Sunday, July 13
Well, time for our annual parting from one another -- I head to Newark and back to work for a few weeks, and Kathryn and the kids go off to Utah for time with the cousins.
My flight is at 8 a.m., and Kathryn and the kids don't leave til 10 a.m.
Uneventful flights for both of us. I drive home listening to the comedy CD Liz gave me of Brian Regan. We heard much of it on the way to the ball game on Friday. Very funny stuff. Keeps me laughing.
I get home to find everything at home in order.
My first night of "freedom" without kids or family responsibilities. How do I celebrate? I read the new Parenting magazine cover from cover. Wild times!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Vacation, Day 8
Saturday, July 12
Well, our last day on the beach. There's never any guarantee we'll be back next year (we've gone 4 years in a row). Always hard to say goodbye to the beach, though we had had an extra day or two at the start of the vacation, and I think we were ready to be done with the beach. As great as a vacation as it is, it does involve work. As a kid, it was all about just sitting and reading and worrying about yourself. Instead of reading a few novels, I successfully read one short story....and that's fine with me.
I wish we had taken one last stroll down the beach at the end as the water and the light gets so pretty just after 3 p.m. But that's OK...the kids were ready to go.
Well, our last day on the beach. There's never any guarantee we'll be back next year (we've gone 4 years in a row). Always hard to say goodbye to the beach, though we had had an extra day or two at the start of the vacation, and I think we were ready to be done with the beach. As great as a vacation as it is, it does involve work. As a kid, it was all about just sitting and reading and worrying about yourself. Instead of reading a few novels, I successfully read one short story....and that's fine with me.
I wish we had taken one last stroll down the beach at the end as the water and the light gets so pretty just after 3 p.m. But that's OK...the kids were ready to go.
Vacation, Day 7
FRIDAY, July 11, 2008 (MY BIRTHDAY)
It's always super-special to get to spend my birthday with the family (that doesn't always happen) and on vacation.
Highlights included a Navy jet fly-over at the conclusion of singing Happy Birthday on the beach (the Navy trains pilots at the north end of the island, so they fly over all the time), a huge dolphin encore in the water (the closest I've ever seen them to shore, and it was like they were actually playing!), and even fireworks (details to come).
I also went to Subway to get lunch for a few of us....when ordering for multiple people, I sure prefer some place like McDonald's. Subway takes me "drive thru ordering" phobia and multiplies it by a ton. Too many variables to try and get straight, especially when the line is already out the door. Ugh.
That evening, my major present was getting to go to a Padres game with several of the family, including Kathryn and Josh, my Dad, and Liz, her husband and their son. PETCO PARK is a beautiful field...though I think it's a little weird to name the park after a pet supply store. But going to a game there is just a joy. We were on the very back row of the stadium behind home plate, which turned out to be a bonus! We could see over the top to watch the train and light rail yard, ships in the harbor, and, as mentioned above, fireworks toward the end of the game!
The Padres, though in last place, played well! They won 4-0. We got to see Jake Peavy, a great pitcher, and the all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, too. The Padres had 3 triples (well, one was an error). Oh, and it was free beach towel night AND $1 hot dogs and soda.
I sat next to my dad for the first few innings and it was just nice to chat for a long time.
It was the perfect birthday celebration. Exactly what I hoped for.
It's always super-special to get to spend my birthday with the family (that doesn't always happen) and on vacation.
Highlights included a Navy jet fly-over at the conclusion of singing Happy Birthday on the beach (the Navy trains pilots at the north end of the island, so they fly over all the time), a huge dolphin encore in the water (the closest I've ever seen them to shore, and it was like they were actually playing!), and even fireworks (details to come).
I also went to Subway to get lunch for a few of us....when ordering for multiple people, I sure prefer some place like McDonald's. Subway takes me "drive thru ordering" phobia and multiplies it by a ton. Too many variables to try and get straight, especially when the line is already out the door. Ugh.
That evening, my major present was getting to go to a Padres game with several of the family, including Kathryn and Josh, my Dad, and Liz, her husband and their son. PETCO PARK is a beautiful field...though I think it's a little weird to name the park after a pet supply store. But going to a game there is just a joy. We were on the very back row of the stadium behind home plate, which turned out to be a bonus! We could see over the top to watch the train and light rail yard, ships in the harbor, and, as mentioned above, fireworks toward the end of the game!
