The Mustard House

The California Adventure – Part 3, the Final Chapter

// March 20th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Mia

Well…it’s our last night

We had another great day today.  Went to the San Diego Zoo this afternoon and spent the day with birds, bears, giraffes, elephants and pandas.  Mia loved it.  She’s definitely getting more into her walking and demanded for much of the day to go cruising in her Pumas instead of her stroller.  She got to feed the giraffe but I think she thought he was going to wrap his tongue around her along with the biscuit I was holding so we didn’t overstay our welcome at the Giraffe House.  By far, the coolest part was the Pandas.  Well worth the wait.  After the zoo, we parked downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter and did a little shopping at Horton Plaza then headed back to Old Town for another round of Mexican food at the Coyote Cafe.  Our choices were Mexican, Mexican and Mexican, so we chose Mexican (but funny…Mia was still able to find French Fries).  After stuffing ourselves, we headed back to our hotel and finished off the trip with a night on the beach making s’mores in our fire pit on the beach.  The weather was great all day and it was a nice way to finish off the trip.  We’re sad to be leaving tomorrow, but it’ll be nice to get home and get Spring started.  We’re definitely coming back though – one of the best vacations ever!

In the immortal words of Ron Burgundy, “You Stay Classy, San Diego”

Hello zoo! We're about to add another monkey to the joint!

One for the giraffe, one for Mia, one for the giraffe, one for Mia...

Panda Express or the San Diego Zoo? You decide!

Panda-monium.

In captivity: the elusive Baby Mia.

Back to the beach! Some more S'mores, please.

C.U.T.E. x2

Mom's better at the self-family-portrait than dad.

Fire + Graham Crackers + Marshmallows + Chocolate = FUN

I love San Diego!!!

 

The California Adventure – Part 2

// March 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Mia

Greetings!  It’s Friday morning and our vacation is sadly winding down, but we’ve had a really great time.  Here’s a recap of the last few days:

Wednesday: A thick fog rolled in today and cooled things down into the low 60s, which put a little bit of a damper on our first trip to the pool.  Mandy took Mia around to feed the ducks and the fish then we attempted to get her into the pool.  She dipped her toes, but that’s about where it stopped.  We still had fun and had some lunch poolside until some birds attempted to attack Mandy and steal some of her pulled pork sandwich.  Later in the day, we hopped in the car and drove to Seaport Village, downtown and across the bridge into Coronado where we walked around the famous Hotel Del Coronado and bought Mia some books in their toy store.  Rumor has it that the place is haunted and on this day, we could see why.  The thick fog definitely made things look a little creepy.

Heading to the pool. Check out my new pink sandals!

Oh well...we tried!

I had a boat and everything!!

A shop in Seaport Village. It's not every day you see these names together. Mia's cousins!!!

Thursday: Today we woke up early and headed North to Anaheim for Disneyland!  It was soooooo fun.  Mia did great most of the day.  She’s a little too little to go on anything, but we started her off on a jungle boat ride that she did okay with but then we took her on the Winnie The Pooh Adventure Ride and it freaked her out.  It was surprisingly loud, dark and quite psychedelic.  After the failed experiment, we took to the Blue Bayou for lunch (mmm…Monte Cristo sandwich!)  We wandered around Toon Town and thru Fantasy Land before it was time to stroll over to California Adventure to catch the Playhouse Disney show.  HOME RUN!  Mia flipped out the second we got in line.  They were playing episodes of each of her shows on monitors while we waited. For only being one year old, she was among the most active kids in the bunch.  Dancing and clapping and doing her signature,”I can’t breathe” laugh.  It was great.  And that was just while we were waiting in line!  Once we got inside, she was fixated on the stage.  Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto put on a show to give Minnie a surprise birthday party.  After them came Handy Manny and his tools (quickly becoming a fav) and after Manny was the biggie – Little Einsteins!!!  I thought we were going to have to find Mia a paper bag to breathe into (note to self: watch her for hyperventilating).  The show ended with My Friends Tigger and Pooh.  Afterward, we walked around the park where we were a few seconds too late to get Mia’s picture with Mickey, but we did run into Handy Manny, Mr. Incredible, the blue monster from Monsters Inc. and Woody from Toy Story.  After California Adventure, we wanted thru Downtown Disney and had dinner at the ESPN Zone and then it was time to drive back.  Mia had had it.  Given that she’s only one, she did really well the whole day.  We can’t wait until she’s a little older to take her back.  I can’t speak for Mandy, but it was definitely my favorite trip to Disneyland of all time.  We’ve been telling Mia we would take her there as soon as she was off the meds.  Words can’t describe how terrific it was to finally do it.  Yeah…she’s only one, but she’s an experienced One.

