We took the boys to the Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday - so much fun! We actually went out to a nice lunch (which we never do with the kiddos) - white linen napkins, etc, & they did fabulously well. It was a kid friendly restaurant, and had an open patio. The weather was gorgeous, so we sat outside, shared a bottle of wine (just me & M, the littler people had lemonade) & talked about the day. Who would have thought we'd be enjoying a nice & relaxing lunch out with the boys? If you'd asked me a few years ago, I'd tell you it would never happen. ;-)
It was an expensive day for us (we used a work discount, but the aquarium tickets were over $100), plus lunch out, and dinner. I did bring snacks & water, and we opted not to stay over in a hotel, so that saved quite a bit.
As for today, we're enjoying the sunshine and getting things done around the house. Sam & M are watching the Seahawks/Forty Niners game (go Hawks!) & Nick & I are cooking. :-) We've made gallons of guacamole with our avocados, so today I'm trying a new recipe. Chocolate muffins, with a secret ingredient. ;-) Let's see if I can sneak them past my picky youngest child.
I also have another 100+ mandarins & oranges to use up. I've given given a bunch away to neighbors, but need to use up what's left. I always consider it a cooking challenge, & try to get creative. :-) M eats muffins every morning, so I'm thinking of cranberry/mandarin muffins for the week ahead.
I also need to pack for a work ski trip (there's no snow in Tahoe, so not sure what we will be doing). Normally I'd be excited for the skiing, but it really means a 4+ hour bus ride each way, two nights away from the boys, & I still have to do all of my regular work with no additional support. :-( I think it's going to be a long week!
I did power yoga this morning, & am still sore from a yoga class I took on Friday - flow yoga. It was crazy hard! I loved it. I still need to get outside for a walk or run, decide what's for dinner, tackle the mountain of laundry, and hopefully get in a shower. ;-)
What about you? What's on your agenda for today?
Your long weekend sounds nicer than ours ;-)! The girls all have a ton of homework and studying to do (finals are next week), and my husband and I have plenty of projects to complete around the house. I pulled weeds and cleaned out the garden beds yesterday (and have some sore muscles for it today) and he scrubbed the deck to get it ready for staining later this week. Tomorrow will be a major housecleaning day for all of us so the house is ready for pictures on Tuesday. We are splurging though and going out for pizza tonight, but that's about all the fun around here.
ReplyDeleteWhat did your boys think of the Winchester Mystery House? That was one of my favorite places to go when I was growing up in CA. The aquarium wasn't there yet, but we still loved to visit the area, and go up to San Francisco.
I've got a good recipe for Whole Orange Cake that might work for muffins, and I also have a recipe on my blog for Olive Oil orange cake that is yummy and also freezes well.
The boys loved the Winchester House! They talk about it all the time, and definitely want to go back for a flashlight tour, which they do once a month.
DeleteOoh, both orange recipes sound yummy. I"ll check them out - thank you!
We love, Love, LOVE Monterey and go to the aquarium at least once a year. If it's something you and your family enjoy, you might consider purchasing a membership. We did that for a couple of years when we were going to the aquarium every couple of days. Our next trip is probably May; we are excited to see the new octupus exhibit they are planning.
ReplyDeleteJanelle - where do you live? It must be close to Monterey, if you go to the aquarium that often! It was a great visit, and we need to look into the membership. It's probably too far to go more than a few times a year, though.
DeleteI have always wanted to go to that aquarium, I have heard it is one of the best. I love cranberry orange muffins - good choice! It is so nice when the kids get a little older and you can enjoy eating out with them without being stressed(as a stepmom of four I know about that as met them when they were little, now they are all young adults and the stress is gone when we are out).
ReplyDeleteThe aquarium is awesome, & definitely worth a visit. Oh, & the cranberry orange muffins were fantastic. YUM!!! The boys are starting to get a bit more independent & it's fabulous.
DeleteIt sounds like a fun weekend! You would think Houston would have a good aquarium, but not really. A restaurant chain owns one and it is just OK and WAY too expensive.
ReplyDeleteTake it easy on that trip - you really don't need all that stress!
Ack,I know. Not really looking forward to the trip. My boss just emailed jus a bunch of work that needs to get done by tomorrow night. Today is supposed to be a holiday/day off. Yeah, right!
DeleteWe like aquariums. They are expensive but are a fun treat every couple years.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Go Hawks! I'm hoping they take the Superbowl. I do not like the 49'ers at all.
I have to avoid Facebook to ignore all of the crazy talk going on. But yes, Go Hawks! ;-)
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