Katharine Lange: September 2018

Arwyn was so excited that our highly anticipated trip to San Diego with all our cousins was finally here! She wanted her own window seat on the plane, of course, which worked out just fine since we had both me and Josh and needed two rows anyway. She was psyched to be able to draw on the iPad, and was very well behaved on the plane. Unfortunately she almost drowned in the backyard pool within the first five minutes that we arrived, even with all the adults right there watching. It was a little hectic getting situated and exciting to have the pool, and it had a little underwater shelf that just dropped off, so one thing led to another... Luckily Auntie M saw that something didn't look right, and Josh didn't miss a beat. He jumped in right away to save the day (at the expense of his iPhone, but at least his priorities were in line!) Arwyn did get right back in the pool, but was a little nervous and only wanted to be in the floaty boat after that. Understandable. Arwyn loved loved loved the beach. She loved chasing the waves, and having so much wonderful sand to play in; she was in total heaven. Arwyn is starting to be like Leia, listening to headphones and singing at the top of her lungs, but she mumbles the words because she's still learning them. She did a great job of pushing through "no nap exhaustion" at the zoo without getting violent. Arwyn always wanted to go to the "cool" (aka, pool), and we loved her new name for it, because, really, it is cool to get into the pool! Arwyn had a total out of body experience after her nap one afternoon. I think her body was up but her brain was still sleeping. She was totally crying and freaking out, and there was nothing we could do to make it better, but I just kept holding her and hugging her, trying to imbibe calm vibes. Finally she snapped out of it, looked up at me, and said, "Why I crying so much?" Good question!

Leia was also so excited about our trip, and wanted to pack her suitcase all by herself again. Unfortunately, we weren't able to do it the night we wanted to, so it ended up being a rush job, and not as thorough as last time. She was so excited for the plane ride that she was up at 6, and arrived in our bedroom all dressed and ready to go! She did very well on the plane, but it was a much shorter trip, so that helped. Also, she couldn't wait to go swimming in the pool, so she agreed to take a nap on the plane so she could go straight in the second we arrived and not have to wait. Leia had a blast hunting for seashells and boogie boarding at the beach. She was not calming down too well at night, so she would be up until almost 10:00, but she was still waking up before 6 am! And I would end up having to just go to bed with both girls because I couldn't leave the room and trust them to stay in bed and fall asleep. But I was ok with that because it was so late anyway! Leia loved watching the dance performances at the Safari Zoo, and was pretty well behaved for really long days with no naps. We had a hard time at The Fair and Lego Land because she was so fixated on buying crap from the gift stores, rather than enjoying the pre-paid rides. It was really stressful dealing with her tantrums. Then she finally calmed down, got into her grove, and ready for rides when everyone else was tired and ready to leave. Really frustrating! I was ready to never go to an amusement part again, but I think that the answer is actually that we need to go over our expectations, as a family, before we go next time. Talk about the gift shops, establish ahead who will pay for what (or that nothing will be bought), and then there won't be so much expectation, fixation, and disappointment when we arrive.

Excited about the new desk/shelf that Daddy added to her bed. Now she has a good place for all her stuff, as well as to sit and read or color while in bed!

So excited to finally be going to San Diego...last one on the plane is a rotten egg!

Arwyn was pretty impressed with that bear statue!

Patiently waiting for our plane.

Daddy snuggles.

My seat mate on the plane.

Cool as a cucumber, relaxing with her legs crossed, and a little snack.

We switched it up after the layover, because everyone wanted to sit next to mom.

Leia napping on my lap because she wanted to go straight into the pool once we arrived.

Rolling in luxury with our 2 tv Escalade! It was a tight fit though!

Arwyn needed a little relaxing hot tub time and some Daddy love after her scary experience in the pool. But then she got right back up on the horse.

These guys didn't waste any time jumping into and having fun in this gorgeous salt water pool at our rental house.

Non-stop smiles for miles when you have a pool!

Carter got in some swim practice utilizing the lap pool jet feature!

