Back from LA

So we're back -- and you didn't even know we were gone. Yet another example of how I've been neglecting the blog. Not to worry; it was a quick trip. Rocket Boy and the boos and I flew to Los Angeles over the weekend for my grand-niece's bat mitzvah. The twins had Columbus Day off but I didn't, so we had to fly back yesterday so that I could teach today. I'm sure my students appreciated the gesture, but I noticed a striking number of "No Class Today" signs stuck on doors around campus today.

Friday was a pretty stressful day for me because I taught my 3 classes before we left for the airport. I also woke up at 4:30 am because I was worried about missing the plane. I don't know why my mind thinks that waking up 2 hours early will help with that. I am MORE likely to miss the plane if I get less sleep. Why can't my mind figure that out? Instead, my mind thinks: plane leaving in 13 hours, must wake up NOW.

We hadn't flown with the twins since they were 18 months old, a trip that is detailed here. I re-read it today, just for grins. Everyone who has traveled with very small children could probably write their own version of it. This trip wasn't so bad. It wasn't easy, but it was better. The twins carried their own backpacks, in which they actually had some useful items, such as their Rockies blankets, activity books, and sweatshirts. Of course, they aren't good about waiting in lines, nor any other sort of waiting. But we survived.

The flight to Los Angeles was actually fun, because we'd been reading books about airplane trips. Both boys were blown away by the view from their window seats.

The other exciting thing about the trip was that we rented a MINIVAN, Kid B's favorite kind of car. He plans to get a minivan when he grows up (Kid A wants a stretch limo). We couldn't rent a stretch limo, but a minivan worked out fine. (Sorry, I forgot to take a photo!) Our hotel, in Santa Monica, was meh, but at least it was quiet and the beds were comfortable. I conked out early and slept well and deeply Friday night.

Saturday was nonstop family celebration. The bat mitzvah was amazing, quite different from what I was expecting. It was long, but the friendly rabbi made sure we were on the right page and knew what was happening at all times. The cantor had a beautiful singing voice and my grand-niece did so well with her extensive part in the proceedings. Many of us (including me) went up to chant "aliyahs" or blessings, and that was not as scary as I had feared. And the twins actually sat quietly with their aunts and worked on some drawing boards that dear Aunt Baba had thoughtfully thought to bring.

The reception was held at a nearby country club and was lovely but also very loud, with a DJ and nonstop dancing to music I don't understand. The 13-year-old girl portion of the guest list enjoyed it thoroughly. The food was delicious, with separate menus for adults and young people, as well as separate bars (I got my drink from the kiddy bar). The lighting was terrible for photos, but I tried. Here's our table (boos were at a separate kiddy table nearby).

If you looked at this blog post on Monday, you will have seen a lot of other stuff here, but I decided to remove it. I was trying hard to be honest about my feelings, but I may have been a little too honest, and at the same time not honest enough. Some things seem to be too hard to write about in a blog. I'll just say that I thought about my oldest sister all day Saturday -- and leave it at that.

Sunday, Rocket Boy and the boos and I had a little time before we had to go to the airport, so we visited a park near our hotel. Eventually it was time to drop off the beloved minivan and catch our plane home. The twins were tired of traveling by this point and every line we stood in was a nightmare. The plane trip was OK, but the bus ride home was bad. And then we had to do something about dinner and I had to plan Monday's class. But we survived, and now it's dinnertime, and tomorrow they go back to school, and on we go.