Grandma Visits Schools and Fremont Favorites

This morning Grandma joined us as we dropped Caitlin and Ashley to their schools. Caitlin was a little sad this morning that Granddad isn't here and couldn't come with us. Here is our little exchange on the subject in which Caitlin shows the influence of her recent avid viewing of Sleeping Beauty:

Caitlin, sitting on the kitchen floor looking dejected: "I'm weally sad gwanddad is not coming to my school."

Susan: "Yes, it is sad. It would be nice to have Granddad here too."

Caitlin, after a lengthy pause and sighing with great dramatic effect: "At least we've had sixteen wonderful years."

Susan: ???

It took me a moment to realize that Caitlin was in fact quoting one of the three fairies in Sleeping Beauty on the eve of Princess Aurora's birthday when she was due to return to her parents after sixteen years in hiding from the evil enchantress Malificent!!!

After Caitlin's display of amateur dramatics we all headed off for a day of schools, some adult time and an afternoon trip to Fremont.

Caitlin and Susan show Grandma the sign in process for Caitlin's class

Ashley and Caitlin show Grandma Caitlin's cubby at school

Grandma examining the photo above Caitlin's cubby

Grandma participates in a goofy morning ritual at Ashley's school

After a leisurely morning of adult time at our house we collected Caitlin from preschool and went to lunch at Tawon Thai in Fremont. It's a family favorite and we always make a stop here for lunch when Janet and Ian visit. Caitlin enjoyed waving to the gold Maneki Neko inside. She just adores these Japanese sculptures. The one in Tawon Thai has a moving arm so that you can watch it actively beckoning. She can play with these for ages depending on the patience of those around her (her longest spell was one time in the Asian store in the UDistrict where the shop assistant was very patient and even pulled out Caitlin's favorite one in purple from the window display so that she could play with it...and the half dozen other ones in various colors that she was allowed to play with).

Tawon Thai, Fremont (Exterior)

Tawon Thai, Fremont (Interior)

Caitlin waving to the Maneki Neko in Tawon Thai

After lunch we browsed in Dusty Strings. In all the times that Janet has visited this music shop, during her many visits with us, I had never gone in until today. It is a beautiful shop. I particularly enjoyed seeing all the harps and listening to one of the employees tuning and playing what I think was a mandolin but did not get a chance to verify (as you can imagine Caitlin had to be closely supervised with all of these precious instruments begging to be plucked and played by a 3 year old!)

Dusty Strings, Fremont (Exterior)

Dusty Strings Harps

Dusty Strings Guitars

After Dusty Strings we made our final stop at Ophelia's Books, which used to be Twice Sold Tales a few years ago. This is a lovely little shop with an excellent stock of second hand books on its shelves. Janet found two Larry McMurty books and one John McPhee book which were exciting finds because she had thought she'd read all of there books and then discovers these ones that she hadn't known about. I found the third Ruth Reichl book, Garlic and Sapphires, that I've been looking out for since reading Tender at the Bone and Comfort Me with Apples this summer. I also found a copy of Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety, which is my pick for the December meeting of my book club.

Mother and son reading moment after the girls go to bed

Note the tissue box at James' feet. James and I woke up yesterday morning with matching colds. Ashley and Cailtin had been sniffly earlier in the week and are fine now. Unfortunately we are not. The cold arrived just in time for heading to the airport for Grandma's arrival. This is one family gift that we hope she doesn't take with her on her return flight to Dublin next week. Ian (Granddad) be warned. Start consuming the garlic, oranges and ginger now to boost your immune system before Janet returns home! (Btw, we miss you Ian.)