Olive turns 7 and learns to change brake pads....

 June 19th

Today was a special day!  Today was Olive's birthday and we were excited to spend it with her in Malibu.  We aren't exactly Malibu kind of people, but it sounded cool anyway.  First, we stopped at Winchell's Donuts for a birthday breakfast.  As we were driving the hills towards Malibu State Park, we realized very quickly that something was very wrong with the brakes.  The squeaky grinding noise we were hearing was disconcerting, to say the least.   Bad News Bears.   We stopped at AutoZone for some parts and then Tom pulled over into a park that provided both a playground and a shady spot to fix the truck.  Olive agreed that we could celebrate her birthday tomorrow if necessary, and then we started the timer.  It took 95 minutes to fix the brakes.  But Tom thinks he could have done it a little quicker if he hadn't been apprenticing.  Plenty of time to celebrate Olive's birthday today!

We finally arrived at a campground and there was actually a space for us!  Unfortunately, it was a very expensive space!!!  Up to this point we had only spent $30 to sleep in total.  The Malibu campground was $45!  We sucked it up, shelled it out, and proceeded with Olive's birthday.  At the campground we met a funny little family that travels with their pet Scarlet Macaw.  The kids spent most of the time chatting them (and the bird) up. 

And finally, it was time to celebrate.  We ate one of Olive's favorite dinners...Ramen Noodles.  She helped me with her favorite chore...washing dishes.  Then it was time to  head to the grocery store for birthday shopping.  Olive and I went in one direction to secretly choose the cake.  Tom, Ivy and Dizzy went the other direction to find a present.  At the campsite, I wrapped her presents in aluminum foil (how convienent!!!)  and Olive surprised the family with her choice of birthday cake. What did she score?  Some sticky hands (the kind you throw at the wall), some little jelly beads that expand in water, and a pack of orange Tic Tacs.  Best birthday ever.

 

 

Mom..."Olive...what was your favorite part about your birthday?"
Olive..."Presents and cake.  So basically everything."



Our Trip Summed Up: 

Days Remaining:  23

Miles Driven:  3113

Currently in:  Malibu, CA

Total Spending so far:    Gas:       $900 out $1,500 goal

                                            Sleep:  $75 out of a $500 goal

                                             Eat:      $350 out of a $600 goal

                                             Other:  $ 93out of a $400 goal

                                                Grand Total:  $1,418 out of a $3,000 goal