Milo's Name

Green Lantern Oath

Milo LOVES superheros. Here he is reciting Green Lantern's oath. It's pretty cute, even if you're not a huge nerd. If you are a huge nerd, you keep feeding the fire with more accessories, toys, clothes and videos.

Safari Park

We were in San Diego again this weekend where Lyman was playing at the hotel club in Del Mar. I love that place. The only drag was I had a pretty nasty cold that slowed me down. The rest of the band had colds too, and Lyman was dodging all of us. I don't think he escaped. He's pretty sniffly now. The eucalyptus steam room in the spa helped me a lot, and, of course, being at the spa. Ahhh... The weather was so different from two weeks ago. Pretty grey mornings with just a short sun burst in the early afternoon. Milo insisted on the pool, but then stayed only 4 minutes. We spent most of the time in the jacuzzi so our lips didn't turn blue. Sunday, Lyman stayed to watch football and play a wedding gig later, so Milo and I headed to the Safari Park (formerly Wild Animal Park) where kids are free in Oct. (this is not a bargain destination).
Eighty percent of it is walkable and zoo like. Then you can ride a nice shuttle with a very informative guide/driver around the back twenty percent. This is the best part as it is the most "safari like". You are taken around the perimeter of this "plain" to see African plain animals and up into some "mountain" areas for the hoofed animals. The guide was great at explaining the animals' behaviors, instincts and their conservation efforts. I highly recommend this place- especially on the cool fall day. It's huge (2x the animals of the huge San Diego zoo). We were there 3 1/2 hours and didn't make it to the elephants as Milo fell asleep on my lap halfway through the safari ride. I would have rallied and stayed longer if I didn't have a cold. Thankfully I went home, as I had a spooky surprise waiting for me...

Pumpkin Carving and Decaying

I love pumpkins- decorations, candles, bread, cookies, cake- I just hate carving the damn things. So, I decided this would be a father/son tradition in our home. However, due to Lyman's bust schedule, we did it early last weekend. My friend Jenny asked if that might be a little early; maybe it would rot too soon. I shrugged and said I would just toss it early. After all, we'll be at her house that night with her fresh pumpkins!

Well, it did rot! This would have been no big deal if I was home, but we were in San Diego! The last thing I wanted to come home to was this mess dripping all down the wall and onto the kitchen counter behind, but there it was. The inside was pure mold fuzz, and the ozz seeped into everything (see the pencil cup holding it up!) on the counter and even warped the cheep counter top a little. My neighbor things that was probably the acid in the juice eating away at the glue. A lot of Clorox later, and things look normally clean again. I am seriously happy I was home not a moment later of it would have collapsed and run into the carpet. Like I said, I hate carving the damn things.

Fall

Iron man on the carousel.

Fall has come and gone about 4 times already since labor day alternating cool 60 something degrees with temps spiking back up into the 90s. There is no way to dress safely. It was cool this weekend making it a great day for the patch with friends.

Patch Fun

These little daredevils had a great time leaping off the hay bales.

Everyone was ready for a nap when we got home, but Milo wouldn't go without his new pumpkin.

Del Mar

Milo and I tagged along on Lyman's tour this weekend just outside San Diego. It was so fun, relaxing and pampering at this beautiful resort hotel. Here is Milo on our balcony

and inside vegging out watching TV.

In the Water

The pool on Saturday was so relaxing. This 1 ft kid pool was super for the little guys, and Lyman and I took turns at the spa and adult only quiet pool that had music playing when you went under water! It was lovely!


In our room, we had another pool! This tub was amazing. That's Lyman sitting at a desk on the other side of the window that had shutters you could close for privacy. You know, people ask me all the time, "How do you handle Lyman being gone all the time?" I answer frankly that I am supermom. That's true. But trips like this, enjoying the perks Lyman enjoys, also help a lot.

Pretend City

My friend Wendy told me about this Children's Museum in Irvine a few months ago, and I thought, when am I ever going to go to Irvine? It turns out it's smack in between LA and San Diego making it the perfect stop on the way. This place was great fun, easy, and moderately priced (since there is a very welcoming store right by the entrance/exit). With an easy concept of a town and all the places in it- post office, library, grocery store, etc. Milo liked it all, but the marina was his favorite with these water tables and this gun that shot water.

More Pretend

Milo worked hard picking fruits and vegetables on the "farm"...

working construction...

and fighting fires...

Last Look

Milo at the "beach".

Milo and others working in the restaurant.

Lastly, Milo working in the art studio. I'm really glad my friend recommended this place; it was a lot of fun for a few hours. I don't know if I'll ever make a special trip there, but it was a great half way stop off to break up the car trip and see something new.