Childlike-Ness

Caught a Disney on Ice show with the kids, at San Jose. The kids enjoyed and according to Jazz, "Best Show ever!" And that's what she says after every Disney performance.

To me, I'm just glad that the tickets were at a good buy. So much cheaper than watching one in SG. Jare didn't need a ticket, he was still entitled to our lap seat. Savings!

"Under the sea"

Intermission = Snack time

Moments like this compelled me to get the really unhealthy, yet satisfying into our tummies. Popcorn and cotton candy! The best entertainment companions. I was the big one craving for cotton candy.

Sometimes, I feel so clueless about doing the things that doesn't define me at all. I remembered some years ago, while I was still dating the man, I fell asleep at such a similar show. Today, with the inclusion of two little beings, I identified most parts of the show and simply enjoyed watching it with them. It's true that in a part of us, there is a child likeness that doesn't outgrow. The kids sometimes make me feel like a child again! De javu at times. Simply sweet.

My man on the other hand thinks he's getting bored with the classics. It would be more exciting to bring cars and planes on ice!  

Halloween Celebration (I)

It's time of the year when spookiness creeps in again. It's Halloween! Our last experience of the spooky western life, before we head home for the next. 

As a parent, the really exciting part about Halloween is sourcing for child friendly costumes for the little ones. I've been thinking about what costumes to get for the kids, until I realised, it's no more about my preferences, but their choices. I had to bring them along to costume shop. Which of course took more effort to get a perfect fit, because both Mum and child have to agree on the purchase. In any case, it was agreed that Jare will play Sulley from Monster Inc. and Jazz, still much into princesses, will play Rapunzel, which she already has. Phew, savings! And Mummy a boring wonder woman, Daddy a boring superman. Still, the heroes of this family.

Thanks Dank for this pic

It was a fun filled day yesterday. We went for a Halloween celebration organized by the housing committee and after lunch, went church for another round of Halloween Carnival. The kids had fun, and so did we!

Our treat bags!

Sulley and his fire truck

Rapunzel uses slide to get down

With bold parents and timid kids, we walked the haunted house. An in-house production with really good effects and actors. I've never had Jare cling onto me so tightly before, he was terrified! And we walked out with crying kids. What an eerie encounter for them!

Event no. 2

The kids seemed to have forgotten about nap when a day is packed with fun. And since nap was abandoned, we went for another Halloween carnival at church. It was absolutely fun and extremely family friendly, no zombies, no scares and no crying kids. Cute costumes everywhere!

We loved the trunks and treats, where Js went car to car to collect treats with their buckets. It was interesting to see how families do up the trunks of their car with themes! I'm creatively impressed and inspired!

Treat collection from 'Where's Willy'

Luigi from Super Mario!

Interesting car

The kids had unlimited fun at the many game stalls and they loved every part of the challenges. I loved watching their expressions of success and failure. For every little effort, the kids were rewarded with a prize ticket, which accumulated, entitled them to exchange for a prize.

Game time

And I thought the kids must be really drained and exhausted after a day of fun, they proved me wrong by asking for another round of bouncy fun. I admire their source of energy when it comes to fun.

It was a truly awesome day! Heartfelt thanks to all volunteers who availed and put up this excitement for everyone. Awaiting 31st October for more fun...

Universal, Seaworld and shopping!

It takes loads of energy for fun. It wasn't too long ago that we just packed and unpacked from a recent Disney trip. Not soon after settling into the comfort of home, it was the long weekend and we hit the road again. We drove down to Universal Studio, Hollywood and Seaworld, San Diego. The highlight of all, was having shopping in our itinerary. We had a mad time of shopping at Dessert Hills premium outlet. Which according to me, is the best place to shop on Earth.

11 Oct - Universal Studio, Hollywood

It wasn't our first visit, but we don't seem tired of its studio tour. Ever amazing! Jazz could get on more rides this time and we had a pleasant surprise of meeting the minions. So cute! The park was donned to Halloween's theme, with zombies lying all around. It was insane that ET and I cowardly walk through the house of horror, with just our two-sleves. Where did courage go? It was horrifying! Actors and props are of Hollywood standard! 

They are really 'petite'

 

12 Oct - SeaWorld, San Diego 

Also not our first visit, but we had more fun this round because there were different stations in the park for trick or treat. Though only managed to cover 7 out of 10 stations, we had good fun. I joined in for the treat fun, collected so much candies that our Halloween treat supplies have been covered!

My man always think he has 3 children. I agree!

Killer whale. My ever beautiful looking mammal

13 to 14 Oct: After theme parks, we stayed at a beautiful town called palm springs, and while driving from here to our happy shopping destination, we made pit stops with interesting sights.

Wind farms - Natural form of energy generation is found in some parts of the states. And we thought these windmills look beautiful standing just as it is. Decided to stop for a portrait with these hardworking mills.

Windmills are beautiful when gathered

World's Largest Dinosaur - Driving from Palm dessert to LA, it's almost impossible to miss 2 gigantic dinosaurs alongside. We were compelled to stop. Nope, we didn't pay to enter the museum, we were contented with just the outside.

This T-Rex is the same fellow who appeared in the movie, 'Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.' Perfectly alright not to hear of this movie, it was a 1985 film. I suppose, as young as we may be, it's alien to us.

World's largest indeed!

Shopping concludes it all. The most deadly kind of happiness is shopping! It drains money out of us, gradually and surely. I confess, I lost much sanity while shopping. The aftermath is lethal! 

The combined forces of 2 women

And this is what I meant by, happiness comes with a price, a heavy price tag! ET came with 1 luggage, went home with 2. Shopping has a new definition for her. Other than the regret of National Parks being closed, I think we've presented the best of California to ET. Hope you've enjoyed your stay, friend!