End of Summer Getaway
This summer we were pretty busy! We had VBS at our church, got away to our family's cabin, went camping, went to LA, attended baseball games, did swim camp & a gymnastics class too. In addition to that, lots of swimming and hanging out with friends and family. We never really got a vacation which required my husband to take time off work, and we thought that before our son started kindergarten, we might have one last hurrah as a family. So, DH took a couple days off work, and we headed to the coast!
I tried to spend a little time this summer with the kids learning about the ocean and ocean animals, so we thought a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium would be a good way to wrap things up. It had been years since my husband and I had been, and our kids hadn't been at all (although my husband says that we took our son when he was a baby...I don't remember it!)
Anyway, it was really nice to get out of the heat and the aquarium is SO cool! I'd forgotten how much neat educational things they do, and how there is something for every age. All of us learned new things!
We were really fortunate that the hotel we stayed at offered a special on Aquarium tickets, 2 days for the price of 1. Since we'd planned to spend two days in Monterey anyway, we took advantage of this deal and got an early start both mornings, and were able to see the upper level on Day 1 and the lower level on Day 2. By 12:30-1pm our kids were ready to be done, so we were able to leave early and not feel like we were missing out on something we'd paid for! There were plenty of other distractions for us there...
Several friends have mentioned this park to me before, telling me how much their kids enjoyed it. We'd never been before, and it was a great suggestion! The sun came out in the afternoon, which made for lovely weather, and it was a really fun time for both our kids. One thing I enjoyed on this trip was watching how our kids play together. It is fun to see that they are friends with each other, and they can interact and play together in so many ways.
On our second day, we had a picnic lunch down by Lover's Point and had fun scrambling on the rocks by the ocean. We tried to see whales (which apparently there had been many sighted lately) but no luck for us. Fortunately, as you can see, the kids still had a fun time!
On our way home, we stopped by Gilroy Gardens, which was another one of those oft-recommended places. Again, we were not disappointed. This is a theme park, which grew out of some beautiful gardens, and highlights these special "circus trees." (Apparently some man back in the 40's made a hobby out of creating intricate frameworks to grow trees around, resulting in some very unique and amazing tree trunks! They are featured throughout the park.)
Our kids, of course, loved the rides. They were just the right ages/sizes for them. Our son, was very lucky to be right at the minimum height requirement for the "bigger" rides, and at the same time, the maximum height requirement for the "little kid" rides. So, he got to go on everything!
You can't really tell in this picture, but this boat ride was hilarious, since I already weigh much more than my daughter, plus many more pounds due to being pregnant, our boat was totally lopsided. Our little girl has shown a little bit of fear with boats, so when she suggested that we go on a boat together, I was more than happy to oblige. She did great!
And these are the famous "circus trees" that are located at different places throughout Gilroy Gardens. Apparently, the founder of this park acquired a small collection of these trees which were mostly started by a man in the 40's who built these intricate frameworks for the trees to grow on and around. It's pretty fascinating, I've never seen anything like them. They aren't really clearly marked, so you kind of have to "find" them yourself as you walk around the park. The park really does have beautiful gardens, so it's pretty shaded & relaxing for those not going on rides. There are also these educational kiosks throughout the park and a couple of water features as well. Something for everyone! Including the pregnant Mama who just wanted to sit with her legs up and eat an ice cream cone...
So, with the end of this trip (which of course had to include a trip to the outlet mall in Gilroy as well...) we headed back to 110 degree heat and the beginning of a new phase of our family life, school days! Unfortunately, our son is not very excited about this new change, and I'm sure it will be an adjustment for us all. My husband and I are mourning the loss of sleeping in, and expecting that we'll all need earlier bedtimes. I'm really glad we got to take this trip together though, as a way to celebrate the end of summer and to remind us that we'll always have next summer for more adventures!
I tried to spend a little time this summer with the kids learning about the ocean and ocean animals, so we thought a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium would be a good way to wrap things up. It had been years since my husband and I had been, and our kids hadn't been at all (although my husband says that we took our son when he was a baby...I don't remember it!)Anyway, it was really nice to get out of the heat and the aquarium is SO cool! I'd forgotten how much neat educational things they do, and how there is something for every age. All of us learned new things!
How close has your daughter been to a shark?
There were so many hands-on activities for toddlers & preschoolers
We were really fortunate that the hotel we stayed at offered a special on Aquarium tickets, 2 days for the price of 1. Since we'd planned to spend two days in Monterey anyway, we took advantage of this deal and got an early start both mornings, and were able to see the upper level on Day 1 and the lower level on Day 2. By 12:30-1pm our kids were ready to be done, so we were able to leave early and not feel like we were missing out on something we'd paid for! There were plenty of other distractions for us there...
Dennis the Menace Park, for example...
Several friends have mentioned this park to me before, telling me how much their kids enjoyed it. We'd never been before, and it was a great suggestion! The sun came out in the afternoon, which made for lovely weather, and it was a really fun time for both our kids. One thing I enjoyed on this trip was watching how our kids play together. It is fun to see that they are friends with each other, and they can interact and play together in so many ways.
On our second day, we had a picnic lunch down by Lover's Point and had fun scrambling on the rocks by the ocean. We tried to see whales (which apparently there had been many sighted lately) but no luck for us. Fortunately, as you can see, the kids still had a fun time!
I did spy an adorable little homeless girl taking a nap on a park bench...
On our way home, we stopped by Gilroy Gardens, which was another one of those oft-recommended places. Again, we were not disappointed. This is a theme park, which grew out of some beautiful gardens, and highlights these special "circus trees." (Apparently some man back in the 40's made a hobby out of creating intricate frameworks to grow trees around, resulting in some very unique and amazing tree trunks! They are featured throughout the park.)
Good thing the kids did not need to be chaperoned by a parent on these spinning rides!
Is she having fun or what????
So, with the end of this trip (which of course had to include a trip to the outlet mall in Gilroy as well...) we headed back to 110 degree heat and the beginning of a new phase of our family life, school days! Unfortunately, our son is not very excited about this new change, and I'm sure it will be an adjustment for us all. My husband and I are mourning the loss of sleeping in, and expecting that we'll all need earlier bedtimes. I'm really glad we got to take this trip together though, as a way to celebrate the end of summer and to remind us that we'll always have next summer for more adventures!
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