California turned out to be one of the most fun but frustrating vacation experiences I have ever had. Traveling with toddlers is also a gamble, but I am pretty sure my child was possessed by some evil spirit bent on making me question whether I was cut out for motherhood. This is a slight exaggeration. Slight. We had some good days, some bad days, and one day that ending in tears (Kaylee AND me). This vacation was definitely hard earned. But it did make me take a step back and really think about the kind of mom I wanted to be and how I wanted to react to Kaylee's....spiritedness. And it solidify Lance and I as a unified parenting front. Also, I am so thankful for my in-laws. They could have easily been frustrated when Kaylee held everyone up, but they were nothing but patient with her.
Here are some vacation highlights:
Kaylee was not too sure about Pluto |
The ferris wheel at California Adventure |
Kaylee and Auntie Ashley on the ferris wheel |
Radiator Springs! |
Kaylee's Cars swag |
Riding Heimlich's Chew Chew Train with Auntie |
Kaylee with two of her favorite people: Uncle Brett and Auntie Ashley |
These ears lasting about 15 seconds |
Huntington Beach |
Kaylee loved the beach |
We loved the weather |
Santa Monica |
Checking out the Santa Monica Pier |
Kaylee comparing her hand to Shirley Temple's handprint in Hollywood |
Mickey is everywhere! |
Dana Point |
Checking out the Polar Bear at SeaWorld |
Finding the "Nemos" |
My little monkey |
At the San Diego Safari Park. |
Checking out an antler before our Safari Park tram |
Baby giraffe and baby hippo! |
Feeding the lorikeets |
Baby elephant! |