When Ike and Ashton had birthdays that aligned with the BIG UEA holiday, it took me little or no time to book a flight to the Bay Area. Soon after, Macy and her three kiddos and Auntie Ali booked their flights too and we were on our way to Oakland/Mountain View to celebrate. What a fun and crazy weekend! The logistics of touring with 7 children and 5-7 adults, two porta-cribs,snacks, drinks, 7 car seats, 3 strollers, in two SUV's are mind boggling. This was an exercise in adult creativity and energy. How do you sleep 7 children in a two bedroom student housing apartment or a small Mt View Bungalow? How do you herd 7 overactive children at the museum, zoo, on the wharf or better yet, in a restaurant.? How do you keep 3-D glasses on 7 children under the age of 6 so they can enjoy a "Bug Adventure" ? How do you carry 7 trays of food in a self serve cafeteria while pushing strollers, holding crying two year olds and managing 5 preschoolers. Molly and Amby were masters at getting us where we needed to go and hosting this loud and rowdy crowd. I, for one, had to remind myself that I wasn't on a preschool field trip. The one distinct difference was that I absolutely love these 7 kids more than I could ever imagine. The kids had the time of their lives and were so glad to see one another. The adults were just delighted, watching the kids having such a great time. It was quite amazing how it all turned out. I wouldn't have missed this trip for the world.
Highlights included:
Ike's 4th birthday and the cement slides at the Park
Ashton's 2nd birthday and the cupcake tasting party
Rex's escapades in the top of the orange tree and his helpfulness with all the kids.
Lucy dancing about and her butterfly adventure
Tenley and her dress up adventures and creative play
Molly June and her funny laugh and her downward dog move
Oliver running wild from his mother laughing
ALSO:
The excitement of the three Utah Cousins greeting their four California Cousins at the airport
Chowder and 1500 sea lions on the wharf
Breakfast Pastries at Tartine
French Food and Gourmet pizza at the Berkeley Park
A double decker carousel ride
The brisk train ride at the SF Zoo
"Vicki", the navigation system
Thousands of butterflies at the Rainforest in the California Academy of Science
Giggling children that wouldn't sleep
Mexican Food on Amby's patio
The Fall Fest in Los Altos
Molly and Amby's houses being so spotless when we arrived and like a tornado hit 30 minutes later
It was a fun and unique trip, a very fun memory. I am looking forward to when we will all be together again.
6 comments:
Well said. It really was so fun! thank you for coming...we are in withdrawal from all the fun. Come back soon!
oh vicki! What would we have done without her.
was so fun and so crazy. very well said. my fav line
"The logistics of touring with 7 children and 5-7 adults, two porta-cribs,snacks, drinks, 7 car seats, 3 strollers, in two SUV's are mind boggling." ...MIND BOGGLING.
Thanks for coming! It was so fun to have everyone!
It sounds so fun. I would like to have a pastry at tatines.
You packed in a lot of fun!! Your grandkids are growing up beautifully. Did you ever think it would be so intense???
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