Disneyland . . . Over

I was bummed when it was over, but so it goes.  Every vacation must end. 

We cleaned up, packed up, and loaded up.  All checked out and back in the car, we said goodbye to Mom / Grandma.  She got on the airport shuttle and we headed off for another adventure. 

From Anaheim, we went to Santa Monica.  I'm sure glad Dad was driving!  Our stop was at the Santa Monica Pier.  The boys were so excited!  There was a beach, rides, games, and so much to see!

We walked along the pier, looking at the souvenirs and craftspeople.  We walked all the way to the end of the pier.  We saw people fishing . . .  Okay, lame joke time.  Dad said "Somebody kicked the bucket" . . . I'm thinking "OMG, there's a dead person here?  We're leaving" . . . But, no.  There was a bucket floating in the water off the end of the pier. 

I thought it would be fun to ride the Ferris Wheel, but there would be no way that Z would do it.  What's the one kid ride that we didn't get to go on?  The bumper cars.  Once we got out of line because of the age restrictions, then it broke down . . .  So we got tickets to let the boys ride bumper cars on the pier.  When that was over, we decided to play a game, too.  Whack-a-mole it was.  And I did.  I guess it doesn't matter who won, because it was only the three of us playing. . . But there was a big stuffed dog at the end.  What do you do with one stuffed dog and two kids?  Well, someone has a fit, obviously.  But it really wasn't fair, so I gave in and we all played again.  So both boys have a stuffed dog from the Santa Monica pier.  No shot glasses, no magnets.  Just a few pictures and two stuffed dogs. 

One other highlight before we got in the car:  the birds.  No, they didn't sh*t on us . . . but the boys got such a high out of chasing them, it was hilarious.  Like they've never seen a bird before?  Or it's just so exciting to run straight at one until it makes a noise and flies away.  It was time to stop because people were looking at us like weirdos whose kids have never seen a bird before. 

Back in the car.  Next stop:  Oxnard, since it's on the way.  We were going to see K, S, and their kids.  I had wanted to visit some of my San Diego friends, thinking it was perfect.  Disneyland is only three hours away.  We weren't going an extra three hours.  But what timing, that K&S had just moved. 

Janis, do you have directions?  Sure, right here.  Okay, call her and let her know we're on our way.  Um, oops.  Had to get creative with that one. . . . and then tell the boys!