First summer swimming class.

It would not have been a good idea for SS to swim yesterday, three days of fun does make a tired girl. We are proud of SS because today she really struggled, understandable after not only the mini fun trip, but not having a swimming lesson in a year. Today was also SS's first day in Level IV where the objective is to work on stroke development and other more advanced skills. I probably would have asked my parents to get me out of the pool. But SS kept on kicking her little legs, jumping in and doing her best.

SS and E were in the same kindergarten class, then E returned to her home school. We knew E would be taking classes, but in the session before SS's. It was a nice surprise to see that the 4:30 class was full and SS would get to swim with her friend. I did remind SS that swimming is like any other class, no chatting, and she must pay attention. SS and E are both driven to distraction and that is not a good combination. 

 SS really struggled keeping straight during her backstroke, which was her best stroke last summer. The instructor had to remain nearby after SS almost made it to the middle of the pool.  Maybe E's presence helped SS keep her cool and not whine about how difficult it was to get back in the water.

 SS looks like a cute otter holding an abalone.

 Much better now at staying close to the edge.

 I forgot SS's goggles and the ones in the van are for snorkeling, thus not allowed in the pool (covers the nose). SS just can't swim without goggles and that added to her misery. But she sucked it up and worked those little arms and legs until the end.

Old Mission Santa Barbara.

The purpose of the trip was for P and SS to visit Santa Barbara for the first time. Even though June gloom was in full force yesterday, we had our beach time, and SS was happy.  The taquerias were a bonus we all enjoyed, and we decided to add a third objective. SS will be studying California missions in fourth grade, and will be required to build a model, and write a report. On our way home from our spring break trip we briefly stopped at Mission San Xavier in Arizona. It is a very small mission, but we did not stay long since there was a funeral in progress. Also there was a tour going on inside the church so it took us a while to realize what was actually happening. Odd experience, but SS had her first taste of Navajo bread that day. We decided to tour the Old Mission Santa Barbara to give SS a head start, and maybe SS could come up with ideas for her upcoming project.

The sidewalk art outside was beautiful, too many panels to photograph separately, although SS took a lot of pictures with her camera.

Look it's BB8!

And there it was, we are not June gloom, we are eternal gloom. Really, again? What are the odds?

When SS saw the Mission models the fourth graders were taking home she immediately thought about making a Lego mission. P thinks the idea is simply nuts because of the complexity involved. The day SS decided on Legos she came home and created three crosses. She did a very good job in my opinion. Besides it does not have to be perfect, it's a model made by a nine year old. I think as long as SS wants to tackle the project, and we can find the appropriate Lego brick colors, it's fine with me.

We will see if SS is able to create her Lego vision of a mission. I talked to a fourth grade teacher and she told me the kids have three weeks to complete the project. I am considering nudging SS to start now. One thing she won't turn down is a trip to the Lego store to purchase materials. SS loves to build so I hope this will be an incentive. I am realistic about my lack of creativity, I will never be the mother who "helps" create a masterpiece for her child's school assignment.

Beautiful secret garden.

Roses, everywhere roses that brought back Mami memories. Abuela always made sure our front yard was replete with Mami's multi colored roses.

I have never been comfortable in cemeteries, and I'm sure most people feel the same way. But thanks to P SS is just fine walking through them since New Orleans. As SS ages her interests, abilities, humor, and quirks are very much like her Baba.

Australian fig tree.

Oh yeah, skulls and bones, SS's faves. She is covering her ears because the church bells were ringing. That is one thing that has not changed about SS, her sensitivity to noise.

P's first and possibly last introduction of his faith to SS. We really suck spiritually, a big deal given how we were both raised.

Once the front cleared P was able to get a good picture of SS. Maybe it will inspire our daughter to get home and create, or at least sketch.

This is SS's I'm done stop pointing that camera at me face.

We returned to the pier for one last walk, and to purchase some souvenirs.

Even though the sun was not out P got a nasty sunburn on his legs.

 

Here you go Mama you lazy bum.

We left with what we thought was plenty of time to make it to SS's swimming class. Once again the traffic was a mess, SS missed her second day of swimming. Probably just as well because she was a bit tired.

A June gloom beach day.

We had plans but the weather gods were not with us this time. Temperatures in Santa Barbara will be perfect after we leave. We decided to go to the beach anyway, SS could at least play on the sand.

Cute pic but the water was too darn cold for boogie boarding.  We will have to go to Oceanside later where the water is warmer.

SS has collected a lot of sand toys, her bag looks like we have quite a few kids. 

While SS played her old fart parents read. OMG we are that age already.

We are so grateful for our friend across the pond suggesting to get a regular eye patch for SS. No pain involved removing the eye patch results in a compliant SS.

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So the prescription sunglasses and eye patch did not work.  Off with the sunglasses and on with the hat.

It was really windy, we were surprised it took SS a few hours to ask for her spring wet suit. We have to get her a regular (thicker) wet suit before we try boogie boarding this summer.

Pringles, darn freaking Pringles. I had envisioned a junk free diet for SS. I thought P was on board as long as it did not involve a vegetarian diet. I so wish the man was afraid of foreign places. OK, no that would be very unappealing, but did he have to be so darn comfortable?

If you are reading this we are sure you are having a WTF moment. P introduced SS to junk food in China with Pringles. I honestly thought we agreed to keep SS junk food free until my husband arrived with the Pringles. His argument? I found Pringles in China! That started SS's love for all things crunchy. Oh well, P waited for his baby girl as well, who am I to get in between their love for Pringles.

