LA Trip:
Adventure city theme park was much cheaper than the major parks and designed for Wesley's age. Great memory going with Wesley on his first roller coaster. After a more intense ride with videos showing a racecar theme, he wasn't phased by the drops or speed. He asked "did we win (the race)?" J loved petting zoo goats the most.
Seeing friends and a snapshot of their lives (KP medical school, KP parents, AB's HS friends whose neighborhood burned down, YW's medical school friend with 1yo)
1st disc golf course in the world - Wesley enjoys throwing and can finish many holes himself
Kidspace museum near Rose bowl - lots outdoors and not too crowded
Wedding of church friends: kids were great with babysitter. When babysitter asked Wesley about reading 3 books before naptime, Wesley said "I can only have 2 books" (like our usual routine). When she asked if he would cry when going to sleep, Wesley said "I may cry if I wake up and I don't know where I am".
Hikes to Hollywood sign and Chino State Park that Wesley could do himself
AirBNB with 2 rooms allowed us to sleep relatively well despite Jasper's occasional noise. Having lots of snacks kept kids happy throughout day and eating enough fiber
3 hour delay returning home, so the kids were delirious on arrival. J also vomited on the plane.
We woke up at 5-6AM, but most museums/events weren't open until 10AM (close to nap time)
Travel logistics: difficult to carry a double stroller, large carseat and suitcase through airport and to car rental facility. Still needed to borrow/return a pack-and-play and second carseat. Difficult not to forget items in airport or Airbnb or car. Difficult to prepare food or pack or cleanup when Wesley wants to talk and Jasper is grabbing everything.
Overall the trip was fun but logistically difficult. We think travelling will be easier when J can communicate better and we can reason with him sleeping, eating, walking by himself and not grabbing everything around him.
Thanksgiving:
Playing Board games from library (gnomes at night)
Cooking together (Wesley put 4 pancakes on his plate after making them, and enjoyed making apple pies. It was the 4th generation to make the pies)
Playing kickball as a family, trying tennis.
Talking to friends at Thanksgiving dinner
Jasper being sick and refusing to eat vegetables
Older kids not wanting to play with Wesley at Thanksgiving, or playing rough with him. Wesley saying “are you my friend?”
Wesley missing nap or going to bed late , and being grouchy afterwards
Difficulty scheduling with AB parents. AB Mom anxious about getting sick, weather.
Cancun trip:
Fun lazy river (all enjoyed), slides for adults, beach and swimming pools were nearby rooms
Food was included, so didn't need to worry about choices and cost
YW parents watched kids during wedding
Seeing alot of friends
Jasper woke up at night
Spent alot of time showering/cleaning sand, getting J to eat fruits, prepping for naps
Kids don't do well with long delays, so couldn't enjoy many formal sit-down restaurants
