San Diego and Heading Home

After a great vacation, we are heading home. We've had a wonderful time doing a wide variety of things with the boys, but we are ready to be back home. 24/7 for 7 days with both boys is a bit much. At home, we all have our own personal space. On vacation - we are together, in the car, the hotel, or destination at all times. The boys have been fighting a lot, so they are ready for a break from each other. But over all, we've had a blast.

We spent a relaxing day yesterday at the Mission Beach resort. We each took the boys out on a personal catarman - it was a lot like a motorized paddle boat. Afterwards, we each rented a bike a trailer and went on an hour bike ride around the bay - Luke fell asleep. We later went swimming and Luke willingly put his head under the water and tried to swim for the first time. His confidence was boosted by his floaties, but it was a start. I've been perplexed as to why my kids love the pool but don't want to get their heads wet - I was a fish as a kid, and I'm determined that they'll learn to swim (especially for their own safety). Ryan's problem is that he is not a risk taker - he was the same way with walking, he was too afraid of falling down.

We spent a day and a half at Sea World. The highlight of that was meeting Ernie (Sea World has a Sesame Street Bay of Play). Luke also really liked Shamu and wanted one of his own (although he is convinced that he is a dolphin). The boys really liked Sea World, but it wasn't the same as Disneyland.

Big Bird and Telly showed up after Ernie - we almost missed Ernie, the line closed for that but I told Ernie and Bert's helper that Ernie was Luke's favorite, and she took pity on us.

Above and below - the boys got to feed the seals. I was impressed that they were willing to hold the dead fish, I wasn't.

Greg's favorite part of Sea World was the Midway. On the second day, Luke won a Stan from South Park out of the claw grabber game and Ryan won a fish in a gopher hitting game (which we rigged so he would win something).

Videos: The first of the boys feeding the seals. There were way aggressive seagulls that were trying to steal the fish. The second video is of the Luke and Ryan meeting Ernie.