Trip to California

From Friday through Tuesday, we were in California visiting my parents: Nana and Papa.  Here are some highlights of our trip:

Sat., June 26--We went to Zuma Beach in Malibu.  Mo loved playing in the sand while Eva walked with Daddy in the wet sand and incoming waves.  She got knocked over by a cold, powerful wave and soaked from head to toe.  But as soon as Daddy convinced her she had just swum in the ocean, she was very excited.  Later that night, MO TOOK HIS FIRST STEP!  It was a total shock because he has just recently become a pro at pulling himself up on the furniture.  He hasn't cruised much at all.  But the little daredevil let go of the loveseat and lunged for the Nate's leg.  He grabbed Nate's jeans and then Nate reached down and steadied him, so the risk was successful.  It just figures that Mo would walk to Nate.  We call Nate the Baby Whisperer.  All children love him and Noah was named after him, so it was very fitting how the drama of the first step played out.
Sun., June 27--We celebrated Eva's third birthday with Nana, Papa, and my cousin, Emily.  Eva was excited to have birthday cake, but was so exhausted that she asked to go to bed after dinner instead of eating her cake.  Michael worked his magic and convinced Ev to stay up long enough for us to sing "Happy Birthday."  She loved blowing out the candles on her pink cake, but asked to go to sleep as soon as she was done with the candles.  It was probably only 7 p.m.
Mon., June 28--Eva went on her long-awaited date to Vons (my beloved grocery store; I love it so because it reminds me of home) to get a balloon.  She has Papa wrapped around her little finger!  It has become a tradition that everytime we visit, Papa takes her on a date to get a balloon.  They both seem to love those outings!

Miscellaneous Tidbits: Eva fell in love all over again with Nate's Maltese dogs, Buddy and Trixie.  No one knows why, but she called one of the dogs Porky and Porkypine (aka porcupine) all weekend.  It was cute and hilarious!  Who knew she knew the word porcupine?!  (However, she must not know what it means...)

Eva also started calling my dad, Jerry.  She will not call him Papa anymore.  She seems pleased as punch that she knows his real name.  The only other thing she'll consent to call him is "Mama's dad" because she's also quite excited that she understands how we're all related to one another.  Miss Smartypants is a kick!