First Day in San Diego

We made it to San Diego. The first part of our trip is 30 mins north in Carlsbad, where Legoland is. We paid for a partial ocean view and got what we think is a full ocean view.

The kids did well on the plane, although it was a long process to get through all the various queues one experiences during travel. We tried having a nice dinner at a Mexican restaurant, but the kids were tired of sitting still so we had to wrap it up quickly.

The sun sets around 6:15pm, just a bit earlier than at home. It's light around 6:00am though.

It's raining today and the forecast indicates it will rain for another two days. It's more of a mist but gets heavier every once in awhile. We did some shopping this morning at Target and found a bunch of Minecraft t-shirts for Bobs.

Then we went to the outlet shops but it was raining too hard to really enjoy it, so after buying some shoes and sandals for the kids, we got back to the hotel where people were still enjoying their continental breakfast at 10:50am. There are a few other kids here running around playing nicky nicky nine doors.

Tomorrow we have pre purchased tickets for Legoland, which is too bad because of the rain, but it looks like they have an indoor aquarium so we start there. The tickets allow us to return a 2nd day for free within 9 days, so we can chose a sunnier day next week if we need to.

Bobs' Kindergarten Class

Bobs' kindergarten class got special props for always bringing in the most sandwiches for sandwiches day, per capita. Three times in a row, they have won a pizza party. They gave their third win to a grade 2 class across the hall because they were tired of winning!

They bring loaves of bread from sandwiches made at home ahead of time to donate to the Drop In Centre. St. Michael's church volunteers pick up the sandwiches and bring them downtown once a month on a friday so the working poor can take a lunch with them.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Family Long Weekend

We took off for the cabin on saturday for two nights. We arrived at 3:00 and it took a few hours to warm up. When we get there, it is usually -5 inside and takes about an hour for every 3 degrees to heat up.

Mads got to have some special mini cereal boxes as a cabin/camping only special.

Bobs spent a lot of time on the ipad, so we had to get him outside the next day doing nature things.

We checked out the nearby ski hill. The kids have never downhill ski'd before, but I imagine next year or the following, they will hopefully enjoy it.

This place is small and has only two t-bars as far as I noticed. It seems perfect for kids.

The name Medicine Lodge - no relation to Medicine Hat. Our cabin is closer to Red Deer.

We did our usual swim drop in at the Sylvan Lake pool and had lunch at Beach Burgers beforehand.

This is the first weekend in awhile where the weather outside is tolerable.

The snow is packed down and much easier to walk and sled on, so we walked over to the lake and watched the snowmobilers and ice fishers enjoying their winter.

I am standing on this ice here, taking a photo of the playground and community where our cabin is.

This is the beach that I envision laying on as the high noon sun shines on me in mid July.

Who is coming to the cabin with us next time?

Photobooth

Preschool Fundraising Winter Festival

The boys had a sleepover the other night and did this set up by themselves.

On saturday, it was the annual winter festival for Mads' preschool. All parents had to contribute to the bake sale. I am horrible at baking so I made Valentine's Cupcake Popcorn. Soooo not good for you!

There was a magician, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, and some outdoor activities.

Some of our neighbours were able to come as well. It is quite cold outside, so we did mostly indoor things.

We didn't skate or sled, but we had some S'mores.

Swimming and Bow Habitat Station

The boys have swimming lessons every thursday afternoon and are still in the same class.

On saturday, we went to the Bow Habitat Station near Inglewood. Mads has been there last year for a birthday party. Daddy and Bobs have never been and quite liked it.

We learned that there are only about 800 lakes with fish in them in Alberta. And without fish hatcheries, the fish supply would be rather depleted. Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, have around 2 - 5 anglers per lake. In Alberta we have 320 anglers per lake.

At first, Bobs said he was bored, but then he got really interested, the further we got into our tour.

They got to feed the rainbow trout.

The station was damaged during the flood and the fish had to be moved to the Cold Lake hatchery. Half of the fish from the Bow hatchery were lost ( maybe they went into the Bow River prematurely? )