Our whirlwind trip had us arriving at Brian's on Wednesday night and leaving on Monday morning. The time was divided into two parts. For the first we slept at Brian's house, got the kids (a 7-year old and 5-year old twins) to school and supervised their afternoon and evening activities with the help of the twins' nanny.
During our free time we ran some errands and drove to Redwood City to explore and eat at Mazra, a Mediterranean restaurant that came highly recommended. The highlight of our excellent meal was a whole roasted cauliflower appetizer.
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| Cauliflower |
The next day we had some non-photogenic, but great authentic Chinese food at a
local restaurant.
On Friday afternoon Son Tony, DIL Ie, and their family arrived from their Central Valley home. Brian's house will only hold a couple of overnight guests, so Tony rented an Airbnb ten minutes away. When Brian and Nicole returned home from their trip we ate dinner with them, then packed up our stuff and moved over to Tony's.
The next two days were nonstop family time. We watched a little league baseball game, celebrated the birthday girl with lunch, a pinata, and a rented bounce house (enjoyed by both the littles and the adults). One popular activity was constructing buildings with magnetic tiles. Uncle Donald's height came in handy with the really tall ones.
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| "Let's make it taller" |
Sunday morning everyone headed back to Brian's for a Mother's Day brunch and more family time. I was in heaven! But all good things eventually have to end. Tony and family needed to get back home to organize for the week ahead. Nicole and Jay left for an appointment. Tony, Donald, and I played one last game of cards then said our goodbyes. We had to get to the airport early for our flight back home.
Five years ago today: Nextdoor Neighbor
I always love hearing about your visits to California. My husband and I lived in Redwood City before moving up here. I also lived down the ElCamino in San Mateo for 35 years and Burlingame. I get so tickled when you’re in my old stomping grounds!
ReplyDeleteBoy that was a whirlwind trip! Glad you had fun.
Six years ago California was just a place on a map. Now I'm getting to know one part of it pretty well.
DeleteSounds like non-stop fun! And that cauliflower appetizer looks tasty!
ReplyDeleteThe three of us devoured it :-)
DeleteSounds like a fun getaway
ReplyDeleteIt was
DeleteI'm glad you had a great time with your family, Kathy!!
ReplyDeleteIt's from moments like these that we gain strength to overcome life's difficulties!!
Have a nice day!!
It's great to enjoy some time with the family.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all.
That sounds like a really enjoyable get-together and so nice for you to be involved in some of the daily routines of school and activities.
ReplyDeleteSince the family is so far away we don't get to be involved nearly as much as I would like to.
DeleteSuch a blessing that you all could go and watch the kids and enjoy your family. Special memories made for you all Kathy...
ReplyDeleteI love making memories!
DeleteFun times! Maybe, just maybe, sometime when you are in the Bay Area we can make a concerted effort to meet up. Redwood City is right in our kids' backyard, so to speak. Our grandkids were born at the Kaiser Hospital in Redwood City. I am reworking my life and commitments so we can see the kids more and be more available for their various activities. I really would like to be there for Judah's track meets, but our schedule is packed for the rest of the school year. I want to be able to drop everything and GO when we can.
ReplyDeleteFrom your house to Redwood City is quite a trek!
DeleteWhen younger we would make the trip in one day, especially if we needed to get the kids back home or pick them up to bring them here. Those trips are too hard on us now. It's about 3 hours each way. Really depends on timing of rush hour traffic.
DeleteI don't think I'd want to make the trip in one day either.
DeleteWhat wonderful family time! Moments to be treasured!
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteSounds like you all had a good time together.
ReplyDeleteWow sounded like a beautiful dream dear Kathy 🥹🥰
ReplyDeleteYou were in heaven for sure 🤗🥰♥️
Spending time with children after they lived far away is dream come true for parents I know.i know how desperate parents feel for having such priceless moments so I am genuinely really happy for you dear friend that you were able to live this dream once again 🥹🥰♥️
Thanks for your lovely words.
DeleteWhat a wonderful family get together and celebration!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my granddaughter lives only 10 minutes away.
ReplyDeleteYou're very lucky.
DeleteSo. Much. Fun. While our daughter and SIL attended a wedding out of town, we spent mother's day weekend with our two oldest grandchildren, 4 and 2 on Sunday. So. Much. Fun. (Happy for you and for me.)
ReplyDeleteYea for both of us!
DeleteGot up this Saturday morning and the news was filled with the tornadoes that roared through Missouri. Hope you are still standing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking. We came out fine.
DeleteGood to hear.
DeleteAh grandkid babysitting. My daughter lives about an hour away. I got called whenever the grandkid could not go to daycare due to minor ailment. I grumbled some at the time, but looking back, I am glad I was there for them and glad to have seen so much of the grandkid, even given the sniffles, horrid diapers and arguments.
ReplyDeleteI know that often the grandparent turns into the backup daycare. I wish I was close enough to provide that service!
DeleteAre you ok? I'm not sure where exactly you live but I saw the terrible photos of storm damage in St. Louis and hope you are fine.
ReplyDeleteOur condo is 15 minutes away from the affected areas-thank goodness!
DeleteI'm happy to hear you are ok, but that's too close.
DeleteAm I reading this right, did you get three grandkids in 2020?
ReplyDeleteTwo (the twins) were born in 2019 and one in 2020.
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