Daddy and I went to the airshow yesterday for pancakes and airplanes.  Before we had pancakes, I got ready with my ear covers.  You can’t be too careful!

After breakfast, our first stop was a helicopter that I’d been in before.  This time I really got to move some switches and move the controls around!

Next, we visited the C-17.  Boy is this a big airplane!

I waited for a turn to sit up in the cockpit.  Did you know that you can open up the windows here in front?  And the pilots can, too… while they’re flying!  Also, you can get a good view of the engines (and the rest of the show) from up here.

After that, I landed an airplane hat and did some Army jeep driving…

…and some pink elephant driving.

Weeeeee!!  Maybe next year, I’ll get to see some airplanes flying!

I’ve been taking swim lessons down at the Y.

I’m learning lots of things, like blowing bubbles, kick kick kicking, and “chicken, airplane, soldier!”  Also, I use spoons and not forks – “we’re not eating salad here!”.  My favorite thing to do is to float on a couple of pool noodles and kick my way around the pool, but my teacher insists that I go without when I’m practicing with her.  I’m getting better!

The other day was a great day to get outside and try out one of my new stomp rockets that I got for my birthday.

First you have to put the rocket on the launcher:

Then you wind up:

Stomp!!!

And poof!  It’s launched!

And here’s the whole thing in slo-mo, so you can admire my technique!  (I’ve been practicing.)

It was finally time.  We had some M&D alone time and it was finally time.  To go for a ferry ride to get a Balboa Bar.  Can you see my anticipation?  I think I can see it!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…

And to top it off, another Ferris Wheel ride with Daddy!  Maybe this vacation stuff isn’t so bad after all.

But I do miss playing with my trucks at home.  I have to settle for the little one I have here at the beach.

Then Madeline and Lauren arrived.  The next day we were off to the big wave beach!

Boy those waves are big!  And they move fast!  They sure are fun to run away from when they come in!

While I was there, I invented sand surfing.  It’s kind of like skateboarding, but with a Boogie board on the sand.  And you don’t go anywhere.

Later, I taught sand boarding class to Mommy and Lauren.   They were very good students.  (Beginning students practice on the sidewalk.)

After all of that playing and teaching, I sure was tired.

(Note to M&D: This does NOT constitute proof that I don’t sleep with my eyes open.  I must have been blinking.)

What a fun vacation!

Well, it was time for another day at the beach.

On this day, Ma and Avery buried my legs in the sand, just like when Curduroy goes to the beach!

Later, Ma and I saw some artists painting pictures of the boats.

Then we had a visit from Natalie, Olivia, and Addison.  They were fun to play with on the beach!

After all that hard playing on the beach, I decided to relax and do some drawing like those artists I saw earlier.

The first order of business was to get some holes dug and sand castles built, stat!  Luckily, I had Avery there to help me.

Avery stayed over, so we got to keep having fun even after pajama time.

The next day, it was time for a ride over on the ferry.  There’s lots of things to see from the ferry…

… like… the Fun Zone!  Boy did I have my eye on that Ferris Wheel!

First, though we went for a walk out to the pier to see the big waves.

There they are!

On the way back was the big payoff!  A Ferris Wheel ride with Daddy AND Avery!  Weeeee!

The first visit on our trip was at Ma and Pa’s.  As always, I like reading books with Ma.

And it’s always fun to play with my favorite LA cousin.  Daddy says she gives me a run for my money on the noise making front, and I said, “Uh huh”. Pbbbbbbbbffffttt!

This trip was special because I got to meet my newest cousin, baby Oliver!  Do babies really start out that small?  I was never that small!

After visiting at Ma and Pa’s, it was time to see Grandpa and Nana.  As always, I start with cleaning the pool.  The pool at Grandpa’s is sooo fun.

Then, some more relaxing and book reading.   I wanted to share my new Airplane book with Grandpa.  I know he likes airplanes because he has lots of papers with pictures of them on his table.

Then it was time to go to lunch where we saw some big vacuum trucks!  Very cool!

After that, it was time for a trip to the park and some exercise.  Look at how strong I am!

Thank you Ma and Pa, and Grandpa and Nana for letting us come stay and visit you!

Next – on to The Island!

We’re now back from our vacation, but I wanted to tell you all about it.

We started by driving all the way to Los Angeles.  Our first stop was Ghiradelli’s for ice cream.  That made all the driving worth it – at least that’s what Mommy said!

We had some fun climbing on the rocks and looking for otters amongst the kelp.  We found a crab claw and a starfish!

After all that excitement, I retired to our room to relax with the rock garden.

The next day we drove through Big Sur and stopped at this very functional bridge.  There was a waterfall there, too.

With all the driving we were doing, I got very good at sleeping in the van.

Later we were at the pier in Santa Barbara.  They had some very neat flags – and more ice cream!

The next morning, I got to carry our “officially sanctioned” breakfast down to the lobby for breakfast.  I think M&D wanted me to eat something good after all that ice cream!

Next… on to Ma and Pa’s!

Lately, I’ve learned to pump my own legs to make the swing go higher!

I practice every chance I get – like at Shannon’s birthday party!

I always love to go to Home Depot, and not just because I get to go with Daddy.  Can’t guess why?  They have RACE CAR SHOPPING CARTS, which are THE BEST!  Vrrrrroooooommmm!

I also get to beep the stuff we’re buying.