James, Ada, Will and I rented a house on Mission Beach with our best-good-friends Ian, Dana, and Tony for 5 days. We mostly spent our time gazing at the waves, being entertained by the boardwalk, playing in the sand, and running around after one year olds. Total blast.
A few comments about road trips with one year olds...avoid it. :) Ada and Will for the most part did amazing for being tied down for 5+ hours for the trip. We definitely practiced some screaming however, and had to get super creative with car games (below... )
So glad I bought these sun shades...
Peak-a-boo!
Early mornings were some of my favorite times on the beach. All the frat boys were in bed (however, some stragglers still drinking on the roofs at 6am!), the sky with all the birdies see the first rays of sun, tide is in, waves are big. The Gentrys adventured out in our pjs; the kids looked like they felt as free as the whole universe.
Ada headed the Early Morning Mission Beach Welcoming Committee. "Hiii...."
Not to undermine the delight of a San Diego afternoon, where Will and Ada could really bask in the sun, get their feet wet--and sandy!
Oh the joy a bucket of water brings...Will and Ada LOVED the foot wash bin we had out for sandy feet (gross, yes. welcome to my world.)
The reality of bubbles with a one year old.
Dad and Tony playing fetch. Ada with front and center seat. Occasionally, she would wave hi to us on the porch.
Will loved kite flying with his dad so much, he wanted to take his kite everywhere. He would get mad at me if I would follow behind him and lift it up as if it were flying. "No mom, you're doing it wrong, Ill just drag it".
My sand encrusted daughter, who lost all of her clothes. At some point, most days.
Will sweeping, barefoot and pants-less. But holding on to string cheese. Priorities.
Will's hair loved the beach too--check out those curly locks! Below, Ada caught in a random point. I figure either at a pelican or frat boy.
Our bedroom walk in shower took a close second in awesomeness when compared to oceany beach.
Next, San Diego zoo! Amazing!
Also super fun for all, thanks to the extra three grown up humans to help with one year old patrol! Turns out, it was dang near necessity. We get by with a little help from our friends, hey?
Gorilla king--so close!
Hi animals! How adorable is that?! Come on!
Ada and Dana checking out SD Zoo's 2 Giant Pandas of the only 11 Giant Pandas in USA. One, randomly, is in Tennessee. :)
Animals are only a fraction of the fun to be had at the zoo. Below, a few shots of what my children mostly did while we all watched the animals...
Climbing not totally safe terrain.
Shaking chains amidst bamboo natural Panda terrain.
Oooo, bright lights.
Grates are so fun. I will stand and squat on them.
Happy trails!
...when can we go back? :)
love all the pics! if i had to choose a favorite--maybe Will in his Harvard sweater and pirate pj pants gazing at the ocean? classic. glad it was a successful vacay!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful beautiful beautiful pics! Wow. Love the Brady Bunch pic of James and the babes and Dana and Tony peeking out.
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