A Visit to Sacramento

Well we have arrived to Sacramento after quite a long trek through the scenic route that we probably won’t take again and went straight to the Unviersity Campus where Jon had to setup and the kids and I helped (for 5 minutes at least until the kids started getting bored and discovered they enjoyed running trhough all the exhibition booths). We were so tired when we finished that we decided to forgo on the Administration dinner that night and just enjoyed the free food at our hotel. I must say I am impressed with Staybridge Suites – we have a huge 1 bedroom suite complete with 4-chair table, dishwasher, and a closing door (imagine!) between the family room and bedroom. They also provide free laundry and free light dinners in the evenings. Emerson loved setting the table for dinner with all the plastic cutlery and napkins.

On Thursday morning Jon had to leave at 6:45am which meant Emerson woke up extra early – although he seems to be turning into a natural early riser, and the only one in our family. Sacramento Children’s Museum was on the agenda today. I was excited to see online that it just opened 6-weeks ago and our membership allows free entrance. It was half an hour away but we have a compact rental car and I feel we can conquer the world now. The museum was a bit small but at least I could keep better track of the kids. They had fun playing in the grocery store exhibit and experimenting with pingpong balls on tracks. Waterworks was the last exhibit and Emerson got soaked! I did not have a second set of clothing but he didn’t seem to mind.

In the afternoon we explored the new mall that apparently has put Roseville on the map. It was a beautiful map and had just been opened about 3 weeks ago. They had a ton of kids activities going on from a balloon artist in Macy’s to face painting to a Jelly Belly man giving out free samples (Avalynn’s favourite!). Although only Emerson napped and Avalynn wanted to be carried which wasn’t quite my plan of a leisurely quiet stroll through the mall during a double naptime that’s okay. It was a beautiful mall to spend a rainy day inside at.  In the evening we went to a nice Chinese restaurant with all the Administrative staff and it was nice to get to know the nice group of ACSI leaders for Northern California.

Since the sun came out on Friday we ventured out to the Sacramento Zoo. I was hoping for a quieter day but it seemed most of the schools in the area had planned field trips so it was quite crowded but beautiful day none theless! It was fun to take Avalynn as this was her first real experience at the zoo where she is old enough to know the animals. She was enthralled with the gorillas and probably could’ve stayed there all day btu Emerson was off running chasing the squirrels before we could see too much. It was a smaller zoo but still nice to get outside.
The kids were quite tired from 2 full days we retreated back to the hotel room for a group nap. The kids didn’t want to settle in their own beds and Avalynn can actually get out of the hotel crib so we all snuggled in together in the king bed. I think it’s the first time they have both fallen asleep in the same bed and was quite cute to watch.

Jon finished up at 4pm after an amazing concert and probably the most CDs we’ve ever sold at one event (over 600) and very tired out. We returned the car and had dinner at Cheesecake Factory and took in a free Zumba lesson being held at the new mall. Avalynn was gettin’ down to the music and Emerson took front stage too! It was lights out by 9pm for all after a long 2-days and much anticipated day off tomorrow.  

The mall had little tables just for kids

The balloon artist we found in Macy's

Checking out the Giraffe's at the Sacramento Zoo

2 little kangaroos (Emerson's new favourite thing is getting his picture taken in these billboards)

Fast asleep in mom & dad's bed