Santa Barbara Playtime
While our Santa Barbara trips have always been much anticipated cousin time, this past trip is one for the books. Meredith planed a fun filled weekend, including activities for the kids, and a babysitter for the parents. It was such a treat in so many ways! And as I think on how to sum it all up, I cannot seem to pick out our favorite moments - there were just too many.
The first evening, Bronte did not know what to do with herself. The Zicht house has everything she could possible imagine. Farm houses, doll beds under castle like tents, crafts within any drawer, a bookshelf for puzzles that make noises, a miniature kitchen with cuttable fruit, a trampoline, bubble station, gardening, art easles, and a dedicated fort corner. But what made her eyes really pop, was the drawers that contained dress up garments. Within minutes, Meredith pulled out heels, jewelry, hair braids, crowns, capes, tutus, and fairy wings. Bronte didn’t have time to think about her pajamas, she just said Yes-to-the-dress-up! She walked around with this smile on her face that will make it in my Pensieve, and yes, Ruby, Nora, and Bronte walked in a fashion show for us.
The first morning was watching the three girls take turns on the Ukulele, and they sand songs in Hebrew, as well as from another religion, Disney. Then came the ballet class. We went to a park and the girls wore their version of tutu or frills. Bronte followed directions well, Ruby waived in her engagement, but Nora was in another world. All three of them however lost themselves in ribbon frolicking and leap drills. It was absolutely adorable, and we could not help but join in on the fun.
Park and pool time followed, and the girls were left with a babysitter, Mickey Mouse Club, and snacks gallore. Even as us parents were stepping out the door, the poor babysitter was answering requests from the couches. Bronte: “More peaches please.” Ruby: “And apples!” Nora: “Yea!” Meredith and Tyler took us to the Summer Solstice festival, where we ate macaroons, drank Thai Tea, and went to eat at a delicious Asian fusion restaurant. The night ended with a movie: The Big Lebowski.
Our last day before heading back to San Francisco, was going to a small aquarium on the pier, followed by a boat ride on Lil’ Toot. We got to chug along the shoreline, meeting a tiny sea lion named Peanut, and ate lunch on the sand. Sushi and tacos was our sand picnic of choice, and with toddlers, everything had a bit of a crunch to it by the end.
