Today, Ray, Ethan, and I traveled early to our daughter Rachael, son-in-law Andrew, and baby Milo’s house in Covina, where we were later joined by Ethan’s mom and dad, our daughter Liz, and son-in-law Ron. Our original plan was to travel together to South Pasadena and spend the day at our daughter Sarah and son-in-law Gregorio’s house with grandkids Luna, Nico, and Lyla. Unfortunately, we received the sad news that Nico had a blazing-red throat, and Lyla was complaining that hers hurt, too. So, we agreed to scrap that plan and stay at Rachael’s house instead.

There, we visited, took baby Milo and Ethan to a nearby park, came back for lunch, and chatted while Ethan stripped off his clothes and played in the sprinkler in the backyard. I got to hold little Milo for quite a while after we returned from the park, and that felt good. Liz and Ron arrived in the mid-afternoon, and Andrew returned from work at four. We did a lot of sitting, eating, and talking, and I got in plenty of Milo-holding time. He is two and a half months old, weighs fourteen pounds, and is finally getting a whole headful of hair. Though I’m his grandma and certainly biased, I think he’s an adorable child, just like the rest of my exceptionally smart, funny, gorgeous, and sweet grandkids.

We returned home around 9:30 p.m. after leaving at 6 a.m. It made for a long but happy day—one filled with good conversation and precious time with two of our daughters, their husbands, and their children. Quite a treat. Of course, I was very sorry that the Pacheco-Beaty kids and their parents weren’t there, too. I had been so looking forward to spending the day with my “older” grandkids, ages thirteen, ten, and seven, and their mom and dad. Alas, not this time.

Here is a photo that Rachael snapped of Milo and me. Isn’t he a sweet little character?