Lala watched the kids, along with cousin Leo, in the morning. I arrived in the afternoon. We went swimming where I live.
Racing on the fat noodles:
There was another boy at the pool with his grandpa, Cody, about 4 years old. He tried out the fat noodle and really liked it (I think his grandpa is going to buy one). When Sophia and Avery started playing with the rings, he inched closer until he was able to catch them for me. A bit later, I suggested he try throwing them. He like that! He would throw and start shouting “Over there! Over there!” Sophia and Avery swam after every ring for the longest time.
A post-swim stop at Starbucks for frappuccinos before heading home, and then some sliding down the stairs after Mom got home.“Do they behave like this when they’re with you?”
No 🙂

Sophia made, pretty much by herself, S’mores Icebox Cake.
Hmmm, leftover filling.
We needed to go back to my house because some patio furniture was being delivered. What IS the best way to break in new furniture? The flop test, of course. “Grandma, take my picture!”
The icebox cake needed 6-24 hours before tasting. “Grandma, has it been 6 hours yet?” Finally, at 3:30, six long hours had passed.

In the morning, there was a bicycle parade in Thais and Lenin’s neighborhood. Carson pedaled all the way from his house to Auntie Leah’s. No one dared touch the handle to help him, either – he kept an eye on both of us!

It was less parade and more race around the block.

By the first corner, everyone was out of sight, Carson pedaled on. He made it all the way around!

In the afternoon, there was a barbecue at Leah and Jeff’s. All that pedaling made for a tired boy.

After getting her hair braided by an older cousin, Sophia tried to braid her mom’s hair. The attempt didn’t last nearly long enough.

While Avery was at his basketball camp at Jesuit High School,
Sophia and I went for a 4-mile bike ride on the American River Parkway.
In the afternoon, they went swimming at the racquet club. The big noodle is quite a hit. We need another one!
“Grandma, take my picture while I throw and catch the rocket when I jump into pool.”
“Grandma, take my picture when I do a backflip.”
“Grandma, rate us 1-10 on our cannonballs.” And practice taking action shots.

Today we went to the pool at the clubhouse where I live.

Right away it was time for some underwater photography. Sophia took these:
Avery took this one:

This afternoon after zoo camp, we went to the racquet club to go swimming. “Grandma! Take my picture when I …”

You’re about to see WAY too many pictures but there were so many good ones! 

I am about to get soaked:

Then the camera went underwater.When Avery saw this one, he said, “There’s that smile.” Sophia sometimes chooses this smile for pictures:
Back at home, Carson’s first words, “Old MacDonald’s Farm on Grandma’s iPad?” He loves watching different versions of this song on YouTube.

Golf in the morning.Justin and Thais came over to work on the flagstone.
Almost done!
By the end of the day:
I LOVE IT!! Huge thanks to Justin and Thais.

Yesterday (Saturday) I left just as Justin arrived and started working in my backyard. After Thais took me to the airport, she went back to help him.Sunday afternoon, Thais sent me pictures of their progress through the weekend.It already looks great!

Zingo:

A park near Westlake Charter School:

Later, Avery practiced how to spin a top upside down:And, periodically, throughout the day, I would hear the call … “Penelope!” Eye roll.

This is a new version of Paper Rock Scissors:
The funny part, to me, was how the loser of a round had to pose, big sigh, oh no:
Then we went to:


All the animals here have been rescued.

Near the bear exhibit were life-size cut outs of three bears (smallest to largest):  black bear, grizzly bear, polar bear (this would become important later in the day).

Avery was great at showing me where I should be taking pictures. “Grandma, over here, the baby peacocks!”

Then we went to Parrot Planet:

After we got home, we played Bird Bingo, black-out of course.

Then the bears began creating their dens. The middle-sized bear:

Somewhere in this mess, under the small table?, was the den of Greta:

At first named Bob the Black Bear, Avery changed his name to Blue Bear.

Penelope the Polar Bear was relegated the kitchen/dining area – “Penelope!” was usually called 2-3 times before she responded appropriately. Smile.