seat, me in the middle and a sweet woman on my other side in the isle seat. Well Elijah spent the first 20 minutes of the flight (in addition to the time on the ground) chatting this woman up telling her about his trip and asking her questions about the plane and her life. I am just sitting in the middle of them basically minding my own business. Shortly after he falls asleep with his head on my lap and stays that way for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. When he wakes up he looks over at her, looks back at me then asks her if he can sit on her lap. Lol. And i believe she would have let him except at this point we were beginning our decent and I didn't think it would be permitted. That little boy just cracks me up. He makes life so much fun and SO FUNNY. 

Nan’s 91st Birthday

*All photos on this blog post are copyright Shulamit Gehlfuss

I decided that Nans’ birthday would be the perfect time test out my ability to travel to San Antonio on my own with my three littles. We set out early (before 6am) and only had to make one stop about 40 minutes away from my parents house. Not bad for a three hour drive with three kiddos two and under! It also did wonders for my maternal confidence!

We enjoyed spending a few days visiting with my parents, my brother and Aunt Shula and were so happy to find Nan, who has experienced some serious health issues recently, in great spirits. She was all smiles when she spotted my boys. Nan has always lit up in the presence of small children and babies, as long as I can remember. When family would come and visit, it was all about the kids. And being one of “the kids” this always sat well with me. I am enjoying that aspect of her personality even more now that it is all about MY kids. She just loves these little boys so much. It makes her day/week/month when they are able to get over for a visit. We had a lovely morning visit with Nan on her birthday and Aunt Shula took some pictures of our visit. I had so wanted to get some of Nan with all three of my boys!

Elijah and Rory rocking the double stroller.

Patrick enjoyed his ride as well.

Elijah spots Nan!

Nan looking bright eyed at her visitors

Rory enjoyed Nan’s birthday beads.

My sweet Elijah holding Nan’s hand.

 

Patrick enjoyed some solo time on Nan’s lap

Nan and the three boys. I love this picture even though Nan blinked.

 

Elijah took Nan for a ride in her wheelchair.

Patrick and Rory both seem to prefer their hands to the pacifier at times.

Elijah is not so sure he wants to share his snack.

Elijah getting a good bye kiss from Nan

Rory kisses!

It is amazing. Nan used to seem so big to me when I was little. Now she seems so small. To be fair she IS smaller than she was but still. It is amazing how things change.

Patrick’s kisses

The night before there was a “Prom” for the residents. So on our way out I, of course, could not stand to miss the photo op. My handsome date is Patrick!