San Diego Wild Animal Park, Day 8

We got up on Sunday, ate our breakfast (spilled syrup on yet ANOTHER shirt!) and headed for the Wild Animal Park. This place is AWESOME!! It so much better than a zoo. You do miss some of the animals (no monkeys, no bears, no reptiles) but it's just so cool.

We started out w/the birds. Not my favorite of "animal" but, that's where the park kinda starts. Becca was terrified of the ducks!!! One came towards her & she freaked. She would not get anywhere near them for the rest of the day!!!

They started something new since last year. They have this tram ride called Journey Into Africa. It takes you thru the back part of the park & you can see all the animals in their semi-natural surroundings. Way cool. Becca was so impressed that she saw 2 or the 8 White Rhino's that are in captivity. According to our guide, there might only be 5 or 6 in the wild, if that. They are on the edge of extintion & we got to see the only 2 in the Americas!!

After the tram ride, we headed for lunch. During lunch, a duck came out of the trees & Becca freaked out again. It's just a duck girl, GET OVER IT!!!

After lunch, we hit the Elephant show. It was cool to see the elephants doing things & learning about them. Did you know the female elephant is the leader?? The leader of the group had just recently abdicated to a younger elephant. Was interesting to learn how the torch was passed. Very civilized. Unlike male led groups.

We then headed for the giraffe feeding area. When Scott & I came last year, we thought it was so cool that you could feed the giraffes & looked forward to bringing the kids so they could actually feed them. The kids were not at all interested in getting that close to a giraffe. What's wrong with these kids??? So, we looked at the giraffes & moved on.

Scott wanted to see the cheetahs but, being as it was soooo hot, they were no where to be seen (other than the one we saw on the Africa journey). We were all tired and oh so hot. We headed out & on to the next hotel.

LegoLand Day 7

We left Anaheim after breakfast today. Everything was packed & we were ready to go as soon as we ate. Since we were only spending one night in the Carsbad area hotel, I had packed only enough clothes for me & the kids for the one night in a small bag. Of course, while at breakfast, I spilled syrup down the front of me. I had put a spare shirt in the outside of my BIG bag & was easily able to grab it. Then, it was off to Legoland.

We arrived early & got a decent parking place. Of course, no one told us there was special parking for Volvos. They got priority parking. How funny was that?? While we are waiting, we notice all these banners for Lego Star Wars. Come to find out, this was Star Wars weekend. Explains all the kids (and adults) dressed in costumes! We also noticed that the majority of the kids were much YOUNGER than ours. Uhoh.

We finally are allowed in and start making the rounds. I'm sure this is a terrific place if you have a 5yo but, it's fairly lame for a 10 & 12yo! Nick would not admit it since he chose this destination but even HE was bored. Later on, we started running into Star Wars charachters wandering around the park & that was fun for him.

After lunch (where I ended up wearing a giant glob of ketchup) we found "Mini Land". This is where they built tiny cityscapes with legos. So WAY COOL!!! Scott, Becca & I decided that this portion of the park was worth what we paid to get in. It was amazing the detail & the number of bricks used!

After we left Legoland, we headed for a new hotel in Carlsbad. It was nice, lots of cool spa like products in the bathroom. Nice comforter too. The only problem was the room was too small and only had one tv. It was only one night, we survived.

Disney Diary, Day 6

For our final day at Disney (and in Anaheim for that matter) we planned for half a day at Disneyland and half a day at the BEACH!!

We started out in the Happiest Place on Earth. We planned on hitting Indiana Jones (Nick's favorite), Pirates of the Caribbean (Becca's Favorite), Splash Mountain (everyone but MY favorite) and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the only ride we hadn't been on yet.

What we didn't realize is that on Friday, they don't open until 9am. We got there about 8:45. They let everyone in but wouldn't let them past Main Street (where you could shop & spend money) Luckily, we found a seat in the shade & just waited outside Adventureland. While waiting, someone official came by telling everyone that the Pirates Ride was closed down for a bit. Uhoh. Becca was a little disappointed but, she had ridden in 2-3 time already so, she was ok.

When the park opened, we got Fast Passes for Indiana Jones, went to Splash Mountain (no line) and then came back by way of Pirates. It was open & we got right in! We went back to Indiana Jones and IT was closed. What's that about??? They said to come back later & they would honor our Fast Passes. Yea! We rode the Big Thunder Mountain and Nick, who had HATED it 3 years ago now LOVED it!!! We got Fast Passes to do it again. We went back to IJ ride and it was open. Unfortunately, even w/the Fast Passes, we had to wait 30 minutes! Oh well. Got that one done, went back to BTMR & got that done.

