Rubix got into the hang of finding Mark the elf at home and the elf that Angela had, although I can't remember his name. He was the first to find it on this particular day. Every time he found Mark, he would laugh and point until someone else would come and look. It was so much fun!
The kids enjoyed doing their annual ginger bread house this year. Rubix did not help as much as he did on the Halloween House, but he had fun playing with all of the little red "balls" that I found on the floor for days!
Axel had his big Holiday Performance. It was very good. The kids sounded beautiful and they had a couple of solos that were unbelievably good.
All of the kids had either solos or speaking parts. Here is Axel saying one of his two speaking parts, "I didn't give Santa a Christmas list this year. I want him to surprise me." He also presented the gift to Ms. Kay, the music teacher at the end of the performance. Friday was a half day for Axel and a full on packing day for me as we were leaving bright and early Saturday morning for San Diego.
We decided to try to do our first road trip. We made it to San Diego in 9 hours because of L.A. traffic. Here is the kids bedroom. Axel and Phoenix slept quite well while we were there. Rubix slept in a pack n play in Keith's and my room. He was 50/50 on sleeping well. Half the nights he woke once and slept on me, or should I say my face. I was only successful one night to get him back into the pack n play and the other nights he slept through until 6:40 am, which was just a tad on the early side for my vacation wants.
The week was action packed. We started with the Midway Museum and boat light show on Sunday afternoon/ evening.
The museum was really fun. Daddy and Rubix looked at the planes while Phoenix, Axel and I got a special tour of the tower and captain corridors.
Here is Captain Axel!
We tried to go to a park or beach every day. The kids still love the sand, except Rubix.....
He initially would not go on the sand at all, but eventually was coaxed and then didn't mind walking in the sand. He still didn't play with the sand though.
We went to Jungle Bells at the Zoo on Monday afternoon/ evening. Daddy's sweater was a big hit.
We enjoyed seeing the panda bears. They eat 30 + pounds of bamboo a day! All they do is eat and sleep!
The kids loved the polar bear exhibit.
It was really cool to see the polar bear sleeping and moving in his sleep and play in the "ice structures."
The big event was the birth of a baby giraffe on Dec. 17th, but we missed seeing her! Oh, well!
Sea world continues to become more run down. They didn't have as many shows happening as they use to. We did enjoy seeing the orcas and learned about them during the Orca Enounter show during our visit on Tuesday.
The big news was the conquering of fear of rides and roller coasters. Phoenix went on the tea cups and this spinning/ rocking ride. Rubix refused to miss out on the fun and went on 2 of the 3 kiddie rides as well. (He was too short for the tea cups). Axel did his first roller coaster, but that was at Legoland on Wednesday.
Axel got to put on reindeer horns. Apparently the reindeers who have horns are females.
Legoland was the highlight of the trip and where we spent 8 hours on Wednesday.
Phoenix and Axel both received their Legoland driver's license.
We did not see Santa like we had planned to do at Sea World, but we did see two Lego Santas!
Here is the stationary one. Later you will see the "live" Lego Santa we took a picture with.
Keith and I wanted to recreate the picture we took two years ago when Rubix was in my tummy.
I am not sure which one I like better.
We saw acrobatic elves at the Zoo and singing elves at Legoland.
And here is our family picture with Lego Santa.
Another day at the beach!
With another visit to Sea World. We love the sea turtles!
We ended the week at Balboa park and visiting old friends from Ravenwood Drive, the Bartolos, at the park in San Diego. I did not get a picture of Axel and Max or their third child, Christian. Sophia, didn't come because she was too excited to see her girl cousin, as they were in town from Singapore.
At Balboa Park they had the biggest, longest and best Merry Go Round we have ever seen. They had minature horses for little ones like Rubix.
And Axel tried really hard to get the brass ring! It was a great trip and we were really excited to get home Saturday night in only 7 hours and 40 minutes! Keith and I are exhausted as we had to clean out the car with all of the vomit and food that accumulated from the long hours in the car. Phoenix had two episodes and Axel one. Rubix did great with no episodes of motion sickness! Go Rubix! Next post will be all about Christmas!