So exciting to actually have a pool right in your backyard! Leia wasted no time making up some water dancing routines and having fun water play with her cousins!

Apparently Leia is a pro at the relaxing pool vacation thing!

This place even has an outdoor TV and double fire pit!

Snuggles with my sweet Leia in the moon swing.

I guess she's not into the selfies today.

So much laughing and screaming, Cooper had to investigate to make sure everyone was ok!

Arwyn wasn't afraid to jump in the pool during her last session of swim lessons, but after her little near drowning experience, she was understandably timid. However, her nervousness was making all of us nervous because she wasn't jumping far enough away from the edge!

Poppy and Arwyn checking out the views of the San Diego Fair.

Our first Tea Cup Ride! Leia was digging it, but Arwyn was not so sure.

Leia liked how she could whip it around faster and faster with the spinning wheel. Arwyn was just hanging on for dear life.

Leia was having a blast on the Tea Cup ride, but Arwyn was a little scared, and I was about to puke! No more rides for this Mommy!

A trip to the fair wouldn't be complete without a ride on the carousel.

Even though she can be a bit of a daredevil, Leia still loves a good carousel ride.

Now this is definitely more Arwyn's speed!

Emmett and Arwyn petting some of the animals!

Well, she did manage to win a prize, but we discovered we have some work to do on Leia's throwing arm.

The kid wouldn't do anything else until she got to play a game and get a prize.

Time for a little fair food...the kids were getting hangry!

Back to the fun and games...Arwyn is all smiles now!

So proud of Arwyn for navigating this kiddie ride all by herself! Didn't even need my help to get in!

Ready, set, go!

It's kind of hard to tell, but apparently Arwyn was having fun here.

So proud of Arwyn, she was super brave to climb up onto this helicopter ride all by herself! And she kept a straight face the whole time, but afterwards you couldn't wipe that excited smile off her face for anything!

Leia's two favorite things in one: grilled cheese sandwiches and rainbows!

Arwyn's not too sure what this rainbow grilled cheese thing is all about.

But I guess she likes it!

It is literally impossible to get these 3 to all smile at the same time!

I swear, you try it sometime!

Leia loved the maze at the House of Mirrors!

Arwyn loves her Cousin Carter, but she was not loving this mini roller coaster ride.

Usually Arwyn is very adventurous, and to her credit, she did decide to go ahead and ride this roller coaster. However, the look on her face was made it pretty clear that this was definitely a bit scary!!

This little obstacle course ride was one of Leia's favorites. She raced though it as fast as possible at least 3 times in a row!

Through the balls, what's next!

Out she comes, down the slide, ready to race through it all over again!

Jordan was a great companion for Leia, and a great sport!

Wait for Arwyn, here she comes too!

Not sure what made this Lady Bug Roller Coaster ride any better than the others, but that is definitely a smile on Arwyn's face!

Uh oh Daddy, hang on!

And Leia just thought this was so awesome too!

I'm pretty sure this ride would have definitely made me sick, but Josh, Leia, and Arwyn all had the best time on this ride!

Racing out of one ride, ready for more!

Arwyn is just not so sure about all these rides.

She was a little shy, but she really wanted to go check out those horses.

Back to the petting zoo for one more round...after all those rides, these guys don't seem so scary anymore!

Our little purple creature! Arwyn pretty much decided that if she could live in this robe every day, she would!

Hot tub fun and games with Uncle Josh!

The Treasure Hunter...in her happy place on our first beach day!

She sell sea shells by the sea shore.

Carter and Arwyn hard at work, creating a sand masterpiece.

Leia definitely had a vision, and sand is a great medium for her!

Focus.

Sand was a full body experience for Miss Arwyn; she just wanted to be one with the sand at all times!

Beautiful rock treasures.

Back to hunting.

Group effort on this beautiful castle.

Love this shot of Leia with the ocean in the background.

Also in her happy place.

Oh, to be a kid at the beach with your cousins!

