Narnia

Michael's Narnia party was a community effort, rallying mom, dad, and many close friends - Thank you all!

My energy was spent producing a cake worthy of the occasion -

(summer/winter)

taking me to this fantastic cake store - Kake Kreations - on Sherman Way, tucked along with many interesting stores in the Valley, where I found expert advice, as well as chocolate river rock.

The figurines aren't edible, although that's real Turkish Delight in the sleigh.

BTW, I stumbled onto a French bakery with everyone speaking Francois, old-fashioned hardware stores staffed by grandpa types, Southeast Asian noodle shops, Italian pasticceria, & Mexican taquerias - all hidden away in otherwise non-descript avenues like Ventura Blvd. The rents in the Conejo Valley where I live are too pricey, attracting only major retailers for the most part.

The throne seating was very popular.

Elle and Joanne were Mrs Beaver and Susan
Arielle was the youngest member of Narnia

Jack was Reepicheep, the mouse, who took a tumble early on, but recovered.

Master of Ceremonies: Katherine in a brilliant, homemade costume.

Michael and Amos in the victory parade

The jousting event was a huge success,

as children took aim at a White Witch box

and creature.

We are out there having fun
in the warm California sun.

Getty field trip

Carolyn chaperoned a Beacon Hill trip to the Getty Museum. A sister institution - the Getty Villa (Malibu) - houses the antiquity collection (I toured in high school).

The kids played in the "family room,"

entered a painting,

or explored the extensive grounds.

JP Getty never saw the fruition of his dreams, but his foundation has a LOT of dough - enough, apparently, to destabilize the art market, so they purposely limit their annual purchases. We had great plans to celebrate our anniversary at the California cuisine restaurant overlooking the city, but the traffic reports were discouraging, so we bailed.
Not a 19th century museum with its imposing wings and grand structure, the Getty is a campus with several buildings; ie sprawls. A blinding, gleaming (sunblock & sunglasses are essentials) white structure without - it seemed to me - that much art ever on display, has become an LA, cultural landmark (we don't have many) with subterranean parking joined by a tram that links the hilltop complex - Michael's first choo-choo. He'd crane his neck from the backseat, eyeing the hills for a sign of the tram.

Flibbertigibbet

The Hollywood Hills were alive...

with the Sound of Music Sing-Along.

Capacity crowd of all ages - eager homeschoolers, drunk 20-30 somethings, seniors, and a distinct gay undercrurrent, as well (something about dressing-up) - the coming of age story of a singing misfit nun was a memory we all agreed upon, if for different reasons. Some took the story at face value, while others were engaged in parody - mild yelps & benign cat calls - not only of the film, but of their own childhoods, as well. Either way, it was hysterical entertainment, as the audience engaged the screen, booing, hissing, cheering, armed with flashlights, props, etc - a family version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Surrounded by individuals plugged into a camp moment, Michael experienced the evening as larger-than-life fantasy (TV video became live theater). I guess I was somewhere in-between.

The Bowl - along with Dodger Stadium and the Griffith Observatory - is an LA icon (all hilltop venues) and has a great tradition of a pre-show picnic. Acoustics are quite good; you could hear yourself sing out in the void. Joanne, who made the trip to Salzberg while in Switzerland, joined us and the Kwongs for a memorable evening.

Carolyn rigged these last minute lederhosen out of ribbon and buttons. Michael is fascinated by the popper.

The movie was preceded by a costume competition mc-ed by a brassy gal lending an in-your-face dimension to the film's overall British civility. Leisl returned for the night, and the adorable, lifesize Toast, Jam, & Teacup sibling trio- we detected a Welch's Grape Jelly theme - won handily.