Life with Dylan

Category: Summer

  • Where did my summer go and how can I get it back?

    It seems like just yesterday I went back to work after having the month of July off and now it is Labor Day weekend. School is starting on Tuesday … how is that possible? How did I manage to miss the entire month of August?

    July was filled with adventures like our Zoo Road Trip (yes, I know I still have to tell you about that – soon, I promise) and then it was Dylan’s birthday, and we got Tiga, and then we hosted Dylan’s Animal Adventure Camp … oh, and someplace in there I guess the month of July whizzed by too.

    So yesterday I decided that I was not going to let another day of summer go by without me. It was time to watch the sunset with my own two eyes instead of through everyone’s pictures on twitter and Instagram.

    So Dylan and I set out to find a cliff overlooking the ocean where we could enjoy a little picnic dinner and watch the sunset. This was our beautiful view of Newport Harbor with Catalina Island in the background.

    After a long day of hot and humid weather, the gentle yet warm breeze felt nice.
    What I thought was a large storm cloud earlier in the day decided to spread out over the ocean, which gave way to another spectacular SoCal sunset.

    And so another day is done.
    At least this one didn’t slip by without me noticing the beauty in it.

    Good-bye summer. Hopefully we can spend more time together next year.

  • Spend an extra hour at the San Diego Zoo this holiday weekend

    I can’t think of a better way to spend the last weekend of summer than at the San Diego Zoo. Nighttime Zoo allows guests to stay until 9 p.m. and see the animals after dark; but during the upcoming holiday weekend, the San Diego Zoo will open one hour earlier – at 8 a.m. on September 1, 2, and 3

    This will be the first time the San Diego Zoo has opened early specifically for a holiday weekend.

    Guests who arrive early will be able to take bus tours starting at 8:15 a.m. and the popular Skyfari aerial tram will be open to take guests to the far side of the Zoo starting at 9 a.m.

    The Skyfari is more than just a fast way to get from one side of the zoo to another. It is a relaxing ride that gives guests the opportunity to view the zoo grounds from high above. Not to mention the breathtaking views of the surrounding areas.
    Best of all, the Skyfari lets you off right by the Polar Bears!

    Opening an hour early will allow guests the opportunity to spend more time with the zoo’s animals and take part in the special Nighttime Zoo activities. I love Nighttime Zoo for many reasons and the family friendly atmosphere is one of them.

    The Monkey Stilt Walkers are my favorite!

    I can’t choose just one favorite animal, but if there is one thing I can recommend that you don’t miss while visiting the San Diego Zoo, it would be Tikal and Maderas – the baby jaguar cubs.

  • Taking sunset pictures is a favorite summer tradition of mine

    One thing that has made this somewhat unbearable heat wave tolerable is looking forward to taking sunset pictures. I love how the sky takes on the warm colors of the sun. Pink, orange, red, and even purple sometimes.

    From a sky too bright to look at, to a large fireball sinking into the horizon – Seemingly falling off the edge of the world.

    I am still amazed and watch in awe as the sky transforms in a matter of  minutes.

    The other night it was just too hot to stay indoors. Yes, this sounds strange, but the air was so still that I couldn’t bear to sit at home. (I have air conditioning, but I am trying my best not to use it.) The Upper Newport Bay, known to locals as the Back Bay, is only a five minute walk from my home – so we headed out. Cameras and iPhone in hand, we were ready to see some magic happen in the sky.

    I love how the sun reflects on the waters surface
    and how the heat of the sun gives way to a rainbow of colored clouds.

    As I am writing this post, I am wondering why taking sunset pictures has always been a summertime tradition.

    Is it because we associated sunsets with the beach and we spend more time at the beach in the summer?

    Or maybe it is because the sunsets are so much more vivid in the summer – I might have to think about this one. Either way, sunsets are one of Mother Natures best creations.

    Watching the sun set over the water is one of my favorite ways to end the day. Once the sun is gone, the light reflects up on the water and everything is covered with pink.

    I know the sun sets 365 days a year and I have seen some beautiful sunsets in the fall, so why not make taking sunset pictures a year-round tradition? The October skies can be quite amazing too!

  • Goodbye summer – I will miss you

    Today is my first day back to work after having the month of July off. I go back to work with mixed emotions. Part of me is so happy to get back and do busy work, see my friends, and meet the new students – but the other part of me will be missing the lazy days of summer.

