New Car, The Aquarium And Termites - All In One, Baby!

The 'burb is in the shop getting repaired since my wreck not long ago. I got my rental today and when asked which I wanted (between a beetle and some other small car I'd never heard of), I was all "Umh, beetle bug, please!"

Yessssssss.......

Why? Why not?

When else will I get to drive a fun car like this? The kids are in love. Blake? Notsomuch. That's OK. He was a good sport about it.

On Friday, we headed into La Jolla to pick up some things at the beach house and to spend the day away, as our house was being treated for termites. Of course it is! Car trouble, wreck, flat tire, and termites. Nothing phases me, peeps.

So, we checked out the Birch Aquarium. I called Merrilee to get the scoop first and I have to agree.....not a world class place, but certainly unique in its position by the sea. You'll see what I mean in a bit.



Scripps is an old family, who for generations have contributed to the oceanography research on the coast......particularly in La Jolla.



Lots of interactive things for the children.

The views are amazing. It's neat to learn about these creatures and then look out across the ocean to wonder where they are.

To the left is La Jolla Shores.....where we spent nearly every day on our vacation this summer. Around the curve is the Cove.

Love this view. I bought a membership.....you knew I would......so we'll be seeing lots more of this place. Very convenient, at only 20ish miles away and I want the kids to learn lots about ocean life.

Our pretty girl.......initially apprehensive about the sea life toys, until she was sure they were not real.

"Mom, I can hear da ocean!"

Man-made tide pools outside for the kids to enjoy. We touch sea stars and a sea cucumber.



If you remember, this was one of my favorite vacation events......seeing the critters in person while in low tide.

Little ones were delighted to see this water table.....an old favorite from our Kansas City Union Station days.

Shark cage!!!!!!!

We watched several groups of children walk into the shark for a picture and they all willingly participated. These are the three I got of my punks. Looks about right.



What on earth is she doing here?????

Pressed penny machine! They have an awesome collection right now.

Lainey wanted NO help from big brother.

Sad.

A sea gull was waiting for us on the whale fountains upon leaving. Kids loved him.

But, nothing can compare to this magnificent exhibit. The hand dryer in the bathroom. I honestly don't know.

We returned home to find part of our house looking like something out of ET. (that was a movie, Sass) You know, at the end when they seal up the house and all walk around in those crazy suits? I was hoping to see Blake like that. No such luck. Hoping we're termite-free after this initial partial treatment. But, I'm fully expecting to be living in our car for 6 months while they tear it down and re-build. Again, nothing phases me!


I have a ton to catch up on........Oceanside Farmer's Market.........Harbor Days........a super fun filled weekend. More to come!

Pa Is In Trouble Again

*Yes, she's on the "phone" with Caroline.......via a sea shell.

*Please disregard the salad on her face. Didn't look before I started filming. She launched into her monologue before I was ready.

Thursday Scoop

I just picked Carter up from school and can conclude that California kids are weird. OK, that wasn't fair. They simply don't see much weather out here. It is overcast and rainy today. Everyone seems very confused. Kids were screaming and laughing (with delight you see most often from tourists at the Disneyland fireworks show) each time a bolt flashed across the sky. It was all around awesome.

And, speaking of awesome......I finally got around to asking our neighbors for permission to post pics of their kids on da blog. This is the darling family who helped us move in. Seriously. Who does that?!

Here are Lainey and Jessie. They are two peas in a pod loving all things Princessy.

Here's the rest of the crew during Kelly's visit. You can see her, too, jumping off the skateboard. So cool! This family has 2 boys and 3 girls. They're a ton of fun.

Have I mentioned that we have lots of critters in these parts? Lizards are the kids' most recent fascination.

Poor unsuspecting reptiles. Someone should warn them.

Beach day.......could they be sweeter?



Our little darling hi-jacked a sand castle and made it a home for her kittehs.

Nice.

This delighted Meow Meow.

Carter started a football game on the beach. He's so shy. Punkin Jack tried to keep up with the big boys.

Lainey and I took a walk to the jetty and saw this cute couple. Totally Blake and me one day.

We're in love with Oceanside beaches. Wide open and beautiful.



Saw a surfing event nearby.



Lainey fed the crabbies handfuls of sand. I don't know.

Me and my girl.

Get down girl, go ahead get down.

Been experimenting with the sun in pictures....



Returned from our walk to find Jack missing us.

And, Daddy acting silly.

And, we're back home. Lainey needs a bike trailer for all her babies. And, kitties. And, puppies.


We're excited to go to Harbor Days this weekend. Click here to check it out!

Bits and Pieces - Updated With My New Do!

It's different from "Scoop". Because it's about other stuff......not the Starnes fam. Mostly.

I saw The Town last night. Really a good movie. Jeremy Renner is awesome. AWESOME. And, Ben Affleck is certainly coming along in his directing. Violent and tough to watch at times, but an awesome film. (Yall should use the word "film" more often because it makes you sound like you know what you're talking about. Critics do it all the time. Trust me.)


Have you seen this greatness?

Awesome with a capital A. Love the kid sitting next to him, too. Awkward.

Borrowed this video from Kelley's Breakroom. Straight up wacky.

And, finally, I'm t-minus 1.15 hours from getting my hair cut off. Like, all the way off. No more pony tails. No, I'm not suffering from heat wave dementia.......I've been wanting to for a while.......but am certainly feeling like this right now:


Coco just cut all of her hair off and now I am, too.

Damn. I wish I had done it first.

Back soon, bloggies!

And.......drumroll, please........



I feel sassy and cute. This is the straight version.....always a must at the salon b/c I can't really do it myself. So, it will be curly from here on out. A bit longer in the front and stacked in the back.

I'm so trendy. Who knew?