So starting kindergarten and moving into our new house the same week wasn’t exactly planned — we actually were supposed to move in the week before school began but due to a flooring error, it got delayed. This whole process of uprooting our life has really made us more adaptable and to just roll with the punches. Still not incredibly fun but we trust that we are stronger as individuals and as a family because of it.
First day of elementary! So grateful to have gotten into this Mandarin immersion school. LOVE the mascot! :)
This one will live by the mountains and go to school across from the ocean. So very blessed to get to soak in God’s creation on the daily.
Day 1 assembly. They have one every single morning with announcements and a chinky hip hop dance. :)
Room 5, Ms. Lowe’s class.
Our extrovert already got invited to a b-day party — from someone we just met at a beachside playground weeks ago.
Oh yes, you can just show up to reserve some tables and have a birthday shindig by the bay here. ;p
B-day boy is into dinosaurs so the kiddos got to work on a neat excavation/dig.
He and Zander have become fast friends.
If you feel like seeing some waves after school on a Friday, you CAN! Especially when it’s 5 minutes away from your school. :)
Batman Day at a local library.
One of the reasons we chose our new place was its incredible proximity and easy access to the most extensive open space preserve in SD and one of the largest in the U.S. With all the unpacking and settling down, we took a break to explore one of the trails. They have a 5 peak challenge and this is one of the peaks.
We didn’t make it to the top as it was getting dark but Daddy did complete it another day and said the views are just fantastic! We’ll be back to conquer this one and the other four! Mommy also made a new runner friend that took her through a overview running “tour” of many of the trails.
Slime making @ another library. So many libraries, so many activities!
New BFF @ school: John.
The Museum of Creation and Earth History hosted an Open House so we checked it out. Interestingly, it was started by the Institute for Creation Research which is now headquartered in Dallas.
Moon Festival performances at Balboa Park. E’s school had performers in the line-up so we went to support.
Ice cream social in our new ‘hood. Loving all the neighbors and community so far.
And for once, it already feels like fall in September. :)
We are temporarily staying in a condo in downtown for the summer while our house completes so it’s city/urban life for a season. Def an experience and shift from surburbia TX.
And this boy is living it up!
Playgrounds by the beach are kind of his jam now. Spoiled!
Gotta get a West Coast baller hat, right?
It’s hard to beat sunsets over the ocean.
Yes, we are sporting a hoodie in the middle of summer. :)
Making new friends left and right. That hasn’t changed, lol.
Elias and the giant peach. Produce/fruit is SO fresh here! Checking out all the farmer’s markets – there are usually several going on every day of the week.
Got our special edition ComicCon SD library card.
Art Walk @ Liberty Station.
Acai bowls here are legit!
Been visiting churches… The feel of this one reminded us of Watermark.
On a mission to visit all the libraries… They are doing this thing where Waldo is hiding in each branch and kiddos can look for him.
Back at the Nat.
Getting to know all the neat little ‘hoods and pockets of the city. Art in the square!
Made us think of that other stunt guy we saw @ the Richardson library before we left.
Got called up!
This place is insane! Had no idea this was a tourist attraction.
All the fish tacos.
Lots of other good, local fare.
Not as much chain restos…
It’s the real deal when the menu’s in Español. ;P
And random new ethnic eats.
Our condo pool.
Short hike up to bluffs to overlook the sea below.
Daddy’s been using the “Bird” sometimes as mode of transport since it’s easier than having to find parking. He took E to one of his camps nearby in it.
D&B to use up an old card we had left over from Dallas.
“Reading takes you everywhere.”
Kids bowl free in an alley inside SDSU. Super nice lanes!
He has gone to Lego camp, church camp, Chinese camp and a couple multi-activity ones and has thoroughly enjoyed all of them!
One of 2 libraries in the world with Dr. Seuss murals — at the SD Central Library which is like HUGE!
Friday Happy Hour, hehe. @ a kombucha bar where we got a flight of alllll the flavors. :) We also now keep a growler in the car to fill up on whim. ;))
Back at Fleet Science Center. Caught their Impossible Science Festival this year.
Went to a cartoon drawing sesh and they happened to be teaching Sanrio characters! Mommy was uber excited. :)
Tried both sides to make it to the middle but not quite… yet.
Mouse Trap!
A jump house, jungle gym and rock climbing play place all in one.
This kid salon was the last place we went for a haircut in Dallas and the first in SD — at their grand opening! And then Mommy randomly meets their owner later on while standing in line (for a loooong time) at a consignment sale.
And it has merely begun… We’ll see where this road (or tide?) leads us!
We made a little road trip for our move out West as it’s likely we won’t ever be taking this route again.
Last drinks in the Big D @ Boba Latte. We haven’t been in years but used to go all the time and still had a free drink from their stamp card.
So long, Cameron Lane. It’s been real.
Farewell, Big D! Margaret Hunt, we may not see you for a long while…
Not a whole lot in Abilene but stopped by at their little mall to stretch out our legs.
Lone Star State, you are VAST! We just keep driving and driving and driving in seemingly flat plains upon flat plains (and lots of windmills!). :) Finally got to NM.
We’ve been to Carlsbad Caverns before but it was this one’s first time.
Mommy, a spiky plant!
Descending into the “bat cave”.
White Sands National Monument was an incredible sight to behold!
We got there as the sun was setting.
Stunning.
The sand is like no other (totally different from beach sand).
This place is a must see in your lifetime.
Daddy had to get the moving vehicle (and new Skybox) with the sign.
Kinda touristy but we dropped by Pistachioland — Ah-Gong would’ve loved this place!
There was EVERY flavor of pistachios imaginable to sample.
And then chocolate pistachio everything.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History turned out to be quite interesting. And yes, on the ASTC reciprocal list. :)
Daddy did pretty good on the flight simulator.
Trekkie? Nah, too young.
Surprisingly, small town New Mexico had a boba place.
Dwayne’s was in the middle of nowhere but was a fun shop filled with all kinds of jerky, nuts and other items. E found a little friend there to run around the store (in circles) for a bit.
Nice signs pointing to different cities all around the world. Guess where we’re headed? :)
AZ was hot, hot, hot but really enjoyed our local flavor hotel.
Saguaro National Park to see the giant cacti.
They climbed to the top of a rock despite super warm temps!
Give us ALL the A/C at Flandrau Museum, which is part of U of A. Another ASTC one.
Found Asian desserts and drinks. (And a little Trouble for this troublemaker!)
REI Tuscon.
And a Chinese resto rec from the lady who owned the dessert place we went to earlier.
This shady area under a bridge seemed to be a popular spot (and it was also July 4th) so we took a short walk (in like a bazillion degrees) to check it out.
Date trees at Dateland! We got a date shake and date rolls.
This one is for Uncle Jong. Thoory is kind of his signature saying. Who knew there were Thoory dates?
Crossing into CA and driving into SD was sort of surreal. We are really doing this? Here’s to another chapter…
