San Diego Getaway: Lucha Libre & Balboa Park

After our hikes we went to Lucha Libre for an early lunch.  We arrived less than ten minutes past eleven o’clock, but there was already a line out the door.  I wonder what percentage their business went up after being featured on Man v. Food?  I didn’t see that episode, but I used to enjoy that show when we had cable. 

The décor is *interesting*; a Mexican wrestling theme.  Let’s just say it would fit right in on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley. 

This booth must be reserved.

I knew what I wanted to order: two Surfin’ California burritos ($7.25 each).  They contain steak, shrimp, avocados, french fries and a special sauce.  That is a lot of goodness wrapped in one tortilla!

Bathroom shot…

Next we went to Balboa Park to check out the Natural History Museum and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.  We were able to use our Discovery Science Museum passes to obtain free admission to both—another score!

First up was the Natural History Museum, aka theNAT.  The two special exhibits were about chocolate and horses.  The kids enjoyed the play area set up with tents.

Isn’t that soft campfire so cute?

Chocolate gift shop.

Cacao tree—the whole exhibit smelled like chocolate!

Right across the way is the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

This museum didn’t take us very long to explore.  As D noted, a lot of kids’ museums have the same types of exhibits.  I’m sure the IMAX movies are cool, but we didn’t pay extra—I think it may have been too much for the kids anyway.  Both museums provided some educational entertainment, but I’m glad we didn’t pay full price for them.

“Let the little children come unto me.”  There was a series of scenes depicting Jesus’ life in the Organ Pavilion. 

Balboa Park is amazing for what it is.  A vast park in the middle of an urban landscape with grand architecture, museums, cafes and open space.  Visiting made us daydream about whether the Great Park in Irvine will ever realize its full potential. 

San Diego Getaway: Torrey Pines

For our last hurrah of 2012 we went to San Diego for an overnight trip.  Our first stop was Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.  This place holds special memories for D and me because it is where D proposed just about 10 years ago.  We hadn’t been back since, so it was nice to return with k and n.  We were also able to use one of our state park parking passes, which saved us about $10 (normally $15)—score! 

There were a lot of people enjoying the nice weather and getting some exercise in the great outdoors.  On the advice of the park ranger, we went on the Razor Point trail and Guy Fleming trail, both of which she recommended for kids.

 

Torrey Pines—the rarest type of pine tree in the United States, according to the sign by the visitor center. 

Did you notice k has bangs now? 

These are agave, aka century plants, according to the person D asked on the trail.  She seemed quite knowledgeable and eager to share on the topic, so we’re trusting she’s correct. 

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Breakfast: Raspberry Soup and Bacon-Cheese Pull-Aparts.

Found this wrapping paper idea, using a Trader Joe’s paper bag, on Pinterest.

The kids didn’t wake up too early Christmas morning.  May have been because they were tired from our trip to Knott’s Berry Farm the day before (post coming).

 

D was a *little* excited about his Johnston & Murphy shoes from his parents-haha.

Dinner was at my parents house; Uncle Kevin made prime rib and popovers.  Yum!

She’s 6!

Life has been busy, hence the lack of blogging.  However, D did note that this year was record-breaking in terms of number of posts, so that is an accomplishment. 

Last Saturday we hosted a Hello Kitty-themed birthday party for k, along with 11 of her friends from church and school.  It was fun, but tiring.  Our house is just starting to recover from all of the merriment.  Ah, the joys of having a birthday in December!

One of the activities was to have the girls decorate graham cracker gingerbread houses.  I pre-assembled the houses beforehand.  (Hint: microwave the graham crackers for about 12 seconds to soften up before cutting.  One more hint: make a few extra because there are bound to be cave-ins/accidents). 

We also made bracelets and HK tattoos:

For lunch we had Chick Fil A nuggets and tater tots.  My mom made cupcakes with HK lip gloss rings I found at Party City.

On k’s actual birthday we took a few pictures before she went to school.

On another note, every year I try to plan advent activities for every day of December leading up to Christmas.  Every year I inevitably run out of steam/creativity and do not fill up the entire month.  Tonight, I promised the kids that I would try to do better next year, and k said, “You mean when I’m 7?”  That comment made D and me so sad, because although true, it seems impossible…we really do need to cherish these passing years. 

The Science of Gingerbread

One of the reasons I wanted to get the Discovery Science Museum pass is because I have always wanted to see the Science of Gingerbread exhibit.  Usually there is a giant inflatable gingerbread man on top of the museum during the exhibit, but it is not there this year.  However, the exhibit is still going on, so we went on Sunday to check it out. 

There is a gingerbread house contest and I was surprised at how many entries were displayed.

Where does the science come in?  One of the friendly employees guided k and n through a quiz about ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.  They glued some of each spice.  When you smell them all together it was supposed to smell like gingerbread.

Of course, they were more interested in decorating a cookie.

There was also a visit with Santa…

…and Bob the Builder.

There is an interactive grocery store on the second floor, which I don’t think I’ve documented before.

And no trip to the DSC would be complete without lying on the bed of nails!