For the past year, Jack has been requesting a trip to LegoLand for his 6th birthday. We made arrangements to go down to So. Cal., stay with Steve's mom for a long weekend, and make that request a reality. About a week prior to our departure, Steve had a last minute request to be in the Orange County office on the days leading up to our mini vacation...so we all hopped in the car and headed south together. For me, this meant added days of not cooking, not cleaning, minimal laundry (which I'll explain later) and a whole lot of R&R.
While Steve and Joyce worked on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the kids and I played at the park, read books and swam in the pool. It was heaven. My mother-in-law insisted on doing all the cooking and cleaning up, while I laid on the couch and read 2 entire books in 4 days. That doesn't happen often (the reading, not the great MIL taking great care of us!)
Early Thursday morning, we headed south to Carlsbad for a fun-filled day at Legoland California. Crowds weren't bad...especially given that it was a holiday weekend.
Steve and I each got a little cozy with our Lego counterparts...
We had fun watching the Bob the Builder 4-D movie. What's 4-D you ask? It incorporates all the cool effects of a 3-D movie with real effects as well. Like wind blowing, snow falling, raindrops spattering, etc. Very cool!
Most of the rides were pretty mellow. Olivia and I went on a "Bionicle" ride, and got CRAZY!
There was a Lego workshop, where you could build your own race car and test it on the ramp. Not sure who was more intense...Jack or Steve!
We went out to dinner, and celebrated an "Almost Birthday" with Jack. He loved the crazy mexican singing...though he'd never admit it, and he barely cracked a smile while it was going on!
We spent Friday at Newport Beach, sunning in the same spot which has hosted Steve for all 42 years of his life, and his mom for the past 60.
The kids each had a turn being buried in the sand, which they mostly loved...
Jack and Grant each had a nap under a makeshift shade. Steve is amazing, and while this is only a minor example, his nickname of "MacGyver" suits him perfectly.
Saturday, we celebrated the 4th of July by setting off some legal noisemakers and watching fireworks on tv. No crowds, loud noises and rowdy hooligans (except our own) to contend with.
Sunday marked Jack's 6th birthday. The family came to help celebrate. Jack loved the extra attention, and had "the best birthday ever!"
Monday morning, we woke up at O-Dark-Thirty and hit the road. It was great to get back home, and once the laundry was done, I actually felt renewed, refreshed, and like I'd actually had a vacation!
3 comments:
Sounds like you had a GREAT time! Glad you are back, we definitely need to hang out soon!
I started reading this post and Wesley was on the couch and asked if you had new pictures up from your vacation. I moved the laptop, so he could see, and we read your post together. We both cracked up at Steve - totally groping the Lego lady. Love it. Also - Jack's birthday with your neices - Wesley was like, "What the? How did Jack get those hot chicks to come to his birthday party?" Hilarious. Glad you had a great time. Glad you're back!
This looks like the best trip! We really should plan a trip to Lego Land. My boys would LOVE it!
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