Above – The Bounce House!

Below – No visit is complete without a ride on the Tilden Park train.

… and merry go round. You may recall from a post a couple years ago that this merry go round once called Wonderland in our own Ocean Beach its home.

Cotton candy is a necessity.

Oh my! There is definitely something wrong with this picture…

Alo started Pre-K (pre-kindergarten) the Monday after I left. On Friday night we went to a luau at the school where the kids got acquainted with their teachers and new friends. There was a lot of good food and fun activities – bounce house and water slide. I took some videos but I’m having difficulty uploading them so that will have to wait for another post.

Tatoos!

Kando will also be going here for preschool/daycare. We got a tour of the day care facility where both kids will get a lot of fun play time with friends.

Time sure flies!

Waiting for the bounce house to arrive for Kando’s birthday party.

Is it soup yet?

Wild turkey!

Twins.

Birthday cake! Actually, it was a cupcake birthday cake. What a great invention – no cutting.

These green hands are not from finger painting. Very messy.

Stay tuned for Oakland Part 3 where brave Amma took Sparty on an airplane trip and took on three grandsons ages 3, 4 & 4!

Blogged on Amma’s Little MacBook with LOVE!

Above – Group photo at Kando’s 4th birthday party.

I had a fun trip to Oakland last week to visit Robb and the boys. Here we are waiting for my luggage.

After the airport we went to the Oakland Zoo.

This was a tight squeeze.

Outside the Zoo museum at the top of the gondola ride.

Below – Inside the California museum.

I wonder if we have a state insect???

Ice cream sandwiches hit the spot.

These kids love clams. We walked (kids rode their bikes) to an Italian restaurant down the street from Robb’s place where they serve a huge bowl of clams for $6 at happy hour.

Kando’s clam talks.

So cute… Every once in a while Alo will randomly get up and give Robb a hug and say “I love you.”

Silly funny face.

Getting ready to go camping and trying out the battery operated lanterns.

This is the campground where we stayed at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Note: Kando’s got his belly button…

The Redwoods are so beautiful …

Trying out the headlamp while eating raisins and fruit. That’s our tent cabin in the background.

Child-safe bug repellent before hiking.

Sitting on one of the three bridges we crossed. We hiked for 2 hours and the kids were troopers. Alo hiked the entire distance! Kando didn’t do so bad. He hiked a lot of it.

There’s nothing like some good healthy stick collecting!

… and bugs!

I’ll leave you with these last two photos. It was great spending this time outdoors in nature with the boys. Absolutely beautiful!

Swimming hole.

Blogged on Amma’s iPad from Walnut Creek with LOVE!

Above – Cousins reunited!

Below – Robb & the boys BBQing.

My new home screen photo … Sooooo cute!!

Alo and Kando – Alameda Fairgrounds, June 27.

Maya and Sparty – Jamba Juice with Amma.

Making Pappa’s birthday cheese PIE. Maya decided that since it’s in a pie crust it should be called cheese pie instead of cheese cake. I’m starting my training now so I have someone to carry on the tradition with this yummy recipe. Nice crust, huh?

She’s quite the helper …

Where’s Sparty? Napping.

It’s not every day you get a heart-shaped potato chip!

Robb and the boys at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, June 29.

Theater seating for World Cup Soccer, June 19.

M&M – Movie & Mexican (& double dipping).

Odd … One day the tortoise had 4 legs, the next day it only had one. Suspicious …

Check it out … I’m not the only one with beautiful grandkids. Below, my New Zealand bestie, KJ with her grandkids.

Blogged on Amma’s MacBook with LOVE!

Above – Look who came to visit! What a happy day. Robb and the kids drove nonstop Tuesday night and arrived around 4am Wednesday morning. Here they are in Great Grandma’s back yard, the part of the yard that’s not strewn with construction materials and debris.

Below – Kando and Alo at Frog Park (Oakland/Berkeley) a few weeks ago.

Sometimes you have to take a break …

A couple weeks ago I took Maya and Sparty tide pooling …

It took Maya a while to get use to holding these harmless little creatures. You can tell by the look on her face and furrowed brows.

