ZOOMARS!

 

Several weekends ago we all went to San Juan Capistrano and to the petting zoo, Zoomars.

 

 

Toby and I first visited the goats

 

 

 

then into the guinea pig pen where Maddie spent most of her time,

 

 

 

and Max too before exploring areas:  pumpkins, corn cribs, rock areas.

 

 

 

Warning:  don't hold any one guinea pig too long or this will happen!

 

 

 

Tired but happy kids on the ride home.

Back to Burbank!

 

Toby and I arrived here on October 1st, sorry to leave Chocorua but so glad to see the family here:

 

 

 

Finding that Sam is near completion on his amazing outdoor structure,

 

 

 

 

Not surprised that the M's are still loving rainbow ice cream at Baskin Robbins--where we also got free pumpkins!

 

 

 

Touched that they came for a sleep-over the next weekend and wanted to repeat all the usual's:  Pizza for dinner, the Lego Movie (which we've watched so many times that they I-Padded during most of it, but I was still engrossed, Mr. Little books at bedtimes, choc.chip and regular pancakes for breakfast, and art in the studio).

 

New Things:

 

Toby in his 6-bed board and care home just up the street from our house here. Big, big, BIG change for both of us.  I was surprised and pleased to find that he likes it there.

 

 

I've taken my paints over to paint furniture on the patio while he watches and we listen to music.  I see him almost every day.

 

 

 

Taking him to watch Max's soccer practice.

 

 

 

Lea down from Palo Alto--giving Toby a hello hug.

 

 

 

My big splurge:  a Water Rower

Set up in our living room--smooth to row on--good exercise--and from Warren, Rhode Island (just next to Barrington) where they know how to make boats.  As David wrote:

"I love the idea of you rowing on a Rhode Island rower with the sounds of the water--in your living room in the California desert!"

 

 

 

 

Oops..

Have to get that Sing-Along Video up when we get to Burbank.

The Sing-Along for Toby

on Wednesday afternoon

organized by Julie.

All the songs he loved--and he loved it all.

Storytelling

 

 

 

Jay on the porch in Bourne, MA--starting a writing exercise.

 

 

 

Listening to Steffan's NYC story in the grove.

 

 

Dancing before breakfast

 

 

 

and Julie dancing with Toby in Chocorua!.

 

 

  

 

The banana ladies.

Found Photos

 

Just discovered these photos from the summer:

 

 

The Victorian Girls' Summer Camp came for games and tea at our house in July.

 

 

 

We dressed in the fashion of the age--

 

 

 

 

Simon in Rachel's senior high school prom dress.

 

 

 

 

Gwen's and my trip to Maine to visit Lea by the seashore.  

The painting of the shells.

 

The Mayo's Square Dance  in Connecticut:

 

 

Linda, Max and Maddie striking a pose,

 

 

 

Maddie dancing with Uncle Bill--her only partner for the evening.

 

 

 

Max dancing all the dances with charmed ladies and sneakers that lit up all the way down the line during the Virginia Reel. 

My 74th

 

was celebrated with the Page/Bethel clan close to their departure for Panama.  

The Page/Kender clan had left Chocorua a week or so before.

Sad to see these clans depart, but so much fun to have them while they were here.

 

Examining a b'day card with attentive audience

 

 

 

 

and To Oldly Go, a book about elder adventurers, a suggestion that I too could still sally forth!

 

 

 

 

Annie Moody and I at our annual reunion in Bangor on my birthday weekend.

 

 

Annie with Chrisitina who makes the reunion possible

 

 

 

 

plus many delicious meals, lovely sunflowers, and a heavenly chocolate cake with, thank goodness, not all 74 candles -- but there was one to grow on.

 

 

 

 

Then a square white box from Linda that held this fabulous hooked pillow she made!!

It holds forth on the porch for now on a chair with perfect matching colors.  

Love that deep sky blue!

 

 

 

Before all the gkids left, Simon with Max's help made this lean-to in the woods.  I've left it up in case we should need shelter someday.

 

 

 

 

And the farewells. 

 Love you all.