The Padres, though in last place, played well! They won 4-0. We got to see Jake Peavy, a great pitcher, and the all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, too. The Padres had 3 triples (well, one was an error). Oh, and it was free beach towel night AND $1 hot dogs and soda.
I sat next to my dad for the first few innings and it was just nice to chat for a long time.
It was the perfect birthday celebration. Exactly what I hoped for.
Vacation, Day 6
Thursday, July 10
Matthew will now pee in the ocean, but doesn't go out far enough....just stands at the edge of the water and goes. Ah well, it's saving me a trip to the restrooms.
We see dolphins today! They're out a little ways, but they are definitely there. They stick around for a while.
Kathryn got a jogging stroller for the trip that is great for allowing Sammy a way to fall asleep on the beach. The only challenge is pushing it across the sand from the stairs to the water's edge, which in Coronado is a hefty distance. Pushing it makes me think what it must have been like to push a handcart, though I guess that was more work, with less of a pay-off (i.e. a beautiful beach).
That night, we somewhat impromptu-ly decide to go to the San Diego temple. John's wife Jennifer agrees to drive us in their car....perhaps it's a bit weird to arrive at the temple with one man, and two women, both with the same last name as the husband. Ah well.
I had a really peaceful time at the temple and am so glad we went! I think I can't fully 'unwind' when I go to the Manhattan temple because I'm trying to figure out which train I'm going to take home. But just sitting in the chapel waiting for the session was so peaceful, reading 2 Ne 10 (I'm not doing so well on my reading). It was all about just "being in the moment".
That temple is a bit over the top....the only thing they didn't include were cup holders in the chairs. Looking around the session, perhaps that would have been a good idea.
Matthew will now pee in the ocean, but doesn't go out far enough....just stands at the edge of the water and goes. Ah well, it's saving me a trip to the restrooms.
We see dolphins today! They're out a little ways, but they are definitely there. They stick around for a while.
Kathryn got a jogging stroller for the trip that is great for allowing Sammy a way to fall asleep on the beach. The only challenge is pushing it across the sand from the stairs to the water's edge, which in Coronado is a hefty distance. Pushing it makes me think what it must have been like to push a handcart, though I guess that was more work, with less of a pay-off (i.e. a beautiful beach).
That night, we somewhat impromptu-ly decide to go to the San Diego temple. John's wife Jennifer agrees to drive us in their car....perhaps it's a bit weird to arrive at the temple with one man, and two women, both with the same last name as the husband. Ah well.
I had a really peaceful time at the temple and am so glad we went! I think I can't fully 'unwind' when I go to the Manhattan temple because I'm trying to figure out which train I'm going to take home. But just sitting in the chapel waiting for the session was so peaceful, reading 2 Ne 10 (I'm not doing so well on my reading). It was all about just "being in the moment".
That temple is a bit over the top....the only thing they didn't include were cup holders in the chairs. Looking around the session, perhaps that would have been a good idea.
Vacation, Day 5
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
It's our off-day from the beach. We always like to take at least one off-day from the beach during the week to give our skin a break. We hadn't done the zoo ever (hard to believe), so it fit the bill. Thanks to my sister for letting me borrow their car. My brother's family came along with us, too, in their car.
Of course, we were the first car in the parking lot (do we know any other way?) It's cheaper than Sea World, and I think worth what they charge. We took a tour of the zoo on a bus, then explored on foot.
No surprise...the kids loved the pandas and koalas. But I think I was surprised at how cool the hippo was.
It was an overcast -- and thus, cool -- day. And the crowds weren't there throughout the morning. That sure made it a pleasant visit. Our package allowed for rides on the Skyfari, which Matthew loved. (In fact, at the end of the day, we did one more round trip with Caroline just to enjoy it again).
By 1 p.m., we had seen most of the zoo, and then went to a sea lion show, which I didn't think lived up to expectations (perhaps I expected Sea World). We trudged on to the children's zoo, then I was hot and miserable. We packed our own lunch so we could splurge on treats. Great idea as nothing in my life tasted any better at 2 p.m. than a $4 ICEE (with $2 collectible straw as they don't offer straws to save the environment or the whales or something). I submit that nothing has ever tasted nicer or frostier in my life. I was one satisfied customer. I also got to finish all the kids' soft-serve ice creams.
