Memorial Day

Usually the extent to which we celebrate Memorial Day includes a little mention of it in church the day before (ex. honoring veterans, choir singing a patriotic song) and having my kids wear patriotic clothes on the actual holiday. I forgot to have them pack patriotic clothes, but I did ask them to try to wear red, white, and blue yesterday. Nadia wore a white shirt with red and white shorts, and the boys wore Spiderman shirts that had red and blue. Oliver's shorts were actually red, white, and blue. Although we might not have been wearing clothes that sported the American flag, we actually were far more focused on the US military yesterday because we spent our day on Navy pier in San Diego. We could see the Navy base across the bay while we were walking around the USS Midway (aircraft carrier). We spent about four hours on the Midway. We could have spent far longer; Nadia really enjoyed scanning her (free) audio player device at the various stops along the way to hear a narration. They had special activities going on for Memorial Day which included a

Coast Guard band playing patriotic music, many veterans present to answer questions, special activities for kids, etc. We explored all the decks of the ship. There were many jets on the flight deck. We had a guided tour of the highest part of the ship. We saw a 15 minute movie about the battle of Midway (after which the ship was named). The kids (mostly Nadia) worked to find answers to the questions for the Junior pilot program, and they each received their wings at the end since they completed the card correctly. We are very thankful for those who have given their lives for our country!

Next we had a short walk to the Maritime Museum, which is not really a museum but a collection of eleven ships. We were able to tour eight of them which included a Russian submarine, a US submarine used only for research, a Spanish ship from the time of Cabrillo (16th century), a steamship, Star of India, a schooner used during the California Gold Rush, etc. According to Paul's phone we walked 3.6 miles yesterday while we were on the Navy Pier. Paul's parents didn't join us. We picked them up around 5pm and drove to a Denny's that is very close to where we are staying. After dinner we came back to our place. Paul took Nadia and Oliver swimming. Today we are off to Sea World! I was very exhausted after being on my feet for more than 6 hours yesterday. Hoping I have the stamina for Sea World today, San Diego zoo tomorrow, and Disneyland on Thursday!

Day one in San Diego

Yesterday morning we left the hotel at 5:00am. It was only a ten minute drive to the airport, but in hindsight we should have left earlier. Paul dropped all of us off, and we made it to our gate prior to the time they started boarding, but Paul was the last person to board the plane, and they were paging him in the airport. He had parked our van in the long term parking, took the shuttle to the airport, and then waited in long line for the TSA screening. He already had his boarding pass, and we checked all the luggage while he was parking the van. The flight took off and landed a little early. It was a five hour flight. Six of us were sitting in the same row, and Pop Pop was one row ahead of us. He was fortunate that no one was sitting next to him. They had a service called go go entertainment, which meant that we could access 400+ movies and tv shows through a cell phone, tablet, or laptop. This helped pass the time on the flight. They served us drinks several times, and we had brought food along. One of the kids had put a juice box in the food bag, and I wasn't aware of this. Somehow it got through security! I was very surprised when I discovered it in the bag on the airplane.

After we landed we got our luggage and our rental white Sienna van and then drove to Cabrillo National Monument. We arrived there at about 10:15 and stayed for four hours. During that time Nadia completed the Junior Ranger Badge program. It's her first, but I don't think it will be her last! Ian started it but then fizzled out. We all got in free to the park because Nadia is in fourth grade. Over the course of the four hours we visited the Cabrillo monument, a bunker from WWII, watched three different short movies (one about Cabrillo, one about
grey whales, and one about the animals in the tide pools), visited a light house, explored some tide pools, and attended a living history program about arms and armor used by Spanish soldiers in the 16th century. Ian was hoping to find an octopus when we explore the tide pools. That wish didn't come true (although it could have), but we did find other things like crabs and such.

Next we went to a Chicago style pizza restaurant that is very close to the Airbnb home where we are staying. We had one thin pizza and one deep dish pizza. We brought some leftovers back to our condo. Before checking in we stopped at a grocery store to buy food for the next week for our breakfasts and lunches. I took a picture of Nadia playing Pop Pop in a game of Battleship while waiting for the pizza because it shows the badge she earned. I was amazed that the kids were able to stay up because it was well past their bedtime at home. Oliver went down around 7:30, and the other two went down around 8:15. Nadia is sleeping on a futon in the master bedroom with Paul and I. The boys are sleeping on two twin beds in another bedroom, and Paul's parents have a full size bed in another bedroom. The three bedrooms and one bathroom are upstairs, and downstairs there is a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Before going to bed, I took the kids to a swimming pool and jacuzzi for a quick dip.

And we're off!

In a little bit we will be driving first to Paul's parents' house to pick them up and then to a hotel near the Baltimore airport. We want to arrive early enough for the kids to take a dip in the indoor pool before we put them to bed. We have packed our breakfast and lunches for tomorrow. We try to only purchase fast food or eat at a sit down restaurant only once per day on a vacation so we'll eat dinner out tomorrow night in San Diego. Tomorrow we are headed to Cabrillo National Monument after we get our rental vehicle at the airport. Ian often reads outside with Patches. That wasn't a posed photo. He was doing it again today while I was mowing the lawn. The other pictures are from two weeks ago when we spent the day at Hans Herr House.

Foto Friday

I am so, so far behind in posting pictures here on the blog. I really don't even know where to begin. I just got caught up editing pictures this morning, which is good because I assume I'll take more pictures than usual next week in San Diego. The kids packed their clothes yesterday, but Paul and I have not started packing ours yet. I also need to decide which lens or lenses I will be bringing for my camera. Decisions, decisions.... I think at Disneyland we're going to splurge and get MaxPass. The motivation for getting it is so we can request fast passes via our phone. It doesn't cost to do that at Disney World, but it costs extra at Disneyland. The upside is that MaxPass also means we get free access to all the photos taken of us that day at the park, which is something you pay for in Orlando. The first four pictures are from yesterday. The kids did a little painting. Speaking of which, today Nadia and Ian had their last art class at Meadowbrook Christian School, and all three kiddos had their last homeschool gym class. They always end the gym sessions with glow in the dark dodgeball - a favorite of the kids!

The lady who runs the bookstore decided to take down an Adventures in Odyssey display because no one was buying the items. She knew Nadia loved Adventures in Odyssey so she gave Nadia three of the items (for free!) today. Wow! Nadia received a bag and two slap bracelets. One bracelet features Whit and the other Eugene. Nadia gave one of them to Ian.

The first four pictures were from yesterday. The next six pictures are from our visit to Fort Ligonier in April, and the last four pictures are from Reptiland. I'll try to post more tomorrow in my attempt to get caught up before our trip. Yesterday we showed our neighbors how to feed the guinea pigs. I bought some pop tarts for our breakfast on Sunday morning. The hotel has a free breakfast, but we'll be leaving too early to take advantage. Tomorrow morning I plan to mow the lawn, use the weed whacker, and pack our lunches (for Sunday on the airplane). Gone are the days when you get a free meal on a 5 hour flight!