FINALLY. Something happy to post about in this thread. It's been sick/grief/worry-about-Mom pretty much nonstop all month. But today, it's... plan for the family total-serious-happy.

My sister, her husband and their five excellent kids are coming to visit. They live in Indiana, and they generally don't travel far so we actually thought they were never coming to visit us. We got a call from her a month ago, saying that due to unforeseen bounty they're going to fly out and spend three days with us in LA. We're going to do a beach day, a Hollywood day and a Disneyland day.

I'm making a welcome basket for when they arrive. The kids are 6, 8, 11, 13 and 15. What would you put in a "California" themed basket? I have some ideas but I thought some of you might, as well.

A flak jacket and an air mask.

Fake gold bubblegum, ghiradelli chocolates, cheese, mickey lollypops

Something from each of the five themed lands of DCA, of course!









but first you have to find a themed land there.

Huzzah for happy news!

beach towels
sun glasses
sunblock
lipsmackers
flip flops (old navy - 2/$5)
candy sushi (if you can find it somewhere)
disposable cameras for the kids
bucket and shovel or some beach toys for the younger ones

Phew. For a while it looked like the insurance company wasn't going to cover a chunk of the work that needs to be done due to a stupid mold exclusion. But the affected areas are going to need to be removed due to water damage anyway, regardless of mold, so that will be covered.

An Orange
an Oscar statue
A disposable camera
blingey sunglasses
California Poppy Seeds
How to draw Mickey instructions with a pencil (that says California on it, of course) and a pad of paper.
A glass vial to collect beach sand

I'd create some sort of sight-seeing game. Count the palm trees, spot the Hollywood sign, count the stars on Hollywood blvd or the footprints at Grauman's, find these characters at Disneyland, etc.

Actually, I'd have each item in the gift basked have a purpose during your journey. I think it would be a blast!

You need to find a snow globe with a palm tree in it.

This could be a vent but I'm going to make it positive.

I only have 9 months left of school. Less than 2.5 semesters.

And then I never have to go back!