Thursday, April 30, 2009

Scripps Aquarium

After the swim meet we went to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. They have some cool fountains out front, but no kids play in these.
That is the mom whale leaping out of the sidewalk.

Make a wish...

Mine did throw pennies in it, trying to get them on the tail.

"CHEESE"A rare photo with me in it too.

In the shark cage. The Aquarium has lots of interesting fish, and I'll post some pictures of them tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Water boy

CJ had another swim meet last Sunday. He swam in the backstroke, the breast stroke and the freestyle.






We still need to get all his times, but he did improve his backstroke by 10 seconds. Great job CJ!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Cooling off

The fountain at Balboa Park is a great place for cooling off your toes, or your whole body. I just sat and watched. My kids would have been in there too, but this was a Mom's Day Out and they got left at home. Luckily there were lots of other people's kids for me to take pictures of.






Most kids love getting wet, and it's hard to keep them out of the water. But there were a couple who weren't too crazy about getting wet, even on a warm day. Especially when dad was trying to help...

Monday, April 27, 2009

Roses

The rose garden at Balboa Park is a favorite place of mine to go shoot flowers. There are so many different colors of roses there that it's hard for me to pick a favorite one.

Watch where you stick your nose though!

Red roses are the traditional symbol for love and romance, and a time-honored way to say "I love you." The red rose has long symbolized beauty and perfection. A bouquet of red roses is the perfect way to express your deep feelings for someone special.

As a symbol of grace and elegance, the pink rose is often given as an expression of admiration. Pink roses can also convey appreciation as well as joyfulness. Pink rose bouquets often impart a gentler meaning than their red counterparts.

With their blazing energy, orange roses are the embodiment of desire and enthusiasm. Orange roses often symbolize passion and excitement and are an expression of fervent romance. A bouquet of orange roses will send a meaningful message.
The bright, sunny color of yellow roses evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness. The warm feelings associated with the yellow rose are often akin to those shared with a true friend. As such, the yellow rose is an ideal symbol for joy and friendship.
Yellow roses have a special place in the hearts of Texans too, and I think of my childhood home when I see a yellow rose.
Originally conceived as a folksong in early Colonial Texas history, the first recorded copy of the "Yellow Rose of Texas" was handwritten on a piece of plain paper circa 1836. Historical records indicate this copy was most probably transcribed either shortly before or just after General Sam Houston lead his brigade of Texas loyalists against the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.The folksong's lyrics tell of a black American (presumably a soldier) who left his sweetheart (a "yellow rose") and yearns to return to her side.
There's a yellow rose in Texas
That I am a going to see
No other darky knows her
No one only me
She cryed so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We nevermore will part

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Balboa flowers

A few of the flowers I found while walking around Balboa Park. They are all so beautiful.





Saturday, April 25, 2009

Making a Living

Or at least supplementing the paycheck from the weekly job. On a recent trip to Balboa Park I found these people entertaining us, and hoping to make a buck or two in the process.

Not sure if I would have my palm read. I don't want to know my future, or what someone makes up about my future.

This guy was a very entertaining magician, and did some really cool tricks. I did give him a couple dollars as he was good.

This Sax player is a regular at Balboa Park. I see him just about every tme I go. He's pretty good too.

Then there were the brides. I saw four in the few hours I was there. Three were having their photos taken, and one was actually getting married.

They already had photographers, or I would have volunteered. Not quite ready or willing to take that on though!

Friday, April 24, 2009

A little bit of pampering

Ahhhh, don't you just love getting pampered? I do. And so does Katie. We went out for a mommy & me day at my hair salon, and had our hair done.



After that we had dinner together, just us two girls. She chose Pat & Oscars for the breadsticks. It was a nice day that us girls got to spend together.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Birthday presents

Along with my GPS, I got a Victoria's Secret gift card, some money I've already spent on jewelry from Brighton, and lots of cards for my birthday. I also had a wonderful surprise on my way out the door. Just wish we weren't running late heading off to school so I could have gotten a picture of it. My friend Pam confettied my front porch, and left the cutest cookie jar filled with yummy treats and colorful flowers in a matching vase.
After the kids got home from school they made a new wall plaque for my kitchen. CJ is a whiz at Legos and now I'm the proud owner of one of his creations.


I have the best family and friends! Love you guys!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Wait Up!

While we are on our hikes, I try not to stop and take photos of things along the way, but sometimes I just can't help it. Katie will occasionally stay with me, but the boys don't. Waiting around for me while I get that perfect shot just isn't in their plans. Then I have to catch up to the group because they just don't wait. That's ok though, I don't mind.


See what I mean? The boys are small little dots.

But they also miss some pretty things, like the yucca in fool bloom,

sunflowers soaking up the sun,

a charred fence post trying real hard to keep standing.

or a grave stone documenting the lives of people. Katie and I were left wondering when these people lived and how they were related to each other. Maybe we'll have to do a little bit of research to find out. But then again, maybe we'll just hit another trail somewhere else and see what we can find there.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Rusty Hunk

No, this isn't the Rusty Hunk, although he is a hunk. Especially after carrying the dog for much of the hike. Glad we brought the 6 pound dog instead of the 50 pound one! The ground was too hot for the little guy's feet. He really was a hot dog!

We continued up the hill to find a geocache called RS Rusty Hunk. We're close!

Katie found it! It's an old car of some sort, abandoned along an old jeep trail that now looks impassable by anything with wheels.

Do you see the cache?

Katie is pointing to it. It's a magnetic Altoid tin. Inside was the log and a pencil, along with a Geocoin. They have a number you can register on Geocaching.com to track where all it goes. We took it and will plant it in another geocache somewhere else.
Katie is modeling the geocoin for you. She could be the next Vanna White!