The sunset is pretty in Radiator Springs.

One day, when Emi is older, I'm going to tell her that we went on a girls' road trip to the Grand Canyon, just the two of us. In a red convertible.  And we pulled over on Route 66 to enjoy the sunset and snap these photos.  Because that sounds way better than the truth.

The truth is that we waited 3 HOURS in Disneyland's Cars Land for her brother and dad as they wound their way through the longest and most deceiving line in the world for the Cars ride (which lasted 4 minutes 22 seconds, by the way).

San Diego Padres Kids Fest.

What's the best way to enjoy a baseball game with squirmy kids who won't last 10 minutes in assigned seats, let alone a 3 hour game?  The San Diego Padres Kids Fest at Petco Park!  Happens every Sunday day game. 

We loved all the options and fun things for kids to do, even while the baseball game was going on! There's an impressive assortment of inflatable play structures, kids activities, face painting, balloon animals, a playground and the best part: when our kids have squirmed their way out of their seats and we were starting to get the "look" from people sitting around us, we headed back to the kids area, set up a blanket on the grass and watched the game in the good company of other kids who were playing, napping, crying, shouting and just being kids.

Watching the game from the grass (don't worry serious baseball fans - there's also a GIANT screen so you won't miss a thing!)

Watching the game from the grass (don't worry serious baseball fans - there's also a GIANT screen so you won't miss a thing!)

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

One of my favorite beaches in San Diego is Torrey Pines State Beach - it quite literally takes my breath away every time I set eyes on it.  There are no gazillion dollar beachfront homes, concession stands, restaurants or shops - just pure raw California beach in all its glory.

When we are tired of playing on the beach (we are really that spoiled), we go explore Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and hike the trails.  By 'hike', I mean stroll along leisurely (yet sporadically!) at a 2 year old's pace.

Although I will go to all lengths to avoid paying for parking anywhere, I would definitely pay the $15 daily parking fee in order to park at the top of the cliffs near the Visitor's Center.  Included in this fee is the ability to drive past and wave at all of the hot and miserable looking people making the trek to the top of the cliffs where they will then be too tired to continue their hike through the many glorious trails!  Or at least that was us, before we finally realized we could drive to the top.

Although we didn't see any rattlesnakes, I'm pretty sure I heard one. Or it was a cricket.  Clearly, I would not survive in the wild.

Although we didn't see any rattlesnakes, I'm pretty sure I heard one. Or it was a cricket.  Clearly, I would not survive in the wild.

Parking at the top of the cliffs, means you can save your legs for the hike down to the beach (and back up!)! 

Parking at the top of the cliffs, means you can save your legs for the hike down to the beach (and back up!)!