Kiley is in Project I.D.E.A.L. at school (advanced language and reading program). The Jr High students have the opportunity to participate in a unique field trip and I was lucky enough to be chosen as a chaperon. I LOVE being able to do things like this with my kids and was pretty excited about it!!
Thursday Night
We loaded up on a charter bus and pulled out of the school parking lot at around 10pm to head to San Diego, California. The kids were able to talk, listen to Ipods etc till about midnight then the bus lights were turned out and it was QUIET. I really wish I could say I slept but I'm pretty sure that was an illusion, Kiley curled up in a ball and was out (one benefit to being small and young)! We got to the pier at 4 am, and then loaded a 65ft fishing boat for an oceanography experience. It was dark and cold but the kids were wide eyed and bushy tailed. They cast a special fishing net and then pulled it in to see what they caught and surprisingly there was quite a variety of sea life. The guide taught about each creature (very fascinating) except for the Round Sting Rays. They went back in the ocean to prevent any one from being stung, the rest of the creatures went in feel tanks for the kids to watch and touch. They also caught some plankton (spelling?) and were able to look at it under a microscope! We saw a bunch of sea lions, dolphins, and a variety of birds. It was awesome and nobody puked!! When we got back to the pier we piled back on the bus and headed to Denny's for breakfast. I had my doubts of how successful breakfast would be at a restaurant when 45 people walked through the door at the same time. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised. They definitely have it down to a science. We all had our orders taken, were served, paid and were out of there in a little over an hour, it was so impressive!!! The next stop was the San Diego Zoo, and it was a beautiful, perfect day for it!! I really wish I had, had a pedometer on. We walked and walked and walked. We covered the whole zoo and some parts twice!! Some of the highlights were the polar bears, panda bears, my personal favorite was the orangutans (especially the baby) and the gorillas. The kids were so well behaved and we all just had a great time hanging out together. After the zoo we went back to the pier for dinner. They had a kid friendly buffet dinner on the pier followed by a bon fire on the beach. We got to make smores and listen to shark tales. I can not say enough positive things about the tour company. They were awesome, fun, organized and very efficient.We also LOVED our bus driver, anyone who can flip a U-ey in a charter bus, on a hill in San Diego is my hero! When we got to the hotel that night the adults were dismissed to go to our rooms and were off duty the rest of the night. They gave the kids their room assignments and explained the rules and off they went. As exhausted as we all were you would think we would have been out in five minutes, but NO!! We stayed up till almost midnight talking and the next morning I find out Kiley's room did the same thing!!
Thursday Night
We loaded up on a charter bus and pulled out of the school parking lot at around 10pm to head to San Diego, California. The kids were able to talk, listen to Ipods etc till about midnight then the bus lights were turned out and it was QUIET. I really wish I could say I slept but I'm pretty sure that was an illusion, Kiley curled up in a ball and was out (one benefit to being small and young)! We got to the pier at 4 am, and then loaded a 65ft fishing boat for an oceanography experience. It was dark and cold but the kids were wide eyed and bushy tailed. They cast a special fishing net and then pulled it in to see what they caught and surprisingly there was quite a variety of sea life. The guide taught about each creature (very fascinating) except for the Round Sting Rays. They went back in the ocean to prevent any one from being stung, the rest of the creatures went in feel tanks for the kids to watch and touch. They also caught some plankton (spelling?) and were able to look at it under a microscope! We saw a bunch of sea lions, dolphins, and a variety of birds. It was awesome and nobody puked!! When we got back to the pier we piled back on the bus and headed to Denny's for breakfast. I had my doubts of how successful breakfast would be at a restaurant when 45 people walked through the door at the same time. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised. They definitely have it down to a science. We all had our orders taken, were served, paid and were out of there in a little over an hour, it was so impressive!!! The next stop was the San Diego Zoo, and it was a beautiful, perfect day for it!! I really wish I had, had a pedometer on. We walked and walked and walked. We covered the whole zoo and some parts twice!! Some of the highlights were the polar bears, panda bears, my personal favorite was the orangutans (especially the baby) and the gorillas. The kids were so well behaved and we all just had a great time hanging out together. After the zoo we went back to the pier for dinner. They had a kid friendly buffet dinner on the pier followed by a bon fire on the beach. We got to make smores and listen to shark tales. I can not say enough positive things about the tour company. They were awesome, fun, organized and very efficient.We also LOVED our bus driver, anyone who can flip a U-ey in a charter bus, on a hill in San Diego is my hero! When we got to the hotel that night the adults were dismissed to go to our rooms and were off duty the rest of the night. They gave the kids their room assignments and explained the rules and off they went. As exhausted as we all were you would think we would have been out in five minutes, but NO!! We stayed up till almost midnight talking and the next morning I find out Kiley's room did the same thing!!
Saturday morning we were up early, got ready and loaded on the bus to head to McDonalds for breakfast. After breakfast our first stop was La Jolla beach to look at the seals and then on to Scripps Aquarium. It was so fascinating watching and reading about all the different fish, sea animals, and sea life. Outside was a beautiful man made tide pool with all kinds of creatures to touch and see. It was a beautiful day!! Following the aquarium we rode the bus to Sea Port Village where we sat on the pier and had lunch and even did some quick shopping!! I love that place, good food too!! Our final stop was the U.S.S. Midway, which is totally fascinating and mind boggling! It is a retired air craft carrier and it is huge and magnificent. We were given headsets and were able to have an audio tour of the whole ship. I think my favorite was the flight deck where they had dozens of different air crafts to see and sit in. I have always been so fascinated by this stuff! The kids all seemed to really enjoy the weekend as well. My only complaint was how fast it went and that we didn't have longer to stay at each place!! I really would have thought that we wore the kids out and they would all be crashed out on the way home. That was NOT the case! We played Ocean Idol on the way home, which was stinking hilarious. The kids were split into groups and had to write a song about something they saw or did over the weekend. They were so good and creative! We stopped in Yuma for dinner, we could choose between Panda Express, In and Out or Del Taco, good stuff! We feel so blessed to have our kids attend a school that has such amazing teachers, programs, and an AWESOME principal!
This bear was hilarious!!
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