Mothers Day

For mothers day Donald and Emma surprised me with a trip up to South Coast Plaza! It's one of the best malls in Southern California and has all the top designer shops. Donald first took me to this mall when we were first dating and it is one of my favorite places to go. Above is a picture of Emma running around the fountain outside the Burberry Store one of my all time favorite shops!!

When I got in the car to go the the mall there was a big Burberry bag all wrapped up and waiting for me to open. Inside was a gorgeous new wallet to match the purse Donald and Emma got me for Christmas. Donald also knows how proud I am to have my graphic design degree from the Art Institute and got me an alumni license plate frame for the car.

When we go to South Coast Plaza our favorite place to eat is Via La France. Donald got in some kissing time while we were waiting for our food.


Even though Donald insisted that I stay away from children's boutiques and toy stores (because he really wanted the day to be all about me), we still couldn't resist the carousel and balloons in the middle of the mall. I happily took Emma for a ride. It had been so long since I had shopped at South Coast and I didn't want to leave. The fashion and people and design was so wonderful. Donald put some money in my wallet so I could enjoy taking it out to use while we were at the mall and I got a wonderful new book called Pattern Palette that I can't wait to crack open! Emma and Donald spent the day spoiling me and taking me into dreaming shops like Burberry, Gucci, and Dior. I had the best mothers day ever!! I couldn't have asked for a more fitting way to celebrate mothers day for me.

Emma and the Lion

This was such a magical moment. We had the lions to ourselves this morning, and one of the male lions was right up next to the window. I have got to start remembering to bring my camera when we are out on our adventures. These pictures were taken with my iPhone so the quality isn't fantastic, but I did manage to capture the moment.
While I was taking photos with my phone the lion woke up and that just made Emma's day. What a wonderful way to start our Wednesday morning.


After a train ride around Africa, we were off the the playground .

The Train

Every time we go to UTC Emma really wants to ride the train. I always say we have to wait when Daddy is with us. That way one of us can ride with her while the other gets happy photos of our little love. With my vertigo acting up lately I was glad that Donald agreed to ride with Emma. And she loved every minute.

Shopping in La Jolla at UTC

I asked Emma where she wanted to go for the morning, The Wild Animal Park or the Mall. She said the mall. So I asked, North County Fair or UTC. She said UTC. So off we went. We got Emma some cute Paul Frank PJ's and sunglasses at Nordstrom. She was so great modeling the sunglasses once we got outside.


Then Emma spotted this fabulous black poodle that was really friendly. The gentleman that owned the dog said Emma was fine to pet it.

Emma loved the doggie kisses!!