fossilfreak

 

356 recordings of 64 types, no old SVU (though some will come later this week) 51 old CPD and oh, yes, 54 old Last Man Standing. 23% clear.

 

Saturday I had dithered about whether to leave the dog out, figuring it would be at least 12 hours so I would have to give him access to the back room (with the kitty litter box, eek) but I was afraid it would be too cold for him outside. At least Andy fixed the back gate to discourage him... he's scratching at it, but I think the gate will outlive him. I finally decided that since it wasn't raining, he could probably be left out. I thought the gardeners would be on vacation, after all it's only two days till Christmas, but at the last minute I decided to leave them a note on the back gate, and it's a good thing I did, because they did come. But they didn't go in the back yard, hallelujah!

 

So I drove down to Elk Grove and moved my packages to Bernadette's car (except for the mandarins and stocking stuffers I smuggled in) and we packed up and drove to San Jose. I didn't get out at the Latham gas station, but Gareth decided he needed to go to the bathroom too. He opened the door and got out and Joanna closed it and he opened it and Joanna closed it... "Gareth! Go in to the bathroom!" And then he did the Midvale School of the Gifted thing of trying to go in the exit. He finally got in.

 

When we got to San Jose I gave the kids some stuff to take in... "Don't drop it." Of course, Gareth dropped the packages. Since they were cookies (from Bernadette) and stemless wineglasses (from me) that was less-than-optimal. However, everything survived.

 

Monica and Charlotte had put together a lovely brunch... chiliquilas, tamales, eggs, salad... Joanna, of course "didn't liiiike it" but at least ate the eggs. Then we opened presents. I gave each family a set of the stemless wineglasses, but since I gave Mark one and Monica one I almost didn't. Oops. They also got a big box of almons. Bernadette had commissioned hats for the kids, though Lexi got fingerless gloves instead. (I could use those... I've had cold hands a lot during this cold wave.) Joanna got a jewelry making kit of at least 1000 pieces. She absolutely loves it, and it's something Grandma could do with her, too. I got a nice tray with dried fruit and a couple of nanoblock dinosaurs. Gonna keep me busy! I apologized to Teddy for giving him a subscription that is too young.

 

 

And off to walk to Christmas in the Park. The kids got well ahead. The teens went off to get churros y chocolate (which I like better here than in Spain, so there) and I bought ride bracelets for Gareth and Joanna and 4 ride tickets for Padreic. Bernadette took them to the train and I caught up with some members of the family, then when the train ride was over she took the kids to the bigger rides and I had P. to go around with Monica and the girls. We got stuck at the adoption place with two of the most terrified cats I've ever seen. Then I took him to the car ride and helped him get a red car. He really enjoyed this. We looked at little houses and special trees, and then went to the ball drop and looked for Bernadette. Finally caught up with her and it turned out that Gareth is too big to be on his favorite jungle walk (a sort of obstacle course.) Joanna had definitely used her ride bracelet but I may have lost money on Gareth's. Bernadette took Padreic to the train again, but the operator wasn't there. Monica asked "why is she still waiting?" just as B. left the line, with Padreic in tears. That's why.

It was time to start to leave, so Joanna and Padreic went on the little Ferris wheel. He was a little dubious at first but then she held his hand and also the operator started to poke him in the leg every time he went by. Unfortunately, though, Bernadette thought the last ride could be the "Frog Drop", and he was quite happy going up, but terrified at the first drop. Joanna held his hand and we all encouraged him, so he was a little mollified by the end, but that really was a mistake.

 

 

   

   

Somewhere in there Joanna wrote a nice letter to Santa.

 

We went back to the house for dessert. I couldn't have any pie myself but probably should have gotten two pumpkin pies. Joanna asked if she could take the pumpkin home and ended up with both of them. OK then. It turns out Joan likes pecan so it's all good. Padreic was having fun giving Uncle R.J. fake cupcakes to eat. They left and then we did, and P. threw a real tantrum, having such a good time at Aunt Monica's he didn't want to leave. He fell asleep on the ride home, almost right away.

 

We stopped at a great light display. I blew it. Gareth was stimming and I commented, sotto voce, that "the Autism is strong in that one." Bernadette was filming. I sure wish I'd never remarked.. I wouldn't want Gareth to hear that and somehow be ashamed. I love him with all my heart, not any less because he's autistic. Nor any more because he's autistic. I just love the whole package, just the way he is.

 

Home. The dog was OK. What a good day, except for my misstep at the end.