Scott, who had the day off went back to the hotel 'cause he was waiting for a phone call from his boss. The kids & I did our final shopping. I NEEDED Christmas ornaments. The last time we were at Disney, I saw the coolest Mickey Shaped ornaments in jewel tones but didn't buy them. Our last day, Becca got sick & we had to leave w/o me getting the ornaments. I was sad for the rest of the year knowing I had not gotten ornaments to commemorate my trip. I tried to get them on eBay and tried to have a friend pick them up for me but she couldn't find them. :( This time, I was going to buy them!! Of course, they didn't have the same ones. I got a set of smaller ones in an old fashioned style. The problem was, how to get them home w/o breaking them. The shop wrapped them in a cool cushioning paper and I determined they would go in my carry-on.

Back to the hotel & lunch. Still no call from Scott's boss so we pack the beach stuff up & head for Newport Beach. there was alot of traffic on the highway & Scott had asked me to drive, in case his boss called. So I finally achieved my goal of driving in CA traffic. Just what I wanted to make my life complete.

The beach was nice. We found a place to park our stuff & headed to the surf. These were some STRONG waves. More than once, I was treated to a nice sand blasting of my thighs & buttocks. We couldn't convince the kids to go deeper into the water where the waves wouldn't have been so strong but, they still had a blast. Becca found shells which made her happy. Nick loved playing in the sand. He wanted us to bury him in it.

I'm from the midwest. We don't have beaches like this "back home". The only time we get waves is the wake from passing boats. Or, in Alton, barges. Yawn. Waves THRILL ME!!! I could sit & watch it for HOURS. So, I give you waves:

I LOVE my new waterproof case & I LOVE that I discovered the "continuous" picture feature on this camera. These pics are sequential of my family getting slammed. The butt up in the air is Nick. He was not as brave as Scott & Becca. The pics that dh took of ME in my swimsuit are NOT available!!!!!!!

After we had all the fun we could manage, we went to shower off. Well, there were only 3 showers & one of them was waist high. There were tons of people waiting & apparently, boogie boards take priority over sand midwesterns. So, we didn't get to shower well. We'd all brought clothes to change into but the bathrooms were GROSS. Scott & Nick changed in the back of the van but neither Becca nor I felt brave enough to try to put on a bra in a tiny enclosed space. So we drove back to the hotel (about 90 minutes in traffic & we had to stop for gas!) and showered & changed. I had sand in places I didn't know I had places!!! There was such a pile of sand on the b/r floor after I took my suit off. And the sand in the shower. Oh MY!!! I hope they didn't have to call a plumber after we checked out!!!

After dinner, it was back to the hotel to start packing for Legoland & Carsbad CA the next day.

Anaheim, Day 5

We only had a 5 day pass to Disney so this was supposed to be a beach day. Scott had to work & he was afraid it would be at work too long. So we decided to have a rest, laundry day. So, dh went to work, the kids & I hung out. After lunch, Nick & I headed to the pool. (Becca, the internet junkie stayed in the room w/her computer) I lugged the big suitcase full of dirty clothes down to guest laundry & washed clothes. Even tho we had NOT been to the beach yet, somehow my load of jeans was full of sand! Had to re-wash them all!

While I waited poolside for the laundry, Nick swam. He made friends at the pool & just had fun. Unfortunately, he wouldn't listen to me & put on sunscreen. He was very pink by the time the laundry was done! Becca came down and took pics with my camera. She took this one of Nick. She also took a series of pics of my ear. But, I'm choosing not to share those with y'all!

This was a very nice, relaxing day. In retrospect, I should have built MORE of these days into the trip!

Disney Diary, Day 4

For our 4th day at Disney, Scott had to work. So the kids & I took off on our own again. We rode a few rides, did some shopping and then went to see the Aladdin show in CA Adventure. It was AMAZING!!!!! The acting was fantastic and the guy who played Genie stole the show. A few too many Sanjia (sp?) jokes but still terrific!!! The only down side was that the kids & I didn't get to sit together. We were "late" in line (meaning we only waited 30 minutes instead of an hour & half) so we were one of the last groups allowed into the orchestra level. By the time we go into the theater, all the chunks of seats were taken. Luckily, I found 3 aisle seats fairly close together. I was able to keep my eyes on the kids the whole time. I HIGHLY recommend this show to anyone who goes do Disney!!!

After the show, we came home for lunch. Like the other days we came w/o Scott, we relaxed & napped in the afternoon. After dinner, we went back to Disney to finish up some rides & to see the Fantasmic show. It was pretty cool but some of it was a little boring. Some of it was down-right SCARY!! The kids loved it! As soon as it was done, we all moved to main street to watch the fireworks. They were really cool. Set to music & dialog from some of the rides. Way cool. We left shortly before they were over but were able to watch while we were walking out of the park. We got to our "bus stop" and some cranky lady yelled at me 'cause we were sitting & not waiting in line. I'd like to say I ignored here but, I was tired & cranky too so I yelled back at her. In front of my kids. I wish I had not done that!! Oh well. Only one more day left in Disneyland.

