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Christmas Time in San Diego 2013

December 31st, 2013 | Category: Keegan

Finally, the big day arrived. Keegan woke up at his normal hour, and despite his excitement, he still took time to cuddle in bed with us. Then he rushed to the living room. We were able to keep him still long enough for a picture with all the presents.

He immediately saw his new bike, and started his happy dance. He quickly unwrapped it and test it out: perfect size, finally, and it was a nice, bright orange, just like he wanted. Matt chose a Mutant Mongoose bike for him.

He checked the cookies, to make sure “Santa” ate them, even if he kept on saying: “I know you ate them, mom”. Well, this is why I chose cookies I like. I think he actually makes him feel “grown up” be in the know, and again, I don’t really think it spoiled his excitement at all. As for us, while it is a little sad he does not believe anymore, I never really liked the idea of a fat, old man taking all the credits for my hard work. I always try to get the best gifts and wrap them with care, so I should get the thanks.

He tore through the rest pretty quickly. Of course, we made sure to buy him an electric sharpener and special pens, but also new books, a new interactive map, book and game, and a science kit. The stocking also contained his glow rings, and he loved to show them off.

Just like last Christmas, we saved a couple of presents, and called nonni with Skype, so he could open them with them. Their package did not arrive in time, but we had something put away for them. We were lucky that my sister and her family was there, and it was nice to share a little bit of the magic with them. After the big presents rush, I went back to sleep for a little bit. With Keegan home for two full weeks, we actually set up a tight calendar, to make sure he was entertained and we got to do something fun as well. We knew we would be exhausted by the end of it, but at least we hoped he would not drive us completely insane. When I woke up, we went downtown and we took an hour cruise on the North San Diego Bay. It was an absolutely perfect day: in fact, it was almost too warm. Definitively scorching for our little vampire, that can’t stand bright sun or heat. Murphy’s law, right? Both Matt and I moved to San Diego for the sunshine and warm weather, and our son does not like heat or sun. I really hope he will outgrow this.

In fact, probably his favorite thing about the cruise was the fact he got to eat some junk food in the cabin.

My favorite thing? Well, admiring the beautiful views while sipping my cold Mimosa.

check out the sea lions

Merry Christmas San Diego

Keegan run up and down the whole time, and even with sunglasses, it was hard to keep him outside.

We got home in the early afternoon, and had a nice lunch. Keegan pretty much gave up on naps the whole break, so we tried to establish the “quiet time rule”, meaning that he needs to be on his own instead, as we take a break (or a nap). Do you think it worked? Well, practice makes perfect, right? Before the sun went down, we convinced him to try out his new bike. He was a little hesitant at first, but quickly got the hang of it.

He actually enjoyed it quite a bit, and that inspired us to go for a bike ride the following day. We headed to Miramar Lake and reservoir. I really like that place: it is peaceful and beautiful. We have been really lucky with the weather, this Christmas time. Temperatures reached the 80s almost every day, with a beautiful, cloudless sky, and Miramar Lake is the perfect place to take advantage of it. In fact, again, it was almost too warm. We have not been here in a long time, and as always, we forgot how long the actual loop is. It looks deceivingly short, but it is full of twists and turns, and it turned out to be a full 5 miles. We started out enjoying the view, and I have to say Keegan did really good, probably because he realized that he had no choice but to complete the trail. We only stopped once, to rest and look at the view from a pier. It was magical: it does not feels like being in a city at all.

Back at the parking lot we were amazed to see so many birds, mainly ducks but also coots – black birds without webbed feet. The most annoying, though, were two huge geese, who were honking and around, looking for food.

We had fun, and I am hoping it will be the first one of many bike-riding excursions. We got home in the afternoon, and Keegan was so tired that he ended up sleeping almost two hours! Of course, even then, we had to plead with him for getting some rest. The following day, Matt had to go to work for a few hours, so it was just Keegan and I. He was in a good mood, so it was not too bad. In the afternoon, we had a fun playdate at Van’s house. The kids had a great time, and Van insisted on giving Keegan a Christmas gift, an awesome Lego set. His mom insisted Van really really wanted to give his friends something: he is a very generous little boy. Keegan was excited. In fact, as soon as we got home, he started building it, mostly on his own. By the following day, he had it all done. He is definitely getting a lot better at Lego building, but he still enjoys having someone helping him along. On December 28, we had a very busy day. We spent a long day at the beach, after stopping by the library to pick up the final few Magic Tree House Books: I can’t believe, but we only have 6 to go before finishing the whole series (up to now, at least. She is still actively writing.) Once again, another perfect day.

