I better get this posted before Amara comes to spend the night again this weekend and I get that much further behind!
Let me start by saying that if you didn’t get to see it on Facebook a couple of weeks ago – I got another purple calendar date! Jenna had told me that I was going to be asked to help out at the Book Fair for Back to School Night at Santiago. The PTA has always had Book Fair open during Back to School Night and while they sell lots of books to the parents that attend because those parents are visiting the classrooms it is really hard to get volunteers to work. So we all got to help! Justin was the bouncer, I ran the line directing customers to one of the 3 registers. One of those registers was manned by Miss Jenna. Even Amara worked the Book Fair and she was so fun and entertaining! You will notice in the photo of us that we are standing in front of a large board of numbered small ticket items the students/parents could purchase. As they reached the head of my line Amara would go into her Vanna routine, “Would you like anything from the wonderful board of colors and wonder and magic!!!” (Jazz hands) I just love this child! Why didn’t I think to get video of her? It was so much fun working next to her and getting to see lots of old friends.
Amara slept over that weekend. We couldn’t decide what to eat so we decided on dinner at Red Robin. Yum! We all had hamburgers and were pretty stuffed but Grampy and Amara “needed” dessert! They knew they wanted milk shakes but they just couldn’t decide! So Grampy got the cookies and cream shake and Amara ordered the cupcake shake (without sprinkles because Grampy doesn’t like sprinkles) and they both had them split! So they each got 2 milk shakes! I love going out with the 2 of them. It is so fun and entertaining! Oh and they forced me to order the molten lava cake so they could have some of that, too! I think I got 2 bites. It was really more than I wanted!
Our plan for after dinner had been to come home and watch “the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” on Amazon. Amara had recently read the book and Rich and I had read it a long time ago. We’d also seen the movie when it came out but couldn’t remember any of it so thought this would be fun! Then we got home and Amara thought it would be lots more fun to watch Cake Wars – so why not!
Sunday morning Amara and I were off to the Orange International Street Fair! The Orange Circle and surrounding streets are all closed to traffic and each area is devoted to a different country. There were food vendors and shopping booths down the middle of all the streets. It was in the mid-70s and it was perfect out! We went early as parking is terrible and the crowds start to get pretty rowdy by noon! Between almost every food vendor is a beer wagon! Even OCSA had one although theirs wasn’t open at 10 AM.
Amara, like most of her friends and family is into Pokemon Go so we did at least 2 laps around the Circle catching Pokeys! I don’t have the game on my phone but I do have a lot of fun walking with her and hearing all about everything she has caught or that is hatching! I just smile and nod! After about 2 laps of that Amara put her phone away and we got down to some serious shopping and eating! One of our favorite places to go at The Circle is The Perfect Circle Cupcakery – they’ve been on Cupcake Wars! I was worried they would be closed as most of the shops were. We were in luck and we took a break from our walk to share mini-cupcakes! I bought some Christmas gifts and Amara bought some peppermint bath salts. We had such a good time!
Maybe this weekend we will get that movie watched!
I was so surprised to see how tall Amara is now! She’s not a little girl anymore! It’s such a bittersweet thing to watch them grow up.
So glad you all got to help out with the book fair! I’m sure they were happy to have you there again!
You are so blessed to live so close to Amara & her mommy & daddy. It’s a wonderful thing for all of you!
Did I tell you that asked Justin to work the Science Fair again this year? And of course he said yes. He loves interacting with the students, too!
So nice of you all to continue helping the school. Seems like you are fun out of everything you do! That sets a good example for us all.
I really do love that school! We went to restaurant night last night. Chipotle donated 50% of the sales back to the school. Got to see lots of friends and I didn’t have to do dishes!! It us really rewarding to be part of something special.
What a doll-baby Amara is! And what a privilege to spend so much time enjoying her cute personality! I like the picture of her drinking both milkshakes at once!
Somehow, I had a feeling you’d make an occasional guest appearance at Santiago! And all three of you this time! I know that was much appreciated!
Amara has early off on Fridays at OCSA so last Friday I went with her and Jenna to Santiago to visit as they were getting out. I hadn’t been on campus but about 5 minutes and a little boy — maybe 2nd grade says “You’re the Cat in the Hat”. I had tears! It is so wonderful to know you impacted their lives in such a positive way.
That’s pretty great you all got to help at Santiago. Amara and her family will always be part of their family, I bet.
Double-fisting the milkshakes!? Love it!
The street fair sounds like such fun. And you already have Christmas gifts purchased? Is it really that time?? Oh, wait, I guess so. (Sheesh, I’m so far behind. Where did this year go?)
OK! So I am one of those people who is always doing their Christmas shopping at the last minute. Those will likely be the only gifts I buy in advance unless Amara and I go somewhere else cool!
As for Santiago, it will always be home.
Kc… I love hearing about your wonderful weekends with Amara, I wish Valentina had some grandparents that she could be close too… you sound like such fun grandmother… xox
It was awesome that you all helped out with the book fair… books are so important for children these days more and more xox
If you and Valentina lived closer I would gladly adopt her as an honorary Granddaughter!
Aw, what fun!
Amara is so lucky to have you guys around. She’ll grow up filled with love.
We’re the lucky ones – both for Amara and her parents.
Yep! I’m the luckiest one because I have them and YOU!
As Grampy always says — we are the lucky ones both for having Amara and her parents close by.
I remember that milkshake photo from FB !
Nice that you all got to help out one more time at the ‘old’ school! 
Sounds like lots of the usual fun to be had with you guys and Amara !!
Would you believe that child wanted a push-up when we got home?! She is bottomless! We do have a lot of fun!
Hi Kc,
Amara is so lovely! And almost as tall as you! She is very lucky to have such special grandparents, and the school is lucky as well!
The street fair sound like something that I would LOVE!
Take care, Teresa
Amara is as lovely inside as she is outside. She really has a wonderful giving heart.
Amara has no choice but to be tall! Tall is everywhere on all sides of the family! Her Mommy is 5’10″ and her Daddy is 6’4″. Should be interesting to see just how tall she gets!
Amara is a lucky girl, and you are lucky grandparents. I like seeing her alongside you – soon she’ll be taller! That’s happening with Amanda and me, too, and I’m pretty tall! That Lava cake sounds yummy.
I have a terrible time making decisions. I am a “love a bite of everything ” girl. Amara and I would get along great. Glad to see you having a good time with your girl.
We have a Cupcake Wars winner–Nadia Cakes (http://www.nadiacakes.com/)–nearby. So tempting, and so good!
It sounds like you had a great weekend!
It is a good thing that they aren’t here in the neighborhood because cupcakes and brownies are really my weakness!
There’s always time for a movie because you had a blast all weekend. I knew that school wouldn’t be able to get along without you, and applause to you for helping out.
Nice! I wish my dad was as involved with my kids.
You are a great, grandma- so much fun!