Things To Do In San Diego

Four years ago, I fell in love with San Diego.  Before I visited, I created my very own San Diego bucket list.  It was a wonderful trip that my husband and I were able to take.  I did not get to cross everything off my list but I told myself, I would be back.  And of course, my wish was to have my children be able to experience this beautiful city as well.  Fast-forward to 2018, my son is stationed in San Diego and living on Coronado island.

Who would have known that this is how life would play out?  I love that I get to visit once again.

Here is my list of Things To Do in San Diego:

1)  Tour a Haunted Hotel-Who knows what you will see at Hotel Del Coronado?  Go for the curiosity, stay for the view.

2)   Hop Aboard the USS Midway-You do not need to bring your own sailor for a private tour.  There is a free audio tour available in several languages that is very interactive.  The volunteers are great too.  Stop and hear their stories, they have many to share.

3)  Hang out with the Seals-You may not be able to hang out with the Navy Seals but the La Jolla seals will even pose for you.

4)  Tour Caves-Do you dare travel down this tunnel?

5)  Experience the San Diego Zoo-It is an adventure.

Don't forget to check out-
-Seaworld San Diego

I could not believe how many things I missed doing the last time I was in San Diego.  I even found new things I wanted to add to my list.  Most of the items on my list I did on the fly, very inexpensive, or even free.  The city is tourist friendly.  You can find discounts online.  If you have time, plan ahead.  If you have active military or veterans, ask for discounts.  Parking was no problem. 

Summer Picks-Noblo Umbrella Buddy

How is your summer going?  What is your summer bucket list consist of?  Are you planning on heading to the beach for some fun in the fun?  The beach is one of the first things on our list.

Thanks to Noblo for sending us a sample for us to review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Every year we love to head to the beach.  Obviously you have a beach check list of items you need right?  An umbrella is necessary when you have kids.  Though we love all the sun, we need a little shade from the exposure.  One of my biggest fears is having an umbrella flyaway.  We have had broken umbrellas and even injuries.  One big umbrella fail.  So this year we wanted to be prepared.

NOBLO UMBRELLA BUDDY-unique, eco-friendly nylon bag fills up with beach sand, then attaches to your beach umbrella.

It is easy to use. It kept our umbrella safely anchored where we placed it.  We actually had to move our set up a couple of times because the tide kept creeping up on us.  We had no problem moving the umbrella with the Noblo umbrella buddy.  After a full day of fun in the sun, we emptied the sand.  I folded the Noblo down to a small square that was small enough to fit in my hand.

I love to re-purpose items, this can double as a bag to put things in while walking to and from the beach!

Another thing I like about this product is that it was invented by an amazing mom. Moms find problems and always find great solutions. Why did I not think of this one?

This product is made in the USA, comes in your choice of blue or red, and is priced right at $20.

Have You Tried The Best Shrimp On Earth?

Galveston is full of so many places to explore which include the beach, the island, and the food.

Thanks to Fisherman's Wharf for inviting us to their restaurant for a complimentary lunch.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Fisherman's Wharf is located right at Pier 21.  A waterfront seafood restaurant with great views of the bay.  You can't get fresher than this, right? 

2200 Harborside Drive
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 765-5708
Fax: (409) 765-7074

Hours of Operation

Sunday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 11pm

In the 1940s, this was a shrimp and fish “factory”.  Fun fact-Shrimp from this very place was served to President John F. Kennedy at the White House.  Many have said that this is the “best shrimp on Earth.”  Shrimp Po-boys have been served here since 1970. 

So of course, we had to try them.

Shrimp Po-boy

Grilled Chicken Po-Boy

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

My husband loves Shrimp Po-Boys and he said, "it was one of the best tasting ones he has ever tried".  We all enjoyed our food.  It was very flavorful.  The portion size was great too.  The ambience was amazing.  You can dine in and outside.  The restaurant is kid friendly.  And the staff was great too. 

To check out the menu and find out more information, go to www.fishermanswharfgalveston.com. 

Travel Tuesday-Bucket Brigade #LoveGalveston #BeachesFam

I am a water baby and so are the members of my family.  We love to head South to Galveston, TX, where it is always island time!

There is always so much to do.  Every time we go to Galveston we discover something new that we have not seen or done before.  At the beach we get to disconnect.  I always find things to learn in every adventure we take and the beach is always a place of discovery for us.  You can use all your senses when you dig your feet in the sand.  Find a shell; touch it, feel it, collect it.  There is beauty everywhere.

On this adventure, we took a tour with the Galveston Bucket Brigade. 

Bucket Brigade offers free interpretive tours to beach-goers on Galveston Island.  Their objective is to increase the public's understanding of the positive role of sargassum and turbid water in our marine and coastal ecosystems.

Tours are available from March to October 2016. They last approximately one hour.  It is a unique hands-on activity that the entire family can partake in.  Bucket Brigade highlights the impact we can all have on coastal ecosystems through marine debris and pollution. 

We learned that Galveston's beaches are not "dirty" beaches.  Galveston water is actually very clean but full of sand.  Our water is sandy brown, the same color as our sand.   

