On Sunday we did a day trip up to Solvang.  It’s a part of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley.  The whole town has a Danish look and feel to it.  It was very charming.  We strolled around the shops, had lunch and ice-cream.  Andrew found a clock store that we visited twice before leaving.  There were so many clocks to look at.  He was in heaven!  Piper found a doll shop and adopted a new baby (pictured below)

It still feels like summer here.  We could see the affect the drought is having on our area by driving through the Valley.  All the hills and fields were brown and dried out.  It was sad to see knowing everything should be green and lush this time of year.  We did a wine tasting here and this vineyard was featured in the Sideways movie Andrew couldn’t even turn around for the photo he loved it so much.A glimpse inside of the clock store.

Today we played at Grant Park and enjoyed lunch at Lemonade.  Another beautiful day here but we are still wishing for rain. 

We had lunch with Daddy at his work on Friday for Valentine’s day.  It was fun to all be together and worked out great because Piper didn’t have school.  This is one of Piper’s favorite holidays.  She has been making cards and presents for family and friends since January.  She couldn’t wait for the day to finally get here.

 Piper in her new Valentine’s jammies and new heart apron. Making cookies.  Piper spelled this out with dough as a surprise.  We have our work cut out for us.

Wow!  It’s been a very busy week.  It’s been so busy I haven’t had a chance to announce that Piper lost her 4th tooth on Wednesday.  Now both front teeth are missing.  It’s funny to watch her smile. Andrew bumped the tooth in the stroller so it came out a few days ahead of schedule but Piper was more than thrilled!!

On Thursday Piper and Andrew celebrated Valentine’s Day at school today.  Andrew had a fun party where they exchanged cards and had cookies.  He came home with a grocery bag full of sweet treats.  Piper’s class had a Teddy Bear picnic out in the playground.  The parents were invited to attend.  After lunch they paraded around the whole school.  Piper also came home with lots of treats from her friends.

Piper is looking forward to Valentine’s Day tomorrow where we have more fun things planned.  Showing off a play-doh Valentine from mom and dad lots of goodies in here  The Teddy Bear Picnic The kids made their own sandwiches and designed their own bags. Piper and Bella

Eliana, Karolina and Piper.  If you think they girls look hot they were.  It was 83 degrees today…where is our winter?   This is Audrey, Piper’s 3rd grade buddy.  They have been buddies since the first day.  She is really sweet to Piper and they have scheduled “buddy” activities throughout the year.  Here they are exchanging Valentine’s.Mrs. Vernon’s door.  Very sweet!

We drove down to Culver City to meet daddy for dinner tonight.  Before dinner we couldn’t resist a trip to the beach to watch the sunset.  It wasn’t as warm as it was the last time we were there but the kids had fun regardless.  There was lots of digging for buried treasure, lots of running to the water and back and more digging.  We had the beach to ourselves which was great!  Then we enjoyed a wonderful pizza dinner with daddy again at the Wildflower cafe.    Beautiful view of the moon too