Happy Easter

Emma and Daddy running up to the house after we got home from church (we went to the 7:30 Mass hoping to avoid a crowd but that didn't happen) and Starbucks. We told Emma that there might be some Easter surprises at home and that got her going after an early start to the day.


We were right!! Like magic the Easter Bunny found some special gifts hidden away in Grandma and Grandpa's house and put them all together for Emma to find when she got home from church. There was a picnic table, a wheel barrow, books, WOW toys, lots of clothes and stuff for the sand box.


Emma was over the moon with her new McDuff, Wini the Pooh, and Where's My Cow books.

Daddy reading "Where's My Cow" by Terry Pratchett and Emma loving every minute!!


Holding up her new Daily Tea dress that mommy picked out.

Daddy getting some morning cuddles and reading the new McDuff book while we waited for Aunt Andra and Uncle Kevin to stop by.


Aunt Andra just loves her little Emma. Andra and Kevin got their snuggle time in and then we were all off to the Wild Animal Park.


Waiting our turn to go up in the Hot Air Balloon. We all decided to go up, even me who just happens to be terrified of heights agreed to go. I did quite well and didn't do to bad taking pictures either.

Everyone getting in a great view of the park. It took me a while to look out or down, it was much easier to focus on them.



Donald got proof that I went up, but it was hard for him to get a picture of me that didn't look like I was absolutely terrified. I still have a forced smile, but I did it!!

Donald took loads of picture out into the park as well as straight down these are just a few.


We went and had lunch in the Heart of Africa and then went down to the research station to feed the ducks....but we ended up feeding the catfish instead. I had no idea that there were catfish at the Wild Animal Park. And they are quite fierce when it comes to duck food. We watched them bite the ducks to keep the food to themselves. I offered some food to Kevin to take with him the next time he goes fishing. thought it might help lour the fish his way.


Emma looking out at the colobus monkeys and singing a happy tune the whole time. You can see the balloon we rode just above her head.


Emma watching Daddy show off his muscles.


Aunt Andra, Emma and I all having a laugh.



Finishing up the afternoon with a ride on an Okapi with help from Aunt Andra and Daddy.

We took Emma home for a much needed nap and then went to dinner at Islands and then over to Dairy Queen for parfaits. We had a wonderful Happy Easter!

Children's Museum

We just got back from a wonderful morning at the Children's Museum downtown. It was loads of fun. Everyone has been telling me that Emma is the perfect age and that we really needed to go. We had so much fun that we got a year's membership. I think it will work perfect as a place to go in the mornings with Emma before we have lunch with Daddy since it is so close to his work.


There was so much to see and do and explore. Emma could have spent the whole day just in the entrance at the forest room and wooden scooters.
But mommy really wanted to draw on walls and play with clay!! Emma thought this was a great idea too so off we went to explore more of the museum. Donald was great about joining in too!


We made a wonderful little Easter basket and eggs and Donald made a sort of flat rabbit all out of clay. We left in in the sun to dry, but forgot to pick it up before we left.

Here is our little Leaf Girl. I thought she looked so cute!



As you can see there are lots of different rooms and mazes and soft toys to climb on. We even made shadow puppets and lots of new little friends.

Below Donald and Emma made a stack of logs and they all toppled over, it had Emma in hysterics. I only had my iPhone on me so the pictures are blurry but you can still see what fun they were having.



Outside across the street is a play area too. There are swings and bouncy toys as well as places to climb and dig in sand.






On our way back to the car we had to walk through the Children's Park and go over to the water to "check things out"
We all had a lot of fun and if you have kids under 5 this is a must! Older kids didn't seem to like it as much (think they would be happier at the Ruben H Fleet Science Center) but for little ones this is a great place to explore, play, and create!! And if you are a mom or dad that likes to join in on the fun then you will love it too!!

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.