Check out some of the cool items found in Galveston:

 Lighting Whelk Seashell

 Moon Snail

Mermaid's Purse (shark egg)

Do you go on beach walks?  We love to go on walks on the beach.  We are always finding cool things, not this cool.  Or maybe we didn't know what it was? 

The Galveston Bucket Brigade has 6 free tours that are held at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  They are offered at a variety of locations along Galveston beaches including Stewart Beach, 21st Street, 37th Street, 53rd Street, 61st Street, 63rd Street, and Dellanera Dunes RV Park.  If you want to participate, you can sign up for a tour at the lifeguard station at each tour location.

For more information, go to galveston.com/bucketbrigade

Sunny Days = Lots of Rays

Do your kids ask to put sunscreen on or do they run?  Sun protection is important.  We have to teach our little ones how important it is.

My kid will run out and is ready to play in the sun.  I used to be the same care free way when I was younger too.  But my mother always covered us full body with a white coat of sunscreen.  I have to admit I have done the same.

Thanks to Australia Gold for sending sample products for review.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Tips to protecting your little one's skin:

1)  Wet/Dry sunscreen-Sunscreen goop can sometimes feel so heavy.  It can take for ever to dry.  As  a kid, one minute is for ever.

Hello Kitty body mist sunscreens are so easy to use.  The spray can be applied to wet or dry skin.  Like when you get to the beach and your kid runs into the waves before you cover them with sunscreen.  The plus is that it smells lovely and it has Hello Kitty on it.  So my daughter loves it.  She said it is for little girls only.  I like that it is water resistant for 80 minutes.

The SPF 50 body mist has a light and clean Paradise Pineapple fragrance. Australian Gold combines cutting edge sunscreen protection with Asian skin caring ingredients, Yomogi and Butterfly Bush, to deliver sun protection with exceptional skin care.

2)  Lip balm-Lips need protection too. 

The SPF 30 Lip Balm delivers sun protection and conditions lips with Jojoba, Sunflower Seed Oil, Pomegranate, and Vitamin E.

Again my daughter thinks this is make up so she likes putting it on.  We have been doing a lot of outdoors activities.

It is safe to use on tattoos. 

3) Reapply-Don't forgot to reapply. 

4) Head gear-Find a hat or cap that your kids like or they may not want to wear it. 

5)  Cover Ups-When your little ones are not in the sun, cover them up.  If they are like mine, they will not sit under the towel.  I found this cover up that even has a hoodie that my daughter loves.  For boys, I recommend putting a dry shirt on them.

 Mom and dad-Don't forget to cover your body too.  You are running around taking care of the kids and may forget to put sunscreen on you.

My tip for you is put sunscreen on before you leave the house.  I always make everyone use the restroom before we leave the house.  When it is my turn, that is when I put sunscreen on me. 

Australian Gold Extreme Sport 30 is water resistant for 80 minutes. It has Australian naturals, moisturizers, and aloe vera.  I like the way it smells. 

And don't forget to reapply.  I lather/spray/mist the kids first.  Then I do me.

Aren't You Suppose to be on Vacation?

So, yesterday my boss walks in and says, "Aren't you suppose to be on vacation?"  See I had a trip that was tentatively planned from May 1-3 that I had put in vacation time for but it got postponed until further notice.  While I was bummed about that, I wasn't going to be able to take my family with me.  I feel so selfish taking trips without them. 

Then a couple of days ago, I was invited to a blogger retreat that I could take my family on.  And right about now, I could really use a vacation-a real one.  My job is very stressful, especially around the end of the month/beginning of the month.  There is so much to do, and take care.  But now I get to pack up my family, forget about work/schedules/etc, and go relax for a weekend getaway.  Guess where we are going?

We are headed to South Padre Island on a weekend getaway sponsored by Schlitterbahn Beach Resort.  Our weekend getaway includes a 2 night stay and 2 provided meals.  I visited Schlitterbahn New Braunfels for a Senior Day trip many years ago and my family has visited Schlitterbahn Galveston several times.  This weekend we get to learn about Schlitterbahn South Padre Island Beach Resort.  So I know, you are asking yourself isn't too cold to visit a waterpark?  Well lucky for us, Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark.

So I am packing our swimsuits and trunks and we are headed to South Padre Island.  I along with other Texas bloggers will be sharing our experience.  If you would like to follow along on twitter, follow #bloggerretreat.

***Disclosure-As stated above, we will be guests of the resort for 2 nights and 2 meals will be provided complimentary to our family.  All opinions expressed by myself or my family will be based on my personal experience and as always will be our HONEST opinions.  If you would like more information on Schlitterbahn and their parks, please visit http://www.schlitterbahn.com/.  All pictures were provided for us by Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resorts.

Baby~1st Time at the Beach

Lil Bit is 7 months.  She has 2 teeth, both on the bottom.  She is crawling, not alot but we will take it.  And even walking all over in her walker. 

We have had so many first within 1 month.  It seems the 6th month and 7th month have been full of 1st.  She is growing up so fast. 

One of the 1st has been a trip to the beach.  I let her play in the sand and in the water.  The waves were a bit scary but mommy was there to hold her hands.

Time flies when you are having fun, right?  Do you remember the first time you took your babies to the beach?  How fun was it?  What did you do?  How did you play?  Any tips for our next beach day?