They couldn’t understand why hermit crabs come out of their shell in my hand but not theirs.

Robb’s really taking advantage of summer break. Here’s Alo and Kando having fun at the San Francisco Zoo.

Hopefully you noticed my new blog header at the top of this post. On Wednesday we only had about 15 minutes when all four grandkids were together after gymnastics and before Maya and Sparty had to leave to go to Mommy’s – a very short reunion. But what better way to have a cousin reunion than with ICE CREAM! Ice cream makes everyone smile!

The good news is I got to spend some quality time with the kids. The bad news is I had to leave yesterday to drive to LA for an Iyengar Yoga Therapy workshop, a program I signed up for over a year ago and can’t miss. The good news is all the grandkids spent yesterday together “scooting” at Liberty Station and are spending today together. They get along really well and are always excited to see each other! My workshop doesn’t end until 2:45 pm tomorrow and Robb and the boys will be long gone by the time I get home. The good news is I’ll be flying to the Bay Area in a couple weeks and will get to spend a few days with them, and I’ll be in Berkeley for a week in September and will get to see them then.

For those of you reading this in email form, In order to see the header photo and featured image you need to click at the top of the email to see the web version of the blog post. Headers and featured images do not appear in the email. Consider the email a “teaser” to get you to click to see the main attraction.

Blogged on Amma’s MacBook from the Courtyard Marriott in Century City (Los Angeles) with LOVE and gratitude for the time I get to spend with these little ones!

Above – Yard Art in a neighbor’s yard. The notion that dogs can’t read so maybe they can decipher hieroglyphics doesn’t make much sense to me.

Below – After gymnastics and playing at the park, the kids got to greet Great Grandma outside the Bali Hai after she played bridge.

Then back at the house – Two hungry kids. Usually one of the first things we do when we get home is raid the refrigerator!

Brave ones forming a heart very close to the bluffs. I figured if someone was going to fall, I’d at least have my phone ready to capture it!

Ever wonder what it’s like taking these two boys grocery shopping? Here’s a glimpse.

Another outing with Daddy at Knowland Park Zoo in Oakland.

At the frozen yogurt shop next door to gymnastics.

Silly craziness. That’s what Amma’s are for, right?

Say cheese. (I have no idea what they’re doing with those credit cards …)

If you ever need to know what time it is, you know who to ask! Ooops … Just a minor dressing faux pas. LOL!

July begins a new chapter in my life. June 30 was the last day of working as an independent contractor for Pacific Medical Buildings. I began working there in 2004 as a full-time employee and then in May of 2015 I “retired” (whatever that means). After that I took my laptop home and began “virtual paralegal” duties for the company. I loved my job, and especially my boss and best friend since 1992, Evan Stone, who passed away two years ago of lung cancer. It was especially great working remotely in my home office with my little buddy, Bear, by my side.  I’ll still do work for some of my smaller clients and, of course, mostly for Kelly Enterprises, which is Bruce’s and my “other job,” and not to forget the nectar of life – being a grandparent!

Maybe now I’ll be a little more consistent posting on my blog?

On another note – I’m enjoying World Cup. There have been some GOOD games!! And no, I don’t miss playing. Being pain free is more important to me at this stage in my life.

I’ll leave you with a photo of the July family calendar page.

Blogged on Amma’s MacBook with LOVE!

Above – The newest fixture on The Rock at the juncture of Froude and Sunset Cliffs.

This mermaid has been up for at least a week. I took the photo the first time we saw it on Tuesday. Every time we’ve driven by since, there’s a swarm of people gathered (smiling) to take pictures of it. I don’t know the history behind this, but I would imagine it has something to do with the Class of 2018!

Sweet angles wearing the towel hoodies Pappa and I bought and gave to them last time they were in town.

Beware – Ninja sighting!

Looks like train (& dinosaur) fun.

When Alo bumped his head, Kando got a sympathy bandaid.

Amma & Pappa treat the kids to FroYo after a gymnastics.

More train fun for Alo and Kando.

