Who Can Jump the Highest?

One thing you can be sure, it was not Grandma, but I did jump and it was a lot of fun. Jimmy and Jacob perform antics on the trampoline before getting into the serious competition. The big trick was to see if Grandma could catch the highest jump on camera.

Around the Neighborhood

Lea, my granddaughter, and I took a walk around the neighborhood. The views are breathtaking and it is so quiet. We walked along the path of ponds, falls, and bridges and scared the beautiful wild ducks away. We even found a shady place to sit and rest. Lea was a great guide. I used to drive through this area and I always loved all the twists and turns and lovely landscaping and hidden homes in the hills. Very peaceful and quiet.

Kelsi Lynn--#15 Grandchild

Kelsi Lynn Hardy, held by her sister Lea, came just in time for Easter dinner. She is very petite, 6 lbs 9 oz and very quiet. I am down here in Rancho Santa Fe being the chief cook and taxi driver for the week. The sunshine is glorious! It was snowing when I left Lake Almanor... 

LONDON TOWN AND MORE!

What do you do with Marriott points from spending months in hotels working disasters? My daughters Maria and Linda went with me to London for a week and we had a wonderful time. This is the first time I have had an uninterrupted week with them since they were children, so it was very special. As you can see from the blue skies and coats, the weather was sunny but cool and no rain except for one day! Smashing, I say. It was a wonderful trip of sightseeing around London and excursions to Leeds Castle, Stratford on the Avon, Bath, Dover, Oxford University and more. Seven days packed full of subways, buses, walking, talking, eating, theater, and straining to understand what was being said. One of the things that fascinating me were the very tall Quince trees (I think) seen everywhere. It would be fun to see them all in bloom. Our hotel was luxury with lots of thick towels, down quilts under us and on us and great service. And Linda and Maria took charge of all the subway and bus travel so I just had a very lazy holiday. We saw "Les Miserables" which we enjoyed and ate lots of shortbread and delicious pastries and Bassetts Licorice candy. Oh, and the ice cream was smooth and lush. We saw London from the top of a Big Bus which is a must--here we are are looking at Trafalgar Square. I read you must go to the United Kingdom 16 times to see it all--I believe it. It is a fascinating country. Maria and Linda waiting for the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Maria and Linda in a Grotto under the Maze at Leeds Castle--this was amazing. Maria and I with old Norman castle in the background at Dover. We saw the White Cliffs of Dover, of course, and the driver asked for volunteers to sing the song. I did sing it to myself and remembered most of the words, too. After the hustle and bustle and many, many people in London, my own half acre seems very quiet but so good to be home, as always.