Bruins Do Big Bear.

The kids had Monday off for Veteran's Day, which is the first part of our No School November (next week they have completely off in the lead up to Thanksgiving. The following week is school conferences so every day is a half day... and then we're going to Arizona for a few days so they'll miss school that way.) Basically, I hope they learn something between now and New Year!

Anyhow, it worked out well because Pari and James had rented a house in Lake Arrowhead and asked us if we wanted to join, and yes, yes we did! It ended up working out quite well - Saturday morning we had family pictures taken, Adam had his final soccer game of the season (that's enough youth sports for me for this calendar year, thank you) and then we loaded the car and headed up the mountain.

The cabin was great - three stories, plenty of bedrooms, and came fully stocked with everything we'd need to just relax and unwind together. It had a real chef's kitchen, and Pari is a great cook (I brought breakfast supplies, home made cookies, and my sparkling personality to make up for my cooking deficiencies.) Mila is five days older than Adam and Rahim is four, so the kids all had someone to play with (plus we could send them to a different story of the house!) Pari and James also invited two other couples (one stayed Saturday night, one Sunday) and so the kids spent the day hanging out, then we did a big dinner, put the kids to bed and stayed up late drinking and talking.

When we got up there on Saturday we went down to the actual Lake Arrowhead village, which was rebuild in the last twenty years, and reminds me of an outlet mall, with random high end stores, and then a little carnival area. Sunday we made the windy drive over to Big Bear. The lake is really pretty, but sadly very low with the drought. The kids were hungry and nuts, but we were able to find a place that would seat all eight of us quickly AND bring out the kid food almost immediately. We did some good poking around, and then on the way home I declared that we MUST go to the Alpine slide on the outskirts of town. And lo, it was awesome! We all got to ride the chair lift up (Ellie was the only kid who had ever been on one) and they you take a sled down a concrete luge. I was all prepared to ride with Ellie, and then they informed me that she was too tall and had to ride by herself. Farewell little friend, hope you figure out the braking before the end of the track!

Tim and Adam made it down safely as well!

They are such a funny little foursome, we were sad to pack up and leave yesterday morning. We made it home in good time and Tim went into the office. The kids and I stayed in our pajamas all day, went over to Gigi's house for a bit, and then when Adam started melting down out of exhaustion, came home for early baths and VERY early bed time. All that fresh air and friend time is exhausting!

I am still confused that it's only Tuesday. Adam has a feast at school on Thursday and then the Thanksgiving play on Friday. And then, no school? Ellie has already complained about having to go to the YMCA with me, I've already told her I don't care. Family fitness for all!