Day 4--More San Francisco

***I know, I know. It's incredibly pathetic that I'm still trying to finish the summary of our family vacation from August and it's nearly Thanksgiving. I am pathetic. And a loser. Just ask Sara how far behind I am on my sewing projects--by Christmas, I promise! But enough self-flagellating, for now . . . and on with the show.



We planned incredibly well for our second full day in the city by the Bay. We packed lunches and snacks and scouted out parking. We made it to Pier 39 for the first morning Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz.

We roared at the famous sea lions.

It was one of those San Francisco mornings that brought to mind Mark Twain's famous saying, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." We were glad we brought sweatshirts, but they weren't enough. At least the cloud cover helped for some good pictures.

And what is it about motherhood that brings out the constant fear of impending death? Here I was, with a tight grip on Pete, but still planning how I'd have to jump in after him if he fell overboard because of course, he'd sink. I suppose it's best to always be prepared.

Under the bridge, downtown.
(Sorry, I couldn't help singing the Red Hot Chili Peppers.)

Do you recognize "The Rock?"

After the bay cruise, we cruised through the Aquarium of the Bay in 45 minutes flat. There were some highlights--

like the jellies,

and the shark that Jake touched who decided to take a snap at him--but I definitely would have been disappointed if we'd paid full price for admission.


We ate lunchables in the car, fed and changed Pete, and moved on to the Exploratorium. This was AWESOME! Picture a massive science fair, with super cool exhibits. Kids were running around like maniacs, but only with crazed fun and excitement.

There were giant bubble makers.

Does this guy really think he's helping?

A gyroscope.

A reflections exhibit.

Do you see that? I almost missed it too. I've never seen my butt look so small.
I think I need one of these mirrors at home.

Magnets.

A pedal generator.

A jacob's ladder.

Not to mention loads of other really fun, hands on activities. If you are ever in the bay area with elementary school-aged kids, do not miss an opportunity to visit the Exploratorium. Another bonus? Free parking.


Afterward we walked through the Palace of Fine Arts and took pictures of our offspring in, where else, a tree.



We finished the day by driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, not once, but TWICE. The carpool lane is my favorite.

Another highlight for the boys? Going through the tunnel four times while mom and dad tried to find the right exit.

Well, Hello There . . .

Baby Number 5, at twelve weeks.

Isn't this AMAZING?

It was still too early to tell the gender, though my mom tried to get the doctor to hazard a guess. He wouldn't. I can't wait to see the next ultrasound!

Halloweenie

It was a crazy day, and we didn't take nearly as many pictures of our costumes as we should have. But we had fun!

Harry Potter, the Seeker

Luke Skywalker

No! I'm the real Buzz Lightyear!

The overactive puppy.

Eight Days a Week

It appears that turning eight is reason enough to celebrate for over a week.

Two Fridays ago we celebrated Gabe's 8th birthday with his school friends. I only do a "friend" party every other year; I'm trying to maintain some sanity. This year Gabe wanted a bowling party.

This being Nevada, of course the bowling alley was attached to a casino. Which wasn't a big deal, except that Nate asked one of the seniors heading into gamble if he could give him some money (for the arcade). The man declined. Nate was confused, probably because whenever the kids ask us about casinos, we tell them that's where people go to throw away money.

My bowling ball cupcakes. I tried. Oh, and they're chocolate.

We celebrated his actual birthday on Monday by sharing chocolate cupcakes with his class and by eating out at IHOP with his grandparents and Aunt Valerie and Uncle Rob. Don't think we were shortchanging him--it's his absolute favorite restaurant. But we also didn't tell him that kids ate free.

After dinner it was cake and presents. What goes well with chocolate chip pancakes? Chocolate cake! Whose kid did you think he was anyway?

And his favorite present? The one from his brothers that Jake helped pick out with the declaration "Gabe's going to be so happy, I think he might even hug us!" The truth must be told that I had originally vowed not to purchase any of these toys when the kids paused TV and skipped back to show me the commercial. Water? Check. Mess? Check. Potential for mold? Check. Mom needs to clean up? Check. However . . . it was on sale, and Jake convinced me to cave. Four little boys and a couple big ones were fascinated.

