Busy in Balboa Park

Our first day in San Diego, David was lucky to get a tee time at Torrey Pines. He was really excited to play a round of golf at the course where the U.S. Open will be held in 2008! So, Sophie and I headed out exploring the town on our own. We left our hotel in La Jolla and I decided we should spend the afternoon visiting Balboa Park. San Diego has quite a few similiarities to Austin - the hills/mountains, laid back atmosphere, and all the natural preserves and parks.

In Balboa Park, we managed to visit the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the Carousels, ride the Zoo Train and even play in the cool playground all in one afternoon!

I was trying to introduce Sophie to the various educational exhibits covering air, sound, light, etc. and yet she got the biggest kick again out of finding the kid's center and "shopping". She did appease me with briefly trying some of the other exhibits! Such a girl!

Sophie was actually intrigued by the pipes and the sounds they made after I pumped them up:

As soon as Sophie saw the little shopping baskets, the shopping cart and plastic food, she went around collecting and stacking all the baskets together and trying to get as much in her cart as she possibly could. She is trying her hardest to keep everything in the cart without it topping over. It was comical!

Sophie's first real carousel ride! She chose the "horsie" all by herself:

I know it's not apparent with her expression, but Sophie LOVED this leaning, spinning cup! We've never been on one before and she was laughing, leaning her head way back, and totally getting into it. She kept asking for more and more and more. I would feel bad after a while and make her rest. She would stumble around and fall down because she was so dizzy, yet after she dusted herself off she would head straight back. Crazy girl!