Torrey Pines not-so-hike

On what was a beautiful, sunny day down by us, we thought it a great day for a hike. Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea to hike Torrey Pines and it was super foggy and overcast so was quite cold. 

So we attempted the hike and had to start down along the beach which was fine by us because we actually found parking. But the kids weren't digging it. Thankfully Kyle and Emily find great joy in playing with the ocean by throwing rocks in and then running from the incoming water. So we did what we could and then headed back home where it was warmer. 

Balloon parade

San Diego has an annual balloon parade after Christmas as part of the bowl game they host here. Being the first time we've ever been here at this time, we checked it out. Plus it was just a bike ride away along the harbor. It was a beautiful day for it too. Reasonably warm - about 75 - and clear skies. We biked the 4 miles along the harbor to get to the parade and it was a perfect way to get there. Apparently there were over 100,000 spectators. 

Afterwards there was a little family fest set up. It was really just a bunch of vendors with a few little carnival games for the kids. They got a monkey and butterfly tattoo and got to throw football at a target. Oh and the scariest bounce house ever - it was unmanned so it was jam packed with kids. Too many kids at once. Needless to say the kids got out fast. 


We finished up with some lunch on the harbor and an ice cream cone. The ice cream was a nice treat and a good unspoken bribe to have a fuss free 4 mile ride back home. We made the 4 miles there just fine, but another 4 could put them over the edge. But Kyle & Emily were great. Not a single complaint. But for the first time, Kyle admitted his legs were tired when we were 3 blocks from home. Not bad for a 5 year old! 

New room

In preparation for their baby brother's arrival, we did some musical beds and rooms. Kyle and Emly have been sleeping in their crib beds converted to regular beds for some time. But with the baby coming, we want to turn one back into a crib. So with 2 spare queen beds in the house, we decided it easiest to put Kyle and Emily on those beds. And we put them both in the same room. So they now have mattress room for their bedroom. Needless to say the beds are huge for them, but they are loving it so far. They were pretty giddy with excitement with the change. And what kid wouldn't like mattress room... 

Kyle's mount onto the bed: 

Bed to bed:

Of course after taking these videos (which Kyle didn't want me to take and doesn't think I took), I reminded him that he should not be doing flips onto, between or on the beds.

"The penthouse" is no longer a bed room, but a playroom. The toys from the side room could no longer fit so they are now a little play area. Sorry Spike. 

Hanukkah

Hanukkah coincided with Christmas this year - starting the 20th and going until the 28th. A very festive time of year to say the least!

Kyle and Emily saying the Hanukkah prayer:

Christmas

This was our first Christmas in San Diego. On Christmas Eve, we made a great dinner - crab with the same sauce they serve at Joe's Stone Crab (yummmmm!) which we made, roasted potatoes and cilantro butter corn. Simple, but delicious. 

Following our fest, we went out to Garrison Street to see their amazing holiday light display again. Apparently we weren't the only ones in San Diego with that same idea. But alas, it was fun. They sure pull out all the stops on Christmas there!

Christmas Day morning. Thankfully the kids don't know to wake up at 5 or 6am to see what is under the tree. They woke after 8 and then came to get us. I'm sure our time is coming for an early Christmas wake-up! 

Elves

My little elves helping to stamp envelopes! Wahoo for elves in the workshop!

Ice skating adventure

Today, the kids and I went downtown with our friends for an ice skating adventure. Horton Plaza puts up an ice rink for the holidays. Nothing like ice skating when it's 70 degrees out! The kids loved it despite the water puddles dotting the 'ice'. We took the trolley down for some added fun (and missing out on parking in a mall during the holidays). 

Kyle, Emily & Dax on the trolley

Little ice skating Emmy

Kyle getting some ice skating help. Since I couldn't go on the ice, the ice 'officials' were great in helping the kids get their ice skating legs under them. 

Emily skating

Kyle & Emily making their way across the ice

Powerful

The following conversation took place at dinner:

First Jeff and I were jokingly debating something, clearly about who has more influence / power.

Jeff: Who has more power?
Emily: Daddy!
Kyle: No we do!
Jeff (incredulous): Really?!
Kyle (matter of factly): Yea remember this summer in Madison when we made the conditioner appear?! Our powers are stronger.

**I thought I had a post about their magic this summer, but basically they were in the shower and had run out of conditioner. Jeff asked them to hand him the empty bottle and he went to fill it. We only had pink conditioner so when he returned it, he smartly asked Emily what her favorite color was and to say, "abracadabra fill up with our favorite color conditioner." And of course it was pink conditioner!  They were beyond thrilled to have discovered their magical powers! 

Kyle's Holiday Class Party

Kyle's class also had a holiday party before winter break. They had cookie decorating, dreidel games, snowman decorating and a few other activities to rotate among. It was a lot of fun. And a lot of sugar! 

School music program

Kyle and Emily's school put on a music program before letting out for winter vacation. They all gathered to sing some holiday songs together.

Deck the Halls:

Emily is near the bottom center of my screen. She's wearing light blue monkey pajamas (it was pajama day) with a pink headband. When the woman takes a cell phone picture, she obscures Emily, but then moves the phone away and you can see her.

Wish You a Merry Christmas:

Kyle is near the front left (piano). His class is all wearing reindeer antlers. Kyle is wearing a black shirt, but his antlers are near the boy with a yellow feather or antler of sorts. And you will see Emily as well a few rows behind.

Emily snowman song

Emily's class put on a little holiday program for their families the day before school let out for the winter. They sang some songs and then decorated cookies. 

I'm a Little Snowman song: 

Holiday song:

Story time with Spike

Spike was back in Southern California for a ski trip!! Wahoo! And she came down to San Diego to hang out with us for a day. It sure was great to see her! We had Nacho Libre together too! It was great to have a burrito again together.

Kyle and Emily enjoying some Spike bedtime reading

Kyle reading to Spike - Curious George of course!


Emily reading to Spike - and it was a Curious George skiing or sledding story no less!

Peace restored

This video is very boring. But after the previous day we had with meltdown after meltdown, this boring video was perfect. Kyle and Emily were doing their homework and were just happy.

Christmas tree

Since this year marks the first time we have ever been in San Diego for Christmas, we decided to pick out a real tree! So off to Home Depot we went... yes, I know Home Depot is not a Christmas tree farm, but it's what was close and worked for us. 

Somehow we managed to tie our tree to the roof of our car. And amazingly it made it home in one piece!

Jeff and his handy-work!

School awards ceremony

Kyle and Emily's school does a few awards ceremonies throughout the year. This was the first go-round. They both received awards in their classes. 

Kyle's award for reading and writing:


Emily's award for reading and effort:

Kyle next to his best buddy. 

Emily and her award

Showing off their certificates