Maxine's Visit - Southern California Leg

Tuesday, August 23rd, my sister Maxine arrived for an eight-day visit. The last time she'd been here was June of 2014. We'd had a mini family reunion then and she'd been able to see our oldest granddaughter Autumn, then two years old and meet our younger granddaughter Vivian, then two months. This time we sandwiched in a visit within a visit, down and back to Southern California to visit our son Dan's family. Maxine would see how Vivian had grown and get to meet our newest granddaughter Lillian, now three months old. This would mean Maxine would have been on three plane flights in three days but she was game.

On Wednesday, August 24th, Maxine and I took a 3:00 pm flight from Oakland to Southern California. Dan's timing was impeccable picking us up at the airport. Our flight arrived at 4:20 pm and although driving from a job site in Burbank during the rush hour time frame, he pulled up curbside at John Wayne Airport just as Maxine and I emerged from between the sliding glass doors of the baggage claim area. Perfect! Upon our arrival at Dan and Carrie's home, Maxine and I had to disburse the gifts (generally toys, clothes, and books) we'd tucked into our carryons for both girls. It's a grandma necessity, you know. With five grand children of her own, the practice is well ingrained in Maxine as well as in me. Unbeknownst to each other, one of the toys we'd each brought for Vivian was a character from the Clifford, the Big Red Dog children's book series by Norman Bridwell. I'd brought Clifford and the book Clifford Takes a Trip to go with him since Vivian is quite the seasoned traveler. Aunt Maxine brought Cleo, the purple poodle since just about every little girl loves purple.

Maxine and I each then proceeded to the ceremonial holding of the newest addition to the family. Aunt Maxine had worn a sequined top and did not want to scratch the baby so she put her sweater on backwards before holding her. Even as a new mom, Carrie thought she was a bit too paranoid. There is just something about a new baby though that brings out protectiveness and a smile. Maxine is enjoying her snuggle.

Lillian was quite awake and her mom Carrie lamented that she (Lillian) had not napped all day! (Come to think of it, I guess that goes for Carrie, too...) I took my turn holding Lillian.

Lillian was getting a bit fussy from all that nap skipping. Grandma had to show her, by example, how it is done. Lillian's shirt reads "daddies are for snuggling" but it works for grandmas too. Me thinks, perhaps, there is a bit of family resemblance there...?

We had an excellent home cooked tri-tip meal. I got to give Vivian her bath and read her some bedtime stories. Lillian actually went down to sleep quite easily after Carrie nursed her. The four adults got to sit on the couch, sip wine, exchange memories, and tell anecdotal stories and jokes. We relaxed and enjoyed the reminder of our evening.

The next morning Thursday, August 25th, Dan went to work but the rest of us were off to visit a local children's museum/attraction called Pretend City. As we were getting packed up, and before Lillian was dressed in an outfit to match her big sister, Great Aunt Maxine got in some more baby holding, this time wearing a nice softly crinkly top.

Pretend City is set up like a region with urban, suburban, agricultural, and waterfront areas each themed with associated activities. Some murals are particularly striking like these with seals or coastline landscapes.

Vivian spent quite a lot of time in the water play area building boats or collecting plastic ducks with  a fishing pole. She looked quite fetching in her pink and white striped dress.

She matched her sister but somehow that day we never managed to get a picture of the two of them side by side. This photo is of Lillian in her "pretend city" before we'd left the house that morning.

We left the museum later than we should have to insure meeting Vivian's nap time but a bit sooner than it appears that Vivian wanted.

On the way home, in the back seat I managed to keep Vivian awake so she would not ruin taking a good, long nap in her "big girl bed". Her eyelids would droop and I would say "Uh, uh, uh...". Vivian would reopen her eyes and give me a wide grin and giggle like she had almost gotten away with something. I had to keep vigilant to succeed, even with Lillian crying away right next to her. Unlike most babies, the car does not soothe Lillian to sleep but rather it put her into wild wailing mode. Vivian did go up for her nap as soon as we got home and her mama promised her that her daddy would be coming home earlier that day. Vivian was happy he would be the one to come get her when she woke up.

When nap time ended however, Vivian appeared to have gotten out of the wrong side of her "big girl bed". She normally wakes up singing and in a great mood but not this time. She snuggled in her daddy's arms but was a bit of a grump. We told her we would be going out for pasta for dinner. She loves that. She stood up and tugged on her pink and white striped dress – the same one she had been wearing all day – and grumbled, "This dress isn't working for me..." Maxine, Dan, Carrie and I all exchanged glances and then cracked up. What do you know – a teenager at two!

Dan took her upstairs to let her pick out a dress that would work better. She selected this one that matched her poodle and brought Cleo along to the restaurant with us.

Apparently Lillian's dress still worked for her. She was quite happy in it and though the odds are usually against the same outfit surviving an entire day, it was still clean and restaurant ready.

We came home from a fine Italian dinner at Peppino's and gathered our items for a trip back to the airport. Dan, the one male present, took this group photo of all the girls. To be totally correct, Snoopy their dog was another male present, but he is not good with cameras. When Dan first got Snoopy, he ate Dan's camera, metal case and all.

Dan and Carrie traded places as photographer for this shot.

Carrie took posed photos of Dan and Maxine with me.

 She also took one final mother/son picture. Gee we look happy! Good visit!

After exchanging hugs all around, Maxine and I were set to depart to catch our 9:25 pm flight back north to Oakland. Vivian rode along with us to the airport so I got to hug and kiss her one last time when Dan dropped us off. It had been a whirlwind thirty-hour stay but very enjoyable and rewarding. Frank picked us up at 10:40 pm in Oakland and we were back in Livermore before midnight.