Disney Diary, Day 3

Scott was off on Tuesday so we decided to use our early admit option. We ate & headed for the bus stop. The bus was supposed to be there every 20 minutes but it was LATE! We finally got to Disneyland at about 7:20 & there were already HUGE lines waiting to get in at 8am. We asked 2 people where the early admit lines were & they told us these were them. Finally, we found someone who knew what they were doing & they directed us to the early admit line. We RACED for the Finding Nemo ride (I am a LARGE woman who can not run!!! By the time we got halfway, my calves were SCREAMING!!!)

We get to the ride & it's already backed up past the 90 minute mark. We decide this is our only shot, we get in line. The lady "guarding" the line says that as long as one member of the group stays in line, we can come & go as we please. The kids go to ride the Matterhorn and dh goes off to get us fast passes for later. I make some phone calls & go to the bathroom. All in all, the wait wasn't so bad. It was early so it wasn't hot & most of the line was covered. We FINALLY go to the ride about 1:45 minutes later. It was pretty but kinda lame. I really didn't think it was worth the wait at all!!

After that, we rode the new family favorite Splash Mountain. Can you say WET!! Both kids LOVE this ride this year. Last time we went, I couldn't get Nick on it to save my life!! He had so much more fun this time.

After we got soaked, we went back to the hotel for lunch and to dry out a bit. When we went back, we headed straight for California Adventure. We love the Bug's Land and think the Bugs Life ''show" is the coolest. The kids insisted on riding ALL of the Bugland rides even tho they were WAY too old for most of them.

We had a rule. The kids had to try any ride that mom or dad wanted to ride. Last time, the kids had be terrified of the roller coasters & we didn't get to ride either of them. This year, we told the kids they were going to try them at least once. We told them that neither dad nor I wanted to ride the Tower of Terror so they got a 'bye' on that one. Well, Nick decided that he wanted to ride the ToT. Scott said that since he made the rule, he'd have to live by it. So, he & Nick got in line for the ride. Becca & I went to the Muppets in 3D show. WAY fun there. Nick enjoyed the ToT, Scott did not.

Disney Diary, Day 2

So, while we were bouncing around Disneyland on Sunday, we saw this HUGE line waiting for the new Finding Nemo ride. We found out it was a 3 hour wait. We decided that on Monday, we'd be one of the first at the gate when it opened & we'd get a jump on the line. So, while Daddy went to work, the kids & I left for Disney at 7:30. We arrived (via the shuttle service) at 7:58. Yea us! Well, we rounded the corner & saw that 10000 others had the same idea as us!! The lines waiting to get in we're all the way across the entry way to CA Adventure and then some!!

So, we gave up on the idea of Nemo & gave up on getting into DL for awhile. We walked into Downtown Disney just to look around & kill about 15 minute until the crowds cleared out. Well, when we got to Downtown Disney, there was no line to get in thru the Monorail. So, we asked if that was just for hotel guests or could we ride? They said sure! So, we ended up in Disney, at Tomorrowland, just like we wanted! We rode a bunch of rides, looked around at all the things to buy but the kids wouldn't commit to buying anything. Then, we went back to the hotel for lunch, took nice long naps!

After DH came home, we went back but to Calif Adventure this time. We rode a bunch of rides that we had never ridden before. We all rode the California Screaming but Nick called it a "death machine" We all had a blast. CA closes at 9pm so, we were going t o head over to DL to watch the fireworks but, walking out of CA, we were too tired so we convinced the kids to head back to the hotel. From the upstairs window, we had a pretty good view of the fireworks anyway. Yea us!

Leave for San Diego today

The last 6 days have been WILD!!! We've alternated between BUSY 8am-6pm days at Disneyland to 3 hours in the morning, relaxing all afternoon & then nice 3-4 hour leisurely evenings at DL. It's been fun & I'm glad we did the 5 day thing instead of 3 or 4 days. Made me feel like I could rest when we wanted.

Day 1 -- Sunday. Up early for breakfast (love this hotel & their breakfast!) then off to our first day of Disneyland. Run, run, run. Wait, ride, wait, walk, wait, ride. We hit the "important" rides first. For DS that meant Indiana Jones & dd, Pirates of the Caribbean. They "updated" Pirates to go along more w/the movie but I still found it DULL!! The rides does NOT follow the story of the movie so stop trying to make it. It's just confusing if you do! We were going to hit the new Finding Nemo ride but I REFUSED to wait 3 hours for ANY RIDE!!!