We went for a ride on the little train outside the zoo in Balboa Park. That, too, was one of the biggest hits of the day.
As we had a free car, we went back to the swimming pool down "the Strand". Just long enough to cool off!
That night, I watched "Shall We Dance" (the original, Japanese version), which is a favorite for me and Kathryn, while Kathryn lay next to me and slept and occasionally woke up to read a subtitle or two. Hey, it had been a long day.....
It's our off-day from the beach. We always like to take at least one off-day from the beach during the week to give our skin a break. We hadn't done the zoo ever (hard to believe), so it fit the bill. Thanks to my sister for letting me borrow their car. My brother's family came along with us, too, in their car.
Of course, we were the first car in the parking lot (do we know any other way?) It's cheaper than Sea World, and I think worth what they charge. We took a tour of the zoo on a bus, then explored on foot.
No surprise...the kids loved the pandas and koalas. But I think I was surprised at how cool the hippo was.
It was an overcast -- and thus, cool -- day. And the crowds weren't there throughout the morning. That sure made it a pleasant visit. Our package allowed for rides on the Skyfari, which Matthew loved. (In fact, at the end of the day, we did one more round trip with Caroline just to enjoy it again).
By 1 p.m., we had seen most of the zoo, and then went to a sea lion show, which I didn't think lived up to expectations (perhaps I expected Sea World). We trudged on to the children's zoo, then I was hot and miserable. We packed our own lunch so we could splurge on treats. Great idea as nothing in my life tasted any better at 2 p.m. than a $4 ICEE (with $2 collectible straw as they don't offer straws to save the environment or the whales or something). I submit that nothing has ever tasted nicer or frostier in my life. I was one satisfied customer. I also got to finish all the kids' soft-serve ice creams.
We went for a ride on the little train outside the zoo in Balboa Park. That, too, was one of the biggest hits of the day.
As we had a free car, we went back to the swimming pool down "the Strand". Just long enough to cool off!
That night, I watched "Shall We Dance" (the original, Japanese version), which is a favorite for me and Kathryn, while Kathryn lay next to me and slept and occasionally woke up to read a subtitle or two. Hey, it had been a long day.....
Vacation: Day 4
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
How did Matthew go from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom? On the beach, it seems like he wants to visit the yucky bathrooms every hour or two.
We've tried to teach him it's OK to pee in the ocean. He's not a fast learner on this front.
The walk feels like a 1/4 to 1/2 mile, but it's probably not even close to that. Just feels that way with the sand. But I think he just likes the walk and alone time with dad. He is constantly just stopping along the way to sit down, chat, make a sand angel, etc.
While the walk and the very smelly bathroom are bad, the worse part is he expects a shoulder's ride back to the camp afterward -- every sandy little cuteness that he is.
We're bringing our lunch down every day, and I don't mind because I've become re-acquainted with an old friend: relish! I can eat turkey every day when there is relish!
We watch the Incredibles that night with various kids.
How did Matthew go from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom? On the beach, it seems like he wants to visit the yucky bathrooms every hour or two.
We've tried to teach him it's OK to pee in the ocean. He's not a fast learner on this front.
The walk feels like a 1/4 to 1/2 mile, but it's probably not even close to that. Just feels that way with the sand. But I think he just likes the walk and alone time with dad. He is constantly just stopping along the way to sit down, chat, make a sand angel, etc.
While the walk and the very smelly bathroom are bad, the worse part is he expects a shoulder's ride back to the camp afterward -- every sandy little cuteness that he is.
We're bringing our lunch down every day, and I don't mind because I've become re-acquainted with an old friend: relish! I can eat turkey every day when there is relish!
We watch the Incredibles that night with various kids.
Vacation: Day 3
Monday, July 7, 2008
I love the local PBS station, and always have. They seem to have mastered the right mix of programs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to keep the kids entertained until it's beach time. My only complaint is "whiny-boy Cailou" is now on at 6 a.m. But then it's non-stop great hits!
6:30: Zoboomafoo -- it's an animal show that we only see in San Diego. Always a huge hit!
7 a.m. -- Curious George -- so cute and innocent and just pleasant. I've been known to stop on a Curious George episode when flipping channels on a business trip.
7:30 a.m -- Clifford -- nothing wrong with the big red dog. Cute and nicely done.
8 a.m. -- Wordworld -- this is new to me, but apparently Caro and Matthew have seen it before, and they LOVE it.
