So, the girls told their dad that they didn't want their visit, I scrambled to pack and find a hotel for us nearby (thank you Priceline), and then we were on our way Saturday morning. The girls were completely wound up in the car, and then the fighting started. By the time we got to the 215/60, I had initiated the "Golden Silence" game with the winner(s) being bribed with ice-cream. When we were in Oceanside on the 78, the girls were amazed with the scenery and were asking a lot of questions.
The most intriguing thing to the girls was the names of the streets. They were all Spanish names such as Via De La Valle, El Camino Real, etc. Taylor had just commented on Friday after school that she is tried of having to take her Spanish class because she's an American and she speaks English - why learn Spanish? I thought that this trip afforded me the ability to explain some of the history of California since she was apparently sleeping through her lessons of the California Missions in class. I started talking about how Mexico used to own California, hence the name and most of the names in the states of cities and streets. As I kept telling them interesting information, Jordan started to tap her fingers and sigh. Then, Jordan being Jordan, asked me to "wrap up the lesson" and "get to the point." So I told them that America went to war with Mexico, we kicked their butts and stole their land. The girls response, "Cool!" And yes, their exclamation was in unison.
When we arrived, Ken and I had just about had a heart attack at the cost to get us in. Jordan was the only one who got in for free. The girls made it through the first exhibit hall, and Jordan was the only one who wanted to take pictures with the cars.
We walked around looking at the cars and enjoyed the cars driving on the road. Taylor and Mandy were thoroughly bored by the time we got to the section where my aunt and uncle were with their car.
I can't give you anything other than it's a custom 1940 Ford. It's for sale if you're interested.
We left with the plan to meet up with Tom and Jonny for supper, and we started heading to the car. The girls were tired and very hungry at this point. As we walked towards the main gate, we saw some really cool cars driving down the street. Some of the cars would rev their engines which totally excited Jordan. We were walking near a '34 Ford and he revved a little bit. Jordan was completely out of her mind with happiness and started screaming at the driver, "you are soooo awesome!" The man smiled and then kept revving the entire way out. Jordan kept giving a "thumbs up."
Ken stopped for a bite to eat and then we checked into the hotel room. The girls were still bouncing off the walls from having so much energy pent up. Jordan, however, found it really cool to watch the people coming and going through the parking lot. She had a pretty cool view:
We hung out and let Ken rest for a while before heading back out to meet my aunt and uncle for supper.
Jordan spent the evening flirting with out waiter and trying to get everyone's attention. The girls were really, really tired of having to sit and be good, and it was getting obvious to everyone.
I hadn't sat down and talked with my uncle for 12 years, so it was great to watch him enjoy Ken's conversation as well as to warm up to me a little. The girls were being themselves and just totally tickled that they have "family." I try to never worry about being the Black Sheep on both sides of my family, but it's been hard on the girls to not know their roots or have anyone doting on them. They loved the attention and adored both Jonny and Tom.
After supper, we let the girls fun around the neat amphitheater and fountain that were in the main area. They were able to run out some of the energy.
Jordan completely loved funning around trying to get the water to surprise her. She kept putting her hand out, but she ended up with more on her dress than anything. Mandy skipped and skipped all around the area. Ken and I tried to get them to have a "contest" of who could skip the most circles just so they could get some energy out. Mandy won with 36 times around the fountain!
We went back to the hotel (I highly recommend Doubletree to anyone - always a favorite!), and then fought with the girls to take showers and get into bed. They hated that they have to share the bed, but then they will tell EVERYONE how much fun they have.
The next morning, we got up early so we could get breakfast and head to the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Jordan kept asking if Great-Aunt Jonny and Great-Uncle Tom were going to join us, and she did NOT like that she wouldn't see them. Jordan then pulled herself into my lap and said that I was the "bestest" because she just LOVES all of our adventures.
As much as I try to get them used to traveling and enjoying the world, there are times when I realize that we need a larger vehicle for these trips. Putting three girls in the backseat of a Chevy Cobalt makes for fighting and loud screaming. Ken is amazingly patient with them and has really helped me to be the same.
I wasn't sure if the girls would like the Mission, so I was hoping that they would enjoy the history behind it. The audio tour wands helped to keep Jordan actively interested in what was going on. She loved to walk around and look for the number so she could punch it in and listen to the history come alive. The other two really wanted to have the audio tour, but they were able to read the signs and they asked really great, pertinent questions.
Taylor loved how beautiful the grounds were. She loved the gardens and the fountains and the feeling of spirituality that was within the Mission. Mandy loved the fountains and the parts of the Mission that had been dug out. Mandy couldn't believe that the old walls were crumbling and that dead people were buried there. Jordan loved all of the information that she got, and she made sure to pray where ever there was a statue! I tried to get her with the camera when she didn't notice, but she had that 6th sense about a camera being pointed at her.
Again, I was totally shocked that they truly loved seeing the Mission. They love that there are 20 more for them to see, so we're mapping out the locations and trying to see when we can get to them.
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