Monday, August 30, 2010

San Diego

We had a great time in San Diego. Flying out there with the kids wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. We didn't have a lot of time out there, but we managed to do quite a bit. We went to the zoo, the wild animal park, and took a harbor cruise. We also did a lot of sightseeing in and around San Diego. It was nice to be near the beach. That's something I really miss. I'm trying to convince Dadda monkey that we should make regular trips to the Texas coast with the kids.

The weather was beautiful and cooler than San Antonio. The best thing about the trip is that it truly felt like a vacation. Too often Dadda monkey has to use his vacation time and we end up making trips for family commitments and they never feel like a relaxing break. I'm not completely sure why that is, but this was a nice change of pace and long overdue. We're looking forward to more family vacations and really satisfied with how this trip went.

I'll post pics soon.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Gone Fishing

Well, I haven't really gone fishing, but we're headed to a place where we could. I've been busy the past 2 weeks preparing for our trip. I'll make sure to post all about it when we get back. I'm really looking forward to the time away, but I could do without the travel part of it. I've always been that way. I find it hard to enjoy the ride and always want to be at either point A or point B. That's something I think I'll always struggle with, but I'm working on it.

I hope everyone's enjoying the end of summer. I hear a lot of parents dealing with the back to school routines and I know I'll be there soon enough though it's hard to fathom. There was a new elementary school built near our neighborhood last year and they are already having to use portable classrooms. I can't imagine what it'll be like by the time Monkey girl gets there, but there are plans to build another elementary school nearby. I just hope they've really planned it with all the neighborhood growth in mind. Anyways, I'll be back soon. Maybe the giant bugs will be gone from my back yard when I get back, but I doubt it.

Friday, August 13, 2010

San Antonio Zoo

We bought memberships to the zoo a few months ago, but we've only gone twice now. I intend to go more, especially once school's back in session. It's just been so hot outside that I haven't wanted to deal with crowds, much less deal with the kids in sweltering heat. There's been a lot of debate about the zoo, notably the elephant enclosure, but to their credit the zoo has been going through a major renovation. It's a smaller zoo, but perfect for small children and the habitats are easy to get to and view. Just outside the zoo is a train that runs around//through the local park. The train also stops at the Witte Museum, which is another place on my 'to do' list.

Yesterday I was going through the mail and found a pamphlet from the zoo talking about their other programs. There's quite a few options and even multiple things for 2-5 year olds. They're reasonably priced too so I'm excited to get Monkey girl signed up for something this fall. Once a week we'll go to the zoo and they'll have stories, crafts, and some close encounters for the kids. I'm looking forward to it now. Around the holidays, they also turn the train into a 'Holiday Express', which I think the whole family will love. I'm really glad we bought our memberships so we could learn about all the other activities the zoo has. Now bring on the fall weather!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Family Vacations

I guess I was lucky as a kid because my family always planned a week long vacation to somewhere every year. Sometimes it was just to the beach, sometimes it was to another state for sightseeing, and every once in a while it was to another country. With Monkey girl getting older and starting to be more aware of things, I want to make sure she has the same opportunities to explore, learn, and become a well rounded individual. Of course I feel the same for Bro Bro monkey, but he's not quite old enough to be attuned to this yet.

We're not able to do week long vacations yet, but we are trying to make sure we go somewhere every year if only for a few days. This year we'll be going to San Diego to visit my father-in-law. I'm really looking forward to the zoo and/or the wild animal park. I've been to San Diego a couple of times and somehow missed out on those spots. Monkey girl loves the zoo and last time grandpa came to visit we went to the zoo here and she remembers that. So when we told Monkey girl that we're going to see grandpa and go to the zoo, she was excited. She says, 'go see grandpa and zoo' and that's exactly what we'll do. Unfortunately grandpa seems to be mostly associated with zoos now though. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

In the spring, we have plans to visit my parents in Tampa (yes they did the common thing and moved to Florida after retiring). From almost everything I've heard, the kids are too young to enjoy Disney World, but there's still plenty for us to do there. Last time we went, we saw Winter. I'd like to go to St. Petersburg and maybe take a ride on Little Toot.

So for the next 2 years we have family vacations covered and it helps to have family living in prime vacation destinations. After that, who knows..., but Dadda monkey and I will try to make sure we go somewhere. I've had a goal to visit every state in the country and I'm missing about 10 still, which leaves plenty of locale choices just in the United States (not to mention favorite places I've already been to). My greatest wish is for my kids to have fond memories of their annual family vacations.