Yesterday marked the end of the Pt Loma Little League season and we attended the closing ceremonies. There was a final championship game that went into overtime so the ceremonies were delayed. But we were fortunate to be able to watch that final game that ended with a score of 10-8, and while that game was being played we watched all the kids playing with each other and having fun. It was a lot of fun to watch and be a part of this community event. It takes a lot of time and dedication to donate the time it takes to coach any team, and Ron did a great job of it. Kudos!

Here’s Maya and Sparty holding their trophies of appreciation.

I know how important a father’s relationship is to their children and their future, and it should come as no surprise when I say how much we love our boys and all our grandkids, and we’re very proud of them.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and iMac with LOVE and gratitude!

Above – December 2017

Below – Flowers Robb and the boys sent me, getting more beautiful every day.

The kids – Ziggy and Bear. What you don’t see in this picture is the wall heater just out of sight to the right. This is the cabinet below my sink in the bathroom. When I turn the heater on the kids nudge each other to get a spot up close to the heater.

Below – My beautiful grandchildren shown oldest to youngest.

Maya …

Alo …

Sparty …

Kando …

The girls …

And it all started here …

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. I love you. Stay on your feet, hold the handrails, wear your button (AND your hearing aids) and be healthy!!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and iMac with love and gratitude to be in this beautiful family!

Above – The best thing about a new month is changing the page on the family calendar. It makes me smile every month. It’s all about the grandkids!

Below – I utilize every bit of space on the calendar page for precious moments.

More dove babies. They really like this hanging planter with the pot Bruce put in there for them. We’re considering putting a camera on it since they keep coming back to raise more babies.

Look who’s driving! Everyone even put their seatbelts on.

Everyone loves a gorilla.

This is Joe, one of Robb’s college roommates. He and his family came to visit when Robb and the boys were here for Great Grandma’s 90th birthday celebration.

While Robb and the boys were here they also visited the boys’ Aunt Ayak and cousins, Hala and Kuat. I can’t believe how big these kids have gotten.

I don’t know if I posted before that Ron is coaching Maya and Sparty’s t-ball team. Priceless. Tip for best viewing: If you’re watching this on your mobile device, turn it sideways so the whole screen appears. If you’re watching it on your computer, switch to full screen.

Meet the newest member of the Pirates of the Caribbean cast.

More seriously, Mom had a basal cell skin cancer removed from her lower eyelid Monday with reconstructive surgery at the hospital. It was a very long day for all of us, but she’s back at home, pain free and doing very well.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Above – Big group family photo taken when Robb and boys and Jamie & clan came to visit for the BIG 90.

Below – 90 and time to blow out candles.

There’s no time like Selfie Time!

These two LOVE each other. The giggling and playtime is so precious.

Somebody was being bashful (& a bit pouty).

More family photos. Here is Great Grandma with great grandkids and great great grandkids.

Jamie’s family – Omar & Brianna, Jamie & Bobby, Chantz & Emilee.

I now pronounce you … Granddaughter and Grandmother!

Hey, girls only!

Four generations of “Kellys.” Where’s Brianna??

My little helper – juicing fresh orange juice.

Tis the season for doves. Our patio has turned into another revolving door of dove babies.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and MacBook from LA (spending the weekend at a Manouso workshop) with LOVE!

Above – What are they looking at?

… these baby doves nesting in our patio.

The babies flew away and now a new nesting pair has taken their place.

Cheers!

Happiness is trash day!

Robb and the boys two weeks ago – The first photo is “create with nature pathway” at (I think) Redwood Regional Park. Beautiful place.

Tree hugger.

Below – Maya and Sparty at their t-ball game Saturday.

I’m putting together an entertaining video I’ll share at a later date.

Bats in the belfry …

That’s Sparty hanging from the bar at gymnastics.

And here’s Maya thinking it’s really funny to be winning in Chutes and Ladders.

And now the good news. Mom was discharged from The Vi (care facility) Thursday. She’s doing very well and managing to move around the house (on the main floor only) without assistance. She got a pretty new blue walker and Bruce installed a wand shower head and grab bars in her shower. We stocked her kitchen with pre-made salads and easy to heat up and eat meals, and all is well at the home front. With “90” just around the corner, we’re looking forward to the BIG birthday party!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!