How can it be December already? It’s true what they say, that time only goes faster as you get older. I remember as kids when we would make our Christmas lists and then wait forever for Christmas to come. Now it speeds by so quickly one could miss it completely if not paying close attention!
So even though this vacation was months ago… it feels like it just happened. After my sister’s wedding this past June, we had a few days to enjoy California before having to return home. I was super excited for the chance for A to get to experience some of the places and things I enjoyed as a kid.
Day 1: We headed out to the neighborhood where I grew up. A wasn’t overly impressed with knowing where I lived as a kid. But he sure did enjoy time playing around the lake. We must have rode our bike to and around that lake hundreds of times over the years.
When we were kids mom was constantly telling us to “appreciate the mountains.” She had been known to pull off to the side of the road on multiple occasions to make us stare at them. She would tell us some day we wouldn’t live where there were mountains and we would miss them. We thought she was nuts! She was right.
We also got to take A to Ruby’s. He thought it was crazy awesome that we ate on the roof of the restaurant. And he was a huge fan of the idea of ordering a milkshake with lunch!
Day 2: We headed off to San Diego and made our first stop at Seal Beach, which is always a fun stop.
We spent day on Coronado Island. It’s funny that when I asked A his favorite part of the day, his answer was playing at this park! So funny, since we could go to a park any day… but glad he was able to enjoy himself.
We ended the day taking in the sunset off the coast. A was crazy for the sand and water. We had just changed him into warmer clothes as the evening was getting chilly. He was so soaked and dirty just a few minutes later. He sure loves the beach!
Day 3: We spent the day doing touristy things just the three of us. We took A to see the Hollywood sign in the hills. He has taken note of it in movies since then and remembers being there, so that makes it worth drive!
We also got Jesse his Pink’s hot dog he had been waiting for since the last time we visited California. A enjoyed his hot dog, but was way more impressed with the firefighters who sat down at the table right next to us to eat their lunch. He stared at them and asked us questions about them the whole time. They were nice enough to say hi to him and ask his name. And when we left lunch… the fire truck was parked out front. This was definitely A’s favorite part of Hollywood. Again, so funny what makes a special memory in his mind.
And we still had time to take in some perfect California sunshine before we had to leave the next morning.
And one last huge hotel breakfast too. A was a big fan of having all these breakfast choices, but then… who isn’t?
After being quite nervous about the airplane ride on the way out there, A had it all figured out for the way home. This being our first time flying with him, I was so relieved that he did so well traveling. He made sure to take full advantage on the airline drinks and snacks… he just soaked in the entire experience. It’s so fun to watch him enjoy new things when he has no expectation of how it should go.
Well, that’s our summer vacation. A has already been asking quite frequently when we can plan our next vacation. I’m ready too!
Being foster parents is the simultaneously the best and the most difficult thing Jesse and I have done together. In total, we have loved and cared for eighteen children. Some only stayed one night and some stayed months. We have learned so much from each one of the children we’ve had in our home.