Look Mom!!! We're at Disneyland!!!

Hey Dad, pass me over some of that Monte Cristo!

Don't hold me, I'll stand in line with the rest of you. If I'm gonna ride, I'll do the time.

Two words: Holy Crap!

Yes dad, I can read. The Little Einsteins are inside. Enough with the lesson, let's party!!!

Ahh...the lost art of taking your own family picture.

Tigger and Pooh at the Playhouse Disney show.

Handy Manny, Handy Mandy and Handy Peanut (we need a new camera - not loving BlurVision)

When it comes to the family picture, sometimes it's better to just turn the camera over to a complete stranger.

Goodnight Disneyland!

The California Adventure – Part 1

// March 17th, 2009 // No Comments » // Mia

Greetings from the Sun!  Our little threesome took to the skies on Sunday and headed for warmer ways in sunny, San Diego.  We’re staying out here until Saturday and to be honest, if the trip continues to go as well as it has so far, we might not come back! Mia’s been great – she did well on the plane, slept thru most of the flight and got a little antsy toward the end, but the milk, snacks and in-flight entertainment buttons kept her occupied.  Here she is helping gather the luggage at the airport.  

Let's get the bags and get the party started, people! It's my vacation too!

We’re staying at Paradise Point (thanks to an episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 – Mandy’s their #1 fan…more to come on this later).  It’s really great – right on the bay, a couple blocks from Sea World.  We had to switch rooms because the first one was a little run down and the paint on the bath tub was flaking off and going into Mia’s bath water, but they moved us a few doors down and now we’re all set.  We’re in a little “Bayside Bungalow”.  It’s really great.  We can park right next to our room and the doors literally open up to a grass patio and the beach. 

The view out our door.

Mia has made friends with two ducks that like to stay outside our door (she shares her Goldfish crackers with them).

Mia's Quackers Eating Her Crackers.

On Monday we went to Sea World.  It was really fun.  Mia got to see the seals, rays, penguins, dolphins and the Shamu Show, which was really great, but really loud and so we took turns walking Mia up and down the entrance ramp.  The show was amazing, but I think the biggest part of it was…are you ready…when Kate (from Jon & Kate Plus 8 ) walked right in front of us with one of her daughters on their way to their seats!  Crazy, huh?  (Actually…I wasn’t as thrilled as Mandy, but it WAS weird that she was there).

Daddy & Mia at Shamu's House.

Mommy & Mia at Sesame Street in Sea World.

Exploring Stuff at Sea World.

Today we got in the car and drove north to La Jolla and to Torrey Pines Golf Course.  After I wiped the drool off my shoes, the three of us walked around the course, went thru the lodge and had lunch in one of the restaurants.

Is THIS Heaven? No, it's Torrey Pines (...next time, we play).

Then we hopped back in the car and continued on thru Del Mar, Encinitas, and eventually into Carlsbad where we spent the afternoon shopping at the outlets and checking out the flower fields.

Mia's New Sandals! Heading to the Beach Tomorrow!

Oh yeah…and we tracked down the elusive Babies R Us to get the sun canopy that was supposed to come with the stroller we bought before we left.  Good times.  Only a waste of an hour or two, but it’s a necessity if we’re to take Little Miss Mia to the zoo and to Disneyland later this week.  Stay tuned for more adventures!  We’re having a great time and hope it doesn’t go too fast.

And last but certainly not least, HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY!!!

From Ireland...but relevant for the day, right?