California Days

Last days in California, we will be sad to go and especially sad to be leaving Jim, Dina, James and Mikayla. It is always so hard to be so many miles from dear friends.

Cabrillo beach, us around the corner from Dina's place.

We spent time on the beach. The kids could run out their energy. We planned to walk, but each visit the kids managed to immerse themselves in the freezing sea, the fist afternoon while fully clothed!. It was lovely to realise that this is the same ocean which licks our shores back home.







Day two at least the kids managed to wait until they had swim gear on...the lure of the ocean can be overwhelming.



Cabrillo Aquarium, a brilliant, hands on educatioal aquarium with clever displays and wonderful exhibits. It was just a short walk from Jim and Dina's place.










And that night we hopped on a plane home. The kids were happy to be back but miss all the family and friends they connected with. We really felt the distance! Sequoia still isn't sleeping a week later but we hope she'll settle soon (or we will have to become nomads). Jasper is back at preschool which he has settled into quickly and life is beetling on - winter days and runny noses already gracing us!

Familiar and new toys allowed to be played with at last...





Txx

Disneyland and California Adventure

A huge park, where do we start...



We all had so much fun. Jasper's highlight of disneyland was meeting Tigger, Eyore and Pooh. He bounced to tigger and gave him a hUGE high five, and gave Eyeore such a giant cuddle. he didn't want to leave, he could have chatted and chatted with them!!




We had family pics together and sequoia was a bit wary but J couldn't wipe the smile off his face!




We all tried loads of different rides. Jasper drove daddy around in a car...



Dina and James drove by as well!



James and Mikayla are seasoned riders!


J and I had some fun rides.


So did daddy.


Here Sequoia is enjoying the wait for the fantastic Pirates of the Carribean ride, with amazing anamatronics of very lifelike scenes from the movies.


Dina took Jasper and James on the train ride i the v.cool last carriage, they were very impressed!


Jim with Sequoia.


The kids had these great faces on so many rides, here they are fascinated by fairytale lnd where all of the major fairytales have been made into landscapes and you ride on a boat past them, goldilocks, Alice in Wonderland, Gupetto's workshop...


The lion king in the parade. Sequoia waved and clapped spontaneously as each float came by. She thought it was all so amazing, those little neurons were firing fast that day!

Best view of the parade.



Jasper, Mikayla and James in Mickey's house.





We stayed until the kids fell asleep during the fireworks at the end of the day!




After a rest day on Saturday, we spent Sunday at Disneyland's sistr park, just next door, 'California Adventure'.














Jasper was so excited as the Cars from the Cars movie were going to be in the parade. He saw his first puppet/stage show which was a huge hit.
Here he is watching the show.


Characters from Monsters Inc.


And went on a heap of rides.



Sequoia had a great time too and had her fair share of rides - as well as her fair share of napping!




Jim and James on a ride.


The light parade at the end of the day was wonderful and all the kids thought it was fantastic, Sequoia included.