It’s always tough to juggle time off from work with end of school year activities (especially for 3 different classrooms). Then, the block of time off for family vacations. However, we managed to get a few days to get away to local San Diego California.
In 4 days and 4 nights we managed to squeeze in several activities. Shanni and Chad took us to Yellow Deli. A cute and wholesome establishment. The girls enjoyed watching the dumbwaiter. The weather was still fairly cool, thankfully there was an indoor swimming pool that the girls swam in every day. We took in some sites at Balboa Park’s Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Zoo, the San Diego county fair, Viva Pops (delicious!), vegetarian cuisine at Evolution and Loving Hut.
Before we knew it, we were back in San Diego to spend the 4th of July with the Corrales’, Bangloy’s, Custodia’s, and Vigilia’s. Lots of girls power going on that weekend. But we are expecting 2 boys out of the bunch in October.
Then the trip to Chicago, IL. For the last 10 years Auntie Amber and Uncle Amit have lived in Chicago. We have had the opportunity to visit a few times. Thankfully they have been able to visit several times a year which has also allowed them to see the girls grow. Their plan to move back to California is finally within visibility. So the girls and I were easily coaxed into taking one last trip to the windy city and experience it’s culture.
Traveling
If you recall, last year we took 2 trips out to OK to see Uncle Jhun and Auntie Mendy get married and graduate residency. So I would say that and the trip to the Philippines allow the girls to be experienced travelers for their ages (not to mention the fact that they’ve spent the night on a cot at DFW). Check-in and security check went off without a hitch. And who would have known that 4 young girls toting carry-ons would turn so many heads. Although a tad cranky, Kalyan was able to stay awake and greet us despite our slight delay. The cousins were so excited to see each other and play.
Day 1
Kalyan turns 3. We spent the afternoon with some of Kal’s preschool friends at the park. Kids splashed in the kiddie pool, swung on the swings, teeter tottered, and hung like monkeys. The heat and humidity made us feel like we were melting along with the desserts, but a fun and successful party it was.
Day 2
A few short blocks from the Trivedi’s is a farmer’s market. Tasty and wholesome snow cones were enjoyed. Then a refreshing stop by at a playground. The kids all got soaked from the cool shower fountain. But it made the walk home endurable.
Day 3
Also day 1 of 2 that I had 6 kids all to myself. Since we wouldn’t fit in one car, Amber had to drop us off. We drove down to the lake and parked one car. Amber headed back to work while the kids and I walked along the lake to the Lincoln Park Zoo. First stop was sketching at a lily pond. We then ventured through the zoo admiring the animals and looped all the way back to the lake. There the kids enjoyed splashing in the water and playing with the sand. After a hard day’s work, Amber and Amit joined us with dinner from Chipotle.
Day 4
Also day 2 of 2 that I had 6 kids all to myself. Before you give me too much credit for taking all the kiddos on my own, let me tell you that the only thing powering me through the day was the thought that Amber will be off the rest of the week and available to share the burden.
We explored Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. This was the beginning of our city pass tour. One of the coolest parts of the planetarium was “walking through space.” A dark walk-way surrounded by twinkling lights and mirrors gives the illusion that you are floating through space. At the aquarium the jelly fish were featured. But nothing can beat good old Dora and Diego 4D adventure.
Day 5
Finally a day with another adult. Amber and I drove BT Kids down to Navy Pier. There we learned about the history of the pier and that there are several planes that are still at the bottom of the lake. We spent time in the awesome Children’s Museum then ate in the food court. The most amazing part of the day was traveling up the Willis Tower (formerly known as Prince…I mean Sears Tower) to the Sky Deck. There is a ledge that lets you stand 103 floors above the ground and look straight down.
day 6
Though already an all time favorite, the 3 older girls are at an age that make the Museum of Science and Industry so much fun. On the Omnimax we watched Tornado Alley, a documentary of the same theme as the 1996 film Twister. Jasmine got to help make ice cream using frozen nitrogen. And we all took a ride through the coal mine. Despite the loud noises and darkness, the kids did fine.
day 7
After several days on the go, you’d think that these kids would be exhausted. But after a night of sleep, they seem nearly as energized as the first day. Today we visited the Field Museum. Lots of interesting artifacts here. We started the day by meeting up with Kal and Rohan’s neighbors in the Crown Family Play Lab. We saw many animals, visited Ancient Egypt and got shrunk to the size of bugs to explore what lives in the dirt. The Field Museum is also famous for their T. Rex, Sue.
day 8
charlie’s bday pizookies
day 9
swimm
ing and train to downtown
February was nearly a month long of celebrations for Kailee’s birthday. The first weekend we received a visit from our dear friends Sofia and Diego. Sofia is 9 months older than Kailee and Diego is 5 weeks younger than Lilli; we see each other almost every year. It was so cute to see them exchange contact info (email and tango). Places we went included Disneyland and Newport beach. The kids swam both in the freezing Pacific ocean and in the hotel pool. At least the hotel pool was heated.
We ended the visit with dinner at PF Changs and celebrated both Auntie Laura and Kailee’s birthday, they are birthday buddies both born on February 19. Auntie Laura is Auntie Amy’s sister and lives in San Francisco, CA. All the kidsLOVE A.Laura.
backyard. We invited the Lizard Wizard to teach us about some of our neighbors. We learned about different reptiles, where they live, what they eat and how they are important to us.