Keegan and Matt got in the water, crazy kids, while I watched them body board from the shore.

We warmed up after body surfing, had a nice pic-nic lunch and did “sand angels”.

t turned out to be really low tide, so we walked to Tourmaline Beach to check out the tide pools: they are not as extensive as Cabrillo Point, but we still got the chance to see plenty of small anemones and crabs, playing in the pools.

When we got home, there was a surprise waiting: nonni’s package finally arrived, after a long, tortuous trip. It left Switzerland on November 21! It was Christmas all over again. As always, they really went overboard. There was something for everyone, and even my birthday presents! We were really spoiled.

The day was not over yet: as it got dark, we drove to the San Diego Botanical Garden. They set up their beautiful land with thousand of lights, and they had Cuban music playing, carriage rides, crafts and some snow. Unfortunately, we did not have a large enough sled, so when Keegan tried to slide down, he flipped over. He did not get hurt, but he was so embarrassed, for some reason, and really upset. Fortunately, they had marshmallow roasting, and Matt brought all the fixings for excellent, double-sides ‘smores.

That made him feel better. We posed on the picturesque Christmas gazebo and Keegan had a quick hot dog dinner, while listening to the upbeat sounds.

When we finally made it home, Keegan easily went to bed: what a big day! The next day, we really took it easy: we were probably more tired that he was, but still it was nice to have a change of pace. Fortunately Kelton, our neighbor, was around, so the two kids spent some time running around with their scooters and bikes and burned some energy off. December 30 was the day of the big Football Holiday Bowl, and as always, San Diego organized a big balloon parade downtown to celebrate. Bands, politicians and of course huge hot air balloons are the main attraction.This year they changed route, so we got to enjoy the nice view of the bay, as they all marched down the street.

My favorite part was the Star Wars Contingent, and I was glad to see, this year, a former student of mine, marching as Princess Lea.

We were hoping Lina and Mila could join us, but it was not possible. Keegan was disappointed, and probably that is why he got bored before the end of the parade and insisted on leaving. I do enjoyed it, though. For some reason I always find parades fun and entertaining. We tried to spend the last day of the year outside… not an easy task.

Matt had to work a few hours in the morning, so I went to Target with Keegan, to get him some knee pads, which he proudly wore as soon as we got home. Matt got home at lunch time, and we started the epic battle to go out of the house and head to Cabrillo Point. I am really not sure why Keegan is making it so difficult to get out of the house. Granted, being 6, he is actively trying to contrast and oppose everything we say, regardless, but seriously, dragging him outside is a draining process, between his arguing, complaining and full meltdowns. The kicker is, once we actually get out, he usually has a great time, which makes the whole process even more frustrating.

In any case, we finally made it to Point Loma, and just in time for one of the lowest low tides of the year. I never saw the tide pools that exposed. It was very crowded and we only had about one hours, but we had fun climbing on the rocks and checking out water life.

As we were leaving to check out the Lighthouse, the fog started rolling in.

And by rolling in, I mean rushing in: you could see it quickly moving, and within less than 10 minutes, the cliffs were completely engulfed in a thick cover, that made it hard to see ahead of you.

We made it to the top of the hill in time to check out the lighthouse, and to admire the last sunset of the year, even if shrouded by fog. It was an amazing site, with the rolling marine layer, blanketing the ocean.

Keegan was way too tired to wait up for the new year (or maybe it was us who needed a break?), so he went to sleep at the usual time and Matt and I enjoyed the last few hours of this 2013. I would not say it has been a bad year, but definitely not one of the best ones either. We watched the Neverending Story (a good omen for the new year?), and then quietly waited for midnight. It was not easy to stay awake, because we were very tired, but we finally made it to the countdown, champagne and sparkling cider at hand.