Day 1

Well sort of...Technically we arrived in California yesterday after staying Saturday night in Primm at Buffalo Bills (by far the grossest hotel I have ever stayed in). I have decided that since I am less distracted by life while I am here, I am going to try to be really good about documenting this trip on my blog.

We are in LA for the next five weeks and as I was discussing with Cricket last night, this will probably be the only time we ever get to take a five week long vacation at least while the kids are at home (I can always hope) so we better make the best of it. Right now I am stilling finding the whole thing very intimidating. Whoever heard of an intimidating vacation? Anyone who attempted to entertain six kids in a big city they were totally unfamiliar with for an extended period of time.

Jon drove with us out here, but he had to fly home today. Before he left, he was kind enough to take us to the beach. Neither of us is too familiar with CA so we ended up at the Santa Monica Beach. I could never had made this trip without him as my car is not equipped with a navigation system. We only hung out for a short while, then we headed down the road a bit to Venis Beach.

Lessons Learned:

1) Don't go to any water activities until after lunch- It was so cold when we went out around ten this morning. We kept it short because the kids were complaining so much mostly about being cold, but also that they were hungry and sandy.

2)Watch where you park.- Our inexpensive excursion to the beach was shot to the tune of $60 by a wonderful parking ticket at Venis Beach.

3)DO NOT use the public restrooms at Venis Beach (especially girls). It is co-ed minus the toilet seats. You are far better off pee-ing your pants. At least then you would know who's pee you were sitting in.

I took Jon to the Bob Hope Airport and picked Katie up from school without getting lost all by myself. (I know I had six kids with me, but you know what I mean)

Cricket would really like to see a movie star.

Tilly is her usual easy-to-deal-with self.

Dewy is pissed Jon left, but don't worry, it is not affecting his appetite.