California Love by Hana Grace

Mommy & I just got back from a little place called California. We went to see my Uncle Josh & Aunt Angela aka Uncle Hollywood & Aunt Beverly Hills. It went a little something like this:

I had a horrible night Thursday. I didn't go to bed until after 11:00 pm & I woke up about every 30 minutes. This 4th tooth does not want to come out. Mommy says she can see it, it's right there, but it just won't break through! So back to the story...Out of desperation Mommy put me in bed with her & Daddy around 2:00 am hoping we could all get a little sleep. Unfortunately I tossed and turned all night keeping Mommy up too. It was storming really bad & I was just too darned excited & nervous about the airplane ride! Plus, I was going to be seeing my Aunt & Uncle after 4 very long months apart. We got to the airport in plenty of time but then came something I hadn't thought about. I had to say goodbye to Daddy. That part was hard even though I didn't know how to express the way I felt.

Next we boarded the airplane. I still have no idea what all the fuss was about. I got to sit in Mommy's lap, then Grammy's, then Gramps', then Mommy's, you get the picture. I played, I slept, I entertained the nice man sitting behind us, I fell asleep, & when I woke up Mommy told me we were in LA and that Uncle Josh was waiting for us at baggage claim but first I had to get beautified. In the bathroom at the airport Mommy put a clean diaper on me, changed me into a pretty dress, put a bow in my hair & off we went. Mommy was telling the truth because Uncle Josh was there waiting for us! I fell asleep on the 405 (I've even got the lingo down!) & I have to admit I was scared when I woke up. I forgot where I was for a minute & I woke up in my car seat in a strange bedroom all by myself. I let out a loud cry and Mommy came rushing in. She fixed my bow and took me in the living room and sat me down in front of everybody. There was this strange lady smiling at me and I didn't know what to do except cry, but then, as I woke up a little more and remembered where I was and who I had come to see I realized it was my Aunt Angela and the strange people sitting next to her were none other than Uncle Josh, Gramps, & Grammy! Then the show began. I entertained them for the rest of the night. Silly grownups! Everyone always sits around and watches me. Do they even realize that I've got them right where I want them? Right in the palm of my tiny baby hand.

I had no idea what was in store for me when I awoke the next morning. Mommy put me in another dress and handed me to Gramps and off we went without Mommy or Grammy. I wasn't too sure about this at first but then I realized we were just going to see Uncle Josh & Aunt Angela while Mommy & Grammy got ready for the day. I cried a lot but I was just trying to tell them that I was sleepy again. I was told that all my crying scared Duncan, the kitty cat. But once I got still in Angela's arms I took a much-needed nap. The next hour or so was a blur to me. The next thing I remember well is seeing where my Aunt & Uncle work. Something really funny happened there that I'll have to tell you about in person. I'll just say that my diaper was changed in a really special place and I got to see some really cool stuff pertaining to the TV show they work for!

I took another nap & when I woke up this time I was being put back into my stroller and being pushed around a place called the Third Street Promenade. I never saw anyone famous but I did see a girl that Mommy thinks will be famous one day. She was about 8 years old and could sing really well. There were lots of people performing in the middle of the street. It was crazy. I decided to put on my own show of face-making and funny noises. Mommy says one day I could end up back in California to become a star. We'll see!

They had lunch at the Promenade (I had a snack) & I got to see all kinds of doggies. It's weird out there. People take their dogs everywhere and tie them up outside the restaurants so they can go inside and eat. I heard Mommy, Gramps, & Grammy joking about bringing Pagan and Mr. Guthrie to places like that. Gramps says that would end that trend! Once Mr. Guthrie was let inside a fancy Hollywood store the owners would never allow a dog in again! LOL I think it's funny to picture it. Or to picture him running away while still tied to the hostess stand of a restaurant. LOL

After they finished lunch we headed to the beach where I got to eat my lunch in the car. I guess they were all still full of their lunch because they were not interested in sharing my turkey, vegetable & barley dinner with me. Sucks for them because it was tasty! I ate quickly because I was anxious to see what this thing was they call Santa Monica Beach. We walked and walked (They did at least. I was being carried.) through about a mile of sand until we got to some water. Lots and lots of water. I couldn't' even see the other side! There was water as far as I could see! Then something happened that I'll never figure out. Why on earth would Mommy think I would like to put my feet in that cold water? If I wanted down, I would have asked. There I was happily enjoying the scenery, the sun, and the beautiful weather when Mommy decides to put my feet in the sand and water. I let her know I was not happy the first time, but for some reason she felt the need to try it again. She claims she was just washing the sand off my feet, but I don't know if I believe that or not. We walked around some more and then I fell asleep once again when we got in the car.

Aunt Angela took us to a place called Pinkberry. She had talked and talked about this place and how good it was, and Mommy agrees. She says it's the best frozen yogurt in the world. I wouldn't know. I didn't even get to taste it. I was asleep. But the fun still had not ended for me. I woke up at our California home away from home and Mommy put me in my swim suit and off we went to the pool. Guess what? I liked it! It wasn't so bad after all! I would've stayed in longer but it was cold! Once the sun started going down it was down right chilly for us Texans! LOL The temperature outside did not get over 80 degrees the entire time we were there. And there weren't any bugs. No mosquitoes or flies to worry about!

Later we went back to the apartment and the grownups had steak and authentic California avocados. While they were eating Uncle Josh talked to me and told me how the following day I would be back in Texas and he'd still be in California. I tried to warn him that he was making me really sad but he kept talking. He didn't stop until I was crying really hard. Why don't these people think I know that they're saying? I understand everything, I just need to figure out how to communicate that better. We stayed up pretty late that night. I was really hyper and entertained them all once again until about 1:00 am our time. I figured I should give them as much of me as they could handle to hold them over until I see them next. Finally Mommy gave me my night cap and I was out for the night.

The next morning I woke up and we had to get ready to get back on the airplane. It was hard to say goodbye but I knew Daddy was waiting for me back in Texas. The flight home was a cinch for me, but Mommy had a hard time with it. She got something called motion sickness. She said it was from looking down so much doing crossword puzzles and it was a bumpy ride because of the rain. She was okay once we landed. Mommy told me Daddy would be waiting for us outside but he surprised us & was waiting there for us at baggage claim. He had flowers for Mommy and a new teether for me! He must have really missed us both! Mommy's roses were pretty, but Daddy knows what I like!

Once we got home I was sad to have to say more goodbyes, this time to Gramps, Grammy, & Mr. Guthrie. I slept well last night but was a little sad when I woke up this morning to just Mommy. No offense to Mommy or anything, I love our days together, but I have to admit that I really miss everyone else. I'm looking forward to Daddy getting home from work soon!

So that's it. That's the story of my whirlwind weekend. I'm quite a jet setter now!