SeaWorld 06/29/13

We ended up not really spending much time with the girls scouts today, which had been our original reason for coming down today, but that's okay. Karen & the kids & I had a nice day with just the four of us.

San Diego - Kona Kai & Corvette Diner

Some of the girls in Emma's troop were doing the overnight camp at SeaWorld this weekend. But, unfortunately for her, this activity is Brownies & up. So, since she was too young to join the fun, I decided to take her down for our own Mommy-daughter overnighter in San Diego and then we could meet up with the rest of the scouts at Sea World in the morning. I got an awesome deal on a hotel called The Kona Kai Resort on Shelter Island and I convinced Karen & TJ to join us as well. I mean, why not, since the room was already paid for and everything. The kids thought it was amazing to be able to walk off our patio and be right on the sand. What made it even better was that there was a playground right there too! We went out for dinner that night at a really fun, 1950's-eque place called The Corvette Diner. They had cars inside the restaurant, gum- smacking waitresses that made Emma a special hair-do out of straws, a big video game room, blacklight posters, dancing waiters, yummy shakes, and giant plates of cotton candy! It was a lot of fun!

Little Fishy...

Today I got a few hours of grown up time with Jen while Emma, TJ, & Hayden went to gymnastics camp. Jen & I got pedicures and then went to see World War Z at the movie theater. After we picked up the girls (TJ headed home with his dad) we went over to Jen's house to swim. Emma was very much into showing how she could float on her back now. So cute.

Wonderful Wednesday

Took the kiddies to the dollar showing of Paranorman this morning and to bounce themselves silly at Pump It Up this afternoon. The movie was really funny. We all enjoyed it. And the bouncy places are always a hit. What a great way to spend a summer day!

Thurman Flats

I took Emma & TJ hiking up in Thurman Flats today. I guess it has been kind of a dry winter because most of the creeks we usually play in were just trickling, but we were able to find a nice swimming hole that the kids loved. It ended up being even deeper than I had thought on first inspection and they had a great time swimming underwater and jumping into the pool. We took a picnic lunch up there and just had a great time.

Grandma Baca's Memorial Mass & Family BBQ at Keno's

Today was the annual memorial mass for Grandma Baca. Mom, Emma, & I drove out early in time to make it to church. Then, after taking flowers to the cemetery, we went over to Uncle Keno & Aunt Pauline's house to swim, visit, & BBQ. It is kind of sad though... Years ago, everyone in the family came to these events. This year, it was only Keno & Pauline, Kathie & John, Diana & her son Jason, Aunt Belle, Bobby, & Connie, Valerie & Katie, Karen & her family, and Mom, Emma, & I. Things are smaller than they used to be, but it was still nice to visit with everyone who was able to make it...

Balboa Beach

Jon & I took Emma, TJ, & Mikayla to the beach today. Karen stayed home so she could get some homework done in peace. The beach areas were pretty crowded (no surprise - it WAS a June Saturday) but we eventually found parking and a nice spot right by the pier to set up. The waves were really strong but a lot of fun. Mikayla was out there boogie boarding and Emma really wanted to join her, but was still a bit skittish, which is fine by me. So she "rode" the waves right at the shore and splashed in the surf. Mikayla also buried both the kids in the sand up to their necks, which they thought was too too funny. I brought a tasty lunch and plenty of snacks for everyone and we just had a great time! Dinner, however, was another story... We went from traffic to traffic to an overcrowded bar we thought was supposed to be a restaurant to a pizza place that only took cash (which I didn't have) to mapquest giving me incorrect directions to (finally) eating at... wait for it... Jack in the Box. Yep. Fancy, schmancy, huh? Oh well, the kids were happy, everyone filled their bellies, and it was probably cheaper than any of the earlier options. In the end, it all worked out.

Dental Drama...

Oh. My. Gosh. Today sucked. Emma had her follow up appointment this morning in the hopes of filling a cavity, sealing a couple other teeth, and (possibly) doing a baby root canal on a final tooth. Well, she was wiggly & giggly from the nitrous for the sealants but she did okay. Then the dentist came in and said would "try" to work on the worst cavity and "clean it out" first. She started, the novicain injection went fine but, by the end, Emma had flipped the heck out. I know it shouldn't have been physically painful because I saw them poke her with the little pointy tool after the shot and there was no reaction. But the air puffs, water spray, and grinding noise just freaked her out. She started crying and then screaming and thrashing. We couldn't just leave it open so they had me holding her arms down while another person held her legs, a third held her head, and the dentist finished the filling. It was traumatic. I was shaking, she was sobbing, and the best part? They won't refer her out for sedation to do the other tooth because insurance won't cover sedation for one tooth (which, by the way, is why I suggested sedation for the whole procedure YESTERDAY and was told it was unnecessary)... So now we have to go back & do it all again next week for the final tooth. :(

Waterfun with Grandma!

We finally got Grandma to come out to the waterpark with us today! Emma loves spending time with her grandma and all I heard all day was, "come on, grandma!"... "Over here Grandma!"... "Watch me Grandma!" She loved it! And it provided a nice diversion for Emma so that I could fight all afternoon on the phone with her dentist AND pediatrician while trying to get everything sorted out for tomorrow's appointment.