Activities While in CA

While dealing with the loss of Neal's mother, we spent a lot of time with family, especially Kira, Neal's sister, and her husband David, and got out to deal with the stress.  We went to Disneyland one day, our kids' first visit, and to Huntington Beach another afternoon, Rhys' first ocean experience.

While at Disney, we made The Matterhorn our first roller coaster ride.  We gave both kids a heads-up about the abominable snow monster.  When all was said and done, Sophie was thrilled and Rhys said, "Mommy, too scary!" twice.  We took it easy until we went on Thunder Mountain, their train roller coaster.  Rhys was all smiles on this one and even tried to get one hand up in the air.

Sophie was confused for days, even weeks after about Halloween and Christmas when we went on the Holiday version of The Haunted Mansion, altered to The Nightmare Before Christmas story line.

We were glad to enjoy quite a few rides with not too much of a crowd that day in the park.  The kids did really well with all the stimulation and didn't act overtired or whiny for the most part. 

When going through photos at Susan's apartment got to be too much, we switched up plans and headed out to Ruby's on the Huntington Beach Pier.  There had been off and on light showers the day before and it was so clear we could see Catalina, Long Beach, Signal Hill, and even past the Newport Beach Pier.  It was gorgeous!

We got up close and personal with a pelican, ate an obscene amount of calories with burgers, fries, and shakes, and were entertained by a talented stunt kite flyer.  This guy could stop his kite mid air and inch it toward the kids who were excited to be allowed to touch it before he zipped it away only to give them multiple chances to touch it again.  It was a lot of fun!

 

Down to the sand and water afterwards!  We removed shoes and rolled up pants all the while knowing it was quite pointless and it did not take long for our predictions were shown.  Rhys lost his balance in the water and went down up to his waist.  Then soon after a repeat got him wet up to his chest. Indeed, tears followed, and Keri carried Rhys back to the parking garage, with a grouchy husband leading the way.  So did the outing reduce stress in the end? Not so much. But still love the pictures we got!