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. 

Date Nights “Abroad”

Thanks to the generosity and willingness to help of our family, Chip and I were able to go on TWO date nights while we were traveling North this winter. The first date night took place in New Jersey at this amazing restaurant called The Haven that was right on the Hudson River and the view was MANHATTEN. It was awesome. Chip poured over menus and reviews and chose the perfect spot! We left all three of our littles with Papa John and Mimi and hit the road for our night on the town. We had an amazing dinner  full of romance and laughter and just a really great time. We happened to be right near my Uncle Bobby’s house and decided to see if he wanted to meet us afterwards with Aunt Mariel. We had so much fun as our date evolved into a double date for the second half of the night.

Heading out for a night on the town!

Feeling excited to wear a dress that is not an easy access for nursing.

Chip chose my appetizer for me which was fun AND delicious! Mmmmm Scallops! He knows me so well.

Chip was thrilled to enjoy some oysters!

The view!

I loved getting to wear my FAUX fur and my wool headband! Mmmmm chilly weather is how it should be in December!

I love hanging out with these two! Uncle Bobby has always been so good to me and Mariel is one of the coolest gals I know!

You would never know that tiny gal just had a baby!

Our second date night was in Pennsylvania when we went to see Grandmumsy and Pop! They took on the three littlest Parishes and send us to the restaurant of my choosing Dilworth Town Inn. This is a restaurant that I have loved since I loved at home. It was our “special occasion” restaurant and one my parents have always loved for their date nights! I chose this not only because it is so delicious and an experience I cannot get back home but because it is a restaurant that is referenced often in my family and I wanted Chip to enjoy it firsthand. The restaurant used to be a colonial inn and the integrity of the building and décor has been beautifully maintained. The dining area is rooms all over the inn and there are fireplaces everywhere. It is my favorite dining experience and one I have had since high school. I actually went there for dinner before my Senior Prom.

Dressed and ready to go leaving Grandmumsy and Pop’s house!

Chip looking handsome at dinner.

I had this incredible pear martini.

My dad sent us with this yummy bottle of wine!

We had a very romantic dish….the Chateaubriand for two! My favorite!

We had an amazing trip and our date nights were definitely a highlight and so appreciated!