"Good morning, Mr Davies," the lady standing by the door greeted me as I walked in. "Hi Carol, how are the kids?" I replied.
Yes, it was my weekly trip to the Jelly Belly factory, this time with John and Laura. Tradition dictates that, on reaching a suitable age, every Haas child (and non-child) has to be introduced to 'the Rolls Royce of jelly beans' and today it was Claire's turn.
Things have changed at Jelly Belly! Well, they haven't really, apart from some new graphics before their videos and extra samples as you walk around. The latter is a great addition! You get an un-shelled centre (lemon lime), and a complete but unpolished bean (wild blackberry). You still get a free bag at the end, of course.
Armed with a ton of beans, most of which may or may not have been fed to a one-year-old to keep her quiet, we drove across the road to the Budweiser factory. Here our luck ran out. How could they be closed on a Monday? That's one of the biggest drinking days in Uni Village!
From there we headed up to Vacaville and designer outlet shopping heaven. Claire and I napped in the car after a hearty Applebee's lunch (she's very good at "more" in baby sign language) while John and Laura shopped until they, quite literally, dropped. I'm not sure whether they or their shopping was heavier for me to carry up the stairs to our flat.
Feels like coming home.
Too cool for school.
Mr Jelly Belly - more deflated than usual.
Claire, meet your new best friend.
Were they even born when this guy was around?
Go (jelly) bears!
Sweet.
Happy!
As close as we got...
...but they allowed him in!
The nuclear family at lunch.
John overindulged, and had buy a few sizes up in the Levi's outlet.
Someone's pleased with her new superpower - walking!
