Cali with Khali

My friend Khali grew up in So Cal (is that the cool term?? ), and she visits her family pretty often. At the beginning of the summer we had thrown around the idea of a girls trip consisting of Khali and her daughter Kyra, and my girls and I. As to be expected, our plans didn't amount to much during the busy summer months (I swear I was gone more than I was home), and between our two schedules the trip looked like it wasn't going to happen.

Despite the fact that school had started, and then we had a 3 days weekend in southern Utah for Labor day, we set the date for the weekend after labor day and decided to go for it! Back to back trips!!! Crazy! My girls went to school Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, then we took off for the coast! I almost backed out. I felt like we had been living out of our suitcases for MONTHS. I was a little anxious leading up to the trip (shocker, I know), but the only thing that made me feel calm was the fact that I KNEW my girls would relish every moment, and it was a great opportunity for a fun filled girls weekend!!!

The two main reasons for  "striking while the iron was hot" as far as going on that particular weekend, was 

a. The LA County Fair (only runs for 4 weeks)

and

b. Raging Waters 

(Kahli's dad had a company picnic and we could get discounted tickets on Saturday)

For years Khali had told me how HUGE and awesome the LA Co Fair was. So on Friday with 5 canned goods each, we were able to get in for free!!!!

Milking a goat.

They had these awesome wooden cutout EVERYWHERE, the girls wanted to take a picture in ALL OF THEM!!!

A very hairy cow!

Hundreds of goats in the petting zoo!

The worker let us make 3 :) ... he was super nice!

Making a bale of hay... the old fashion way!

Princess Playtime

They had a play area set up with dresses, crafts, coloring, easels, fakes houses to clean, etc. It was FREE, and the girls favorite place. Even as we were dead tired, and leaving at the end of the day, the girls begged to go back!  

We let the girls ride one roller coaster... which they LOVED!

Their second favorite part of the fair was the kids farmers market.

They started by planting fake seeds (no picture), then milking a cow....

... then collecting eggs.....

...then picking an ear of corn....

..... then picking 1 fruit and 1 vegetable...

.... they sold those at a famers market, got "money", then got to go grocery shopping.

They did this OVER and OVER. It was so funny to hear them shopping. Saying things that us moms say.

"Oooooooh, I think we'll use two of those"

"That's too expensive, I'm putting it back"

"We never eat it. I'm not buying it"

Funny side note: After we baled the hay (within the first hour), we stopped to use the bathrooms, and Reagan had to empty her NEW SCHOOL SHOES from all the hay. By the time we had walked to a completely different area, she was putting them back on (she had been in a stroller) and she couldn't find one of her shoes. I retraced our steps back to the restrooms while Khali hung out with the girls and fed them lunch... but there was no sign of her shoe. I picked up the shoe to throw it away because I thought the chances of us finding it was ZERO. Khali shoved the shoe in the bottom of the stroller before I could, and we kept moving along. After walking around in sock feet all day, but being pushed mostly in a stroller, we checked the information desk on our way out... 7 hours later. They said a shoe matching our description was turned in earlier and was at the security office... which is located in completely opposite end of the park.... 1/2 mile away :) So again I left Kahli with all the kids and I RAN (a ten minute mile;) there and back. It wasn't ideal for an exhausted mom, but I was glad nonetheless to have her matching shoe back and to have not lost $25! Dripping sweat and exhausted we left the park. I'm so grateful Khali had insisted to keep the shoe! It made the whole day that much sweeter!

We were all wiped out Friday night, and slept soundly!!! Saturday morning we woke up and hit Raging Waters. Khali's dad was having their company party there, and a few people backed out and so there were leftover tickets! McKinley rode some pretty crazy rides with me, while Reagan opted to go in the Lazy River :)

You would have thought after 7.5 hours in the sun and water that we were done. NOPE! After changing out of our bathing suits we hit up IKEA. I found a farm sink I had been dreaming of since last Christmas when Zach remodeled our kitchen. The only question was, was it going to fit in Khali's Toyota Camery trunk???? 5 minutes before closing, we checked out and wheeled our murchandise to the car. When I had glanced at the paperwork I saw a symbol for weight and the number 57 next to it. So I reassured Khali that we didn't need help and that we could lift my "baby" into the trunk. Well, it filled the trunk, side to side but Khali disagreed that the sink was 57 lbs... She said that weighed more than my 9 year old. Sure enough, it was 57 KG .... which was more like 127 lbs :) We got home, got the girls in bed and packed up most of our stuff.

Sunday we woke up bright and early to hit the beach before we headed home. It was beautiful, not crowded and sunny! 

Reagan's collection of shells

Buried alive!

Sand tan after being buried

Sand tan :) after being buried!

We were able to pack up the car with minimal problems. Luckily we all brought suitcases that were small or soft, so we were able to stuff them in and around the massive sink that took up 3/4 of the trunk. The trip home was uneventful (thank heavens). The girls were wiped out... as were the moms:)

There are very few trips I have taken that were so action packed yet so NON-stressful. Khali is so easy going and it is effortless to keep conversations going and the stress level low. I can't wait to hit the road again.... in a little while....   :)