Fly So High

So what do Emma, Daddy and Mommy get up to on the weekends. Well, we try to do as much as we can to have fun as a family. After church on Sunday we headed for Mission Bay Park. Lots of kids and lots of room to run and play.


For some reason our fearless little girl has become a bit more cautious lately so that means Daddy is joining Emma down some pretty small slides. I have no doubts that this will change and is only a phase. Once her confidence builds again she will be running circles around us once more.

Taking Daddy for a ride

And the chase is on!!

Oh wait, flowers! Must stop and pick one :)

The one really super cool thing about this park is the swings. They go really high!! And Emma loves it!! She must have had Donald push her for 40 minutes and giggled the entire time!

I only had my iPhone on me so these may not be the best photos, but you get the idea of what a really great swings they have.

Science Fair

We took Emma to the Science Fair in Balboa Park last Saturday. It was a lot of fun and a lot of people. There was so much to see and do. Lots of hands on and demonstrations. Robots, scientists, and families galore! Emma even got a little robot to take home, it's in her hand in the above picture. We also got a coloring book about a robot they use to help in surgery right here in San Diego. There was also a lot about "going green" and insects.
Of course at some point we have to end up at the big water fountain and pray Emma doesn't fall in!
Daddy and Emma both thought this military vehicle was really cool. It is a giant x-ray machine on wheels. It checks for explosives and weapons in other cars or in the ground. Emma felt pretty special when she got a chance to sit in it.

On the way out the Scott's were getting bagpipes warmed up as it was also Tartan Day! So of course we had to stay just a bit longer.
I was really taken back and caught completely off guard when the 6 pipers stated playing Amazing Grace. I was piped down the isle to that song and it all caught up with me with big swells of tears, and Donald too. A very magical moment and a wonderful way to spend in the park with Emma.

Cold Evening at the WAP

Donald, Emma and I have been taking advantage of the long evening hours at the Wild Animal Park. We took the new tour ride they have for the first time and we were incredibly disappointed. Emma still enjoyed herself, but you wont find us waiting in a long line to ride this ever! If there isn't a line I would take Emma again, but it's not worth the wait like the old monorail. Not every update is an improvement.

Emma did enjoy the ride and getting to see all the animals that as we veteran park people know, only get more active in the evenings .
We were glad we brought our coats! It got brisk. I forgot to turn on my flash until the end. But Emma still looks cute!!


I have to say that the only thing I miss other than the incredible friendships I made working for the Zoo and Wild Animal Park is the unique experiences I got with exotic animals. During my time there I got to feed a cheetah, play with a baby ankole cow, pet a hedgehog, talk to Marc Eco at a press conference, spend a weekend with Betsy Fowler, and so much more. But one of my favorite moments was when Mike and I were on our way down to Heart of Africa one night after the park had closed in one of the employee carts. It was a very hot day and the sun was just starting to set and the sprinklers came on right where a crash of rhinos were laying and they all got up and started jumping through the sprinklers like a group of preschoolers. Mike and I stopped and just watched, it was times like that I knew there was no place like this on earth.

Walking The Dog

Part of our house sitting duties include taking care of Aunt Andra's dog that lives with Grandma and Grandpa. Sassy is some mix breed which includes Pomeranian and pekingese even though lots of people think she is part Papillon. Emma loves getting to do the afternoon walks and holding the leash for Sassy. We are not convinced that Sassy prefers this, but they both seem to be getting a bit more use to each other.

I have read over and over again Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy hoping that Emma will understand that Sassy is not a dog for little girls, but it just doesn't seem to sink in.



Every day Emma has something new she wants to wear or take with her on her walk. This day it was her jewels.




Of course there is always time to check out a trail of ants or pick flowers.

Afternoon at the Wild Animal Park

Best laid plans and all, Emma did not take a nap after a very exhausting morning in Balboa Park. So after some time of listening to her play in her crib we decided to go to the Wild Animal Park. It was almost 4 when we arrived but the good news was that they were going to be open til 7! They had spring break hours going on so we were all to happy to take advantage and off to the hiking trail we went.

We could hardly wait to get Emma on the suspension bridge and do a bit of jumping. Oh what fun we have had on this bridge over the years. Donald actually got my sister Bernadette to catch air a few years back.
It was a really warm day, but the walk/running did us good.

Emma and Donald looking down at the park.

And Emma and I playing on the lily pads.
It was a fun afternoon. We got to see loads of old co-workers and it was great fun having Emma meet so many wonderful people. And as always sharing a place with her that has meant so much to us over the years.

Morning at Balboa Park

Donald thought it would be a great idea to go and check out the Science Fair at Balboa Park, but got the dates mixed up so we were there one Saturday too soon (that's okay because we did go the following Saturday pictures to come). Mike joined us and we had a blast. We rode the little red trolley all over the park and walked everywhere. Emma brought along her Jess Brown doll she has named Emma.

Emma loved the trolley ride and kept saying "this is really cool!"



We got off down by the Aerospace Museum and stopped off to have lunch at the Hall of Fame. Never eat there it was horrible, we usually go to Waters next to the San Diego Museum of Art which is exceptional and will never stray again.



At the Japanese Tea House
We did stop and have some tea which we highly recommend, all my years of of going and enjoying hot or cold tea, I have never had a bad cup.

The small fountain behind the Prado.

We were on our way back to the car to get Emma home for her nap when we heard bagpipes start up so went back to see. I was glad we did..We love the bagpipes and it's always a thrill to see a bit of Scotland heritage especially with such young men. Emma even did a little jig.
We had no idea that River Dance is genetic. We love our little Scottish Girl!!

St Patrick's Day

We didn't do much in the way of celebrating the Roman Catholic Feast of St Patrick this year. Usually my dad makes an unbelievably tasty corn beef with mash potatoes and cabbage. But since he lives in Colorado and we are in California we missed out. Emma and I went to Balboa Park in the morning and then had lunch with Daddy. In the afternoon I took these pictures of Emma in the back garden. My good friend Julie made this lovely dress for Emma and I thought it was perfect to wear on this day since Julie's husband is from Ireland. We didn't attend church since it isn't a holy day of obligation unless you live in Ireland.



Fun Fact
So where does the 3 leaf clover come in ... Legend credits St. Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover, using it to highlight the Christian belief of 'three divine persons in the one God'