Girls trip! San Diego

This summer was The Girlchick's last summer before we become a slave to the public school schedule, which forces you to take your vacations when the schools schedules them.  I do have to say that that is one thing the British schools do right.  They plan their breaks and holidays much better. 

I really wanted to do some fun stuff with her this summer.  We couldn't figure out a good time for all of us to go on a longer trip so we decided that The Girlchick and I would go by our selves and leave all the boys at home. 

We went to San Diego and had a blast.  We went to the beach, Sea World, The San Diego Zoo, The Safari Park and there was plenty of time spent at the pool.  I had never been to San Diego so it was a first for both of us.




Waiting to go get on the plane

We even got to fly first class thanks to all of our airline miles!  She wasn't really impressed

I rented a convertible for us since she has always wanted to ride in one. She even got to sit in the front since her booster seat wouldn't fit in the back seat. She was super excited.

After we found a great breakfast spot The Mission cafe - killer french toast and hot chocolate.

 

 

First stop on the trip was the beach!  She just had to stick her toes in the sand and her hiney in the water! The water was a little chilly for my taste but it didn't stop her!

 

 

We took a nice stroll along the beach after cleaning up.

She had to bring her stuffed seal named "snouts" after the seal in the Barbie books.

Selfie at sunset at Mission beach

 

The next day was Sea World.  She wore me out!  There is so much to see and do! But first things first - we had to go see THE Whale. 

 

THE Whale's big entrance.

 

Getting wet!  Notice Mom is not down closer to the glass.  But she had to be right down there where the action was.

 

She was already wet - waiting for round 2 of wetness

 

All wet!  First thing she said was "MOM! I got water in my mouth and it was all salty!"  First thing I thought.....  ewwwww gross all those whales have pee'd in that water!
 

So here's the thing - I don't like roller coasters, I don't like things that spin you in circles or drop you really fast.  I get really bad motion sickness very easily.  She wanted so badly to go on some of the rides.  I told her to find one that Mommy can do that I won't get sick on.  She found the log ride.  I was like - I can do this, it's one drop that's over quickly, usually I'm ok with that and don't get sick.  From the front of the ride - all you see is the slide part on the log ride.  We get in line, get on the ride, and we go.  We go down the slide part - it's a lot steeper than it looks, and we get to the bottom and we float along like you normally do and then it dumps you into a blacked out elevator.  I'm like - OK it's just getting us back to the top of the ride since there isn't a steep climb in the beginning - you start high.  Then we get out of the elevator and start climbing again.  I'm like what's going on is there a second drop?  Please tell me there isn't a second drop!  Well there was, but it wasn't the drop you have on a log ride.  The damn thing turns into a roller coaster!  And I'm screaming like a little girl the whole time!  The Girlchick is having a blast and laughing the whole time.  She is definitely her fathers kid. 

waiting for the ride - all sweet and innocent looking

 

after the ride

Then we caught the dolphin show and a few more exhibits.  She really liked the Arctic exhibit.

Checking out the beluga whales

 

Wall of Ice

We found a great place for dessert!  I wish we had one that was close to our house - actually I don't.

At The Baked Bear - The Girlchick special - red velvet cookie, m&m cookie and oreo ice cream.  We ate here a few times on this trip.

The next stop was the Safari Park.  It was a hot one that day and the whole park is in the side of a mountain.  Well you have to walk all the way down to get to most of the stuff and at the end of the day when you are tired and hot..... you have to climb all the way back up!  Poor designing my friends!

She really wanted to go in and see the birds, but she refused to feed them.  So she took the picture while I fed them.

Riding the tram through the "African Wilderness".  See how pink her little cheeks are?  It was a tad warm climbing up and down all those hills.

The last stop of the day was the San Diego Zoo.  We only had a half day here, and it was super crowded.  If you ever go - plan on spending the day, it's huge and there is a lot to see.

I like to more open concept at the San Diego zoo vs. the traditional exhibits at zoo's.  You actually get to see more of the animals.

That's a long post!  But it was a busy trip!

 

Back at home - Dad is getting the house ready to sell!  Painting the whole downstairs, getting new wood floors put in.  In other words - chaos.  And we missed it all and had a nice relaxing trip.