The Wilcox Family Staycation 2010

It's become our annual tradition (and only real family vacation). Every year Brian takes the first week in July off work (in between tax seasons) and we spend the time doing the fun family stuff here in San Diego that others fly across the country to do. I laugh now when I think about my hesitation to travel with one or two small children when we started this tradition a few years ago, thinking that was an impossible task. Now I realize that we should have traveled then, since two would be a piece of cake. It's all about perspective, isn't it? Besides, we pay a small fortune to live here, so we may as well enjoy it!

We kicked off the week celebrating the 4th of July. We had a great holiday and especially enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of the twins (who are almost two) and really teaching the older boys what Independence Day is really about. We decided to take the following day to recover from the late night before and stay close to home (which translates into more swimming) and a movie.

On Tuesday, we took advantage of the free admission for residents at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. There is no doubt that this was the highlight for Chase, who is obsessed with dinosaurs (to put it mildly). He was fascinated by the life-size T-Rex, mesmerized by the Maisaurus, enchanted with the Pterodactyl...and scared to death of the dinosaur-clad person in costume who was walking around to greet the children. Go figure.

The whole museum was impressive, but mostly the twins enjoyed being able to walk it (tethered to us, of course). The boys really enjoy all things nature and with Aunt Renee in tow, it's hard not to get excited about it all. Afterward we stopped by the fountain to watch the waterworks (and the interesting people...).

Another attempt at a family picture. You have to give us credit for trying...one of these days we'll get a good one.

En route back to the car, we made a detour at the carousal (or pseudo-roller coaster, based on how fast it was spinning) where the boys got to tame dragons and tigers.

For living near the coast, we don't go to the beach much, so the boys were really looking forward to spending an afternoon there. It would have been the perfect day- prime parking...no crowd (except maybe a few tourists) and digging in the sand to their hearts' content- but for the record cold July San Diego day (which explains why it was just us and the tourists). Luckily, kids don't care about that stuff.

When I said no crowd, I meant no ONE.

Chase trying to work up the courage to swim with the big boys...but moving water just isn't his thing. Yet.

Ella looking for the perfect digging spot to look for treasures.

She found it.

And these were her treasures.

Garrett, the animal lover, had fun searching for sand crabs.

We chose to forgo the big amusement parks this year like the Wild Animal Park (which the boys recently visited), Sea World or Legoland in an effort to keep things simple (and affordable for a family of six). The rest of the time was spent building random things in the yard (a favorite past time, especially when Renee is in town), swimming, and don't forget the homemade pizza Brian likes to make from scratch. This is a healthy version (if there is such a thing).

A great vacation that was almost...relaxing. What a novel idea!