8:30 -- Dragon tales (OK, the weak spot of the line up. I'm SO over that)
9 a.m. - Super Why. Never heard of it, but a big hit!
Good day on the beach. Great waves again. And great to have all the cousins, grandkids, my siblings, parents, etc. on the beach.
None of my siblings claim the parents....score for us! Extra "free dinner out"! Went for Mexican.
I love the local PBS station, and always have. They seem to have mastered the right mix of programs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to keep the kids entertained until it's beach time. My only complaint is "whiny-boy Cailou" is now on at 6 a.m. But then it's non-stop great hits!
6:30: Zoboomafoo -- it's an animal show that we only see in San Diego. Always a huge hit!
7 a.m. -- Curious George -- so cute and innocent and just pleasant. I've been known to stop on a Curious George episode when flipping channels on a business trip.
7:30 a.m -- Clifford -- nothing wrong with the big red dog. Cute and nicely done.
8 a.m. -- Wordworld -- this is new to me, but apparently Caro and Matthew have seen it before, and they LOVE it.
8:30 -- Dragon tales (OK, the weak spot of the line up. I'm SO over that)
9 a.m. - Super Why. Never heard of it, but a big hit!
Good day on the beach. Great waves again. And great to have all the cousins, grandkids, my siblings, parents, etc. on the beach.
None of my siblings claim the parents....score for us! Extra "free dinner out"! Went for Mexican.
Vacation: Day 2
Sunday, July 6, 2008
How to spend Sunday on vacation? Always a quandary. If we had a car, we'd probably try church again, like last year. Then again, we ended up going to sacrament meeting and just sitting in the foyer (that's such a Mormon word) with cranky kids.
We settled on a trip to a local park to play with the kids, then a family home evening in the condo that allowed the kids to give reports that they had prepared on animals we would see at the zoo later that week.
I took the older 3 kids swimming at the pool where we have rights to swim courtesy of the Condo. It's about 4 miles away (we travel by cab). It was a good diversion for the kids. Caroline went to an on-site science class that she considered one of the highlights of the whole trip (they made a super ball). Go figure....glad I let her do it!
Then I took us to our newest find in Coronado: the library! For $5, we could get guest library cards, and check out lots of stuff! Tons of books for Josh to read, plus several bedtime stories for the younger kids, and even some kids videos, and a foreign video for the adults ($0.50 per video). Plus, they have a great play area in the library with puppets, puzzles, a train going around up high, and other nice displays. Definitely going to return to the library again next year! That seems a perfect Sunday activity on vacation.
My brother John and sister Liz and their families arrive that evening.
How to spend Sunday on vacation? Always a quandary. If we had a car, we'd probably try church again, like last year. Then again, we ended up going to sacrament meeting and just sitting in the foyer (that's such a Mormon word) with cranky kids.
We settled on a trip to a local park to play with the kids, then a family home evening in the condo that allowed the kids to give reports that they had prepared on animals we would see at the zoo later that week.
I took the older 3 kids swimming at the pool where we have rights to swim courtesy of the Condo. It's about 4 miles away (we travel by cab). It was a good diversion for the kids. Caroline went to an on-site science class that she considered one of the highlights of the whole trip (they made a super ball). Go figure....glad I let her do it!
Then I took us to our newest find in Coronado: the library! For $5, we could get guest library cards, and check out lots of stuff! Tons of books for Josh to read, plus several bedtime stories for the younger kids, and even some kids videos, and a foreign video for the adults ($0.50 per video). Plus, they have a great play area in the library with puppets, puzzles, a train going around up high, and other nice displays. Definitely going to return to the library again next year! That seems a perfect Sunday activity on vacation.
My brother John and sister Liz and their families arrive that evening.
Vacation: Day 1
Saturday, July 5th
It's like being a part of the best Easter Egg hunt ever!
Our new tradition is to go to down to the beach at sunrise on our first morning at Coronado. And why not? With the time zones, the kids are already up by 5:30 a.m. local time.
The hunt is for sand dollars. At low tide, they are everywhere. You just run from one to another stashing into your bag. And you have the whole beach to yourself. This morning, it was a really brilliant sunrise in terms of the lighting.
We also headed to the rocks to see sand crabs and other little critters and birds.
