Summering Ebert Style

Our family car sports two stickers on the back window. On the right side is a round Red Sox logo and on the left side is a Newport Beach decal.  We are huge fans of both and, although we abandoned Red Sox Nation for the summer, we couldn't be happier than building sand castles on Newport Beach with our cousins.  Last week Grandpa and Grandma treated all 21 Eberts to a vacation at our favorite beach house right off of Newport Pier. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

 

Beach time is always the basis for our great family vacation. Most mornings began almost with the sunrise, a bucket in hand and little sets of child eyes scouring the sand for new treasures washed ashore. After Grandma's breakfast the little ones would run to slip on their bathing suits and head to the waves with whichever aunt, uncle or father agreed to take the crew out first. The day delightfully meandered from sunrise to sunset with sandcastle building, body surfing, sand burials, more seashell collecting, dolphin watching and even seal spotting. The children savored each hour they spent with their cousins as the adults relaxed in a row of beach chairs with magazines, books and good conversation. 

 

On Wednesday we all entered the "magical world of Disney." Despite our initial hesitations of Disneyland in July, our day of fairy tales, animated  roller coasters, character greetings, churrios and frozen lemonade, and fireworks couldn't have been better. If racing from one lineless closing ride to another, wheeling sleeping Ezra down Main Street under the twinkling lights of the charming shops, or being almost the last car in the parking lot at 12:30 am is any measurement of success, we accomplished it. For me, the best part of the day was simply watching our children relish with their cousins and grandma and grandpa in the excitement of the day. This came in the form of tallying the high scores on the Roger Rabbit ride, delightfully using the twenty-two fast passes that Grandma negotiated for Space Mountain, and plotting out which seat on Splash Mountain would get them the wettest (or keep them the driest), among many other highlights. 

My 35th birthday celebration began at exactly 12:05 am in the Peter Pan line. Carolyn instigated a spontaneous Happy Birthday serenade with Emilie, Jonathan, Tanner, Annelise, Chris and Julie, to usher in my big day. Others in the line joined in and clapped. What a memory. Steve took me out to lunch to El Torrito at Fashion Island and then we went shopping at Lululemon for running clothes. Grandma graciously offered to babysit while we were out -- thank you! The girls gave me a fabulous new hair do, complete with two pig tails jutting out from each side of my head. Just as we were leaving to see the American Girl movie, Kit Kittredge, Marilee and Grandma pulled out cupcakes from Sprinkles, lit with taper candles. After another serenade, I unwrapped a beautiful pearl and sterling silver necklace which I absolutely love and a gift card from Lucy, which I spent on an outfit to go with my necklace. When planning the vacation, Marilyn apologized that it would be over my birthday. I can't think of a better way to turn 35!

On Friday, all the girls, sans Sophia and Chloe, headed North for LA. Our one goal in mind was to experience the American Girl world in person. We all drove together to their new store in the upscale Grove shopping mall. We did indeed accomplish our goal, leaving with bags in hand and additional boxes shipped! Annelise bought the Julie doll and Hadley and Gaby bought the Kit doll. Emilie stocked up on AG books, which as a mother, are my favorite ones around. After all, how could I complain about the Manners book which illustrates the correct place setting or the Family book which teaches girls to be helpful and loving at home! Afterward we enjoyed crapes at the Farmers Market. We experienced just a sliver of Los Angelas and I decided that we definitely need to return. 

We can never leave Southern California without visiting our favorite eateries. Ruby's Diner on the pier tops the list. Despite the limited menu, the experience of walking out over the Pacific Ocean, past the fishermen to enjoy hamburgers and shakes simply can not be missed. The kids will never forget the year we ate on the roof of the restaurant and watched dolphins leaping out of the water. This year there were no dolphins, but there were new blueberry shakes that were almost as memorable! 

Our tradition each year to sweeten our goodbyes, is to clean up and head again to Ruby's for breakfast. This time we opt for a different location with an expanded menu. We enjoyed cinnamon bun french toast and omelets. Somehow we also ended up with a vanilla bean malt -- I guess we needed to slip one more in before our vacation officially ended! Over breakfast, we thanked Grandma and Grandpa with a Tommy Bahama shirt and a stain glass garden stake. We are so grateful for the memories that were created and the love that was expanded. Although we can't miss out on the waves, rides or favorite restaurants, it is the time together that is everlasting.