Thursday, February 17, 2011

San Diego

So last week I got to do something I don't normally do. My daughter has been planning a trip to southern California to attend her BFF's baby shower. She planned to take her two little boys along. So I did what any normal grandchild lovin' grandmother would do. I volunteered to go and be the nanny! It took her approximately 2.2 seconds to take me up on the offer.

So on Wednesday evening we arrived at the airport. She and I, two little boys, a stroller, two carseats and four pieces of luggage. We were going to be gone for three days.

I wish I would have taken a picture - I'm sure we were quite the sight!

Anyway, we flew to San Diego. Let me just say that San Diego in February is quite delightful. I couldn't get over the green-ness of everything. Flowers were actually in full bloom in all the yards and landscaping. The weather was gorgeous.

I have always loved San Diego and I think somehow, someway, I really am a San Diego girl at heart. I just feel so happy there.

We stayed at Michelle's friends' house that was about a 4 block walk from the beach. So the next morning we loaded up the boys in the stroller, stopped at a Starbucks on the way, and headed to the water. Michelle sat with baby Aiden in the stroller and I took Tyler's hand to go explore the water. We kicked off our shoes, rolled up our pants and headed to the water. At first we just waded around in the waves getting used to it. Tyler was excited, yet a bit nervous. Suddenly out of nowhere a rogue wave came at us and knocked us both down. We were completely drenched! In my younger days as a mother I probably would have been a little uptight about it. Now we are all wet. What are we going to do now? The awesome thing about being a grandmother is you realize what is really important and what is not. We laughed and I thought "Oh well - isn't this what oceans are for?" And we played and we played and we played. Finally, I traded places with Michelle so she could enjoy her son playing in the ocean waves. It was such an awesome time.

We rinsed off and enjoyed breakfast in a little beachside cafe. What a perfect day. We had a great time and our three days flew by.

Another great thing that seemed to happen on this trip was regarding my struggle with flying. I did not take any medication. That wouldn't have made any sense as I was there to help with the kids. If I had medicated Michelle would have had three of us on her hands. I had nervous moments on the way there but overall did okay. On the way back we made three stops. On the third take-off, we were about half way in the flight when I realized we had taken off and I hadn't really noticed! I don't know if I was just so tired or if I am finally getting the hang of this - but I was elated! One thing I have learned is that knitting on the plane helps me tremendously.

Now that we are home, it has snowed, hailed and had wind that takes your breath away. Our three day get away is just a memory tucked away. I'm back to work and life's busy schedule. Summer seems a long way off.

San Diego - I'm coming back again, someday soon. I promise!