Pet Rock

Apparently, one of these used to cost about $3.50 in the '70's. Ours was free since we started with an obliging rock from our garden. Introducing Trevor's pet rock: Ladybug.

Orange Blossoms

Their sweet perfume fills the air and will always remind me of this place.

The Blues

The last stop of our trip was at the El Centro Air Show. It was the first show of the Blue Angels' 2009 season. They were entertaining, as always, but we were not prepared for the 92 degree heat. Plus, we were anxious to get back home. It's back to the old grind, now!

Seals

There are plenty of seals in southern California. We saw both on this trip. The first kind (with a capital SEALs) we saw doing a training run along the Silver Strand. We were biking along the Nature Trail, and I quickly pointed them out to the boys saying, "Look guys- seals!" Then I realized that I'd better explain to them what kind of SEALs I was talking about before they complained they didn't see any.

A few days later, though, we headed up to La Jolla. A lifeguard at our beach told us there was a cove (or maybe it was caves?) with some seals or sea lions...I wasn't sure which. Some sort of sea-going mammal. And she said it was pup season. So we drove up- armed with only that information. I figured if I pointed us in the general direction of La Jolla and stayed as close to the shore as possible, we'd find it. We stopped for frozen yogurt--I mean directions at a frozen yogurt shop--along the way.


Anyways, we finally made it to La Jolla, and it was easy to find. We just followed all the other people. The kids did mention, though, that it was a little stinky there. I think their words went something like, "Mom, I'm all done. It's too stinky here. It's stinky like seagull poop!" I'm not sure what they thought all the seals were doing.

So fun, though, to see these animals in the wild. If you're ever in the area, check out the La Jolla Seals.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

"With your feet on the ground you're a bird in flight, with your fist holding tight to the string of your kite." Mary Poppins

A Walk in the Park

It's hard to believe, but the whole time we lived in CA, I never went to Balboa Park. It's beautiful, it's huge, it's amazing! We went there three times in a week, and didn't come close to doing everything.

Here we are at the San Diego Natural History Museum- Braden is opening and closing his jaw, along with the jawbone of the saber-tooth in the case. Roaaaar!!!

They have extensive gardens throughout the park. Trev and I found this giant cactus in the desert garden

This is the Spreckels Organ Pavillion. We stumbled upon a school group demonstration and were lucky enough to hear a short concert. The organ can be heard all over the park- we just followed the sound.

This little hummingbird was buzzing around us in the gardens. He's kind of hard to see, isn't he? I never thought of hummers as being camouflaged!

We also checked out the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Model Railroad Museum. The only problem is that almost everything costs money- when we go back, I'll probably try to save by getting a day pass. We'll be going back for sure!

Splish Splash

We all went to Seaworld for the very first time this week, and I have to say, it was all I expected and more! We had a super time! A HUGE thank-you goes out to the Anheuser-Busch Corporation for their Here's to the Heroes program, which allowed us to attend the park gratis! I have so many great memories and pictures, but I wanted to mention just a few of the highlights. So, I asked the boys what their favorite part was. They each listed 3 or 4 things!! Here were some of the ones that were mentioned more than once. We were only 3 feet away from these flamingos as they were being herded through the park streets.

I love this shot from lunch- a "Shark" headed toward the Shamu cookie!

The Shamu show was amazing! We took our chances and sat in the Splash Zone, but ended up staying mostly dry. Even in my pictures it's hard to get a feel for just HOW BIG these killer whales are! The show is a exciting and dramatic, which is a contrast from the dolphin show, which is full of comedy and light-hearted antics. It was also a favorite with us all.

One of the most unique things that happened was when we attended the show starring a couple of seals, a sea otter and a very large walrus. Maybe the walrus was new, or maybe there was just a creative difference between the trainers and him. Either way, he decided the show should include more audience participation. He hoisted himself out of the water and over the glass. At first we didn't even realize that it wasn't part of the show, but when the snappy dialogue stopped and extra handlers came out, it became obvious that the walrus was off-script. In the end, he was escorted right past our 2nd row seats, out of the arena. I suspect he was headed for some remedial training.

We had a fantastic time. I think Seaworld will go down as one of our all-time fun family days!

Long Time, No Blog

We've been off the radar for the past week. Did you miss us? (Don't answer that!)

We've been off Seeing and Doing in Coronado, CA for the past week. Let me tell you, there are worse places to suffer. More on that later- I've barely had a chance to upload my pics. In the meantime, enjoy this picture of these beautiful iris that I found in my garden, upon my homecoming!

Also, in the meantime, I wanted to tell you about a book I read while I was away. I picked up a package from the mailbox on my way out of town- it was from my Aunt S. and Uncle P. in Virginia. In the package was a book: Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom by LTG (Ret.) William Boykin. It was recommended to them by my cousin and her husband, who served in (and retired from) the U.S. Army Special Forces. On the recommendation of four people whom I respect, I began to read it. I couldn't put it down. I found it fascinating and enlightening as he described his life and career, including being a founding member of Delta Force and commander of U.S. Army Special Forces, and detailed how his faith in God sustained him through it all.

It's a very good read!

Swaddled Up

Another family from work, and back-door neighbor, recently had their first baby- a sweet little girl. It has become my custom to give first-born babies a present of this swaddling blanket. I think swaddling is the greatest secret of a happy baby, and I'm a self-proclaimed swaddling expert. I could swaddle a baby in a napkin, if necessary. But first-timers usually need something a little more fool-proof. It seemed too plain, as it was, so I added a little something.


I drew the basic vining design freehand, estimating where I might want to place the flowers. That way, I could embroider the vine first, coming back to add the color where it seemed best. I'd never done anything like it before, and it was so much fun!



I hope sweet little Baby M is enjoying it, and sleeping soundly!

Sweet Sacks

Yesterday was my first day to try out my new Envirosax reusable shopping bags. I've been thinking of getting some for a while. I no longer have any uses for paper or plastic bags around the house, and I've been taking bags stuffed full of bags to be recycled every week. I was feeling very wasteful. But I had a few concerns about reusables. I wanted to actually use them, which means I need to remember to take them with me. These are great for that- each bag folds up to the size of a sushi roll, then all five bags have a matching pouch which I can stash in my purse or glove box. These are so cute, and I love the handles- they can go on my shoulder or in my hand like the plastic bags. That means I can carry it all in one trip sometimes. Wonderful!! I'm not necessarily trying to be Green, but I am trying to be a good steward of God's earth. It suddenly occurred to me that until the mid-2oth century, women always brought their own bags or baskets to the market. Why shouldn't I?

Desert Bloom

The beginning of our desert bloom.

Baseball Season

The boys seem to have baseball on the brain these days. I suppose it's appropriate- MLB spring training has begun and Little League starts soon. My boys played catch with their Daddy this weekend.