Yesterday, I let everyone sleep in so that they could burn off their jet lag and be ready for their first full day in California. Around 7:30 a.m., I could no longer handle the heat of the blankets and the 12-year-old (almost 13) cuddle bug on my side. So I decided to get up and run to the grocery store while my guests stayed in dream land. I wanted to get cereal for the girls (Lucky Charms? Ew!), milk for mom's coffee (whole milk? Ew!) and food for the barbecue. The stores were empty; not a cart to fight with in the aisles! And after a quick jaunt through Trader Joe's and Ralph's, I was back at the apartment, bags in hand. When I opened the door, mom was on the couch with coffee and her computer (she's probably the most excited about blogging!) She told me that she thought someone was trying to break into the apartment when I was opening the door. I laughed and told her it was good to know that if someone was breaking in, her method of defense was to kill them with kindness! That's my mom. She's adorable. Hands down great!
So, after mom and I got some alone time, it was time to wake the beasts.....I mean, girls. I tried using loving words and gentle nudges at first, but they were immune to it. So, I had to resort in tickling. Kayla jumped a mile and Katie twitched, but it did the trick because they were both up. As I jumped in the shower, they hit the Lucky Charms (again, gross!), but by the time I was out, they had their game faces on. Both were knee deep in their suitcases, studying their clothes as if it was the next math exam. Were they looking for the right equation of outfit plus accessories equals cute enough for a musical in Hollywood? One will never know, but the second the bathroom door opened, Katie jumped in, followed closely by Kayla. The marathon of hair and makeup continued. The second the shower curtain closed, the bathroom was invaded by the rest of us so that we could use the mirror to primp. Thank goodness I have a large bathroom!
After everyone was looking lovely, we grabbed AJ and headed to Hollywood and the Pantages Theater. I was very excited to see "In the Heights!" When we got there, the rest of our party was waiting (we were 12 in all!) I got to see my buddy Noah! I think he's officially taller than me, which is frightening, but just as nice as ever. So we trudged in to our seats and sat back to be wowed. And the show delivered. The music was great! The dancing superb! I cried throughout almost the entire second act, but it was worth every tear. I think the girls liked it, and I know as they see more and more musical theater, their appreciation will only grow!
So we jumped back in the car and made our way back to campus. After a quick change of the clothes, we headed over to the Bird Nest, a building on campus that sits right on the bluff overlooking all of Los Angeles. It must be one of the nicest spots on campus, and equipped with BBQ grills. So we fired up the coals, and got cooking! Burgers and bratwurst and hot dogs! Yum! Not to mention good friends. We were 17 in all. It was a great time.
The amazing thing about living on a bluff over looking Los Angeles and its surrounding areas (well, there are many amazing things, but I'll focus on one right now) is that you can see at least 10 different fireworks displays from campus. People from all over the neighborhood wander over to set up shop and watch the show. The youth camps that are on campus run out of the residence halls to check out the action. It's got a great community feel without ever setting foot off onto the streets. Incredible!
Well, we did set foot off campus for a few minutes. Kayla, Katie and Noah, who had all been laying on the blankets, chatting away and watching the sun set, came running up to me telling me they NEEDED Yogolicious. Well, I've never been good at denying the adorable face that is Kayla's, and add the adorable faces of Katie and Noah, with the amazingness of Yogolicious? I was a goner! So we jumped in my car, swung over to the land of amazing frozen yogurt and were back on the bluff within 20 minutes. The kids were thrilled; Katie and Kayla because the Yogolicious employees remembered them (how could they not?) and Noah because this was his first venture to such an amazing establishment.
With the sun shining off the ocean (did I mention you can see the ocean from campus?) and colorful displays lighting up the sky, I sat back on the picnic bench and watched my family take it all in. Kay, Katie, mom and Noah were cuddled together to stay warm and watching the night's sky. I couldn't help but take their picture.
After the fireworks had come to a slow, we headed back to my apartment so mom and I could warm up. Though the kids seem unaffected by the cool summer air, they agreed to head back. Marci was kind enough to let Noah spend the night, so he packed a few things from her apartment and headed our way. In the mean time, the girls did their blogs (considering how little they wrote, it sure took them a long time! It's funny how Facebook gets in the way! ;-) ) Noah and I played trivia games, and when I went to bed, all three of them promised me they wouldn't stay up too late.
I laid in bed listening to them laugh and talk. It was a great way to fall asleep. And believe it or not, they actually kept their promise! Around 2 a.m., the girls barged into my room, giggling and crawling into bed. For a brief second, they considered grabbing their pillows and going back to sleep in the living room. But the sound of my voice telling them to lay down and go to sleep stopped that. After a two second debate about why, I won. (And yes, I pulled out the ol' "Because..." My inner-teenage self cringed to hear me use the excuse that drives all kids crazy. But I'm not ashamed to admit it worked when I needed it.
Within seconds, the girls were asleep (but not before saying "I love you" to each other...so sweet!), and I was able to drift back to dreamland. Now, as I sit here listening to them breathing, I can't help but feel filled with love for two of the cutest girls I know. And since Kayla is curled up next to me, I can't help think about all of the years I've watched that face sleep and be thankful that she's so cute. Otherwise, I'd kick her butt out of bed because she's a covers hoarder and bed hog! But since everyday I am thankful to have a God daughter as incredible as her, I'll put up with these minor flaws. At least she doesn't kick any more!
Today, we might head to the beach. We might do a little shopping. But despite what the day brings us, the girls and I are headed to see 'Eclipse' tonight. Nothing like a little vampire vs. wolf debate!
No comments:
Post a Comment