Space Mountain had reopened. When we were here 3 years ago, it was closed. Now here's an interesting (to me anyway) continuity to my life: When I was here as a little kid in 1977, we were going to ride Space Mountain. It was a new ride then and there was some huge long wait like 45 minutes (this was in the OLD DAYS when you needed tickets to ride rides). Anyway, we decided to wait. We had been there about 10 minutes & the ride closed down. Since we were only going to be there for 1 day, we left & I never got to ride. So, we get in line to go this time. The wait is only like 20 min or so (we also got a fast pass for later). We wait, we move a little, we wait, we move a little. WE WAIT!! And WAIT. AND WAIT. Sorry ladies & gentlemen, the ride is malfunctioning, we have to close it down. Talk about Dejavu. We had the fast passes for later so, we left the line. We did finally end up riding & the kids loved it. I kept waiting for the giant drop (I figured if we kept going up & up & up, surely there would be the horrible drop soon. But there wasn't. COOL!)

Ok, this took too long to post so now I've got to close up the computer & leave!!

I'm in California!!

Woohoo!! We finally made it. We're about a mile from Disneyland in a VERY nice hotel. We've got a very busy week + to come. Need to try to get used to the time change as quick as possible. I've been waking up at 4:30 CST, that would be 2:30 here!!!! Yikes. I'm gonna be SUCH A CRAB!!

Are you ready for cards???

I went to a stamp camp last night. I was not overjoyed w/the demo. She was a little snotty & she changed the rules last week that you had to spend $50 to attend her camps (prev you had to pay $10 which she waived IF you ordered $50). Anyway, when we got there we found out that she was only $2500 from getting her free cruise. Do you think that that had anything to do w/her changing her rules??? Oh well.

We made some really cool cards. I wish she was nicer (or closer, she's about 1.5 hours from my house!!!) We did 3 techniques and 2 cards per technique. Last night I was chomping at the bit to get home & play w/the embossing powder. I hope that this impatience lasts I can start stamping again!!

This is the swing card. She cut all the pieces of this card but gave us a diagram so we can make them at home!! The first one used the designer paper. The double sided paper was really neat for this card but I'm afraid it was a little too lightweight to make this card effectively.

I love the reverse scallop used on the blue card. Unfortunately, there is no "stop" on the punch to make the scallops even. We also did the "rock & roll" technique on the large flower stamp. Stamped in the blue & then rolled the edges thru the red.

I've kinda gotten away from inking the edges of my cards. I used to do it all the time. I think I need to do it more often. Maybe not on EVERY card but here & there. I really like the look.

We used watercolor paper for this card. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about these cards. The heart one was supposed to have butterflies on it but, I HATED the butterflies so, she brought me the hearts. Maybe I should have stuck w/her design?

I'm really starting to dig the blue & yellow combination. Actually, I'm digging yellow a WHOLE lot. I seem to be using it alot. In fact, at this party, I ordered a whole package of yellow paper. I hope that I continute to like this color!!

And the funnest cards, the ones that make me want to get out all my embossing powders (I think I only have 4 but 2 are gold and copper!!) These was so much fun to do!! I want to try it with EVERY stamp I own to see what they all look like!! Neato!!!

Here is a close up of the "coin" I smeared some choc chip ink to make the words stand out more.

This is the final card, also done w/the faux metal technique. I find this whole technique amazing but, then I LOVE anything done w/embossing powder. It really has the WOW factor as far as I'm concerned. Now, to save this feeling of wanting to stamp & get some cards done!

How do you know if it's depression or you're just LAZY?

I don't feel like doing ANYTHING. I don't want to stamp, I sure don't want to clean, I don't want to even watch tv (Gilmore Girls has been canceled & the "series" finale kinda SUCKED!). I just don't seem to get any joy out of doing the things I usually want to do. I have tried all week to stamp; Scott's out of town & all my time is MINE! Nothing. I thought maybe if I cleaned some of the clutter out of the closet, I'd get rid of the "mental clutter" holding me back: no dice. Now, Scott's coming home & I feel like I haven't done anything w/the time I had. School still has 2 more weeks & then we leave for a vacation that is more jammed packed than trying to work & clean & cook & chauffer kids. I'm sure it will "feel" better soon :P

Well, since it appears no one's reading this anymore

(and w/as bad as I've been posting, who can blame you???) I won't worry that I'm still not posting a card. I did make one for my co-worker's bday. It's cute if I do say so myself. I guess I'm in another stamping funk. I can not seem to do anything nor do I WANT to do anything. It really upsets me as I have sooooo much new stuff. I bought 2 sets of Autumn Leaves stamps and enough pattern paper to choke a horse (how much does it take to choke a horse anyway?) but I can not get motivated. I really need a swap to get me going but, I'm afraid of the pressure. Maybe I should TELL myself I'm in a swap & have to do cards????

Anyway, I'm still here, still trying to check blogs (but kinda sucking at that too) and keeping up w/the daily dish on the shack. I should have a clean house since I'm not doing anything else. Should is the key word there.