It's still the week of birthday here, so a little busy.

We went to Six Flags Tuesday. Nothing like going to an amusement park to feel your age. Actually, I did better than usual. Last time we went to Disney, I had to take a nap, but it is open some insane amount of hours. Six Flag hours are weird (10:30 - 8:00). The weather was PERFECT, which probably helped the energy level. So, we lucked out. Weather couldn't be any better. 70F degrees at most - sunny day - cool breeze.

It's so cool at home that we haven't even been running the A/C. Kids' birthday party is usually the *hottest* day of the year - at about 110F degrees. I've been watching the weather forecast in disbelief. Says 85F, or maybe even cooler. Will see!

Actually, I am relieved we can keep some of the party outside. Usually, *outside* is completely out of the question.

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I think we are going to Disney this year. We were going to go to So Cal for LegoLand. (Kids want to go, it will be a pretty cheap trip, and they will outgrow it soon, so might as well oblige).

Dh says to me, "I don't want to Disney, though" - a few months back.

I didn't argue at the time. Kids have been spoiled rotten and have been almost every year. I personally think it is easier to appreciate things when they are a rare treat.

At some point I whined to dh that I Wasn't sure I agreed. Since I missed Disney World in 2007 and 2009. I might not have been since 2008, myself. I was a wee bit sad to skip it, though for the most part I don't think I care that much.

But, going to Six Flags sealed the deal. This one in particular started out as more of a "Sea World" and they crammed in the rides later. They layout is terrible. We theorized that it wasn't conceptualized from the ground up, like most theme parks. But, we were left annoyed by so many things at this park, that dh said, "Maybe because I have been to Disney so much the last decade - but there is just no comparison."

So, now all of a sudden he wants to go to Disney.

Will see!

We will get a free place to stay through MIL's endless timeshares, and will just drive down. Kids have free tickets to LegoLand. So, all we really have to spend money on is one-day Disney tickets, and food. FOOD will be the biggie. We decided one day is plenty for our purposes. I've done it MANY times. Never with the kids, but since it is more of a last-minute thing, and they have been 10 times already, I think we will survive. (Plus, going mid-week in October means we may accomplish more anyway).

I've never understood what was so expensive about Disney. So many times in college, etc., that we just drove down for the day. Maybe stayed one night in a shared hotel with friends. IT's not the cheapest thing ever, but doesn't have to be a 4-figure vacation, either. (I am referring to the *local* idea that Disney = 4 figures, when it doesn't have to be AT ALL! Not picking on anyone who has to fly thousands of miles to get there. The locals are pretty whiny about the expense, and it is just a 5 or 6-hour drive. So - their attitude would drive you mad).

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We are still tweaking our San Jose *staycation.*

We were going to take the kids to Great America (where dh and I both worked many years - and met). BUT, are no longer enthused with this idea after being tossed around all the rides at Six Flags in our old age. LOL.

We will go sometime - just need to spread it out a little more for us old folgies. Maybe next year? It just really struck me since I practically lived at Great America in my youth (& was always going in on my days off to ride the rides, etc.). Ah, to be young.

We had talked about visiting Winchester Mystery House, but I priced it and the price was insane. Would be like $100 for a 1-hour tour! Whatevah! Decided the kids would appreciate that more later, anyway. Will go in a few years. (We've been several times - apparently never since our parents paid for us, as children).

For reference, I just paid $100 for an entire day at Sig Flags. Price just struck me as insane.

The water park is still a good contender. So far all we have set in stone is a free concert at our alma mater. It's looking like that and a day at the water park. Planning that the last couple of days before school starts. Sounds like a nice end to summer vacation! San Jose has a really nice water park.

The kids get a week off in October, and so that is the week we are looking at our So Cal trip.