July Santa Cruz Trip Day 2

It's taking me so long to get make it through my queue of posts.  The beginning of the school year is always hectic.  More on that when I get to it!

In the meantime, here is more from our trip.  Not sure why last time the photos loaded in order and this time they are reverse order again.

The second day we got up and walked down to a nearby cafe and had breakfast.  The plan was to just go to the Boardwalk, no beach.  It was quite hot this day, so beach would've been nice for me as there were hardly any places to sit, let alone in the shade.  We thought we would return to the hotel for a break and never did, so I did not bring all the waters and we became dehydrated.  The others did get on the log ride, but Isaac didn't enjoy getting wet on it.  He also didn't love having to sit out and wait when there was a ride he couldn't ride.  I also got my phone locked in a phone-charging station and couldn't get it out.  By the end of the day, we were quite spent, but when things cooled down and we ate, it got a little better.  Lucas did well, though, getting on new rides.  He and his dad work on slow starts and picking up momentum.  I think he could have been there all week just getting on rides.  

The video of everyone on the log ride isn't working, so here is one from the previous day.

Some people on the Pirate Ship were screaming at the top of their lungs, which made it not very enjoyable for Lucas.  We had a do-over next time we went.

Everyone loves the swings (except me).

Dole whip slushie

Kid coaster

Isaac really enjoyed the bumper cars

Isaac and Manny bumping into each other

Train ride

Lucas and Isaac haven't been on a ride together in quite some time

Ideal breakfast 😆

Train passed right behind us, which was pretty fun

Naomi enjoying her root beer

July Santa Cruz Trip Day 1

For our first family trip since February 2019, we spent three days in Santa Cruz.  I'm very thankful to Manny for pretty much planning the whole thing.  It's always a challenge to find a reasonably-priced hotel that will take five of us.  We were cautious, but the Covid hospitalization rates had gone down significantly and Santa Cruz County had one of the lowest rates anywhere, like one case per day at the time.  Manny, Naomi, and I were fully vaccinated at the time, and Lucas had had his first shot.  It was nice being out again as a family.  I don't take that for granted anymore.  

I dropped Pluto off at the boarding place early in the morning, and then helped pack the car.  We made a quick stop at McDonald's for breakfast and then got to Twin Lakes Beach around 10:30 am I think.  The weather was mild, so Isaac was pretty cold.  But he still did wade in the water and had some fun splashing around.  Then we went to the hotel to check in, but it wasn't ready so we went to the pier to have lunch.  It was a challenge choosing between all the places to eat (Naomi and I easy, being seafood lovers), but we ended up at the Riva Fish House on the Santa Cruz Wharf.  I think their variety of Italian sodas won us over, and they did not disappoint.  It was the first time we've eaten out and indoors in so long.  We were next to an open window, but I still felt a little uneasy.

We checked in to our room at the Seaway Inn afterward.  We didn't know what we'd be getting, and they gave us a great room with an ocean view.  Our hotel was pet friendly, and an English Bulldog or mix got into our room, and I just had to put down my phone to hug it.  Unfortunately I didn't realize it till we got to the Boardwalk, so I had to walk all the way back to the hotel and back again.  But I like walking by myself sometimes for a break, as long it's safe.  We got passes for everyone, which paid for themselves in a couple of visits.  We had a great time, even though it was really crowded.  Our kids all like thrill rides, so it was good in case we were returning anyway before the end of the year.  I did not get a pass.  It just seemed more logical as I get motion sickness on most rides, and it would be easier for me to just carry everything than to have to get a locker or put everything down and hope no one steals it.  And of course it saved us money as well.  Lucas told me he is sorry I have to miss out.  He really enjoys going there, especially as a family.  

We all remember going with Aunt Baby Doll.  I haven't even told the boys yet that she passed away.  I think I need to prepare them for that.  I broke the news too matter-of-factly to Naomi.  I know to some I seem like a robot, but I just internalize a lot of my emotions because I was raised that way.  They're all there, though.  

Overall, this vacation was very special to me.  Family time with all its ups and downs.  The first day went pretty well.  The second day it got hot and we were hangry (hungry angry) and dehydrated, but even then I felt it was good to go through those moments.  More on that next time.

Isaac with a big nylon frisbee

Lucas and Naomi helping with the beach chairs

Testing the water

Running through the waves

We had to move due to riptide currents.

Lucas in the water

Naomi taking Isaac for a walk

Italian lunch at Riva House with their famous Italian soda

Pasta with olive oil for Isaac

Checking in

View from the room

I was there, too

Time for rides

Love the rides where everyone can go together

Lucas doesn't want to take pics with me

Kiddie coaster just for warming up

Everyone got on the Sky Glider to get across the Boardwalk.  I walked across and actually still beat them there.

Because why not?

Dessert

The Wharf at night

Naomi gave Isaac this plushie to help him sleep.

Fourth of July Weekend (Pre-Trip)

Whew.  July feels like ages ago, now that the school year has begun.  But we had a good July and don't want to leave out the updates.  We took a trip to Santa Cruz after the 4th.  July 1 and 2, I had tutoring and also Isaac joined an astronomy Zoom class given by a friend of a friend who is an actually astronomer.  I'd dreamt of becoming one as a kid.  The class was a little over these young kids' heads.  I think I spent most of Saturday cooking, prepping, and packing and also enjoying some time to myself.  Manny went out with Chris.  I think Naomi went out with friends, too, but I don't remember.  On the 4th, I got to have some non-porridge Taiwanese breakfast with an old college friend and summer roomie.  She is all kinds of amazing, and we had such a good, deep conversation.  

July 2 was also Grandpa's birthday.  Manny's cousin's wife makes personalized gifts, so I thought we'd get him a beer mug or stein with the kids' birthdays on it.  I think she thought we would be in town, but unfortunately we weren't, so she took it over herself.  I'm not sure what it looked like, but I'm sure it was really nice!    

I made a quick dinner and 4th of July charcuterie board (didn't want to make too much before we left).  Lucas somehow shot up in the previous couple of weeks, so he outgrew the swim clothes I'd purchased two months before.  I mentioned I don't like to procrastinate, but sometimes it ends up biting me in the rear.  So I ran to five different stores, knowing swimsuits were going out of stock quickly.  We got one last one off the rack for Naomi after going to three stores.  I managed to find two that fit Lucas, one slightly big on him and both on sale.  Whew.  Should have worn my sneakers.

The next morning I took Pluto to the boarding place.  The price was reasonable, and no risk of running out the door.  He didn't eat much there, though, which was sad and reminded me of how my childhood dog wouldn't eat if we were gone.  Next post will be the trip.

Taking Pluto to the pet boarding place

Kosher hot dogs and Korean wings

Red, white, and blue, and Isaac-approved

Tomatoes coming along nicely

Having our breakfast outside at Starbucks

Chinese stuffed rice rolls, donut, turnip cakes, and spicy noodles for breakfast from Sogo Tofu, a small takeout place

Looking for Venus and Mars, which we learned would be very close together.

Nectarine upside-down cake.  Good use of our overripening nectarines, but I forgot we don't love baked nectarines.