Disney Parks with a Toddler Part 2

Did we go to California Adventure again this weekend? Yes. Are these photos from this weekend? No. These, my dear readers, are photos from Mother's Day weekend because I am a slacker. Never fear, Disneyland Part 3 will also be posted this week. Enjoy!

[Having some yogurt by the crazy colorful murals by the Mad T Party stage. It's a great spot that is hardly ever busy.]

[On our last trip to Disneyland, we rented a locker to store Parker's cooler of milk. This time we did not and it was so much more convenient to be able to grab a snack or bottle without having to trek through the park. The child care center is located relatively far away from the lockers in the front of the California Adventure park. Side note: I love our TWELVELittle Courage Diaper Backpack. It is stylish, functional and most importantly unisex.]

[In line to watch Disney Junior Live]

[Want to see a baby lose his mind? Let him watch all his favorite characters sing and dance in an interactive show. Baby. Mind. Blown.]

[Parent selfie while we waited for our table at Carthay Circle.]

[The World of Color menu at Carthay Circle. Totally worth the money. The food at Carthay Circle is the best I've ever had in either parks (included at Club 33). Make sure to book a reservation beforehand.]

[The one thing you MUST order at Carthay Circle. House biscuits, fried and stuffed with white cheddar, bacon and jalapeno and served with apricot honey butter.]

[No matter where we go Parker manages to find a duck. It's like a super power or something.]

[Parker sitting patiently while he has his portrait drawn.]

[Is this how you wear 3D glasses?]

[We took a break from the theme park and hung out in our hotel room at the Hilton for a part of the afternoon. They were able to upgrade us to a Disney view room at no extra cost. The Hilton also provides complimentary mini fridges for milk storage and will heat up baby food for you downstairs in their restaurant.]

[We tried our best to keep Parker up for World of Color. The show didn't start until 9:45 PM which is waaaay past his normal bedtime. Strategy 1: feed him an ice cream sundae from Ghiradelli. Strategy 2: go on crazy spinning rides in bugs land.]

[Everything we did to keep him up totally failed. So what else was there to do except put some sunglasses on him and start taking silly photos? Luckily he woke up in the middle of the show and was able to see a bit of it.]

Overall, I thought that California Adventure was a lot easier to navigate with Parker than Disneyland. The lines were a lot shorter for the kiddie rides at Cal Adventure (carousel, everything in Bugs Land). There were more shows and characters that he recognized and the food options are better. Like I said before, the key to making it through the day is to take it easy. Stick to your little one's schedule as much as possible so they don't get too tired or hungry. Take advantage of the services (and air conditioning!) at the childcare center.  I know it's expensive and you want to fit in as much as possible but that really just isn't doable with a little one in tow.

Follow me on Instagram: sdmama33

Follow me on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marychu33/

Snapshots from the Weekend

This past weekend was a whirl of big social events for us. Oh wait, isn't that every weekend in Spring? All kidding aside, we celebrated some special birthdays and bridal showers this weekend. Here are some photos.

 

 

[We took Parker to the park after work on Friday. Nothing like a really happy baby to help you unwind from a long work week. I love these two.]

 

 

[My SIL did a great job throwing a super fun birthday party for Parker's cousin Kaden. The theme was suit and tie. More photos to follow!]

 

 

[I missed my very good friend Thuy's bridal shower on Saturday we got together Sunday morning and celebrated with some delicious donuts and breakfast burritos instead. When you've been friends for more than a decade eating breakfast burritos, fries and donuts to celebrate a wedding is totally ok. I can't wait for the wedding!!]

 

 

[A few snapshots from my sister Karen's beautiful bridal shower on Sunday. Her bridesmaid did a pinterest-perfect job of decorating! It was also her birthday.]

 

 

 

[With my little sisters Tania and Yvonne. It was a girly good time.]

 

 

 

Snapshots from the weekend

 

[Our first time having brunch at Cafe Chloe - Review to follow.]

 

[I ran in the San Diego Hot Chocolate Run and Tuan made these amazing shirts to support me.]

 

[Big boy was offered crayons for the first time at Snooze. Crayon eating ensued.]

 

[Went to OC to celebrates my sisters' birthdays. Ended the day at the Garden Grove Park with the whole family. More photos to follow.]

Celebrating Fall in Socal

It's finally starting to feel like Fall in San Diego which is very exciting considering how hot it has been for the past two weeks. Pre Parker, fall didn't seem like that big of a deal and the thing I looked forward to most was getting to wear boots again. Post Parker, everything is celebrated (!) and everything is new (!) and fantastic. It's amazing how having a baby changes your outlook on life. I've compiled a list of family friendly outings for us to celebrate fall. If we can check just 2 of these off the list, I would consider it a success.
 
1. Visit Bates Nut Farm to pick out a pumpkin. There are a lot of pumpkin patches in San Diego but I think I want to take Parker to Bates Nut Farm. We need to pick out a winning pumpkin for the Chu Family Annual Carving Contest!

Shop for pumpkins, squash and gourds. Also, a farm zoo, pony rides, hay rides and a straw maze. Sept. 25-Oct. 31; visit website for hours. Free admission.
15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center
760-749-3333
www.batesnutfarm.biz
 
More info on pumpkin patches in San Diego is available here.

2. Take a day trip to Julian, where the leaves actually change color. For more info, visit http://www.julianca.com/
 
While we are in Julian, we'll probably visit...

 

Apple Starr Orchards - U-Pick - August 24, Start of the 2013 Season!!
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends - By appointment weekdays.
Certified Organic Orchard (CCOF) since 2000 growing Apples (delicious, fuji, gala, granny & jonagold) and Pears (bartlett, bosc, anjou). We are open for u-pick on weekends through October. Groups should email to schedule appointments.
(760) 305-2169
1287 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036
www.apple-starr.com

Mom’s Pies
Stand outside and let your kids watch pies being assembled through the large storefront window—they are sure to get a smile and a wave from the friendly bakers. Come inside for a slice or take home a whole pie.
2119 Main Street.
760-765-2472
www.momspiesjulian.com
 
Miner’s Diner
Original olde-fashioned soda fountain and diner with full breakfast and lunch menu. Daily specials.
(760) 765-3753
2134 Main Street, P.O. Box 1027, Julian, CA 92036

3. Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. We celebrated Halloween at Disneyland the first year they offered it and had such a fun time! I would love to go again though we probably could not do it without having some of my sisters come along to help or dropping Parks off with a sitter in the OC area (hint hint).
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/halloween-time-at-the-disneyland-resort/

4. Old Town San Diego's Dia De Los Muertos Festival, November 1-2
This event celebrates the unity of life and death, considered by many to be the most important holiday of the year in Mexico and other Latin American countries. The primary focus of the celebration will be on the altars or ofrendas. A Tour of Altars is available; a map and way-finding signage throughout the town will guide you to over 50 Old Town businesses, museums, and historic sites that are participating in the event. A ton of free crafts, face painting, entertainment, food and drink specials and art exhibits will also be available.
http://sddayofthedead.org/index.htm

 

There are a ton of other events happening in and around San Diego this fall. Be sure to check out the events calendars on San Diego Family, Red Tricycle and the City of San Diego website for more info on all the art festivals, food festivals, beer festivals and Oktoberfests!