Happy 30th Birthday Susie!

Today Susie turns 30.

Which means 30 years ago a little baby was born. She grew up with an older sister. She played trombone and sang and in high school was a drum major. She went on to get a few college degrees (one from Illinois and two from Harvard). She moved to Boston. Traveled the world and became an aunt. Now she's 30 and living the dream with the job she wants (Dean of Students), great friends, and having tons of fun!












































Welcome to your thirties! Happy Birthday Susie!

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Grandma and Grandpa Harrer visit!

After a quick jaunt down the California coast (with a quick out stop and lunch in Santa Barbara) Grandma and Grandpa Harrer arrived last Friday to spend a few days with us. Almost as soon as they arrived we headed out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant.

Saturday we packed up early and headed downtown on the train (yes, we took public transit in Los Angeles! I know!! I was a little conflicted myself...as a native SoCal kid it was weird, uncomfortable, and unnatural not to be driving. But as a former Bostonite it was totally normal to haul the kids on the train to go downtown!). It was remarkably easy and the Gold Line (runs from Pasadena to Union Station) was nice. The train ride would have been enough for Ellie, however, once we arrived at Union Station the fun began. We got to play tourist in LA.






We headed first to Oliveria Streer and to the adobe (oldest house in Los Angeles) for some history lessons and cultural experience. The adobe was really nice, complete with a giant cactus and historic furniture. Ellie was interested in the kitchen as well as the kids bedroom.











We then hoofed it past City Hall and to Grand Park. The whole time Ellie was singing "nobody walks in LA". It was humorous. Cal and I took the long way through Grand Park as we couldn't go straight up the stairs.









Once we reached the top of the hill we all got a close look at the Disney Concert Hall, which Ellie declared was not her favorite architecture. She said the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was better looking. I said that both have a place in architectural history. She became bored with my architectural commentary and started to sing again.






We made our way to the Central Market for lunch where after the miles we had walked everyone was happy to sit down and enjoy good food. After lunch Ellie, Cal and I navigated out way home via the trains (Red Line to the Gold Line) and Nick and his parents made their way to Staples Center for the 'Hawks vs Kings game.



Sunday was complete with a quick tour of Old Town Pasadena and lunch. Then we headed to Yogurtland so Ellie could show off her latest obsession.

Monday Nick, Ellie, Cal and I went to a party for one of Nicks friends and coworkers who is leaving but spent the late afternoon and dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. Ellie was very keen to show off her new baseball playing skills and insisted everyone partake in numerous games all weekend. She also showed off her bike riding and scooter skills. Her grandparents were very agreeable to play with her anything from princesses, to baseball, to Playmobil, to drawing and coloring.



Tuesday was special as Ellies school had an Open House. The open house was intended for the kids to show their parents their work and what a typical day is like. Grandma and Grandpa Harrer got to come with us and see all that Ellie had learned and what she is working on. She showed off her reading, writing, and math skills impressing all of us.














After the Open House though it was time for the requisite good-bye photos. Although we are sad to say goodby to Grandma and Grandpa Harrer we all had a lot of fun while they were here. And although Cal slept for most of their visit (allowing us to do quite a few fun things) he did share some of his giant smiles and laughs with his grandparents.










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Legoland!

A couple weeks ago all four of us headed down to Legoland located in Carlsbad, California. Nick had some complimentary passes for the park (not the water park though) and so we drove down on a Friday afternoon, spent the night at the hotel, and spent Saturday at the park.

Our hotel room was awesome. Exactly the kind if room you would want at Legoland. Lego models all throughout the room and there was a set of Legos that could be played with during the stay. Our room was themed "kingdom". There were two distinct zones, the kid side or the room (bunk beds, TV) and the adult side (queen bed, TV, desk) and a shared bathroom. Nick and Ellie slept in the bunk beds (Ellie took the top) and Cal had a crib. We ate dinner in the hotel restaurant and then went swimming. The pool wasn't super exciting, but it was perfect for Ellie.


























































































The hotel was full or activities for kids. There were model making competitions, shows...not that we participated in, but they had a scavenger hunt that we did do. The kids had to hunt around the hotel for answers (all numbers) to unlock a chest in the hotel room. Inside the chest was some mini-model sets for Ellie to play with and take home.








Cal immediately loved the hotel. The bold colors and large decorations were super exciting to him. When we arrived he was hungry and had a very wet diaper so he was naturally VERY fussy. However, as soon as we walked into the lobby he calmed down, smiled, and forgot all his troubles. He was constantly looking around and stimulated by everything.




























Saturday morning, the park didn't open till 10am, but since we stayed at the hotel we got in 30 minutes early. We ate breakfast at the hotel (included) and then played in the hotel lobby until it was time to go into the park.












































Having never been to Legoland we had not idea where to start or what the rides were like. We had done a bit of homework and learned that Ellie was tall enough for ALL the rides, so she was very excited. We also knew that there were quite a few water rides that we weren't sure we wanted to do given that it wasn't supposed to be that hot. We headed first for the ride that we had read usually had the longest wait times right away, and pretty much walked on. Then we headed for a roller coaster, that unfortunately broke down while Nick and Ellie were in line, but we got a pass to jump the line for any ride in the park.

























Cal hung out in the stroller all morning (not napping at all, as he was too excited by everything). Then he spent the afternoon in the carrier. He was able to go on two rides, both bait rides, and he slept through both. When he was awake he was totally stimulated by everything in the park once again and was a very happy little boy.
























Something that was nice was that Legoland has a parent switch program. A parent and a kid can wait in line and ride the ride, then the parents swap and the kid gets to ride the ride twice...if there is a younger kid that can't ride the ride. This was nice so that all three of us (that can completely hold our heads up) all got to ride the rides and Ellie got to go twice!


















Ellie rode some pretty big roller coasters. She enjoyed all the rides and we stood in line (or used our pass) for the big roller coasters more than once. She really loves a thrill ride! You'll see Nick and Ellie both screaming in the photo below (Nick wore orange) on the BIG drop on the coaster.












Of course since it was Legoland we took some time to make some Lego models. They had an area where you could make, test, and race cars. Nick and Ellie made a model and had fun doing it.
























And of course there was quite a bit dedicated to The Lego Movie. Ellie met Emmit, the main character. In addition they had portions of the actual movie set at the park and you could walk around it and look at the models. It was pretty cool.


















My favorite part was seeing the models of landmark buildings, cities, busts, and Star Wars cities/lands. I love seeing how little bricks if plastic can be combined into scale models of recognizable things. Ellie enjoyed them as well, although she didn't recognize many of the things...need to travel more and show her the country and world!
















































We didn't see everything or ride every ride at Legoland. But we definitely will be back, when Cal is a little older and can go on more rides. But we had a great time and enjoyed our days at Legoland resort. The hotel was awesome and I'm glad we stayed the night.