After cheering on n at his soccer game, we went to the annual International Fair at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. I obtained a free parking pass from OC Register (otherwise it is $10). Admission is free. I’ve always been curious about this university that is founded on “Buddhist principles”. 
The campus is dominated by a HUGE fountain feature in the middle. It is quite impressive. There are signs that say not go in the water, but I saw plenty of people dipping their feet. 
There were several booths selling food and other items. We had already eaten lunch, and it was too early for dinner, so we just bought boba tea and a shaved ice. I had a good laugh at the booth selling stretch jeans–“One size fits all!” 
One of the highlights was going to the Performing Arts Center. We were able to see two acts. The first was Instant Radio of Soka University. They performed “Beat It” and “Uptown Funk”. 
The second was Mei-Ling Lee Chinese Dance Group. I enjoyed this, and the kids were able to see a glimpse of the Chinese side of their heritage. 🙂 
I liked how the performances were continuous throughout the day, and you could come and go as you pleased.
We had the kids collect stamps in a mini passport at various booths throughout the festival. I thought they would just get a mini mascot prize. However, when we turned in our completed passport, the people at the booth seemed surprised that we had finished it. The kids received the mascot and shared a gift basked donated by the City of Aliso Viejo Environmental Services (aka trash pick-up). This was a nice surprise! 
The contents were actually not too exciting (dog waste baggies, anyone?), but there was a light-up yo-yo, which was a highlight. They were also quite happy about the bookmark with all of the presidents of the United States. I also wanted to note that n was wearing a shirt that he had decorated earlier that day at the Superhero-themed birthday party he attended. He drew Thor and a bunch of hammers!
ChocXO Tour
Last Saturday, D took n to a birthday party while I took k to ChocXO to take a tour and win free OC Fair tickets. We had gone to the grand opening event a few months back, but were not able to take the tour at that time. On the tour, we learned about the farm-to-factory process and tasted a liquid chocolate shot at the end. We also took home a few samples. 
Celebration Dinner @ In-N-Out
This morning, D ran the OC half-marathon and set a PR: 1:46:17. As has become tradition, the whole family celebrated by going to In-N-Out for dinner! D even treated himself to a chocolate shake.
Soccer Newbie
n started playing soccer for the first time with Irvine Slammers. It is a real time commitment, since he has a clinic, practice and game every week. n waivers between liking it and not wanting to go to practice. I think he looks really cute in his shin guards and cleats. He is learning a lot, and even scored a few goals! We only have a few more weeks left in the season, and then on to k’s basketball summer league!
Eating & Shopping
After lunch we ate at the “casual” restaurant at Pebble Beach Lodge. There is a kids menu, so the kids had chicken strips and macaroni and cheese. 
Afterward we walked around a shopping area called “The Barnyard”. 
This place has easy parking and never seems crowded. I am not sure how the businesses stay in business, but they have beautiful landscaping!
Golfing With Kids In Pebble Beach
On Friday morning, we took the kids golfing at a nine hole golf course called Peter Hays. It is nice that Pebble Beach has this option, since its other golf courses are outrageously expensive. Here, adults pay $30, and kids are free with a paying adult. It was very low-key and not crowded first thing in the morning. None of the holes are more than 100 yards. 
There is even an ocean view… 
…and grazing deer. 
The kids did pretty well, considering they have not taken any lessons and never practice!
Sunset on 17 Mile Drive
After we went to Pinnacles, we drove to D’s parents’ house in Pebble Beach. We ate dinner at home and then took a walk to the ocean. 
We caught some of the sunset. 
I’m not quite sure what was so funny!
Pinnacles National Park
During spring break, we were able to check another national park off of our to-see list: Pinnacles. This is the newest park to achieve national park status. There are two entrances, and there is no road connecting the two. We used the west entrance, accessible from Soledad off the 101 highway. The road is one lane for the majority of the time, but luckily, it was not too busy. 
We stopped by the visitor center and watched the short movie. This was the smallest “theater” we have seen in a national park. 
We ate lunch near the trailhead and saw a snake at one of the other picnic benches. (No picture). 
Next, we embarked on the Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop, which is 2.4 miles round trip. When I asked the park ranger whether it was suitable for kids, he assured me that “kids love it”. 
Dry river bed–how sad. 
This is where things started to get hairy. 
Although we had flashlights and head lamps, as modeled by D, the cave was quite dark, narrow and steep. I do not even have pictures of the scariest parts because I had to put away my camera for safety. D had to carry n for some parts because the rocks were too large to scale. It was also difficult to see how much further we had to go, so I asked D if he thought we should turn back. Usually when I do this, D insists we forge on, but this time he agreed with me! So, we did not do the loop, but traced our way back to the beginning. I’m not sure why the ranger would recommend this trail for kids our age. I also would not recommend it for older people who are unsteady on their feet or larger people (as there are some places where you really have to squeeze to get through). 
The rest of the trail was quite pretty, so I did not mind hiking it twice. This may upset some people, but I am not quite sure that Pinnacles “deserves” to be a national park. To me, national parks need to be spectacular, and this one did not quite meet the mark (although we did not see all of it, of course, so maybe I should reserve my judgment).
San Diego Safari Park, Part Deux
During Spring Break, the park opened up at 8 a.m.! We arrived just a little after it opened. The weather was a little chilly, and it was not very crowded–perfect! 
D has decided his favorite animal is the Cheetah, since it is the fastest land animal.
Our tram tour guide was funnier this time, so it was still interesting.
We were also able to see the bird show for the first time, which we all enjoyed. 
Butterfly Exhibit @ San Diego Safari Park
We had a fun Spring Break, but are sad that it is already over! We kicked it off by going to the San Diego Safari Park with our passes. One of the highlights was walking through the temporary butterfly pavilion and garden. They are such beautiful, fascinating creatures. If you want them to land on you, I would advise wearing bright colors!
The employees are very careful to make sure that no one leaves the pavilion with a hitchhiking butterfly. They make you spin around and shake your bags. n ended up being quite anxious to leave. I think the butterflies were starting to creep him out, even though he would not admit it.