On Tuesday Gabe attended his first ever pack meeting. I'm thoroughly convinced the BSA is engaging in some serious price gouging.

Thursday was costumes and Halloween parties at school. For you non-Nevadans, that's because Nevada Day is October 31st, and we always get a day off school. Isn't my little seeker the cutest?

So, that left Friday with no school and no work for Dad and Gabe's uncles. So we scheduled Gabe's baptism.

He's so cute, I mean handsome, in his sportjacket. And the refreshments? Chocolate cookies and milk, of course.

We really need more practice taking family pictures.

And we still had to go trick-or-treating that night!! (In the capital city, trick-or-treating is scheduled the day before, so as to not interfere with the Nevada Day Parade.) Costume pictures coming up next.

"The world must be peopled."

--Benedick, Much Ado about Nothing, Act II, Scene III.


We couldn't think of anyone better for the job.


It is with excitement, a little trepidation, open arms and crowded closets that we anticipate the arrival of number 5 next May.



And I can finally get this chorus out of my head.



It also explains why my blog has been such a blahg lately. Like that? I just invented a new word. Always multitasking.

Quirky Sayings

I know, I know. I'm bored with the travelogue too. I will finish it eventually, just for posterity's sake.


Some things the kids have said lately that I don't want to forget.

Nate, upon seeing a picture of his cousin Anne: "Hey! That's Sam's little baby girl brother!"

Jake: "Say 'toy boat' three times fast. That's called a tongue twister. Wanna hear another tongue twister? Say 'Brigham Young University.'"

Gabe, while jumping up and dancing while playing a game on the iphone: "I can't help it! I get so excited I just get all skippy!"

Nate, explaining the three large fingernail scratches down his brother's back: "It was an accident! I tripped and I was just trying to save myself." His fingers were still in a claw.

Day 3: San Faa-cisco

At least that's what Nate dubbed it.

We went totally touristy in the city by the bay. The city passes were a great deal (kids under 5 are freeeee!). Check online for city passes in your next vacation destination. (I should get paid for these promos, shouldn't I?)

The first day we went to the California Academy of Sciences. The city pass said the best time to visit was in the morning, but seriously, that place was more crowded than a Costco on Saturday morning. Almost claustrophobia-inducing. However, once you elbowed your way past the mob and looked past the 500 million displays on global warming, it was pretty cool.

The aquariums (fresh, salt, swamp, and jellies) were awesome!

Who knew some fish give birth to live ones? We waited for 20 minutes, but her labor stalled, so we took off.

The albino alligator was cool, but he didn't move, so the boys didn't think much of him.

The outside area where we ate snacks was also a highlight.

Here are the boys pretending to slalom ski down the hill--acting out a new Wii game.

And playing with giant stone cats.

And what's up with us picking benches I've visited before?

The rain forest was, well as one would expect, hot and muggy. There were tons of butterflies and nearly as many signs reminding you to wipe any butterflies off yourself before you left in the elevator. There was even a guy sweeping for butterflies under strollers, etc. at the last door. When Dan asked him how many butterflies he found each day, he said about one or two a month. It must feel good to know you are doing such an essential job. That's job security.


And the most exciting thing about the living roof?

The elevator.

There was also a planetarium show, which we missed because 1) strollers weren't allowed in, and 2) we didn't pick up the tickets first thing, so we wouldn't have been able to get into a show until 6 pm.

It would have been a good idea to pack more snacks, since we spent much longer there than we expected. Hungry kids and parents make for grumpy travelers. We spent the rest of the afternoon driving around SF looking for parking and debating what to do in the time we had, and finding emergency potty stops for Gabe (which is much easier in the mountains). We were all happier after a meal at Romano's Macaroni Grill. I know, I know, all the great restaurants in SF and we ate at a chain. But in our defense, it's more than a little daunting to try an unknown restaurant with four little picky eaters.