The conference, etc.

We're back. And we're exhausted. It's always that way when you've had too much fun, isn't it?

We headed to L.A. on Thursday, and spent a few hours at the California Science Center. We enjoyed the World of Life exhibit, and then ran out of time to finish the Creative World exhibit or the rest of the museum. So, we'll be heading down again this fall to visit friends who are moving to the area next week. There are SO many great museums in L.A., we could burn a lot of oil this year, despite the cost.


We met my mom at the hotel around 6, and caught a shuttle ride to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. We don't have one in our town, so the boys had never been. That was a major hit! We all enjoyed the fish tanks, mock jungle, and the balloon artist who made the boys swords, a bow and arrow set, and a monkey in a palm tree for our littlest monkey. Unfortunately my flash is still out, so my photos are all really blurry. I couldn't get the boys to stop bouncing around!

The restaurant, plus staying three nights in a hotel with a pool would have been enough entertainment for the boys, even without the conference. But Scott and I, (mostly I), got to enjoy several sessions while sharing turns with my mom to watch the kids. Saturday afternoon we all just camped out by and in the pool for a few hours. It was warm enough to swim, but not unbearably hot -- like it was when we got home yesterday. Scott and the big boys also played a lot of chess and attended the Chivalry Today session together. all three boys made clay volcanoes at a kid session, and played with Legos and Hot Wheels in the toy area.

It was a fun, inspiring, short vacation. And now we're spending Scott's last week home just enjoying each other -- and recovering from the nasty cold we brought home.