Beach beach sandy beach, feel the sand, on your feet.

Yes the title of this post is from a Wiggles song. I have a toddler, which means I am subjected to horrible catchy songs that get in your head from a variety of children shows. I am subjecting you to my pain.

A week ago we returned from our trip to San Diego, it was AH-MAZ-ING. First off, many of you know that the heat is not my best friend. In fact, I generally despise the heat, especially where we live. It was very nice to visit San Diego with its beach breeze and 65* highs.  Amelia was a trooper on the drive and did super well until about an hour away from our destination, she was a little restless and wanted to be done.  The drive back was pretty much the same.  Amelia loved playing in the sand at the beach and the bay. Our hotel was less than a block from the beach and right on Mission Bay. Needless to say we played in the sand a lot. We also discovered that Amelia and I in a little hotel room is not good, we both tend to need some space when tantrums arise. We ate at some amazing restaurants, specifically Phil's BBQ, it was rated best bbq by Yelp in 2010, and we agree hands down. Seriously the best BBQ we've ever had. We also had the chance to visit the San Diego Zoo (one of my favorite zoo's).  It was fun to share it with Nathan and Amelia.  Nathan was impressed that the San Diego Zoo is a non-profit organization, so any money spent at the zoo, stays at the zoo.  Amelia was impressed that the "woof woof's" (referring to dogs) play with the cheetahs. Zookeepers also walk the dogs around and other animals, like wild porcupines. Amelia was in heaven.  Overall, the trip was a success and next time we are hitting up Sea World.


In other news, we had a great Easter, once again Amelia was sick. We thought she had chicken pox from her vaccinations but turns out she contracted (from some other neighborhood kid) Molluscum Contagiosum (which is a pox virus).  The crappy thing about Molluscum is that it can take up to 2 years for the bumps to go away.  Amelia only had bumps on her arm by her elbow and a few on her leg.  They can go away on their own or take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to go away. Her pediatrician recommended some antibiotics that she takes 3x a day for 2-3 months, it has a 70-80% chance of clearing up the bumps. I'm happy to report that she has been on it for 3 weeks and they are mostly gone. I'm hoping next Easter Amelia won't be sick, right now we are 0-2.  Amelia loved dying Easter eggs and going on Easter egg hunts.  Holidays are becoming so much fun the older she gets.


Things are starting to wrap up for me as the school year is coming to a close.  I'm teaching the final lessons in the art program at an elementary school these next few weeks.  It's on Leonardo Da Vinci, I'm very happy to be ending the year on such a high note.  Volunteering for the school art program has been such a delight, watching the students eyes get big as I talk about techniques or specific artists is energizing.  Amelia comes along with me, she has become very well behaved in the classrooms and the kids get so excited when "the red tornado is here!!!!" However,  there is no way I could do what teachers do five days a week for the whole school year.  God bless teachers, they are amazing.  School tours at the museum are also wrapping up, which is nice.  I am scheduled to be one of the teachers for the summer camp at the museum, this summer is Roman Art.  I will miss dressing up as Poseidon (Greek Art was last summer) I guess I technically still could and just go by Neptune, having a trident is just too much fun.


Nathan is excited because co-ed volleyball is starting up again, he loves playing volleyball. We love watching people get intimated as they see him block spikes at the net.  Nathan and his sidekick Amelia do everything together, they are two peas in a pod.  He is excited to go camping this summer and put Amelia in swim lessons.  Nathan has really become a valued employee at his job.  We are so proud of him and all the hard work he puts in.  Nathan is currently reading The Last Chevalier by Alexander Dumas, he is enjoying it but says its not nearly as good as The Count of Monte Cristo or The Three Musketeers.

 Amelia and I dying easter eggs

 Sorting through her easter basket

 Amelia and her posse. Curious George, Biscuit, and Sheepie. They come everywhere with her.

 Taking the posse for a drive. Curious George is up front with her. 

 Nathan and Amelia waiting to get on the bus at at the San Diego Zoo.

 Too tired to see the panda. 

 Amelia loved the fish and the turtles, she loves any type of aquarium or underwater viewing spots.

 Amelia loves dogs. She made instant friends with this Akbash at the Zoo. This dog hangs out with the cheetah, and is about the size of a Great Dane. 

 Nathan and Amelia planning out which parts of the zoo to see. 

 Orangutang: Rare red apes. We love our little red headed monkey.

  

 Amelia and the Orangutangs.

 I thought this was incredibly fascinating. This orangutang came over to the glass where this older gentleman was and placed his hand on the glass, the gentleman reached out and did the same. Then they just looked into each others eyes for a good 15 minutes. 

 Me frowning over the loss of arctic ice in the polar bear exhibit. 

 Amelia giving the polar bear statue some love. 

Amelia and Nathan. My two favorite people. 

 A dog (not the Akbash) and a cheetah playing. Amelia thought this was pretty neat. 

 Last time I was in San Diego a seagull stole my churro at Sea World. This time I was able to eat a churro without it being stolen. It was awesome. I did share with Amelia.

Amelia thought it was pretty tasty. I'd rather share with her than a yucky seagull any day.