vacation fun, part two
alrighty, so moving right along… after the aquarium, we spent the following day hanging out with my brother’s family. we always have so much fun with them that it usually ends up becoming a marathon day spent together with both my brother and i lamenting how it still didn’t feel like enough time. i love that guy. 
but anyway, that day we were able to go to laguna beach together and the kids had a blast playing in the sand. unfortunately, i forgot to bring along my camera! but then i was able to just relax and enjoy the day instead, so it’s all good. but here’s one pic of uncle johnny and the girls.
a couple days later, we headed to the discovery science center for an afternoon. playing with the pin wall– can you guess who?
the water tornado:
making mirror snowflakes:
in case you were wondering if lauren was there– well yes, she was! in her favorite spot, see? (this is how i usually look taking pictures).
swimming with nemo:
special little lauren & daddy moment:
phil had slipped off somewhere, and when i found him, this is what i discovered he had been up to:
the kids were totally absorbed with building a ramp on this magnetic wall:
allie went with the short and direct route:
but then, she saw mikey’s long ramp and cut in on it. much to his annoyance. ahh, little sisters…
one thing i really love about the kids is how they’re able to have somuch fun playing, no matter where we are. they’re equally happyplaying together at home on our driveway as they are going to fun places. even if they have no idea what you’re actually supposed to do with something (case in point: the hockey puck display pictured below), they’ll still make up some little game with it and think it’s the best thing ever.
so yeah, we weren’t sure what exactly to do with this hockey puck thing, but mikey and allie didn’t mind at all.
i think they were racing.
see how committed she is to her sport?
and i think she thinks she won!
playing with the shadow wall:
then we headed outside to the dinosaur area. lauren was very curious about the other baby she saw out there.
but then we got her attention back.
it was so sweet to see how quickly she bonded with her daddy. she used to be all about mommy and lovingly gaze at me if i was within eyeshot, but now i think she’s switched allegiances!
meanwhile, the kids were busy with this dinosaur bones puzzle:
on our way out, mikey and allie spotted this last exhibit where you pulled up the bowling ball with a rope, let go of the rope, and watch a tennis ball shoot high in the air.
what’s gonna work?
teamwork!
what’s gonna work?
teeeeeamwork!
so sweet to see the closeness between my two older kiddos. sure, they have their squabbles and difficulties with each other, but most times, you’ll find them playing and laughing uproariously together. and i look forward to the day when lauren will be able to join in all the fun!
12 Comments
jin_gill
your kids are seriously so~ adorable!! wow…3 kids 5yo & under. you must be crazy busy everyday!!
Kavedissian
another great entry…love Allie’s top, where did you get it, or did you make it??
Starbukk35
how fun! i’ve been wanting to check that place out. it looks great!is that you and phil in the pin wall? do they wipe that stuff down after people stick their face in it? hehe.hey, have you guys checked out El Dorado Nature Center yet? it’s in Long Beach. small little nature center, but nice little hiking trails that are perfect for kids. and you guys have gone to Madrona Marsh Nature Center, right? it’s even tinier, but so close to you. just want to make sure you keep having fun places to visit so i can keep seeing cute pictures of your family.
pifamily
i had fun viewing all your wonderful pics! your kids are always having tons of fun! your hubby’s crab-stuffed halibut in your previous post looks devine!..i want it NOW…for breakfast!
hongfamilia
it looks like M and A have so much fun together. the seem just so happy to be together, regardless of where you take them. we have membership to that museum and it’s always so fun to watch A visit all the little stations they have. she always sticks her face in that red pin wall too. haha.
brofermin
Yeah for vacation! I can feel the giddiness for having Phil around for you. What fun entries. I especially like the pin wall. I also like your teamwork singing as we have just discovered the wonder pets show. We have also just discovered the Star Wars love living at grandma’s house. We found Daddy’s old toys! Come visit and we can share with Mikey.
mtsai
@jin_gill – aw, thank you for your sweet comment! yes, definitely crazy and busy, but not crazy busy ALL the time!
mtsai
@Kavedissian – thanks, kate! i got the top at gymboree last summer on clearance so she could wear it this summer. totally love it on her!
mtsai
@Starbukk35 – hey esther! THANKS for the info on the places to visit. always on the lookout for more fun family outings and your suggestions are always great and super helpful! about wiping down the pins… not that i’ve seen. now that you mention it, EWWW!! btw, that was allie and phil in the first pic and then mikey and phil’s profile in the second pic.
mtsai
@hongfamilia – hey! we should meet up there one of these days!
mtsai
@brofermin – that’s so like when we visit phil’s mom’s house. she has kept ALL of his old toys so mikey loooooves going there and pulling out all the old, dusty toys to play with. it’s like his heaven. ha ha. the vacation time together was definitely wonderful. and definitely too short. especially since he had to jump right back in to a super busy rotation in the sicu and has eight calls this month! boo.
hongfamilia
@mtsai – yeah, that’d be fun. i’m actually going tomorrow (tues) afternoon since hubby can come along. please let me know if you can join us.