San Diego Mini-Vacation: Day 1

Today started out like any other day.  Lily woke up.  I got up.  We started breakfast, and then Heather got up.  The only difference was our knowledge that at the end of the day, we’d be in San Diego getting ready to go to Sea World.  Before leaving, we attended a princess-themed birthday party for one of Lily’s best friends.  The highlights of the party for Lily (besides time with her BFF) seemed to be the castle-shaped bounce house, the magical bubble wands, and the small car slide.  After all the gifts were opened and all the cupcakes consumed, the McDonalds left the building and hit the road to begin a fun-filled oceanic adventure. 

The trip down I-5 was uneventful except for the nice conversation Heather and I had while Lily napped.  We checked in to the Handlery Hotel, upgraded to a suite (sweet), and then headed to a restaurant called Casa Guadalajara in Old Town San Diego for dinner.  We were seated within five minutes, and had chips and salsa in our bellies within six.  The first thing we noticed were the sparrows that swooped overhead and bravely settled into the unoccupied chairs at our table.  Lily absolutely loved this.  She also loved the large fountain right next to our table.  She threw a couple of pennies, made a couple of wishes, and then began a magic show where she would make her apple juice disappear under a napkin.  Every time she would cover up the juice and ask us semi-seriously with upturned palms “Where’s the juice? Where’s the juice?”  She would then unveil the mystery and reveal to us that the juice was there the whole time.  We fell for it every time. 

Dinner was just okay.  Lily had a bean and cheese burrito, which made me a little jealous.  I ordered the Rajas Poblanos, which was basically a roasted pepper and potato cheese bowl.  I felt like it was a dish that anyone can make by sauteeing peppers and onions, cutting up some French fries, and stirring it in some cheese.  Heather had chicken mole enchiladas, which were better than my Rajas Poblanos, but still just average.  This place has nothing on El Farolito in Placentia.  The best item by far that we tasted at Casa Guadalajara was the homemade flour tortillas.  Fresh and hot, these were a great way to whet our appetites for an unfortunately less than flavorful meal that cost about $50.    

After dinner, Clan McDonald headed back to the Handlery for a swim.  The evening breeze made it a little cold, but that did not deter our determined little Lily.  Armed with gigantic yellow floaties, Lily bravely swam by herself, and kept telling us to let her go whenever we got concerned for her safety.  I had to remind myself of my developmental psychology courses where I learned that it is important for kids to have these sorts of successes on their own.  Successes build confidence, and since it was swimming, she was building balance and muscle tone as well.  I felt immense pride watching Lily swim, and even more proud to hear her say “Want to practice” when we tried to talk her into going back to the room to get warm.  She ignored her shivering because she wanted to master this new skill.  Who wouldn’t be proud of that? 

We hustled back to the hotel room to clean up and warm up.  After baths and showers, we reconvened in Lily’s room for cheese puffs, peach cups, and an 8:00 showing of Up (Lily’s choice).  When Lily saw Mr. Fredricksen as a 78 year old man, she said "Him Grampa. Look like daddy."  I asked her "Do I look old like that?"  She looked at me and said "No, you're my daddy."  I just thought "Yes, Lily, I am your daddy, and there's nothing else in the world I'd rather be."  Halfway through the movie, Lily is rubbing her eyes, covering herself up, and denying that she is ready for bed.  Five minutes later, she is kissing me good night and scampering off to her room so mommy can read Time for Bed and sing our flower to sleep.  Now it’s off to bed for mom and dad, as well.  We all need our rest.  Tomorrow will be a busy day filled with orcas, dolphins, sharks, and rays.  For the first time in non-animated and non-digital form.     

Cheers.