February 22, 2010

go see do: a is for aquarium

Since we've become parents it's harder to get out and do things like we used to but David and I made it a goal this last week to "Go, See and Do" all the things that San Diego has to offer. I especially feel like it's important for our marriage to mix it up and this was a great way to do it. It's a little game that David came up with and here are the rules:

1. Each Saturday we will do two activities. One has to be free and one can cost money.
2. The activities will start on A and continue for 26 weeks until we reach Z.
3. Along with the alphabetized activity, we will plan one of that day's meals around that letter (and I'll post those recipes on my food blog).
4. Post the day's activities here on my blog. I really hope that posting here will keep us excited about doing this project.
This last Saturday we started with the letter "A" which took us first to Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla. I'll be honest, I was marginally disappointed with the aquarium. For $12 a person I expected a big shark tank or, at the very least, something equally as cool as parts of the San Diego zoo (which is fantastic by the way). However, I do have to mention that the aquarium had some great things that I've never seen before like dwarf seahorses and ghost jellyfish.
Of course, William and I stood in line with the other children to get our picture in the shark's mouth near the shark exhibit.
There were also some beautiful views of the La Jolla coves and an area for whale watching. We didn't see any but we're looking forward to going on a whale watching excursion when we get to "W". I just hope it's still the season.
Our next activity included making and decorating paper airplanes. I'll be honest, I really learned a lot about my husband this week. He is really artistic when he wants to be. I always thought I was the artistic one in our relationship but it turns out I was wrong! His is on the left.You should see the others he made too. They were pretty sweet. We found some good YouTube videos to help us with different airplane making ideas (here and here).

As for meals? We went to The Fish Market near Seaport Village for lunch. Nothing we ordered started with A but their New England clam chowder was really good. We made up for our lack of lunch creativity by making Artichoke and Tomato Penne pasta, along with a yummy Greek salad. As for dessert, I made an amazing Apple Spice Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese frosting.

12 comments:

  1. What a great idea, Liz.

    One thought--maybe just be sure to do all the alphabet but not necessarily in their alphabetical order. It would probably make it a little easier and maybe even a little more enjoyable in some ways. Just a thought.

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  2. I, too, was disappointed in the Scripps Aquarium. The views were amazing, but the rest was just ok. Enjoy your exploration of the city.

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  3. what a fun idea! it's a great way to get to know the city you live in. i have to agree the aquarium isn't all that fantastic.

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  4. Love this idea! I think I'd like to try the abc Food version.. thanks for the idea!

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  5. Awesome idea! Can't wait to follow your adventures - and try your recipes. The food you make is inspiring!!

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  6. Cute! Excellent idea. I wish we had done something like that when we lived in Boston. We left having failed to visit a few places I wish we'd seen.

    Whale season is about mid-Dec.- end of Mar., by the way. You will be looking for California Grey Whales, specifically and Cabrillo is a great place to do it...=)

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  7. What a fun idea!! I feel like I would run out of ideas in AZ, because there is way more to do in San Diego! But I want to try that! You guys are awesome!!!!

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  8. Sounds great and I know I'm really going to like the recipes from this project. We're all winners! LOL

    Thanks for posting them, Liz. Yum!

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  9. what a great idea! i love it. it is way hard to get out and about when you have a kid, so way to go on making it a goal- and super fun one! good luck. can't wait to hear about all your adventures.

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  10. I am excited for your reviews - maybe you will find some new spots we have not explored. For now, I am glad to know Scripps is not worth the money. Thanks!

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  11. This is a fantastic idea! We just moved to a new place with our 5 boys. We need to get out and explore and I think the boys would get a kick out of this idea! I just may have to steal this idea:) Thanks so much! And what a darling little boy you have!

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