the characters in the caricature

As you know, I love Legoland. Everything
is made out of Legos -- I mean, how cool is that?!
When Kelly was a baby, like 4 months old even, we went to San Diego and  did the Sea World, Zoo, Wild Animal Park circuit. Even though we had an exhausting fun time doing all of that, we also
went to Legoland.

I never really paid attention to the caricatures they did at the park, I thought they were cute, but never really considered doing one.
Well, Robyn (my mother in law)
decided while we were there in Legoland that she wanted to have one done of the kids --

and it came out SO cute!

I ended up later framing it and hanging it in the hallway.

DJ was/is really into Superman, we used to call Kelly Turtle 

when she was a baby -- and Paige just wanted to be a Mermaid.

So cute!

This last trip to Legoland, we knew that we wanted to have their caricatures done again -- we needed one with Mikey, right? Of course he was going to be a Gorilla...

We had them done, but I wasn't too happy with Mikey's. It was cute -- but it didn't really look like him. So I had another one done.
My father in law had them framed for me as my birthday present and Mike hung them up for me last weekend!

Kelly had to be a Princess, but I had to make sure that her missing bottom teeth showed --

Paige was a Tinkerbell Fairy. I love how her eye color was captured!

DJ was SO happy we let him have blood on his Gladiator sword...

And this one of Mikey came out much better! And even though he isn't a Gorilla, he is wearing Daddy's old jersey number ~

the hotel resort

When we went down to San Diego last December, during the biggest storm in 80 years, we did not use our Legoland tickets.
It was pouring rain.
We had bought the tickets at Costco -- one of those 3 month memberships for an incredible price, like the price of one days admission, but I can't remember exactly.
I do remember it was a deal, because we like to find deals!

In the summer, we have a very small window between when the kids get out of school and when they start their summer programs. We have about a week and a half, and now we have these tickets we want to use before they expire -- so we really want to make this work.

And maybe it won't rain.

Well, we have been on the time share wait list for months and nothing has come up, so we figure that it is time to start looking on our own.
But now I can't find any deals. Even when I could find a place that would accommodate all six of us, it ended up being pretty pricey without having much to offer other than a bed. Mike and I were getting kinda bummed thinking that we'd end up having to stay in one of these places.

Then Ingrid called me.

You know when you have a friend who has a business, but it never occurs to you that they actually have a business?
(you know that you know what I mean)

Well, Ingrid and her husband Michael Pagliocca own Elite Travel Planners and we ended up calling them about our little trip. Remember, we only have this small time to plan anything and we want something near Legoland since we are not planning to hit the other San Diego parks this time.

(so glad about that decision!)

Michael told us about Grand Pacific Palisades and the best part about it (for us) is that you can WALK to Legoland from there, it's that close.
And no joke, Michael found us the best deal!
-- It was not much more to stay there than it would have cost us to stay in one of those motel places.

The rooms were spacious, full kitchen, kids pool, playground and WALKING distance to Legoland.

Mikey sure liked it!

Oh, and, we had an ocean view!

(nice surprise) 

Having never used a travel agent before, and now having had such a great experience, I would recommend at least contacting one and letting them know what type of trip you are looking for.

Of course, personally I think you should contact Elite Travel Planners because even though we weren't taking a cruise or a trip to Europe, they made us feel that our trip to Legoland was just as important.

Now, I am on a mission to convince The Dad that The Mama NEEDS to go back to Hawaii!

Wish me luck ~

love the zoo

I just love having a membership to the zoo.

We just up and go when ever we have time. And leave if/when someone is tired/hungry/cranky.




The fun thing about going last Friday is that Mikey was RUNNING everywhere. He is now used to being out of the stroller from our trip to Legoland, so there was no stopping him! Yes, he fell and skinned his knees once or twice, but thankfully, no major face-plant this time.

We all really loved seeing the new sea lion exhibit. Mike remembers feeding them as a kid and even though they don't do it anymore, the new sea lions are over near where the old ones used to be. Kinda cool. But I forgot to take a picture of it...
(or I was chasing Mikey)

DJ and Kelly had fun too -- Paige already started Summerbridge and had to miss out.

These two really ADORE each other!

I have my fingers crossed that it will stay that way!

{love}

we're back

I thought I'd be able to blog while we were in our trip, but that sure didn't happen! We all had a blast -- and I just never had the time. We went to Legoland every day except one, and that one was spent at the pool.
 (well, Mikey and I went to the room to nap too)

I will blog all about the trip when I get a chance, but I did get the pictures up if you want to check them out. I had to put them into a few different albums just to keep them organized, and I haven't captioned them yet...
but here is the link for the first album:

Legoland! day one

But we are back.

And Paige starts Summerbridge on Tuesday
and gets braces next week!
DJ has Breakthrough next week
and Kelly's Kindergarten class is having a
Before School Playdate that she is thrilled about.

So, we're back.
{sigh}

rain

Last December we went down to San Diego from the 18th to the 24th. We had everything set up and ready for Christmas before we left, so all we would have to do is put out cookies, make reindeer food and read T'was the Night Before Christmas when we got home.
Our intentions were to take the kids to Legoland. The big kids had been there a few times when they were smaller, but Kelly was only there once as a baby and was super excited to go. On the way there we stopped in Los Angeles because DJ wanted to see the Hollywood sign. Well, it was so cloudy (or smoggy) we couldn't see it or even find the road up there to maybe see it close up. We gave up.
We get to the place we are to be staying at after about 12 hours in the car --
We drive around and check it out since there are 7 swimming pools and 2 with water slides. The kids are very excited, but tired, and since it looks like it might rain, we decide to wait until the next day to go out for a swim. I for one, am very excited about sitting in the cabana and having drinks brought to me while I watch the kids play.

But the next day, it was pouring rain! Like POURING.

It ended up that San Diego was having the biggest storm in 80 years. The Biggest Storm in 80 Years.
Haha on us.
Well, we skipped Legoland. Kelly was very upset, but what could we do?
We ended up renting movies and taking the kids to the hot tub when the rain let up -- which was almost never. The most adventurous thing we did was when we had to take DJ and Mikey to the ER. (they were fine) I didn't even take very many pictures. I did take some on the last day. Because on the last day, it stopped raining.

It was still kinda cold, but the kids didn't care -- the water was warm, and I got to sit with Mike and the baby in the cabana ~

Since we never used our Legoland tickets, we are going to try again. San Diego trip take II. Am I worried about rain? Why should I? It's June.
Only it's raining here and we are leaving in the morning.

Hmmm

drama

I am not the type of person that thrives on drama. I don't create it and I try to avoid it. It makes my stomach hurt. There has been a bit of drama thrown our way this last week. Thankfully I have an amazing husband who understands me and puts himself out there to deflect the worst of it.
So if you've missed me the last couple of days, yes -- I have been hiding.

And PACKING for Legoland!
DJ has one more day as a 5th grader, and then we will start putting our things in the new car top bag thing we got for the trip. It will allow the kids much more room in the minivan. We really enjoy road trips with the kids -- yes, really :)
I know it's still a few days away, but I like to have everything ready before hand. I am trying to sneak in a pedicure before we go too!

I will try to keep everyone updated!