Our vacation continues to be awesome, though it will be coming to a close soon. Since my last post, the sun finally came out and we took full advantage of it.
On Tuesday most of us went down to Solvang – a Danish town – as my brother and wife stayed in the room with his daughter, who has the flu. Seth loved seeing windmills and and grandma got him a reverse-windup train. I bought him a lizard that grows to six times its normal size when soaked in water. I have to say, it really is big now.
On Wednesday, Seth and I built a fort at the mouth of a small sea cave. We dug out a hole in the ground and fortified it with a large mound of towers. But he liked the network of roads in and around the cave the best. Sorry, no photos because getting down to our beach requires me to schlep too much stuff. We then took grandma out to Los Osos for a months-delayed birthday dinner.
On Thursday, Seth and I went kayaking for the first time in Morro Bay, which is famous for its huge rock at the sea’s edge. The water there is incredibly calm and shallow, which makes it very safe. We saw otters, pelicans – white and gray – and an assortment of other sea birds up close. But I think Seth liked the old boats the most. He did have trouble understanding that I was the motor. Lael continues to be on the growth-spurt from heck. And she is smiling more than ever.
Today we plan to spend more time at the beach before celebrating my 42nd birthday. Here are a couple thoughts:
- With the exception of my 40th birthday, I can’t remember last time I used a vacation day for the event.
- Spending time with my family is the best present.
- I believe my much healthier diet – little to no meat and tons of vegetables, fruits and whole grains – in recent years will help ensure I’ll be around long enough to see my kids grow up.
- It’s good to disconnect from the world for a while.
Stumble It!
Happy Birthday, honey. xoxo
Posted by: Anne | Friday, October 28, 2005 at 03:00 PM
Thanks. This is one of the best birthdays ever.
Posted by: brettdl | Friday, October 28, 2005 at 04:25 PM
hey, happy b'day. I have to say you don't look a day over 41! Anyway glad to hear you're having a great vacation.
Posted by: chip | Friday, October 28, 2005 at 06:37 PM
You're making me want to go on vacation... A real vacation, where we get away from everything for more than a couple of days, stay in a motel and just spend time together (rather than trying to visit relatives). We haven't done that for awhile. Will definitely have to plan for it next summer. Can't go to California, though. My half-brother is getting married and I need to stay as far away from that as possible.
Posted by: Phil | Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 12:42 AM
P.S. Happy birthday!! 42 sounds really really old. I can't even imagine being that old. (I turned 41 last month)
Posted by: Phil | Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 12:44 AM
Phil, It's not that bad. It's a lot like being 32 except with gray hair and creaking joints.
Posted by: brettdl | Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 08:02 AM
In 8 months, I will hit the big 40. I second your comment about creaking joints... Were we differ is in turning gray. I have some gray hairs in my face, but I don't have a beard. No grays my head at all though.
The hairs on my head apparently choose suicide over turning gray and they leap to their deaths instead.
Posted by: Mark Sicignano | Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 10:16 AM
I'm doing pretty well on keeping my hair, but they complain by turning gray.
Posted by: brettdl | Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 09:27 AM