Here comes that wave...run!

Not interested in selfies today.

So I'll just take one of me in this beautiful place!

Tired, hungry, and entranced by the waves...

Our beach crew.

The builders.

Cheese!

Arwyn likes this idea of burying Dad!

Ready to hit the waves!

Excited to catch her first surf!

She did it, Leia can boogie board!

Leia really wanted to try surfing, but we decided to start with boogie boarding. She did great! Totally rode the waves and had a blast. She couldn't get enough!

Sand everywhere!

If you're going to be buried in the sand, best to be buried with your Daddy.

Arwyn is flying a kite!

I think Josh found kite flying a bit meditative and relaxing, but he kept it up for quite awhile!

Arwyn was a total pro!

A man and his kite.

"Look, I can do it backwards!"

It was quite mesmerizing.

Apparently Arwyn has some amazing trick kite flying skills, and she wasn't afraid to show them off a little today! Backwards, sitting, and even lying down?!? You go girl!

I think her nickname for the day was "Sand Girl."

Leia's been trying to fly a kite in Tahoe, but the days we tried weren't great conditions. She made due. Now that we had wind, it was like a whole new sport!

Apparently there was a kite flying contest going on today, because Leia wasn't about to let her sister one-up her with that skill. Dancing, spinning, treasure hunting, and low-flying recoveries...all while keeping that kite floating in the sky! My girls have some mad kite skills!

Sand turtle!

Watch out for Leia when she's got her camera...that artistic eye likes to document just about everything (I guess she takes after her mom;) )

Say cheese.

Stroller buddies!

Carter had the honors of escorting Princess Leia in her coach today.

Pretty views at the Safari Park Zoo.

Trying to take a family photo, but Arwyn fell off the wall!

At least it was a good way to make everyone laugh and smile!

Monkey see, monkey do!

Cutie pies.

We liked the water fall...shady and misty!

Cousin love!

Jordan and Poppy.

The kids were totally infatuated with the dance performance that was going on next to our lunch spot.

We saw some neat international dance routines.

Arwyn was totally mesmerized by the international dancers that were performing while we ate lunch. Her body just wanted to boogie like them, and just kept grooving to the music.

Big smiles from Emmett when it's Carousel time!

Taming the tiger!

Arwyn definitely loves a good Carousel ride.

Carter was such a good sport to accompany his cousins on all their adventures.

Checking out the Gorillas.

Don't mess with this big guy!

Relaxing in the shade.

Nope, even Josh is not quite as big as a Gorilla!

As tall as she is, she is not up to Gorilla sizes yet!

Nope, not even close there, Miss Arwyn!

Good thing you are a fast runner, Carter, because I think that's your best bet if you encounter a gorilla!

Leia has a Lemur tail!

Time to cool off at the splash pad!

Waiting with Nana and Poppy to watch the Cheetah run.

Ah yes, the cool water was very rejuvenating for Arwyn.

Yep, Cheetah's run fast. Thats the only picture I got.

Great way to finish off a long hot day...on a seated safari tour!

These animals definitely had a nice place to live.

Emmett was a happy camper!

I don't remember all the exact animal types, but we did get pretty close.

Tired but interested.

Sister snuggles.

Leia loves it when Arwyn lets her take care of her.

Our silly Daddy.

Relaxing on the hillside.

Watch out for those Rhinos!

Giraffes.

Arwyn the Safari Hunter, loved her new binoculars!

She walked all the way back to the car hunting for animals.

Zonked out!

We decided on a mellow independence day, enjoying activities around the homestead.

Arwyn, showing off her patriotism and her scooter skills!

Like daughter, like father.

Beautiful view of the estuary from the driveway of our rental in Del Mar.

Josh modeling his new safari hat.

Leia didn't like the extra competition from her talented parents, so she took matters into her own hand and hijacked our scooter! Marched it right off the race track and hid it in the house. And she did such a good job of hiding it that we ended up forgetting it in San Diego!