We went for a walk and looked for sea shells.

We found these jelly fish looking things along the shore.

Classic SS, she spotted some rocks and decided it was an excellent photo opp.

SS could not be bothered to write on the sand but took the opportunity to pose with someone's heart.

After four hours of June gloom and winds we decided to call it a day and head to Mony's for some grub. Four hours of sand time seems reasonable, right?  Not for SS, who whined "So much for play time!." We are not big on being adored so we had no problem telling SS to pack her toys and it was time to get going.

We went to Mony's Taqueria for burritos and their tacos al pastor to go. As featured on Food Network her tacos are prepared differently but are simply delicious.  The pistachio sauce was amazing, and SS enjoyed the peanut sauce. We passed on the mango salsa, and their green sauce was made with jalapenos, not tomatillos. It was delicious and worth the taco trip.

Santa Brabara taco trip.

Two weeks ago we were watching Taco Trip on Food Network,and the host, Aaron Sanchez, featured four taco places in Santa Barbara. Two we had no interest in trying, one is a pop up restaurant and the signature dish is an octopus taco, not our thing. The second reject was an upper scale I'm calling it a taco but it has no resemblance to a taco whatsoever "gourmet" taqueria. But since the chef is European we charge obscene prices for blah  food.

The remaining two, Taqueria El Bajio and Mony's Taqueria had potential. El Bajio's signature dish is a gordita, but not the Taco Bell kind, it looked promising. Mony's Taqueria featured a taco al pastor that is made different from tradition but tasty nonetheless. I said if we are ever around Santa Barbara we should try both places. P surprised me by saying he'd never been to Santa Barbara. Wait, of course he has been there because I have.  That's the thing about being with someone for so long, you forget a before him/her. I thought about it and I did visit SB several times pre P, never post P.

I checked the maps app and was pleased to see it was a three hour drive. SS only had two weeks left of school. Great, we could go early on a Sunday, have an early lunch at one taqueria; do some sightseeing, then an early dinner at the next taqueria. We would be back home late on Sunday but SS didn't have school, and P is off Mondays. I was SO pleased with myself and told P about my plan.  P said it sounded good and we should talk and schedule.

Needless to say P and I differ on our approach to many things, and a taqueria vanity trip is among those differences.  The next day P said he was really looking forward to our taco trip, but wanted a modification.  How about we leave Sunday, let SS have beach time, have Monday to sight see and more beach time, then leave Tuesday? Well, SS starts swimming classes on that Monday, but P quickly said she could miss one class. OK then, let's make this a three day two night affair.

It's amusing that P's idea was very convenient because one place is closed Sundays, one is closed Monday. P's schedule worked better than a rushed one day trip, and it would be nice to give SS some beach time. Then that old best laid plans of men and mice often go awry smacks you in the face. Since P works Saturdays, Sunday mornings are often rough for him. He can't sleep past 4-5 a.m., even with a sleeping aid, but is still feeling the effects of his work week. . SS went to sleep late Saturday night and was sluggish this morning, and I just went along with the flow.

The plan was to leave at noon, get to SB by three, explore around, have dinner at El Bajio, get to the hotel, read Harry Potter, cuddle and get ready for Monday. Traffic, freaking traffic got us, most of it because of UC Santa Barbara's graduation. UGH, freaking UGH. SS loathes traffic and she is grounded, so no iPad to let her pass the time. We had books for her an prayed we would make it without a serious blowout. SS was uncharacteristically pleasant, but did ask what was with the traffic.  Her excitement over going on an overnight trip helped temper her nine year old impatience.

I originally misread the hours for El Bajio and thought we had until 9:30 p.m. to pick up dinner. Nope, in the middle of traffic I rechecked and they closed at 4:30 p.m.  Double UGH.  We made it by 4:00 but were not hungry,so we took the food to go since our room had a microwave. Not ideal but we were thinking about the experience, whatever that turned out to be.

Finally! We made it to Taqueria El Bajio and my loves are relieved the long drive is over. SS claimed she had marks on her butt, whatever that means.

Oh no I just arrived in Santa Barbara and have my first encounter with a shark in the bathroom! We took our food to go then decided to go sightseeing a little.

We settled on Stearns Wharf, a nice walk to allow SS to stretch her numb (by her account) legs and get some fresh air.

SS would not pose with the whale, probably felt vulnerable because of her size.

Yes I have issues, big issues that my husband has tried his best to help me overcome. I selected this picture knowing damn well it looks like I'm grabbing SS as in stay here, or smile now, or whatever. I loved walking along the pier, but was still paranoid about SS falling over. Completely unrealistic but my fear. SS was not hurt.

They are so freaking cute.

Who am I kidding, they are not cute, they are gorgeous!

Oh yeah, Taco Trip was the genesis to our little adventure, and we did eventually get to eat our food. P and I had the gorditas, they were good, but not $10 each good. No regrets because we enjoyed getting away, the beauty along the drive (not the traffic), and just getting away.

SS had fish tacos and declared them delicious. 

She is all smiles in this picture but earlier she was not happy when the Harry Potter chapter ended on a cliffhanger. This was the first time SS could not choose to keep reading as we all do when enthralled by a book. It was P's turn to read and I was glad it was not me. Since we are trying to model patience and maturity I bit my tongue, and resisted the urge to read the next chapter after SS and P went to bed.

How many pictures have we posted of SS asleep? Don't know not sure we care, even though we know it may seem odd to others.

She is angelic when she sleeps, she is an amazing child.