Spring Break - Day 8

The Aussie family wanted to go to Knots Berry Farm and we opted out of that trip as it is full of rides neither myself or Ava could have ridden and I didn't want every activity we did to be an amusement park.  While they went off to do more roller coasters, we went to the San Diego Zoo.
Apparently, the rest of SoCal had the same idea.  We had the hardest time finding parking and then once in the zoo, there were so many people, it was hard to get anywhere.  Plus, that zoo is ridiculously large and hilly.  I don't think I would ever go back after having much better experiences  at our own DC zoo which also happens to be free.
The problem I had at the San Diego Zoo was that they have tried so hard to make the exhibits really big for the animals but they seem to be really hard to navigate so we never got to see some of the animals we wanted to because of the layout of the zoo.  It was very frustrating and I didn't have the energy to try harder.  Plus the girls got tired as well and were frustrated at the fact that we kept finding ourselves where we didn't want to be.  What we did see, we enjoyed but I think we will stick to our zoo from now on!

After we made it back to Temecula, we went to have dinner at Claim Jumper and we took our friends, The Slussers with us so we could treat them to a night out as a thank you for all they had done for us.  We had fun being together, but unfortunately, the restaurant experience wasn't good.  It was shame because I like that restaurant and I only get to go when I am in Cali and it is rare I make the trip...

Spring Break - Day 7

We decided to go back to Disneyland for our final day doing Disney because there had been more people and we hadn't been able to ride all the rides we had wanted to ride.  We also hadn't had a chance to drink (or is it eat?) a pineapple whip and we needed to do that. 
Our Aussie family only lasted until about 3 PM that day, the travel having caught up to them but we stayed until late because there were a lot of rides my girls wanted to do. 
Did I mention that Emily did it once again and armed us with another full cooler of goodies?

Spring Break - Day 6

Our next Disney adventure took us to California Adventure.  They didn't have this park when I was in California when I was 12 and visited Disney so this was a new experience for me as well.  Again, we got a custom packed lunch courtesy of Emily and the girls wanted to wear their new hats which I thought was a fun idea. 
It was hard being pregnant and not being able to ride some of the rides.  I love roller-coasters, the faster and scarier, the better.  I was a bit sad at times when everyone else was going that I couldn't join in but I knew that the next time I was there I would be able to do it. 
One ride I was able to ride that I don't think I will ever do again was the Ferris wheel.  Generally, I don't mind the Ferris wheel but this one had cars on it that moved and rocked as the wheel turned.  There weren't even seat belts on it and it seriously scared me.  I rode on it with the kids who wanted to ride in the moving car - including Ava.  I think we were all scared to death.  From now on, I will only ride Ferris wheels in a more stationary car. 
My poor ankles after being on my feet all day and the heat were so swollen.  It was OK because it was worth it. 

Spring Break - Day 5

After four beautiful and fun filled days in SoCal, we got to finally meet up with the Australian family at the happiest place on earth - the original Disneyland.  The girls couldn't wait and Ava was excited to see Mickey Mouse as she loves him. 
Emily was the worlds biggest help and sweetie when she packed us a cooler full of food, drinks and snacks so we wouldn't have to spend so much money on food in the park and it is awesome that they let you bring it in with you.  It saved us so much time and money as we chose to eat while standing in line for rides.  That meant we didn't have to stand in line for food and had something to do while we were waiting.  She also lent me her stroller so I didn't have to carry things and so when Ava got tired, she had a place to rest.  For a woman who was 6 months pregnant, these thigns were lifesavers and made the trip more bearable.
Seeing our family at the park was so sweet.  They had just arrived the afternoon before so they were a bit jet lagged but they were happy to see us and we rode some rides together before they got exhausted and went back to the hotel for much needed sleep. 
We lasted until about 9 PM and got to see the fireworks.  I got the girls their only souvenir from the park, which was the Minnie Mouse hat with their names on it.