BIRTHDAY BEAR GOES DOWN MEMORY LANE

The Birthday Bear Group celebrated Mary's birthday at Ceylon Inn in Graceville. The restaurant doesn't do lunch on Friday so we braved the cool winter evening. We soon warmed up when we started eating our hot Indian curries. Bear also arrived in scarf and hat to keep warm.

 Bear came with an album full of Birthday Bear memories. We have been celebrating our birthdays with Birthday Bear since 2007. Helen made the album for Bear to share with Mary on her birthday. It contained photos of all the different outfits Bear has worn over the years and all the different places where we have celebrated.

 Mary was happy to receive Memory Bear and her album.

 We all enjoyed looking at past photos and remembering all our times together.

 We all enjoyed the hot Indian food too. The Shiraz wine went down well also.

I especially enjoyed the Mango Kulfi, Indian ice cream, to cool off my mouth.

If you are not familiar with our Birthday Bear tradition read here: 

A CUP OF TEA AND A GOOD SIT DOWN

One of my first Grandma duties while in LA, was to take Banjo for a haircut.

It was more like Banjo taking me to the hairdressers. This little 3 year old took me by the hand and  showed me the way down Melrose Ave to the shop where he has his hair cut.  

 Isn't he an angel?

 Another day we all went down Melrose Ave to the children's shoe shop for new shoes. Banjo soon decided on his new Crocs but Fox took a little longer.

Meanwhile Grandma tried some arty shots.

Nearly everyday we took the children to one of the many playgrounds in LA. This one had pony rides and a little train.

 Fox was proud to go with the older kids and do some trotting.

 Banjo didn't like it when he was younger but he enjoyed it on this day.

 I wonder what he's thinking?

Then it was "all aboard" for a train ride around the park. Fox was allowed to make the announcement over the PA system. After a snack it was time to go home for Banjo's nap and Grandma's cup of tea and a good sit down. It sure is fun but tiring playing with the grandkids.

FOGGY FOTOS

We had a few foggy mornings this week. So I dug TOH out of bed and we went to our local lake, Dennis Lake, and took some foggy fotos early in the morning. I can't decide whether I like colour or black and white best. What do you think?

Colour

Black and White

Black and White

 Black and White

Black and White

FUN WITH FLUTTERBIES

While I was in LA we took the children to The Museum of Natural History. There was a Butterfly Pavilion there. We arrived early and got into the first group to go in. Firstly we had to listen to the instructions of the do's and don'ts inside the pavilion. The boys did a good job at listening.

 The family are members of the museum and take the children often to the museum. There are lots of activities for children.

We all enjoyed looking at the butterflies.

 I tried out the automatic macro feature of my new Sony point and shoot camera. 

 I forgot to take a shot of the chart identifying the butterflies so just enjoy their beauty.

I was quite happy with this one for a P&S camera.

Sonya is such a good 'Mom' as she finds time to go to the museum with the children before she goes to work between 12;00pm and 12:00 am at this time of the year. 

 We found a caterpillar and

a chrysalis

Before we left the pavilion we had to make sure there were no hitchhikers trying to escape. This one tried to get a ride on the picnic bag on Bernie's back. We were not allowed to touch them you have to ask an attendant to remove the hitch hikers.

It was an exciting outing for the kids and me. There were other activities we participated in which will be the next post.

VISITING OUR LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Two weeks ago I flew across the Pacific Ocean to visit our family, who live in LA. I was a tad busy helping out so I didn't get to post any of my adventures while I was there, but now I am home again I will retell some of things I did there.

 In the big city of LA there are 3.9 million people and in the Greater LA area there are 18.5 million.

Four of them are my daughter, Sonya, SIL Bernie, and Grandsons, Fox (5) and Banjo (3).

The boys were excited to see me and were happy to see that I had brought some presents.

Most afternoons, I would go to the park with the boys. It is about 2 mins walk from their home.

One day Fox found Elly, one of his school friends there, she was a very pretty girl. Fox announces that he is going to marry her when he grows up. He leads her into the tunnel........

and out the other side. They sure had fun. They are quite a novelty in LA by being blonde and blue eyed. 51% of LA residents are hispanic with dark hair and eyes.

 Papa came to the park after work and pushed the swing, while Elly's mom pushed too.

Love is having a see saw together.