carlsbad & legoland.

We booked a hotel through price line for our hotel this year again. The kids and I wanted free breakfast buffet and close to Legoland. Jer wanted a 5 star resort and no breakfast. We won, (well price line picked it for us) and when we arrived, Brayden had the most disturbing reaction. It was just your average Holiday Inn, a little older and in need of a remodel, but it was perfectly fine. When we pulled up to the parking lot, Brayden was in horror, eyes filled with tears and he asked, "is this really where we are staying?" Jer and I looked at him a bit stunned, and we all walked into the lobby. You would think the wafting aroma of Otis Spunkmeyer cookies would have curtailed his tears, but no, he sat down on the (pleather 80's style) couch and looked around in disbelief and watery eyes. Jer and I switched from laughter to horror, to laughter, and then to the realization that somehow we raised the world's biggest snob? When we got to our room, we hoped he would realize it was just like any other hotel he'd been in (but with popcorn ceilings) It passed my bedbug inspection, so it was all good for me... but Brayden gave it a good once over, then asked if we could do most of our activities outside the hotel because he didn't feel quite 'safe' there. Luckily, he slept right through the sound of sirens, gunshots, and gang banging outside our window that night. (ha)

Carlsbad is such a darling place. So much lush green everywhere, it felt so much like Hawaii to me. Gorgeous, gorgeous town. It had tons of shopping and restaurants and hello, Target right across the street. The beaches are beautiful with squirrels that run around and we ate the best pizza of our life at "That Pizza Place" that literally had not been updated since 1980. Jukebox, memorabilia all over the walls, and arcade games in the back. If you're ever in Carlsbad, please go there. The next morning, we went to Legoland. We couldn't wait to take Kosty there, what could be more of a heaven on earth for that kid? Well, he decided to play it cool and show no emotion whatsoever when we walked in. He even made this weird face to show us that he was not excited. Heaven forbid that he show a little emotion. Nope, gotta stay tough and act hard.

Legoland was super fun. Relaxed, short lines, very very mild rides. Brayden and I went on the first ride we came to which was their one and only extreme roller coaster. I kept thinking all the rides were scare free, but that one had me screaming my head off as it dropped and whipped around sharp corners so fast that I swear I was going to fly out. Once we got over the initial shock, it ended up being really fun and Brayden rode it again. We pretty much covered all of Legoland and crossed over to the Water Park with our hopper tickets. As we were passing the gates, Jer noticed a familiar voice, he looked up and saw Tony Hawk with all his kids getting them in the park. He took the youngest on his hip and was about to leave, when I basically shoved Brayden into him and forced him to say hello. Jer and Brayden were staring at him and obviously too star struck to ask for a picture, so luckily for them, they had me :) 

The water park was freezing, but fun. Brayden made a friend and played for hours while Jer took a shivering Kosty back to the lockers to change and warm up. I was freezing too, and still in my wet swimsuit getting frostbite, but kept my patience and sat and enjoyed watching him have fun. After the water park, we went back into Legoland and hit our favorite rides again, a few times each, before leaving as they were closing the park. We definitely got our moneys worth and shut the place down. 

brayden trying to smile through his tears at the hotel

^
FAKER!

the capitol building all made from Legos!

the only bummer, kosty was most excited to drive the little cars, but it was for 6+. I told him no big deal, he'll be 6 in just a few months, so he could go on. Welp, darn those workers for not trusting adults, because they outsmarted me and came out of nowhere and asked Kosty how old he was. Of course, kids are honest, and so he said 5 and couldn't go on. Darn that honesty sometimes. ;) He found this cute snail to keep him occupied while we watched Brayden drive.

these Lego cities were so cool. Look how tall those buildings are! all built out of Legos. They had every major city.

Tony Hawk