Then it's off to the fancy diner for breakfast, another first morning tradition. As a bleu cheese lover, I was a major sucker for the bleu cheese omelet...can't believe I've never seen that on a menu before!
The beach waves are AWESOME, AWESOME! Best in years for boogie boarding....big enough to scare you, but not so big as to wipe you out (too much).
With no other grandkids around yet (they arrive on Sunday), it's easy to monopolize the grandparents for free babysitting. Kathryn and I get to have a great dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado across the street. Great food, and even greater view! Some gourmet hot chocolate from the coffee bar serves as the perfect ending to a perfect start to the vacation.
It's like being a part of the best Easter Egg hunt ever!
Our new tradition is to go to down to the beach at sunrise on our first morning at Coronado. And why not? With the time zones, the kids are already up by 5:30 a.m. local time.
The hunt is for sand dollars. At low tide, they are everywhere. You just run from one to another stashing into your bag. And you have the whole beach to yourself. This morning, it was a really brilliant sunrise in terms of the lighting.
We also headed to the rocks to see sand crabs and other little critters and birds.
Then it's off to the fancy diner for breakfast, another first morning tradition. As a bleu cheese lover, I was a major sucker for the bleu cheese omelet...can't believe I've never seen that on a menu before!
The beach waves are AWESOME, AWESOME! Best in years for boogie boarding....big enough to scare you, but not so big as to wipe you out (too much).
With no other grandkids around yet (they arrive on Sunday), it's easy to monopolize the grandparents for free babysitting. Kathryn and I get to have a great dinner at the Hotel Del Coronado across the street. Great food, and even greater view! Some gourmet hot chocolate from the coffee bar serves as the perfect ending to a perfect start to the vacation.
Vacation: Day 0
Friday, July 4, 2008
It's time for the annual trek out west, which begins with a week in Coronado, the peninsula across the bay from San Diego.
While our official time in my parents' timeshare doesn't begin until Sunday, we choose to leave today. For starters, a couple extra days in California means more time (hopefully) when are kids will acclimate to the time zone and won't get up at 3 a.m. local time.
But flights were easier to obtain on the evening of July 4th. Apparently it's actually a smart day and time to fly. In fact, airlines often schedule the fewest flights of the year (to date) on that day than any other day. Who knew?! That gave me hope that if thunderstorms pop up and delay flights that there will be less flights to clog up the runways when the storms pass.
We fly out of Newark and all is well. No flight delays at all! Knock on wood, I have had horrible travels on business trips, but never with the family....I always bargain with the Lord to make it that way.
Matthew flies from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom (the toilet on the plane scared him).
Continental served dinner, which is nice....but in a way, slightly annoying. I'm kind of now prefer the no meal approach as it's just one more thing to juggle while entertaining the kids, and the kids don't eat the plane food anyway.
We land around 9 p.m. local time and -- surprise -- FIREWORKS! From above the baggage concourse, we can see THREE separate displays! Such savvy planners. But alas, the payback is major traffic getting from San Diego to Coronado. Ah well...we landed with no kid incidents, so what else matters?
It's time for the annual trek out west, which begins with a week in Coronado, the peninsula across the bay from San Diego.
While our official time in my parents' timeshare doesn't begin until Sunday, we choose to leave today. For starters, a couple extra days in California means more time (hopefully) when are kids will acclimate to the time zone and won't get up at 3 a.m. local time.
But flights were easier to obtain on the evening of July 4th. Apparently it's actually a smart day and time to fly. In fact, airlines often schedule the fewest flights of the year (to date) on that day than any other day. Who knew?! That gave me hope that if thunderstorms pop up and delay flights that there will be less flights to clog up the runways when the storms pass.
We fly out of Newark and all is well. No flight delays at all! Knock on wood, I have had horrible travels on business trips, but never with the family....I always bargain with the Lord to make it that way.
Matthew flies from Newark to San Diego without using the bathroom (the toilet on the plane scared him).
Continental served dinner, which is nice....but in a way, slightly annoying. I'm kind of now prefer the no meal approach as it's just one more thing to juggle while entertaining the kids, and the kids don't eat the plane food anyway.
We land around 9 p.m. local time and -- surprise -- FIREWORKS! From above the baggage concourse, we can see THREE separate displays! Such savvy planners. But alas, the payback is major traffic getting from San Diego to Coronado. Ah well...we landed with no kid incidents, so what else matters?
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