Taking a walk in nature

Everyday seems to begin and end with an infinite list of requests from Ted. He begins the day asking to watch a show and that is often the last request of the night as well. 

Today's list included asking to go to the zoo, the aquarium, Costco (to buy chips and dip), the park, but his most pressing desire was to go back to the nature center where he would find all the numbers. 

The Shipley Nature Center, as I have most likely mentioned before, has a loop with numbered stops and a map that explains what each number is marking. Since we had the car today I decided to drive there sans stroller. I really did not want Tidus to fall asleep because then he would not take his nap later in the day.

 As it turns out Tidus is a walking machine. He walked almost the entire loop. This is even more impressive when you take into account the trail is covered in wood chips making it very difficult with little feet to walk through.

 Ted was our guide for the day and lead us to each numbered and then pointed out where the number was on his map.

 Anytime you see a picture of Tidus pointing up you can bet that he is pointing at either an airplane or a helicopter.

 Tidus was also super into feeling all the different plants as we walked along the trail. This gave me anxiety because there are signs in a couple areas warning of poison ivy and I have no idea what any of the poison plants look like... other than the voice of Marge Simpson in my head warning, "Leaves of three, let them be."

 We took a few of the side trails this time and found this cool little hut. Next to it was a cougar pelt complete with the head. I tried to get either of the boys to stand next to it for a picture but they were too afraid. Some day we will go on one of the tours so we will know what all we are looking at. For now we just like exploring.

The Festival of Flight

Most of the activities we participate in are found out just by chance. One morning, after dropping Tyler off at work, I was driving the kids to the aquarium and noticed a billboard that was advertising the Festival of Flight. Luckily I was in tons of traffic so I had plenty of time to read the info. Also the festival was to be held at the Long Beach airport which we are very familiar with around here, and it is free so double bonus.

The festival has booths, food trucks, music and tons of airplanes to check out. Most of the airplanes had a not touch policy but a couple were letting people have a seat.

 Ted was filmed giving a thumbs up in this plane when it was his turn to have a seat. I have no idea what he was filming for but it was still cool.

 Ted also got to sit in a police helicopter.

 We all sat in the luxery helicopter that you can pay a couple hundred dollars to get a ride in to Catalina Island. Tyler and I discussed investing in our own one of these. ;) It was so comfy.  

 It's Bulldog from Planes! :)

 This giant plane behind Tidus is a medical plane or something. There was a line that stretched around the world so take a walk through it so we passed on that.

 Ted has become quite the big brother in the past week. He is always helped Tidus, holding his hand, and making sure he is taken care of. Ted also still sits on Tidus and shoves him over so... basically they are brothers.

 Tidus LOVED pointing out all the planes and helicopters that were flying overhead. I think he was more into the planes in the air than the ones on the ground.

The festival even had a bounce house for free. So that was our last stop. In total were at the festival for a little over an hour. We arrived right when it started which was smart because it was starting to get more and more crowded. Plus the clouds were burning off in the sky so it was also getting hot outside. It was a lot of fun! The perfect activity family Saturday activity :)