Pacheco Beaty Visit to the Orange Grove

Today, Sarah brought her kids to the orange grove to visit. They are on spring break. Ethan was thrilled to have his cousins come. All the kids were relaxed and happy to be here. The sky was blue, the air warm in the sun, and the red-tailed hawks were busy gliding on wind currents.

I took the Pacheco-Beaty kids to Ben Franklin while Ethan took a nap. This was a birthday present for Lyla and Luna, and Nico benefited from tagging along. I gave both girls a specific amount of money they could spend in the store for anything they wanted. Nico got a lesser amount since he had already received a big birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa in January.

I was pleased the kids were excited about picking out exactly what they wanted. I walked around with Lyla as she selected various items. I pulled out the calculator and added the purchases when she gathered everything she was excited about. She then had to make a hard decision about what she really wanted in order to meet her budgeted amount. She was good about picking her favorite things and didn’t seem concerned that she had to put a few things back. “I’ll get that on my next birthday,” she said. Luna chose her items by herself, and then she and I went over her choices. Unlike Lyla, Luna had actually picked out things that hit under her approved amount. She looked pleased when she got to spend ten more dollars to reach her target. Nico chose his purchases fast and was as happy as he could be. He was especially excited to put a quarter in the bumball machine on the way out.

I am happy to report that there was no whining or complaining at all. When they returned to the orange grove, they immediately got out their gifts and started playing with them.

It was a lovely day with two of my three daughters and their kids. It would have been even better if Sarah’s husband Gregorio, Auntie Rachael, and Andrew had joined us.

Still, it was just perfect.

Happy belated birthday to Lyla and happy upcoming birthday to Luna.

Thanks to all my kids and grandkids (plus two sons-in-law and one boyfriend) for being decent, fun-loving, and kind. You all bring great joy to my life and I am most grateful.

Liz, Ethan, Lyla, and Sarah