See You Later, Leni

Leni spent her first spring break with us last week. It was still quite an experience for both Paul and me.

Prior to her arrival, both of us were a little nervous, even though she stayed with us for more than two weeks a few years ago. Now that she is seven years old, her needs must be changed. Would she feel uncontrollably homesick as before? Would it affect Paul's health? Would it be as tiring as last time?

On noon of April 2, Nick dropped off the car-sick Leni, and immediately turned around to go back to continue his work shift. All of a sudden, our quiet house became full and busy with the big Leni opening the two brand new boxes her mother had packed specially designed for her stay: Hatchimals and rock art. She quickly assembled the animals and then painted all 21 rocks. It was time for a snack, so went on the rest of the week.

Thanks to her diligent mother, speech therapist, and Papou's forewarnings, Leni is now able to express herself to outer world eloquently and accurately. Paul has been totally won over by her description of all shapes and their characteristics, such as triangles, pentagon and octagons. At the beach, she numerated many facts about kelp forests and sea animals residing there.

For the first time, the three of us visited Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, Tuesday April 5. Leni not only recruited a girl visitor to accompany her, but pushed all the interactive buttons, and gently petted all the live sea creatures, such as muzzles, corals, anemones, and sea stars (no longer called starfish, as she corrected us). After nearly two hours, she was still insatiable until she climbed once more on the outdoor whale from head to tail. 

The temperature shot over 90 degree the next day. It was a beach day and we three went to Capitola Beach in front of the Venetian Hotel. Leni was ecstatic with the waves, sand and endless kelp. What is more, she got herself another playmate whose PE teacher mother volunteered to help watch over their safety with fierce vigilance.

Every morning after her math exercise, Leni and I would spend an hour at Chanticleer County Park, aka Leo's Haven. Whenever there was a Warrior's game, it was a bonding time for Paul and Leni on the couch, cheering and clapping. My crowning success was that Leni took to all three Wonderbooks rejected by my selection team. So much for the theory that children did not like them. 

By the following Saturday April 9, Leni became restless. She wanted to go home, and so she did with her Papa Nick. But she will be back for Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz in June. 

See you later, Leni.