The boys, Bailey and I arrived in California Friday, June 10th. It felt good to finally arrive at the destination for which we’d been preparing for months. Eric met us at the townhouse for lunch, but then had to go back to work. My sister Alyssa flew out with us and she was amazing. I could not have made the trip out here without her. Then she managed to unpack BOTH boys’ rooms for me that same day!

We’re not used to being able to walk to restaurants and shops, so we definitely were excited to get out in the sunshine and 70 degree weather for our first walk. So far we’ve found coffee shops, smoothie and juice bars, book stores, grocery stores, eateries and parks. Lots of new things to explore.

Our first weekend we ate breakfast at a little Creprerie, walked around the Promenade (a really swanky outdoor shopping area) and Santa Monica Pier. Ethan and Eric found a little arcade –so I’m sure that will be a regular experience. There was a Hawaiian surf contest that day, so we got to see some hula dancing and surfing — which all 3 boys enjoyed! Later we tried jogging to the beach, but about halfway there we realized the beach is about 4 miles west of where we live, and we weren’t exactly feeling up to a full 8 miles.

Alyssa mentioned wanting to see Venice Beach, it’s only about 15 minutes away so one afternoon we drove there and had a picnic on the beach. Ethan and his aunt found some shells and then we decided to take a stroll down the boardwalk. And that’s when the freakshow began. People pushing their wares, a lot of “medicinal” marijuana shops, and just overall, not very G rated. We only lasted about 5 minutes before we turned the stroller around and left Venice for another time.

Dropping off Alyssa at the airport was tough, but we managed to be tear-free. Poor Ethan…when we got home, he says, “I guess I don’t have an aunt anymore!” I explained that wasn’t the case, but I wonder what is going on in that little head of his. He’s been so adaptable, but I know it has to be confusing at times. He refers to our old house as “our real house,” but he also knows that we’re currently living on Mayfield Avenue in California.

So far, we’ve only had a few casualties from the move – a few small broken items, but the largest being my car and the pump to our bed. The car is currently in the body shop getting its rear door repaired and a new rear windshield. (We’re not exactly sure what happened during the transportation, but its being taking care of fairly well, so I won’t complain.) We’re ALMOST cardboard free within our living space, though I still have to tackle a garage half full of boxes and lots of rooms to still organize — I best get back to work!!