Bricks by the Bay

This weekend there was a Lego-builders convention at the Fremont Marriot Silicon Valley in Fremont CA, just 20 miles from Palo Alto. Today, from 10-4, the public was invited to see the created structures. http://www.bricksbythebay.com/

I bought Doug (child #3) countless Lego kits as he was growing up. I always worked with (as in "forced") him to build the structure as pictured on the box before free play with the Legos could begin. We built castles, islands, space ships, etc, but when left to play on his own, Doug chose the people and accessories - all the little stuff. Doug, at 25, still likes Legos and looks forward to buying them when his two boys get older. I had to go see what today's adult Lego enthusiasts had built and I had to take lots of pictures.

I arrived at 11 am and walked in the front door of the hotel. I saw the exhibit hall and began following the line of people to find the end. Through the lobby, down one hall, turn right, down another hall, left turn, down another hall,

out a door where it was cold and rainy, around a corner,

into the parking garage, up the ramp,

up the ramp to level 2. At last I was in line. 220 yards and a minimum 2-hour wait to get into the exhibit hall. I really didn't want to wait that long. I can't imagine how the upteen families with little children could wait this long. Meeting this man was the closest I got. He was very friendly, a member of the Bay Area Lego Users Group, and chatted with many people in line. Very cool nametag, also.

On the way back to my car, there were many families who'd also given up and were headed out. One grandfather told me that he'd told his grandson that if they didn't spend the $5/person entrance fee, then they could go to the toy store and BUY Legos instead. It worked, the grandson was happy. Others families weren't so lucky.

Baby Shower for Josette

Josette will have a daughter in mid-May. The shower was held at the home grandparents, Lydia and Dan Belarmino of San Jose.

Lydia has quite the 2-acre backyard. She sprouts seeds in the greenhouse.

She took a group of us on an tour.

When this tree died, Lydia painted it blue.

Parking Guidelines

I love it when I get clear written guidelines when I'm housesitting. Since I'm going to park on the street, Carolyn want me to know that the rule is "to keep your wheels a foot away from the rounded curb, so that moms with strollers can pass through." This is my car and I'm not quite in compliance, but as I looked up and down the block on this particular day,
I think I may have been the closest to being compliant.

While housesitting in Palo Alto

I've been housesitting for Dick's sister and husband, Carolyn & Mark, in Palo Alto since April 1.

I've kept myself busy by making baby kimonos for a shower on Saturday. After finishing two kimonos, I had to get creative because the main fabric was a one-way design and I didn't want the trees to be upside-down on the back so I pieced 2-inch squares.

Little multi-colored dog paws on this one. The baby will be born into a dog-loving family.

Happy Birth Day

Grandchild #3
Odin Gerald Perryman: 8 lbs, 5 oz, 20 in

born to Doug and Stacey Perryman

Happy 1st Birthday

Sophia Quinn Del Castillo

Happy Easter

We met at Thais and Lenin's house around noon.

Justin "rotisserated" a ham (from one of the pigs he raised last year) - delicious!

Mom wore her Easter bonnet and is back to using just a cane. The 4-wheeled walked with a seat has been parked. She's a tough old bird.

I hope all of you also had a wonderful day.