    The late nights and sleeping in. The carefree days of nothing planned and then ending up at a park. Oh, and the infamous late night trips to get a frozen yogurt before they close. The not wearing makeup – now that part I will really miss! However, I have grown to like myself with less makeup and may just keep it that way.

    Either way, getting back to a routine will take a few days. We always have the weekends to look forward to right?

  • Fire in the sky

    Sunset or fire in the sky? What do you think?

  • Instagram Summer

    I can’t believe my summer vacation is over in one short week. Where did the time go? 

    When I look back I think we didn’t really do that much – and then I scroll through my Instagram pictures and realize we did. 
    Days at the beach – impromptu trips for ice cream and frozen yogurt – visits to Aquarium of the Pacific, San Deigo Zoo, and his birthday at San Diego Zoo Safari Park – raising over $1,000 for the tigers – lazy days by the pool – sailing – time spent drawing – basketball at the park – Nighttime Zoo – Reptile Walk – Behind the Scenes Safari
      

    Not bad for a summer vacation. This week we have another trip to the San Diego Zoo, a final trip to Legoland, and of course time by the pool and beach. 
    The best part was that we spent time together. Late nights watching Animal Planet and NatGeo Wild were the best, but no Instagrams of that. 
    Dylan still has another month of summer vacation (lucky kid) and I’m sure he will have fun at Nature Camp and with Grandma. I’ve been having so much fun on my vacation that I never got around to my to do list of chores, but that’s ok, I’m sure they will all be there waiting for me next month. 
    What have you been up to this summer?

  • Wordless Wednesday – Floating the day away

    After hours of playing in the pool, sometimes all you need to do is float. 

  • Summertime means Nature Camp at the ENC

    For the past three summers, Dylan has been attending Nature Camp at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach and this summer will be no different. This is not your typical summer camp.

    The ENC offers a hands-on experience with nature that takes place in a traditional camp setting – without having to drive into the mountains. For anyone who has been to the ENC, you know that once you enter the main gate you are instantly transported from the busy city streets to the great outdoors.

    Campers will walk the trails, learn about the ENC grounds and how to respect the plants and animals who live there, make crafts at good old-fashioned picnic tables, and learn all about science and nature.

    During the ENC Spring Faire, Dylan had the chance to meet some of the special guests who will be joining the campers this summer.

    Each week is a different theme and includes a special guest or local field trip. There are eight sessions to choose from and surely one that your child will love!

    Session 1: July 2 – 5   Do It Yourself Camp
    Campers learn about everyday things and how to make many of them. Special guest – a real beekeeper!

    Session 2: July 9 – 12   Planet Protectors
    Campers learn how the benefits of recycling, reusing, reducing and more. Beach clean-up and visit to a landfill for older campers.

    Session 3: July 16 – 19   Wilderness Survival
    Campers learn how to prepare for the unexpected. Special guest – Coast Live Oak School, ancestral survival skills.

    Session 4: July 23 – 26   Under the Sea
    Campers learn about marine mammals, sharks, fish, and everything living under the sea. Field Trip to Crystal Cove State park tide pools.

    Session 5: July 30 – Aug 2   Outdoor Adventure
    Campers learn about a variety of habitats and the plants and animals that live in them. Special guest – Live birds of prey!

    Session 6: Aug 6 – 9   Incredible Inventions
    Campers learn about famous inventors and make inventions of their own. Field trip to Tessman Planetarium.

    Session 7: Aug 13 – 16   Outdoor Creativity
    Campers explore creativity in nature with drawing, painting, dance, sculpting and more. Special guest – Southland Opera Company performance of “Adventures in Song and Story”

    Session 8: Aug 20 – 23   Mad Science
    Campers enjoy safe, age-appropriate, hands-on experiments. Field trip to Discovery Science Center.

    Summer Nature Camp at ENC



    Who: Elementary students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. The campers are split into small groups based on age.

    When: Nature Camp is Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with an after camp option that runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

    Where: Environmental Nature Center, 1601 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663

    How much: Nature Camp is $175 per session ($157.50 for members) and After Camp is $80 per session ($72 for members)

    For more information about ENC Summer Nature Camp or to register your camper visit the ENC website.

  • Good-bye Summer, Until We Meet Again …

    I can’t believe summer is over and my little boy will be starting 3rd grade in just two days. Where did the time go?
    It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by … and the more I wish I could freeze time. My cuddly little boy is growing up so fast.

    As I look at school pictures from the past 3 years, my mind is flooded with memories and my heart is filled with love. Through pictures like these, I can freeze time … at least in my mind.

    (more…)

  • Wordless Wednesday – S’mores