Day 2 BEEYOBV (Byron's Epic Eight Year Old Birthday Vacation)

We started out bright and early by driving to Dana Point for a Dolphin and Whale boat excursion.  We thought a lot about Byron and his interests while planning this vacation.  Legoland was for sure on the docket because that is specifically what he asked for but we wanted to give this animal loving boy some sea life experiences.

We all loved this part of the vacation equally.  Just being on the boat together was so fun!

Once the boat was in the general area we needed to be, and they could reduce the speed, they invited anyone who wanted to to come up to the front, I was proud of how brave the kids were!

Fairly quickly we ran into big pod of off-shore bottle nose dolphins!

The pictures just don't do it justice, a different one was jumping out of the water about every 5 seconds!

They were super playful, swimming right under the boat.  We tried to pet them but our arms didn't reach far enough. 

The glass bottom was so amazing.  Dolphins swimming right by on both sides.

We came across another pod of long-beaked common dolphin. They were prettier, but not as interested in us.  Our captain said that was typical behavior of that type of dolphin, as they are not as curious, and also we were surrounded by squid they were trying to eat.  We didn't see any whales, that would have been the cherry on top, but we were so happy with our dolphin experience we couldn't be disappointed.  

To add to the fun we rode by these fellas. The kids found treasures in the gift shop, and since it was their own hard saved money they were spending, we happily let them buy whatever they wanted.

OH AND the crew gave us a brownie while we were leaving the boat...how did they know me so well?

I got to pick where we ate for lunch.  This hole in the wall fish taco place called Taco Loco got really good ratings, and I LOVE a good fish taco.  I am still seriously dreaming about our swordfish nachos, and blacked sea bass.  It was my favorite meal of the entire trip.  The kids were less enthusiastic, but they had plain nachos so how could they be sad? We had tentative plans to visit the Marine Rescue Center, which I am sure would have been wonderful, but after being fed we all needed a nap!

We crashed at the hotel for an hour or so.

The kids wanted some more beach time and we lucked out because this day was overcast rather than sunny like the day before so our sunburned skin could take another beach day.

The kids could just stay there forever and ever! We saw some impressive  body boarders and beach skimmers, there was some surfing going on as well.

The kids were getting braver and braver...going further into the waves, I bet if we would have had a few more days they would have been diving into them!  Miriam asked if she can take paddle boarding lessons if we ever go back....sign me up! (and okay I could probably use some body boarding lessons as well).

We walked two blocks down from our hotel to Husky Boy Burgers for hamburgers, fries and shakes for dinner that night. And again we watched some of American Ninja Warrior before bed.

Byron's Epic 8 year old birthday trip!

Using "epic" as a description is always risky...as Marcel the Shell with Shoes On says "compared to what?!".  For our little family, this vacation was a big, impressive, and memorable...so yes I can use the word epic. This was the first time the boys had been on an airplane, the first time they had ever seen - let alone been in the ocean, this was maybe the 2nd time they have ever stayed in a hotel,  and heck we don't even eat out very much!  We try to keep things pretty simple around here...but every once in awhile you need an epic vacation so memories can get seared into their little brains!

I loved that I was there for the boys first plane ride! (I was there for Miriam's too, and with her when she saw the Atlantic ocean...but this was her first time swimming in an ocean)  I still love the belly flipping lift off and set down of the airplane.  So fun to experience it with the boys!

Plus... the stewards and stewardesses gave them ROOT BEER and pretzels. The RB is considered a big treat around these parts (they drank it daily I believe on this trip).

.

We flew into Long Beach Airport...a small, easy to manage little airport with art deco style.  Cute little place I would totally fly into there again.  We rented a car and drove 30 min to Laguna Beach.  We stayed at the Art Hotel, a cute locally owned hotel across the street from the Crescent Bay beach. 

While Darin stayed to let Soren sleep in the next morning, Miriam, Byron and I found the beach access across the street. After wave chasing, and some tide pool looking, we walked back to find Darin and Soren awake and ready to go. So we got in our suits and walked through Heisler Park to find some breakfast.

We spent a bit too much time taking in the ocean views, and finding the sculptures in the park so by the time we found a restaurant for breakfast we were STARVING. 

We decided on the Orange Inn which doesn't look anything like this picture...but this is what it looked like when it opened in 1931. We got the kids "the best blueberry orange muffin ever!" to hold them over while I waited in line for our food. 

We walked down to Cleo Street Beach for a breakfast picnic.

