Maya'z Got a Set of Brand New Wheels

Thanks to the sharp eye of her Dada Brad, Maya was the lucky recipient of a pink Barbie Jeep.  She has mastered the art of driving forward in a straight line, and is learning how to make some turns.  The jeep has a battery operate radio that gets "real" radio channels...now granted that it only picks up rock or classical, I say that this car and radio is enough to keep Maya excitingly busy in these summer days.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was pretty laid back, starting with a simple, yet tasty McBreakfast, followed by a trip to church, and then a jaunt over to historic downtown Los Angeles.

Clifton's is the oldest surviving cafeteria-style restaurant in Los Angeles.  It is located at 648 S. Broadway, in the heart of the Historic Downtown Los Angeles.  As you enter the eatery, you pick up a tray and utensils, and you pass through rows of all kinds of food that reminded me very much of my college days.  Dessert is the first choice and from there you will find a selection of breads, salads, meats, and vegetables.  I selected a nice slice of brisket with peas, mashed potatoes, shrimp cocktail, and flan.  The ambience at Clifton's was very much stuck in the 30s with music from the Glenn Miller Orchestra.  Clifton's is a cross between the Bear Pit and Disneyland's Country Bear Jamboree.

 

After lunch at Cliftons' it was off to browsing the stalls at the famed Jewelry Mart.  Lots to see and lots to want.  Brad and Maya gifted me with handmade citronella candles in beautiful indian glass candle holders.  I will enjoy using them as the weather gets better  

Watching the Train Go By

Last year, we started a tradition of watching the Amtrak passenger train as it zoomed by the DeSoto crossing in Chatsworth.  Maya is a complete train head, so this is something that she just relished.  As it got colder, we stopped going, but now that the weather has warmed up, we are off to the train tracks right after dinner, hoping to catch the 8:00 p.m. train as it zooms by.

Sitting on the platform, paitiently waiting for the train

They see the train approaching, it's rolling down the track...

Here it comes, headlights shining bright!

There she goes...two train fans happy.

A Weekend of Big Girl Stuff

It's been a long time coming, and on Friday, Brad, Maya and I spend the evening at Ikea searching for a toddler bed.  We did find one that would fit Maya and her room, perfectly.  It's the Gulliver toddler bed in white.  Now, you can't have a new bed without new bed linens, a rug, or a canopy shaped like a leaf...can you?

Maya had some trouble staying in her bed on Saturday night  (you were right, Alice), but today, she took a nap in it without any trouble.  Last night, once her bedtime routine was accomplished, we climbed into her bed and read Stella is a Star - thanks Habert Family!.  When the last word was uttered, here little eyes, heavy with sleep, shut and she was off to dreamland.  Maya woke us up this morning at 5:00 a.m. - her little tummy was empty and she wanted some milk.  In addition, a visit to the doctor has resulted in the milk bottles being banished from the house.  Big girl bed, no more milk bottles...our little Maya Rosie is growing up!