We spent 7 magical days together as a family in sunny So Cal. We spent the 1st day driving down and spending time with Rob's Grandma who turned 86 while we were there. A couple years ago when we drove to see Mickey we left about 2 am and the kids slept 1/2 of the way, which was FABULOUS! We thought why not try it again?! Bad idea!! Logan, who gets his morning person tendencies from his father, decided to just stay up. Who needs to go back to sleep when there are hundreds of miles of pitch black desert to look at?! Silly Mama what was I thinking?
Moving on. The next day, Sunday, we got up early and made it to the park shortly after it opened. Disneyland is our family's absolute favorite place ever so we headed down Main Street with huge grins on our faces. I soaked up all the smells I just love, cotton candy, sunscreen, California sunshine and Disney magic! Sunday was by far the busiest day in the park. All the locals were there plus us crazy tourists so we spent some time waiting for rides and meeting our favorite characters.
One of the highlights of that day was watching Fantasmic in Disneyland. We have seen it several, OK dozens of times but we still love it. We know the PRIME spot to stand where we see everything and have the perfect view of Mickey. We also spent the following day in Disneyland but ended up over at California Adventure most of the time.
We got to meet Mickey's new bear Duffy (above). The story goes something like this: Mickey has been traveling quite a bit lately and Minnie was worried he might miss or forget about her. So she decided to hand make him a teddy bear that he can take on his journeys to remember her. Insert Disney's newest marketing extravaganza and you have Duffy. Who I might add is quite cute.
We also got to spend some time with Lightning McQueen and Mater, Mickey and Stitch. Monday was much less crowded so we actually got to meet quite a few more characters as well. I won't bore you with all the photos. At this point I'm sure I got what days we met what characters mixed up but you get the gist right. The very best part of the day at California Adventure was finishing it off with the new World of Color.
Think Bellagio fountains and the old planetarium light shows all mixed together with some serious Disney magic! We didn't get the best viewing spot but it was breathtaking non-the-less. I have never seen anything like it and can't wait to watch it again!
The following day was Tuesday and we got up pretty early to head down to San Diego. My hubby and I spent a few marvelous days on Coronado island 2 years ago and couldn't wait to show the kids. We headed out to Sea World 1st thing. I have only been one time and I was about Savanna's age then so I didn't really know what to expect. Because technically it's winter even when it's sunny and 75 degrees, they only have a limited number of shows and exhibits open. We did get to see all the major ones and even a fun educational show about Shamu called the Shamu Story.
We also took in another show with the dolphins called Blue Horizons, which was pretty cool. There was some amazing acrobatic type dancing mixed in with human birds and dolphins all set to music. It was definitely a must see.
After that we watched a Sea Lion and Otter show and then the biggie Shamu's Believe. It had been so long since I was at Sea World that I wasn't sure how it all worked but I figured it was better to stay OUT of the soak zone. We landed in the 1st dry row and it was certainly for the best :)
Shamu getting ready to splash...
then the actual tidal wave :)
The show was pretty amazing and the kids were mesmerized by the enormous killer whales. Apparently there have been some "accidents" so the trainers don't get in the pool anymore and instead do all the "directing" from the sidelines. All in all it we had a good time but for the money we spent I wouldn't go every year.
Me made it out to the bridge to Coronado island right at sunset. Perfect timing!! It was absolutely beautiful to watch the sun setting out over San Diego bay. We drove the kids around for a while showing them all the sights then landed at Miguel's Baja Cocina. It is by far the BEST Mexican food we have ever eaten. Rob and I ate there a couple years ago and were dying to get back. Let's just say we ate more that night then we did the entire trip combined. But oh man it was SO worth it!! http://www.sandiego.com/restaurant/review/a-taste-of-baja-miguel-s-cocina-coronado
We stayed the night in a hotel in the heart of downtown San Diego with an amazing view. We got up early had free continental breakfast then checked out and head to San Diego Zoo. I had never been and was in for a treat!
We took a tour in the top of an open double decker bus and hit all the highlights. Right as we were getting off we turned around to see a handler walking a cheetah down the street. That's right folks a cheetah. Just like you or I would walk our dogs, they apparently walk their cheetah. With it's best friend a little white dog :)
I feel in love with zoo and their famous botanical gardens. I could definitely spend a lot more time exploring on another visit. From there we headed out to the bay to the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier turned museum. The kids participated in a junior pilot program and earned their wings. Rob and I had been before but it was a blast showing the kids. Savanna really got into it all and even took her map and wings to class for show & tell once we got home.
A sweet older gentleman volunteering on the ship took this quick photo. It's really hard to tell how big the deck is with all the buildings in the background. It basically goes all the way back passed the tall gray tower with all the colorful flags. It's like nothing you've ever seen before, I promise! http://www.midway.org/
We made the long drive back in traffic to spend the evening with Grandma. The next day was her 86th birthday and we wanted to have dinner with her to celebrate. We spent our last day at Disneyland soaking up the 80 degree temperatures and the gorgeous sunshine! None of us wanted to leave.
Friday was driving day and all in all the kids were fantastic. We made it home in about 11 hours with a few potty stops and a quick lunch and dinner. By this point reality was starting to sink in and we we're getting a little nervous for the very near future. Rob left for SkyWest training Sunday night. He had to check into a hotel in SLC where he will be for 3 straight weeks. From there he will spend a couple weeks in Fresno CA and then a couple weeks in Long Beach CA. All in all he will probably be away from home 2-3 straight months. It has been a little harder than I anticipated. Not that I'm not used to him flying or even being gone, just that we don't have specific end date in sight. It all just depends. The kids have been a bit emotional, especially Savanna. She is taking it pretty hard. Luckily we have been able to chat with him for 5 minutes or so at bed time but that's it. We're a bunch of tough cookies and we'll make it through it all. This is Rob's life long dream and he's worked very hard to get here. The end result will be worth it, it will just take a while to get there.
Wishing it was sunny & 75 degrees :(
Angela
Looks like a blast! We will have to all do it together someday. As for the single parent stuff, it gets easier. You will find the groove that works for your family. So happy his dream is coming true. I am so glad you were able to have family time before this NEW adventure!
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