SoCal Part 1: Legoland

We used the school vacation/UEA Conference to go visit our dear friends the Jagers in SoCal last weekend (and we would visit and say that about them even if they didn't live so close to Laguna . . . really we would!). The trip was a success from the moment we stepped on the airplane. Alden, who is steeped in all things Star Wars, was fascinated by the airplane. He insisted on the window seat, and watched every second of the takeoff ("Dad, this is the fastest plane ever!").

For 45 minutes he made not a peep, staring out his window. Then he gently nudged me on the arm, and said, "Dad, to you want to watch the wing with me?" How wonderful it is to vicariously see the world with four year old eyes again, and remember what an amazing miracle it is just to fly.

Aldy is also a certified Lego and Star Wars fanatic, so first stop had to be Legoland. We had never been there before, and I must say, if you have kids between 3 and 9, it is a riot. Just look at what greeted Alden at the entrance:

Can you say "nirvana?" Even his cheesy, I am posing grin can't hide the happy little boy he was.

The trip was filled with firsts, including first fake car drive (below) and first roller coaster ride (above). After the roller coaster, he said "Mom, that first one was just a LITTLE bit steep." You should magnify the picture and look at his face. Priceless.

The real hit of the trip, though, was the water park. We had been warned to take a change of clothes, and it was a good thing we did. The kids played for hours. Here are a few photos.

After the water park, we made a symbolic visit to the old homestead. Still can't believe that whole thing is made of lego.

A few calmer rides and long walks later, we were done, but not without a good farewell to Bob and Albert.

We finished of the day with a trip to California Pizza Kitchen, where Keegan dug into everything with gusto. After eating a bite of their artichoke spinach dip, almost the whole restaurant heard him exclaim, "Ooh, I love that! I love eating. Eating is very fun!" A while later, he said of the pizza "That was tasty!" Now there is a little man after my own heart.

Still to come: Sea World and Laguna.