First Family Car Trip

Rick and I have decided to attempt something big for the first time. The Franciscos rented a minivan, piled the kids in along with ten thousand of their things and drove 7 hours to San Diego. Spent a week there visiting museums, beaches and parks. And we were very pleased with the outcome. I painstakingly planned out the itinerary for each day(occupational hazard), made an info packet for Jeremy, made a check list a mile long for packing, we toted Sara around town sleeping or not, and it went as smooth as it can be. Other than the fact that we could not locate our two portable DVD players no matter how high and low we looked before the trip and Rick suffering from food poisoning after visiting the famous Prado's restaurant in Balboa Park, nothing really painful happened. Jeremy genuinely enjoyed his vacation, he got braved in the pool and Sara got her naps down in the stroller. Thanks to the hospitality of our great friends, Randy and Jianping, we had a great time in Sand Diego. We are already planning a returning trip some time later this year. The week went by too fast.
Day 1- We relaxed all day, walked around the neighborhood play ground, played in the pool, did some BBQ
Day 2- We visited the New Children's museum in Downtown. There was really not much there, but it was free for the day and Jeremy got to meet cat in the hat. We went to the mall afterwards, and some tourist saw Sara playing with chess her size and asked for a photograph with her, I have a little celebrity in my hands.
Day 3- Met some really cool sea turtles in Chula Vista Nature Center, an out of the way little aquarium and birds watching by the ocean. we had lunch by the marina, it was nice. Mei Mei slept in our arms while we ate fish tacos and fish and chips.
Day 4 - Went to Balboa Park to visit the so called the world's largest model railroad museum with Thomas playroom. Well, we finished walking the museum in about 4.5 minutes, and Jeremy zoomed in to play with the 3 little train tables we had at home with similar toys for about 45 min. Then we went to Prado's for lunch. That's where Rick got the burger for his troubles.
Day 5 - Went to Coronado island, it was really like a resort within resort. The hotel was very nice, the beach was nicer, the lunch was nicest. Took the ferry ride back to the mainland, very very nice view and enjoyable ride, of course, Jeremy was very excited about the ferry ride.
Day 6 - Went to Fleet Science museum back to Balboa Park. Much more interactive for little kids. Jeremy had a great time and even exhibited interests in planets, tornados, geometry, human cell structures, water treatment systems and of course, little kid city. Mei Mei was very interested in the little kid area with tons of toys, she even missed her nap as she was so excited.
Day 7 - our last day, we went to La Jolla shores, children's pool beach. saw some seals on the rock, sat on wet grasses on the park, Jeremy climbed some trees, Sara walked around, played in the sand and called it a day
Day 8 - We said good bye to Auntie Jianping and uncle Randy and drove home.