I ran up to Main Beach to buy sand toys and rent a body board.

I think we played for 3 or 4 hours...the kids loved wading out in the waves, playing "bubble run" with the sea foam, running to grab the sea kelp to build a garden (with Bub's sea turnips), I throughly entertained Darin with my body board attempts.  He has to admit I got one or two good waves in (and a couple not so graceful tries).  Everyone took a turn getting buried in the sand.

We were completely wiped out, and sunburned by the afternoon so we caught the Trolley back to our hotel rather than walking.  We showered, rested and then caught the Trolley back to Main Beach for the kids dinner choice Johnny Rockets.

Soren never did fully recover from the beach.

My family took a vacation to Laguna Beach back in 1993, we ate at this very same Johnny Rockets so this one was for the kids and my Dad who wanted us to stop by for old times sake.

Darin and the boys took the Trolley back to the hotel while Miriam and I walked up to Ralph's grocery store to pick up breakfast for the next day and some snacks. We gratefully caught the last Trolley back to our hotel so we didn't have to walk with grocery bags!

The kids fell in love with American Ninja Warrior that night in our hotel room before we all turned in.

Ballet Recital

 Our cute friend Greta.

My parents drove up to watch so we celebrated my mom's birthday with my favorite cake (any excuse for that cake right?).  I know my mom well enough to be confident she would like it too.

The next day we were off for our summer vacation!

And now we are done

All the milestone graduation occasions have happened.  Talent shows (Bub did a science/magic  Miriam sang a song), student council elections, cleaned the classroom-brought home a bookbag full of never ending papers and broken crayons, year books signed, ending flag ceremony and 6th grade balloon send off, Miriam used all the coupons she had earned through out the year in one week.  She brought pop to school, used her 2 homework passes, and ate lunch with her teacher.

then.....

Field Day

Where I was again over painting faces, only this time with many fewer volunteers (kindergarten moms are so gung-ho!).  I knew what to expect this time around so I wasn't surprised by the 2 hours of non-stop, no break face requests.  I now know to say "no I can not do a dragon you would recognize...let me give you some suggestions".

I am improving though, 600 faces will do that to you.

 This guy took off the minute the first candy cannon went off and I didn't see him for the rest of the day! He reported back having done everything...bounce house, waterslide, water dodgeball, dunk tank (only throwing balls), had marks from the cotton candy and popsicle stand, also tried most of the minute to win it games, hula hoop, and tug of war. His brother and sister did the same, the only thing they DIDN'T do was come get their faces painted from me....they say it's a waste of time to wait in the line when you only have 2 hours!! Which I agree...nevertheless my booth was extremely popular.  I will try not to let it go to my head (especially since the woman helping me graduated with an art degree, possibly she was the draw:)

The Last Day of School Pictures.

The last time EVER Soren will walk them to the corner, he will keep on going down to kindergarten next year!

After the very teary ending flag ceremony, I left Miriam and her sobbing friends to console themselves with a walk down to Galaxy Frozen Custard for a "Black Hole" to share.  I was crying too...with the good byes, and the school song, the 6th grade balloon send off and all that pre-teen emotion...then a little boy in 3rd grade said "Why are they crying? They are in the same class every year!"  This was a voice of reason to my heart and I was able to pull it together.  Miriam is in a program that keeps the same group of kids in the same class every year so she would see almost every single person next year...just like the previous 2 years. 

However, Miriam was not and is not consoled by that fact.  She cried randomly throughout the day and again as she was going to sleep last night.  She will really REALLY miss her teacher (although she will be across the hall).  Mrs. Stringfellow called them "our class family" all year and completely made them feel valued, wanted, and loved.  It's hard to let go of people who believe in you so much.

Since Miriam had her plans I took the boys + one friend and met more friends for a Fizz and park trip.

Not one tear from Byron, the boy is ecstatic for summer.  He loves his teacher, has nice friends and all-in-all had a great year, but school is hard on our introvert. For Miriam I cry at the end of the year because she has to leave her friends and teacher...for Byron I cry at the beginning of the year because although he is super brave about it I know his little soul cries out for quiet and introspection during the long days of constant demands and stimulation.

This morning they will wake up to the first official day of summer!!

(We will celebrate by cleaning the house)

Manditory Family Fun

Weekend hiking trip

 

Water is FREEZING!

Beautiful wild flowers are starting to bloom, tons of lizards, and we even saw 2 garter snakes!